Story By: Eman El-Sherbiny, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News

Video Credit: CEN/Bumi Hills Organization

This footage shows a baby elephant called Ellie stuck in the mud as her frantic mum desperately tries to save her before activists tranquilise her and step in to rescue the calf.

The video was shot by the Bumi Hills Anti-Poaching Unit located in Lake Kariba, a man-made reservoir and lake in northern Zimbabwe, after they were notified by fishermen.

Protective of her baby, the mother elephant can be seen in the video circling around her baby and refusing to leave. This has left the unit no option but to subdue her with a tranquiliser dart, which knocked her down eventually.

Pictures Credit: CEN/Bumi Hills Organization

The conservation workers then fastened a rope around the baby elephant to pull her out of the mud hole before it dries out, while others are helping dig around the calf till she’s free.

The mother’s tranquiliser is reversed after the baby is free and both can be seen walking together towards the bushes while the conservation unit retreated.

The unit is an integral part of the Bumi Hills Foundation, a major wildlife conservation and rehabilitation organisation in northern Zimbabwe that relies 100% on donations, according to Catherine Norton, the foundation’s spokesperson.

Norton told Central European News (CEN): “As an anti poaching unit we rescue game, treat wounds, largely caused by snares or gun shots, patrol extensively on both the land and the water, pursue and arrest suspected poachers, safeguard forests and our environment – all the usual things!” 

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