Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) dispatched a chopper to rescue a baby elephant that was trapped in a well at the Arabuko Sokoke Forest in Kilifi County.
In a statement issued by KWS on Wednesday, January 4, a multi-agency team was deployed after wardens patrolling the area noticed the mother elephant hovering around the water point.
Consequently, they established that the mother was trying to pull out her offspring from the well.
"A young elephant calf was today successfully rescued by the KWS helicopter, veterinary and field teams. The calf happily reunited with its mother," KWS announced.
In a video clip seen by Kenyans.co.ke, wardens used the chopper to drive the distraught jumbo from the scene to allow the team to access the well.
Wardens then improvised a lasso, which they attempted to get over the baby elephant's neck. However, it kept on moving around, making it difficult for the officers.
The officers opted to use bait to lure it to the edge before they tied the noose around it. They lifted the baby elephant's legs out of the pool of water.
Elated, it chased after some of the wardens but was brought down by a tranquilizer shot. Veterinary doctors examined it to check if it had sustained any injuries.
KWS confirmed that the young jumbo has been reunited with its mother and sibling.
The Acting Director General Erastus Kanga commended the teams for acting swiftly to save the calf before it got exhausted.
Wildlife enthusiasts also expressed gratitude to KWS for the rescue mission stating that lack of water was not the only threat to elephants.
President William Ruto's government adopted measures to save wildlife from the biting effects of drought. The plan included sinking water points and delivering animal feeds to national parks.
