It's for your own good! Baby elephant trapped in a well is rescued by conservationists in amazing video

Amboseli Trust sent two jeeps to the scene in a national park in Kenya

By Nick Enoch


Perhaps it’s because many of us watched the Disney classic Dumbo as a child that we all seem to have a special place in our hearts for elephants, especially baby ones.

That’s what makes this latest video from elephant research and conservation project Amboseli Trust for Elephants - which has now started to trend on the internet - so special.

An eight-month-old calf became stuck in a shallow well in the parched grounds of Amboseli national park in Kenya - while its increasingly anxious mother, Zombe, looked on, powerless to help.

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This baby elephant was found stuck in a well in the Amboseli national park in Kenya

The baby's increasingly anxious mother, Zombe, looked on, powerless to help

Luckily, the Trust got word of the incident in the Rift Valley Province earlier this week and sent two jeeps to assist.

The rescue operation began early in the morning - before the mother would have been forced to leave by herders who would soon arrive to water their cattle.

At first, the team struggled to attach a rope around the calf in the 5ft-deep hole as the low-lying water caused the cord to float to the surface.

Finally, they managed to secure it and, with the other end of the rope attached to a jeep, hauled the animal to safety.

Helping hand: One of the rescuers tries to assist the baby elephant

Luckily, the Amboseli Trust for Elephants got word of the incident in the Rift Valley Province earlier this week and sent two jeeps to assist

At first, the team struggled to attach a rope around the calf as the low-lying water caused the cord to float to the surface

Finally, they managed to secure it and, with the other end of the rope attached to a jeep, hauled the animal to safety

What followed was truly tearjerking.

The calf thundered across the barren plain, leaving a trail of dust in its wake.

In the distance, the cries of Zombe could be heard as she came running in the opposite direction.

And then they were reunited, embracing each other with their trunks.

They then turned to the camera, perhaps as a sign of gratitude to the little one's saviours.

After it was free, the calf thundered across the barren plain

In the distance, the cries of Zombe could be heard as she came running in the opposite direction

And then Zombe, her partner and calf were reunited, embracing each other with their trunks

Members of the Trust were all smiles after releasing the baby elephant




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He won't forget that fall! Baby elephant helped up by his mother after taking a nasty tumble

By Sara Malm


A little elephant is clinging on to its mothers trunk as it tries to climb up a steep bank - but slips through its mothers grasp and end up with all four legs and trunk flailing in the air.

The youngster had been lifted into the air by his mum when he struggled to scale the tricky obstacle but fell into the dust rather unceremoniouslty.

Eventually, it stumbled back up on its feet and the mother elephant led it to a smaller and more manageable part of the bank to climb.

Rumble tumble: The calf is falling with its legs in the air helplessly looking up towards its mother

The extraordinary scene was captured on camera by Brit Mark Bowler in the Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa.

Mr Bowler, a conservation biologist from Edinburgh, Scotland, was just two feet away when the calf fell.

The 37-year-old said: 'There were about 50 in the herd. They were running as they crossed the road and went up the bank, which was about waist high.

‘The babies struggled to get over and the mothers started to get a bit concerned - there was lots of deep rumbling and ear flapping going on.


The little calf reach for its mother as she wraps her trunk around it to carry it up the bank when it struggled to scale the tricky obstacle.

Slipping: Even with its mothers extra help, the little elephant calf loses its footing and slides down the bank

‘I admit I was scared but there was nowhere I could go - my car was surrounded.

‘There was a very small elephant, which needed help getting up the bank. The mother tried pulling the calf up from the top but she then dropped it.

‘At one point the baby was with all four legs in the air, mouth open and trunk flailing. It was certainly struggling but after it fell the mood seemed to change and it looked sulky rather than excited.

The calf looks a bit dazed as he lays in the dirt after falling over following his climbing. The scene was captured in Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa.

‘After this the mother became more concerned with comforting her offspring than the rush to get up the bank.

‘She eventually changed her tactics and led the baby to a less steep route.’

He added: ‘It all happened very fast and the adrenaline was pumping. I have never seen anything quite the same before or since.

