Many are aware that hunting certain wildlife is banned for a very good reason: to preserve species, especially the ones who are at-risk for extinction. Despite efforts, it has been a challenge to guarantee the safety of wildlife in their natural habitats.
Poaching is just one of many hunting tactics that has been banned. When one thinks of poaching, elephants often come to mind. According to the U.N., this type of hunting claims the lives of approximately 100 elephants each day as part of the ivory trade. Unfortunately, it’s a sad reality.
One herd of wild elephants was no different when they undeservingly witnessed poachers who attempted to poison them for their tusks via arrows. Just when you would assume the group was completely defenseless in their situation, a male member of the herd escaped with his injured friends to a rehabilitation center apart of David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, located in Kenya.
When this elephant led his group to the wildlife center, he did so because he had parented two ex-orphaned elephants, Mwende and Yetu, at that very place alongside caring humans; he knew he could put his trust in them again, but this time to help save him and his herd from death.
After all, elephants are known for their extraordinary memory and are said to “never forget a thing.”
After arrival, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust wasted no time in ensuring the injured elephants were tended to by a team of veterinarians, who flew in to clean and treat the wounds and provide medicine that would thwart the poison’s effects.
According to the rescuers, “Mwende and Yetu’s dad has remained in the area with his friends and they have regularly been seen undergoing treatment.” It was also mentioned that all of the elephants affected by the attempted poaching incident have fully recovered, “beautifully.”
Click below to watch a video of the David Sheldrick Wildlife, and see Mwende make a full recovery and play with his friends!
