Orphaned baby elephant rescued after poacher attack

A baby elephant has been rescued after her mother was killed when a poacher's poisoned spear struck her in the face on the plains of Kenya's Masai Mara.

The 10-month-old orphaned elephant was later seen standing over her dead mother, deep in greif.

Just 24 hours before the killing, the young family were seen happily playing together.

With young mothers in the herd refusing to let the tiny orphan suckle but wanting to keep her safe, it was clear without action she would slowly starve to death. The herd, distressed, were also quickly moving towards the Tanzania border, making a rescue even more urgent.

Luckily, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust stepped in and rescued the bereaved baby elephant, named Roi.

Roi was taken to The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage in Nairobi National Park - where trained keepers are now caring for her.

The nursery is home to 30 other victims of poaching and human wildlife conflict.

All young elephants are extremely fragile, not least when they are still milk dependent and have experienced being orphaned or seen their mother killed.

For any rescue, the first few weeks for any young elephant orphan are always critical as orphaned elephants learn to adapt to their new surroundings, if they are emaciated or dehydrated, we must slowly build their condition in a way that is safe for the orphan and slowly come to terms with the loss of their mother.

Roi is being provided with the specialist care she needs which includes any necessary medical attention, 24 hour Keeper care, warmth and nutrition through specialist formula milk to afford this young orphan a second chance at a life in the wild when grown at our Nursery in Nairobi National Park.

With the help of the other orphaned elephants at the nursery who provide psychological support to tiny Roi, she is adjusting to her new surroundings.

To donate to support the Trust's work, please visit: www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org