‘I can almost feel the deep rumble and my own heart rate going up even when I look at the images now.’


After giving up on pulling her baby up the bank, the mother steps down and takes the calf around to an easier route


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That's one busy Sunday service! Mass christening of baby elephants held in Sri Lanka

By Sara Malm


15 baby elephants born at Sri Lanka's biggest elephant orphanage were christened in a mass service today.

The event, which is the biggest so far held at the Pinnawala orphanage saw the baby elephants being given names chosen from thousands of visitors suggestions.

Some were given western sounding names such as Elvina, whilst others now carry more traditional Sinhalese names such as Singithi, which means small and Ahinsa (innocent).


Two baby elephants play in the water under the watchful gaze of an adult at Pinnawala orphanage

It seemed the ceremony bored these two youngsters who look like they are up to some serious mischief at today's ceremony

Pinnawala director Nihal Senaratne said: 'An astrologer looked at the time of birth of each elephant. He then decided on the first letter of each baby's name according to its horoscope.

'The lucky letters were published and visitors were asked to suggest names accordingly'

The 15 babies were named: Singithi, Ahinsa, Themiya, Wanamali, Nandi, Mangala, Annuththara, Jeevaka, Kadol, Isira, Bimuthi, Aithi, Gagana and foreign favourites Trinky and Elvina.


Bathing time for a herd of elephants at Pinnawala


The regular baths are very popular with tourists and draw big crowds who watch the elephants play in the river

All work and no play makes Dumbo a dull boy: These juvenile elephants combine work and pleasure during bath time

Sunday's ceremony was the biggest ever at the facility since it opened in 1975.

The orphanage, in a coconut grove about 80 kilometres (50 miles) east of Colombo, is a major tourist attraction and large crowds were present for Sunday's ceremony.

Babies are fed gallons of milk in public and the entire herd is taken across a main road to a nearby river at bathtime in a ritual that has become hugely popular with visitors.


Heading home: Clean and christened the heard heads back from the river to Pinnawala


Kids these days: It did not take long before this little beast rolled around in the red sand

Thirteen babies born last year and the other two in 2010 were given names chosen from among thousands suggested by visitors

The orphanage shelters 83 elephants, most of whom were abandoned or separated from their herds when they were babies. Many have also been born at the orphanage.

Elephants are considered sacred in Sri Lanka, something which has helped keeping the animals' population healthy throughout the long-running civil war between government and rebel forces in the island's north-east.
It was feared that the population had dwindled to a mere 5,350 as a result.

Fortunately a survey carried out last year, the first since the end of the war, showed the country had 7,379 elephants living in the wild, including 1,107 babies.

The country boasted 12,000 elephants in 1900.


A female tourist feeds the elephants. The orphanage is a very popular attraction in the area both among locals and visitors


Amazed: A girl is clearly impressed whilst feeding one of the elephants. Pinnawala, which has been open since 1975, cares for 83 elephants some of which were born at the orphanage



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It's Mara-Donna! Hilarious video shows two-year-old elephant wowing crowds with her football skills before Euro 2012

By Rob Preece


Close control: Donna traps the football under a foot as she gets ready to start playing games

With Euro 2012 less than a fortnight away, England's footballers are doing all they can to impress before the big kick-off.

And judging by this hilarious video, it seems a two-year-old elephant called Donna has many of the ball skills that England coach Roy Hodgson is looking for.

The playful Asian elephant, one of the star attractions at Whipsnade Zoo, entertained crowds of tourists as she pelted a giant football about her paddock.

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Heads up: Donna shows she is as impressive at heading as she is with the ball at her feet

Her impressive display of ball control included heading, passing between her feet and a nifty step-over.

She even managed a cheeky backheel before eventually falling into a heap on the floor at the final whistle.

Stefan Groeneveld, senior keeper at the zoo in Bedfordshire, said animals enjoyed taking part in ball exercises.

He said: 'The elephants love playing with their pilates balls and also a huge football which we have for them, especially two-year-old Donna.

'It's brilliant exercise for them, especially now the weather is nice and they're outside all the time.


