BABY ELEPHANT MOURNS HIS MOTHER - THE ONGOING MASSACRE OF ELEPHANTS - And how rescue centers that care for orphans only to release them into the wild to be killed, are unwittingly working for the poachers

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Orphans are saved and rehabilitated, only to be released into the wild to be murdered by poachers.  Thus these centers caring for elephant babies are unwittingly working for the poachers by raising the animals until they are big enough to be killed.  Perhaps the public should demand that rescue organizations must place elephants INDEFINITELY in safer natural reserves that are small enough to be protected by enough armed guards.  The notion that these wonderful animals bordering extinction can continue to live in the wild comes from a state of complete denial of reality.

Daily Mail - Heartbreaking moment orphaned baby elephant mourns the death of her mother after she was killed by a poacher's poisoned spear.

10-month-old animal Roi stands over mother's body after raid by poachers

Just 24 hours earlier, the animals had been photographed playing together 

Roi faced starvation without her mother's milk in Kenya's Masai Mara park

But she was dramatically rescued and taken to an orphanage in Nairobi

Trainers say she settled in well and has become a 'confident little elephant'

Ivory poaching is a huge problem in Africa, killing one elephant every 15 minutes.

This is the heartbreaking moment that an orphaned baby elephant mourns the death of her mother after she was killed for her ivory tusks by a poacher's poisoned spear.   

 

In the footage, the traumatised animal, named Roi, is seen standing over her mother's dead body following the brutal raid.

 

Just 24 hours earlier, the endangered animals had been photographed playing happily together in Kenya's Masai Mara National Park. 

See more images

 

The 10-month-old orphan temporarily joined another herd, but faced starvation without her own mother's milk. 

 

Luckily, Roi was later taken to safety after a dramatic rescue by wildlife experts.  

 

During the complex operation, the youngster was manoeuvred away from the herd, tranquillised and put on a plane. 

Roi was then taken to The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage in Nairobi National Park, where trained keepers are now caring for her.

 

Rob Brandford, UK Director of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, said: 'Roi arrived in good health but was clearly traumatised from witnessing the death of her mother.

 

'She took milk from the keepers early but was wary and understandably a little nervous around her new surroundings, not trusting the keepers. Once she met the other orphans, she was immediately comfortable and content.

 

'The older elephants paid her attention and provided her with the love and affection she craved and missed.  As the days have passed little Roi has settled in completely and is now extremely attached to her keepers, familiar with the routine and is playing once more - she is a confident little elephant.'

Ivory poaching is a huge problem in Africa, killing one elephant every 15 minutes.

 

The David Sheldrick Wilfdlife Trust is hoping to raise £15,000 to save more baby elephants like Roi who are orphaned by poaching.    Mr Brandford said: 'Arriving as a fragile baby, Roi would not have survived without our intervention and she has now been afforded a second chance. 

 

'We have 82 infant elephants reliant on us right now and we need to be ready to provide the same life-saving care for other orphaned elephants in need.'

 

To donate to support the trust's work, visit: www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org  

Just 24 hours earlier mom and baby had been photographed together.

Source - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2879816/Heartbreaking-moment-orphaned-baby-elephant-mourns-death-mother-killed-poacher-s-poisoned-spear.html

More articles on elephants on this blog
http://ottersandsciencenews.blogspot.ca/search/label/Animals%20-%20Elephants

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