When a baby elephant got trapped in Addo's Gwarrie Pan, SANParks rangers
courageously intervened to help the tiny calf. Corney Coetzee was able to
captured it all on camera!
Here's His Amazing Photos And Story. Enjoy! :)
"While visiting the Gwarrie Pan drinking hole in Addo Elephant National Park,
a baby ellie fell into the water and was unable to climb back out. The herd
attempted to get the baby out by wetting the side of the dam and trying to
crumble the edge of the rock-hard mud embankment."
"Park rangers bravely came to help, initially planning to bring in
a back hoe to break down the mud wall so the baby could climb out
of the water. The adult elephants, however, became agitated at the
sight of the large equipment. They pushed the baby further away and
guarded it from the banks of the dam."
"It was time for Plan B: a group of rangers hopped into their pick-up truck
and began to clear the area of the adult elephants, making loud
sounds to get the animals moving. When the elephants were finally
far enough away for the rangers to commence their rescue mission safely,
two jumped from the back of the vehicle and raced towards the struggling
baby."
"Haste was crucial. Jumping in the water, the rangers used their strength
to cradle the baby and push it up towards dry land. More SANParks staff
joined to assist from the sides and help the small (but nevertheless very
heavy) baby elephant."
"After a considerable effort, the rangers were successful. Satisfied
that the baby was out of harm's way, they ran back to their pick-up truck
so that the adult elephants could reunite with the youngster. But the
now energetic baby had other plans, chasing after its rescuers."
"Since mother and child could no longer see each other amidst the
bushes on the banks of the dam, rangers began devising a plan to
reunite the family. Bravely they loaded the baby onto the pick-up
truck and drove it closer to its very protective and worried mother."
Corney said: 'Another pick-up truck was brought in and rangers loaded junior
onto the back and drove him to as close as they could get to mom without
letting her get aggressive. The truck stopped and the rangers quickly off-loaded
their valuable cargo before jumping on the back and racing away. Then the calf's
mother made a dash to reach her baby and wrapped her trunk around his little chest."
"After a three-hour ordeal, Mother and child were safely reunited thanks to
the bravery and dedication of SANParks rangers in Addo and the two
wondered back into the forest to rejoin their herd."
Please note: visitors are cautioned not to approach elephants or make
loud noises. If you see an animal in distress, notify park management.
For those of you who Want More FUN - Visit The Shangy Fun List! Variety is the
spice of life! The Shangy Fun List is an ezine packed full of Poems, Inspirational and
Heart Warming Stories. Jokes from G to slightly R, and Anything else that just
might make you SMILE! Join In The Free FUN!! ... :)
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