World Elephant Day: Baby rescued after horrific poaching attack

An injured baby elephant has been saved by a heroic rescue team after being caught in a poacher's snare and attacked with a spear.

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT) was called to save the orphaned animal, named Simotua, in June, after he had been left to die in Kenya's 15,000 acre Rumuruti Forest.

See also: Pictures: Baby elephant rescued in Nairobi

The one-year-old elephant was suffering from a large spear wound to his skull and had a deadly snare wrapped around his leg – both of which were potentially life-threatening.

The calf was driven to the local airstrip where he was met by an expert mobile veterinary team who assessed his injuries before a one-hour-long flight.

Simotua was then flown 230km to the DSWT orphanage in Nairobi National Park where he received round the clock medical treatment.

Rob Brandford is the Executive Director of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (UK).

He said: "We believe Simotua was attacked by ivory poachers - the snare had cut through the skin and flesh on his leg, cutting down to the bone, which would have made any movement extremely painful and meant he could not walk far for food or water.

"Without action, he would have quickly starved to death or infection would have set into his wounds, causing a prolonged and painful death.

"Our team did their best to comfort him through out the process and ensured his wounds were cleaned and treated, packed with green clay, and antibiotics were administered."

Rob insists that Simotua is making a speedy recovery and has made some new friends at the orphanage.

He said: "Two weeks after his rescue, his wound had healed enough to let him venture out of his stockade and walk throughout the forest for the first time, as he gingerly put weight on his damaged leg.

"He continues to thrive alongside the other infant elephant orphans who are crucial to his healing process - their soft touches with their trunks reassure Simotua that he is in a place of safety.

"More than 90 orphaned elephants that we have rescued are now living a full life back in the wild, and we are confident that Simotua can join them in a few years when he is fully grown."

Simotua's attack happened as a result of the illegal ivory trade, which is driven by demand in Asia, and results in an elephant being killed every 15 minutes in Africa.

Charity founder Dr Dame Daphne Sheldrick would like to use World Elephant Day to highlight this malignant problem, which blights one of the planet's gentle giants.

She said: "We are at crossroads for the future of wild elephants. We witness the terrible impact of the ivory trade in our work every day, but man-made extinction cannot be the end of this iconic species.

"As the ivory trade continues to fuel more senseless deaths of these beautiful animals, ultimately, their loss will have an impact on each and every one of us."

To contribute to this wonderful cause, go to sheldrickwildlifetrust.org, or send cheques or postal orders to The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, 2nd Floor, 3 Bridge Street, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 8BL.