A baby elephant, who was found guarding the body of her dying mother, has been rescued and is now rebuilding her life in Kenya’s only elephant orphanage.
One-year-old Zongoloni has found new friends (pictured) in other orphaned elephants and keepers at Kenya’s only elephant orphanage and is ‘strongly willed’ and a little greedy, as her rehabilitation begins
Two weeks after the attack the large elephant collapsed and could not stand, leaving milk-dependent Zongoloni to guard her, even though the calf was scared and confused.
In September, poachers shot at Zongolini’s mother in Kenya. Two weeks after the attack, the large elephant collapsed and could not stand, leaving milk-dependent Zongoloni to guard her (pictured). Her mother died shortly after and Zongoloni joined a herd at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s centre in Umani
Zongoloni was rescued by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT) as she cuddled her mother who lay dying from a gunshot wound to her leg
On the right Zongoloni stands guard over her mother as she lies dying from a gunshot wound inflicted by ivory poachers and left, chases away any threats, even though she is only small and just one year old. Sadly her mother had to be euthanised to save her from any further suffering
However, she is slowly building bonds with the people who care for her that will last a lifetime.
‘In Zongoloni’s case, since her rescue she has been grieving for her lost family and during the day, chooses to spend some time alone,’ they said.
‘Like humans, elephants grieve for their loved ones just as acutely and so this is completely natural and a process that the orphanage has seen many times over.
Zongoloni’s personality is emerging at the orphanage. Her keepers said: ‘At the moment, she is very greedy for her milk feeds and dairy cubes from the Keepers and loves her hand-picked greens!’
At the orphanage, Zongoloni is now spending time with calves and keepers 24 hours a day, travelling with them as a group during the day, and sleeping alongside them within their stable at night
‘The care and love provided from each Keeper is paramount to the survival of the orphans and we ensure our locally employed Keepers are with us for around 10 years to avoid added emotional distress for the orphans,’ it added.
Zongoloni is one of the quieter elephants in the herd but she still plays in the mud bath (pictured) and socialises with the other orphans