In a remarkable display of trust, an injured elephant, later named Ben, sought assistance from humans after being shot by poachers.
The male elephant astounded guests at the Bumi Hills Safari Lodge in Zimbabwe when he approached the premises.
Nick Milne, the lodge manager, quickly noticed Ben’s limping and severe injuries. With the lodge’s in-house veterinarian away for the weekend, another veterinarian volunteered to travel 200 miles to provide care for the wounded elephant.
During the six-hour wait for the vet’s arrival, Ben remained nearby, drinking water and grazing patiently.
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The bull elephant, named Ben, surprised guests when he approached the Bumi Hills Safari Lodge in Zimbabwe
The elephant was tranquilized while experts examined the elephant’s injuries which were believed to have been caused by poachers
The in-house vet was gone for the weekend, so another was called and volunteered to fly 200 miles to help the elephant.
Upon tranquilizing and examining Ben, experts discovered a deep wound in his shoulder, likely caused by a poacher’s bullet.
To their dismay, they also found two bullet holes in one of his ears, indicating that the elephant had likely survived two separate attacks.
Experts tranquilized him and, after further examinations, found a deep wound in his shoulder suspected to be the result of a poacher’s bullet
Caring: Vets cleaned out the bull elephant’s shoulder injury and treated the wounds with disinfectant.
Cruel: To their horror, they then also found two bullet holes in one of his ears, making it likely that the animal had survived two attempts on his life.
Scrub down: After treating the wounds, a team of elephant experts gave the elephant a good clean
Following treatment and disinfection of his wounds by the veterinarian, Ben has been recuperating on the lodge’s property. Equipped with a tracking device, experts are able to monitor his progress and recovery.
The bullet holes are still visible in the elephant’s ears. Staff says it is now making a recovery nearby.
The giant animal wears a tracking device so experts can monitor its improvement.
Ben the elephant walked up to the safari lodge in search of help after being wounded by cruel poachers.