Having a ball: Donna pulls off a skilful dragback during her amusing display at Whipsnade Zoo


Look what I can do: Donna backheels the ball, watched by her keeper Elizabeth Becker

Off the hoof: Donna breaks into a trot in the elephant paddock with the ball at her feet

'They can often be seen having a kick-about in the paddock on their own or with their keepers.

'Donna particularly loves playing football and is very skilful - she can do back-kicks and has a good aim.'

Donna is one of nine elephants who share a seven-acre are at the zoo, which includes a large grass paddock and two houses.

They also have three pools and mud wallows to play in.


Keep the ball: Donna uses her trunk to ensure she maintains control of her football


High five: Donna celebrates with keeper Darren Fellowes after another impressive routine


And relax... Donna takes a well-earned rest, but makes sure she gets to keep the matchball

Now watch the video...




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Try getting past this lot! Elephants huddle round female to protect her from prowling hyenas while she gives birth

By Daniel Miller


Teamwork: The caring elephants create an impenetrable barrier protecting the mother as she gives birth to a calf in the Amboseli National Park in Kenya


When it comes to bodyguards, you really couldn't do much better than these guys.

In a heartwarming display, a mighty herd of elephants huddles around a female to protect her from prowling lions and hyenas as she gives birth.

The amazing pictures were taken in the early hours at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya at the start of the month.


Wildlife photographer Paolo Torchio noticed the unusual behaviour on a morning drive and was staggered as he watched the drama unfold over the course of an hour.

The protective group circled the mother, scratching the soil with their enormous feet and closing any gap between them to block the view of any potential predators.

Moments after the birth, the calf can be seen clutching the tusk of an adult with its trunk as it staggers to its feet for the very first time.


You're having a laugh: A prowling hyena is forced to slink away after members of the herd stamp and sling dust into the air to ward it off


Do not disturb: The herd throws grass and soil all over the area. Photographer Paolo Torchio believes this behaviour may be to hide the smell of the blood and the placenta, and to ward off predators like hyenas and lions

Bodyguards: An animal would have to be either very brave or very stupid to tangle with this lot
Paolo said: 'We observed an unusual tight congregation.

'All those elephants were in high agitation, seriously nervous, and closing the formation shoulder to shoulder.

'A strong wall of muscles and tusks that can scare any kind of other animal.

'This is the formation they are normally taking in only two cases: under attack by predators like lions, or during the birth of a new elephant.'

'After 22 months of pregnancy the moment arrived'.

The Amboseli National Park covers 3,100 square miles across the Kenya-Tanzania border.

The park is famous for being the best place in Africa to get close to free-ranging elephants.

Paolo added: 'It was incredible, because to witness the birth of an elephant in the wild is almost impossible.

'This is because it is impossible to predict the exact moment.


Curious: The mother and other adult elephants hover over the calf moments after it is born


Let's have a look: The herd circles around to catch a first glimpse of the new arrival


I'm down here: The calf raises its little head and trunk off the ground for the first time as the other elephants continue to keep guard


Give us a hand: The newborn clutches the tusk of an older elephant as it staggers to its feet for the very first time

Hello mum: The new arrival pops up to give its mother a tender kiss on the cheek

'It is almost impossible to determine if an elephant is pregnant or not. So, what was happening in front of us was really the most intimate and secret event in the elephant's life.'

'At about 7:30 am the elephants started trumpeting as though they were welcoming the new arrival,' said Paolo.

'Five minutes later we had the first glimpse of the new born between the legs of the giant animals.'

Huddled shoulder to shoulder in close formation, the elephants began thrusting mud around, it is believed, to put off predators off the scent of blood.


Now hear this: The herd proudly trumpets the arrival of their latest member

'All the elephants were very, very, exited, and were digging the soil with the tusks and feet,' said Paolo.

'Also they were throwing grass and soil all over in an attempt , I can only suppose, to hide the smell of the blood and the placenta, and confuse possible predators.'

Creating an impenetrable wall around the calf, the adults, which included other females, attempted to help the youngster to its feet.

