A 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 elephant spends the night refusing to leave his dead mother (while lifeguards are fighting to protect him from predators in the bay)

Regardless of the cold of the long night and the stalking gazes of predators, the poor 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 elephant persisted in staying awake next to the dead mother’s body.

A touching “movie” about motherhood takes place in Samburu, Northern Kenya. The “protagonist” is a five-month-old elephant trying to put tusks on his mother, even though the mother is no longer breathing. Worried for the 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦’s safety, wildlife conservationists from the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT), Kenya worked all night to remove the stub𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 elephant from its dead mother.

Image of a 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 elephant awake next to its mother’s body, in Samburu, Northern Kenya

An autopsy later revealed that the mother died of an internal infection due to intestinal volvulus. And it was surprising that the 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 elephant still persisted in “guarding” the dead mother’s body when night fell

Finally, the center managed to tame the 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 elephant in the early morning hours, before driving it to the Samburu runway. Earlier, a team of experts flew ahead to prepare a new home for the 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 elephants at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust orphanage.

After the flight, the 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 elephant was severely dehydrated and was quickly taken to the orphanage to quench his thirst with some milk and water. This 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 elephant has been named Sokotie by conservationists.

Several of the other 30 orphaned elephants at the nursery greeted and comforted our 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 elephant Sokotei.

And though a bit bewildered in the unfamiliar environment, it wasn’t long before the grieving 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 elephant made new friends.

“ Rescuing Sokotei ” is seen as a long battle to keep it safe. Throughout the night, security teams from Elephant Sanctuary and the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust were on hand to support Sokotei . And everyone spent a long night fighting to capture the 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 elephant so it was safe from predators,” said Rob DSWT Brandford Director .

This rescue is part of DSWT’s “Project for Orphaned Baby Elephants”, to help and return these elephants back to the wild. The orphanage takes care of elephants under the age of three and still not weaned. They are then sent to one of two reintegration centers in Tsavo National Park.

“ When Sokotie is old enough to come to one of our reintegration sites, she will meet the herd, learn how to choose safe foods and most importantly learn how to be a wild elephant, ” Brandford said . . “ It can be a long process, depending on the age of the 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 elephant. If they’re too young and don’t know anything about wildlife, it will take seven to eight years before they’re able to manage on their own in the wild.”