“I Can Fly” — Abandoned Baby Elephant Airlifted to Safety, Finding Love and Hope in a Heartwarming Private Plane Rescue

It was all hands-on deck to off-load the 350kg of precious cargo at Kaindu airstrip

A CHARTER jet takes aboard an unusual trunk in its cargo hold — an ­elephant called Bupe.

Bupe the baby elephant was rescued from certain death after he was abandoned by his mother

Bupe the baby elephant was rescued from certain death after he was abandoned by his motherCredit: ANNA TOLAN/GRI

It was all hands-on deck to off-load the 350kg mammal at Kaindu airstrip

It was all hands-on deck to off-load the 350kg mammal at Kaindu airstripCredit: ANNA TOLAN/GRI

The determined calf survived by staying close to water during the day and hiding in the bushes away from predators at night.

Bupe was rescued by a conservation group and airlifted to safety in a trailer.

The resilient beast was taken to Chipembele Wildlife Education Trust nursery in South Luangwa National Park in Zambia

The resilient beast was taken to Chipembele Wildlife Education Trust nursery in South Luangwa National Park in ZambiaCredit: ANNA TOLAN/GRI

The rescue flight took nearly two hours

The rescue flight took nearly two hoursCredit: TA Gonsalves

Game Rangers International are urging people to sponsor baby Bupe

Game Rangers International are urging people to sponsor baby Bupe