As waters raged, strangers leapt into the flood—risking everything to cradle a tiny elephant’s life before it slipped away.

Guests and staff at a vacation spot in Kenya acted fast when they spotted a baby elephant being swept away in a flooding river — and it meant the difference between life and death for the little animal.

People saving baby elephant from flooding river

A bystander managed to catch the moment on camera. A group of staffers can be seen swimming in a group in the middle of the river. As they approach the bank, they tiny elephant they’re holding becomes visible. Men on shore rush to help them.

Baby elephant pulled from flooding river

“The elephant calf whose mother could not be found was taken to the Reteti Elephant Orphanage in Namunyak Conservancy Samburu with help of Save the Elephants organization and Samburu National Reserve rangers,” EBC wrote.

Baby elephant saved from flooding river in Kenya

Even though people were worried for Ewaso’s health after all the water she swallowed while fighting to stay afloat, after just a few solid days of rest and comfort at the sanctuary, Ewaso was already doing better. She was even ready to meet some new friends.

Baby elephants at sanctuary in Kenya getting mud bath

Ewaso is turning out to be quite a character, “very spunky and charismatic,” according to Rowe. “The other day, when it started raining, we had her go inside to her stall. She started trumpeting at everyone to let them know she wanted to keep playing outside. Then, when we let her out, she went barreling into the grass with her keeper.”