Baby Elephant’s Miraculous Recovery After Poacher Attack: How a Team of Heroes Saved an Orphaned Calf

A one-year-old elephant calf, Simotua, was given a second chance at life after being rescued from a poacher’s snare and a spear attack in Kenya’s Rumuruti Forest, a 15,000-acre expanse.

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Poachers for his ivory targeted the young elephant, but they left him to die upon realizing he had no tusks.

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT) came to Simotua’s aid, finding him with a spear wound on his skull and a snare constricting his leg, both posing serious threats to his life.

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The rescue team brought him to a local airstrip, where a mobile veterinary team assessed his injuries before flying him to the DSWT orphanage in Nairobi National Park for round-the-clock medical care.

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On the mend: Simotua, the baby elephant, pictured at the start of his recovery in June 2015 in Nairobi National Park, had been caught in on a poacher’s snare and attacked with a spear. Source: Daily Mail

Rob Brandford, Executive Director of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (UK), explained that Simotua’s injuries were severe and life-threatening.

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

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The DSWT team cleaned and treated Simotua’s wounds, applied green clay, and administered antibiotics to prevent infection.

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Helping hands: Simotua was discovered by a rescue team in Rumuruti Forest, Kenya, with potentially life-threatening injuries. Source: Daily Mail

Simotua’s recovery has been swift, and he has found companionship at the orphanage. Brandford shared that two weeks after his rescue, Simotua was able to walk through the forest and bond with fellow infant elephant orphans.

These friendships have been crucial for his healing, providing him with reassurance and a sense of safety.

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The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust has successfully returned over 90 rescued orphaned elephants to the wild, and they are optimistic that Simotua will join them when he is fully grown.

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The rescue team removed the deadly poacher’s snare, which was wrapped around the elephant’s leg. Source: Daily Mail
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Saved: The rescue team loaded the elephant onto a vehicle after finding him alone and injured. Source: Daily Mail
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His ordeal highlights the ongoing issue of the illegal ivory trade, driven by demand in Asia and resulting in the death of an elephant every 15 minutes in Africa.

Dr. Dame Daphne Sheldrick, the charity’s founder, urged for action on World Elephant Day to address this devastating problem. “We are at crossroads for the future of wild elephants… man-made extinction cannot be the end of this iconic species.

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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.”

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Horrific injuries: It is believed Simotua was left to die by evil poachers who found him to lack tusks. Source: Daily Mail
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Happy again: Simotua is clearly enjoying his new surroundings in Nairobi National Park, Nairobi. Source: Daily Mail
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Playtime: The fragile baby elephant quickly made new friends at the orphanage and is now part of the herd. Source: Daily Mail

Read more Elephant News.


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Canidae Pet Food Reviews: An In-Depth Look

Choosing the right pet food is crucial for the health and well-being of our furry friends. In this blog post, we'll delve deep into Canidae pet food, a popular choice among pet owners, and provide an in-depth review based on various sources.

Canidae is a well-known brand in the pet food industry, offering a range of products designed to cater to pets of all ages, breeds, and sizes.

Product Range:

  • Canidae All-Life Stages (Dry): This vet-formulated product suits dogs of all ages, breeds, and sizes. It's available in both dry and wet formulas.
  •  Canidae Pure: A limited-ingredient diet crafted for dogs with food sensitivities. Each recipe typically includes 7 to 10 ingredients.

Key Ingredients

The Canidae All Life Stages Multi Protein Formula, which represents the brand's product line, contains ingredients like chicken meal, turkey meal, brown rice, peas, oatmeal, and barley. Chicken meal, the primary ingredient, is a meat concentrate with nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.

Recalls and Safety

Canidae has had recalls in the past. It's essential to stay updated with the brand's recall history to ensure your pet's safety.

Customer Reviews

The Canidae Dog Food product line has earned an overall rating of 4.5 stars from The Dog Food Advisor. The Canidae All Life Stages Dog Food has received the Advisor's second-highest tier rating of 4.5 stars.

Pros and Cons:

  • Pros: High protein content, suitable for all life stages, contains beneficial ingredients like flaxseed and taurine.
  •  Cons: It contains some controversial ingredients, and not all minerals are chelated, which might affect absorption.

Conclusion

Canidae All Life Stages is a grain-inclusive dry dog food that uses a notable amount of named meat meals as its primary source of animal protein. With an above-average protein content and a profile suggesting a significant amount of meat, it comes highly recommended for pet owners.