The empathy displayed by these elephants never ceases to astound us, despite the fact that we have witnessed it time and time again.
This little calf’s world had just been turned upside down.
One-year-old Mukkoka was wandering by himself in the Tsavo East National Park in Kenya; neither his mother nor any other elephants were to be found. He was worn out, lonely, and afraid.
Fortunately, the calf was discovered by David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT) rescuers just in time. DSWT saves and rehabilitates orphaned elephants. When they discovered Mukkoka’s lone footprints in the sand near the Tiva River, they were conducting an aerial sweep of the region in a plane. Unfortunately, they were unable to locate his mother, and they have no idea what happened to her, writes animalsgreat.com
After leaving the baby elephant alone for a long time, the crew quickly picked him up and transported him to the orphanage where he received medical attention and much-needed milk.
His caregivers knew it was the ideal time to introduce him to the most beneficial medicine of all: friends, a few days later, when he was feeling a little better.
The other elephants flocked to the newborn elephant as soon as he was introduced, smothering him in affection. He was now a member of their family.
Rob Brandford, executive director of DSWT, told The Dodo that they “quickly encircled him and carried him out into the bush to meet the rest of the nursery herd.” The other infants extended their trunks in a friendly gesture to comfort and welcome Mukkoka as a new member of the family.
Elephants are highly social creatures who flourish in communities with other elephants of the same kind. They depend on one another for support and camaraderie since they know that Mukkoka needs it the most.
Even though they frequently observe the elephants’ strong familial ties and empathy for others, it was a particularly moving occasion for the humans who care for them.