'It was amazing to observe the unity of the family, with all the other female trying to help the new born,

'At 8:15 am, almost one hour after birth, finally the new born elephant stood up with his mother and got a deserved dose of milk!'


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Raging bull elephants fight for supremacy (and the girls) in ferocious clash on plains of Africa

By Daily Mail Reporter


Raging bulls: The mighty elephants smash heads as they attempt to spear each other with their 5ft-long tusks at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya

Like a real-life Clash of the Titans, these eight-ton elephants tear into each other for supremacy on the plains of Africa.

The two enormous raging bulls - each 13ft high - fight for the affection of herd females, who fled in terror at the macho display.

With five-foot long ivory tusks acting like daggers, the duelling elephants ram each other head on during their battle.

Macho display: The 13ft-high beasts were competing to win the affections of the females in the herd, who had by this time fled from the scene in terror

It ended with victory, and the girls, for one - but defeat and shame for the other.

The incredible scene unfolded at Amboseli National Park, Kenya, and was witnessed by Belgian photographer Charles Vanpraet.

'These fights are usually related to females,' said Charles, 70, who has travelled the world for the past 50 years photographing nature.

'The bulls were around 40 years old and in peak condition.'

The photographs show the female elephants trying to run away from the fight in fear.


Tremendous power: One of the males rears up on top the other in an attempt to gain superiority as the ten-minute battle nears an end

Reaching breaking point: It is not uncommon for tusks to break in these fights such is the ferociousness of the battle

Charles added: 'This fight went on for around ten minutes, but they can go on and on and become extremely noisy affairs with trunks in the air and tremendous power with the head-on ramming.

'Sometimes these battles can be so ferocious that I have seen tusks break during fights.

'They end as all fights do - with victory and in this case the females for the victor.'

Impressed by the display of natural power, Charles has more time for wildlife photography since his retirement 10 years ago.

'I have worked all over the world as a bio-engineer and I have been a photographer since I was a teenager,' he said.

'I feel like a migratory bird with all my travels and I have been privileged to witness events such as these two bull elephants fighting.'

And the winner takes it all...

Enjoying the spoils: With the battle won, the victorious male heads off into the distance with his two trophies, while the other is left hanging his head in shame



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We'll never forget you: Elephants say a sad farewell to baby who died of a heart defect

By Daily Mail Reporter


A herd of grieving elephants gathers round the lifeless body of a little calf after she died of a heart defect.

Three-month-old Lola was due to receive groundbreaking surgery for her condition but passed away during a preliminary scan.

Keepers at Munich's Hellabrunn Zoo decided to return her body to the enclosure so mother Panang, 22, could say her goodbyes in peace.

Scroll down to see a video of Lola playing in the zoo...

Goodbye little one: An adult elephant tenderly nuzzles the lifeless body of baby Lola at Hellabrunn Zoo in Munich, Germany. The three-months-old calf was due for an operation on her defective heart but sadly died during a preliminary scan

Afterwards the rest of the herd gently nuzzled Lola's body with their trunks before taking their leave of her.

Zoo director and veterinarian Dr Andreas Knieriem explained how baby Lola died after three days of treatment by experts.

'Considering the pathology, it has to be said it's a miracle that she lived as long as she did," said Dr. Knieriem.

'Her arteries were so blocked that blood couldn't flow through her lungs anymore.'


Condition: Lola was due to undergo surgery at the Grosshadern Clinic, but died during a preliminary scan

Heartbreaking: Lola's arteries were so blocked that blood couldn't flow through her lungs

Elephants are widely believed to mourn the deaths of members of their herd, and even pay homage to long-dead elephants.

A 2005 study in the UK found the creatures displayed traits similar to humans and, coming across the remains of an elephant, would gently touch the skull and tusks with their trunks and feet.

They are also believed to display a ritual around death, with several elephants travelling to visit a dead body and touching the corpse with their trunks.

Some elephants have been seen to weep and others make sounds associated with grief as they cover the body with leaves and branches before keeping a silent vigil.


Loss: Lola, pictured enjoying some carrots in her enclosure at the Hellabrunn Zoo in Munich, was three months old when she died




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