In a heartwarming twist, a young elephant calf has taken her first steps with the help of a unique leg support after surviving a brutal attack by ivory poachers.
Suni, a 17-month-old elephant, was found struggling to move in Zambia, suffering from severe wounds after poachers killed her mother and stripped her of her tusks.
Thanks to the dedicated care from the Elephant Orphanage Project near Lusaka, Suni has regained her footing with a special boot designed just for her.
The team at the orphanage worked tirelessly to bring Suni back to health. The calf had deep injuries, including a spine wound that left her right leg paralyzed.
Despite her critical condition, the orphanage staff, led by manager Rachel Murton, provided constant care and enlisted a team of specialists from Norway and the US to perform surgery and fit Suni with a custom aluminum leg brace.
Rachel Murton shared that Suni’s recovery was touch and go at first. Suni began regaining sensation in her paralyzed leg as the swelling in her back subsided.
Through a mix of physiotherapy, massage, and intensive nursing, the resilient calf slowly improved, eventually regaining the ability to walk with her new boot.
Murton remarked, “It was incredible to witness Suni’s first steps. It was a moment that brought tears of joy to everyone involved.”
Despite her remarkable progress, Suni requires ongoing medical care and milk feeds every three hours.
However, she now spends her days frolicking with other elephants at the orphanage, enjoying her restored mobility.
Kelvin Chanda, the headkeeper, said, “When Suni walked normally for the first time, everyone was overjoyed. It’s a testament to the dedication and love she has received from our team.”
Suni’s story is a reminder of the tragic consequences of ivory poaching. Despite a global ban on ivory trading since 1989, poaching in Africa has reached record levels, driven by high demand from newly wealthy Chinese consumers.
The poaching crisis has led to devastating effects on elephant populations, and the recent rise in illegal ivory trade has alarmed conservationists.
Cynthia Moss, from the Amboseli Elephant Research Project in Kenya, stated that the fight to save elephants is far from over.
“The 1989 ban helped elephants recover in most parts of Africa. Now, even in Amboseli, we’re losing elephants to ivory poachers for the first time in many years,” Moss said.
Suni’s recovery journey symbolizes hope and resilience, showcasing the incredible bond between humans and animals.
Her story highlights the urgent need to end the poaching of these magnificent creatures and preserve their habitats for future generations.
