This is the heartbreaking moment that an orphaned baby elephant mourns the death of her mother after she was killed for her ivory tusks by a poacher’s poisoned spear.
This is the heartbreaking moment than an orphaned baby elephant mourns the death of her mother after she was killed by a poacher’s poisoned spear for her ivory tusks
In the footage, the traumatised animal, named Roi, is seen standing over her mother’s dead body in Kenya’s Masai Mara National Park
The young female calf, who was visibly distressed, faced starvation without her mother’s milk
In heart-wrenching scenes, the baby elephant looks lost as she waits to be rescued from the national park
‘She took milk from the keepers early but was wary and understandably a little nervous around her new surroundings, not trusting the keepers. Once she met the other orphans, she was immediately comfortable and content.
Luckily, the distressed 10-month-old orphan – who faced starvation without her mother’s milk – was dramatically rescued and taken to safety
In a complex operation, the youngster was manoeuvred away from the herd, tranquillised and put on a plane
This is the rescue operation which took place after Roi was left orphaned following her mother’s death
‘The older elephants paid her attention and provided her with the love and affection she craved and missed.
She joined a new herd after her mother’s death but would have starved without her mother’s milk
Roi was soon taken to The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage in Nairobi National Park, where trained keepers are now caring for her
Now at the orphanage, she joins dozens of other orphaned elephants who are also living with their new family
Roi, pictured, is said to have become very attached to her keepers at her new home and was described as a ‘confident little elephant’
She is pictured playing with friends at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage in Nairobi National Park
The trust is hoping to raise £15,000 to save more baby elephants like Roi who are orphaned by poaching