Rescuers found the baby with a gaping wound in his head and badly damaged leg as he clung to life in an ivory poacher’s snare
Making friends: The injured baby elephant was saved by a rescue team after being caught in on a poacher’s snare and attacked with a spear (Image: Barcroft Media)
The baby elephant rescued from cruel poachers after suffering terrible injuries is already making a speedy recovery – and has even made new friends.
Rescuers found the baby with a gaping wound in his head and badly damaged leg as he clung to life in an ivory poacher’s snare.
An injured baby elephant was saved by heroic rescue team, David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT), after being caught in on a poacher’s snare and attacked with a spear (Image: Barcroft Media)
The trust’s executive director Rob Brandford said: “We believe Simotua was attacked by ivory poachers.
On the mend: Simotua pictured at the start of his recovery in June (Image: THE DSWT / Barcroft Media)
“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.
New home: Simotua clearly enjoying his new surroundings (Image: THE DSWT / Barcroft Media)
“His wounds were cleaned and treated, packed with green clay, and antibiotics were given.”
Simotua is making a speedy recovery.
Desperate rescue: The rescue team acted quickly to save the fragile calf (Image: THE DSWT / Barcroft Media)
