In a race against time, our team embarked on a challenging mission to rescue a six-week-old elephant calf that had tumbled into a well at Loisaba Conservancy on April 18, 2020. The situation was grim, and the odds were stacked against the young calf.
When we discovered the calf, it was evidently in distress. Its cries for its mother pierced the air, and it seemed to be in excruciating pain.
Closer examination revealed that a hyena had brutally attacked it the previous night, leaving nearly one-third of its body severely injured.
The injured calf received immediate medical attention from Kenya Wildlife Service and Reteti veterinarians to staunch the bleeding and prevent further harm.
The trunk is a versatile and essential tool for an elephant, and its absence poses a significant challenge to the calf’s survival.
As the young elephant fought for each breath, we faced a difficult decision – whether euthanasia was the only option.
But the determination to help this brave calf, who had already endured a harrowing hyena attack, unified our team.
With unwavering hope, we resolved to give Long’uro a fighting chance at life. The Reteti team worked tirelessly for his well-being.
We arranged for Long’uro to be airlifted directly to Reteti and provided him with a specially prepared stable.
Our team and the resident elephants eagerly anticipated his arrival. We christened him Long’uro, a name that signifies “something that has been sliced” in the Samburu language.
This heartwarming story of resilience and dedication reminds us of the lengths we will go to protect and nurture the incredible wildlife that shares our planet.
Long’uro’s journey to recovery is a testament to the indomitable spirit of humans and animals.