Nature
PUBLISHED
This is the incredible moment a 4-month-old elephant calf was reunited with her family in northern Kenya after wandering away from the herd.
A research team led by Colorado State University Professor George Wittemyer received a call from a nearby tourist camp reporting that a small elephant had been roaming their property.
The researchers headed to the scene, but then faced the challenge of tracking down the youngster's family. Fortunately, Professor Wittemyer had spent the past 30 years studying elephants in the region, so he had a good sense of the different family clans that roam the area.
After searching the Samburu National Reserve, the team identified the calf's herd, loaded her into a truck, and brought her home.
Upon arriving, the slightly confused calf was quickly welcomed back to the group. The calf’s aunt, called Adelaide, slowly sauntered over and called out to her niece. The calf called back, causing the entire family to erupt in trumpeting, crowding around the youngster in what Wittemyer described as a "greeting ceremony."
“Elephants are highly social, forming powerful bonds between each other that last a lifetime,” Wittemyer, who is also Chief Scientist of Save the Elephants, said in a statement. “Similar to our societies, these bonds make up the social fabric of elephant society and underpin the rich behaviors elephants exhibit.”
Sadly, the researchers later found the body of her mother, Sylvia, whom they believe had died of natural causes. Perhaps the young elephant had wandered off in confusion.
Fortunately, two of her aunts, Adelaide and Markle, cared for the vulnerable bambina after her mother’s death. Markle, who had lost her own calf earlier in the year, was even seen nursing the calf after her return.
As if this ordeal wasn’t enough for one week, the researchers had another scare the following morning when the young elephant was spotted lying motionless in a river valley after the family had moved to higher ground.
It turned out, she had simply overslept. She let out a cry and the family, led by Adelaide, came back to collect her.
All of these escapades speak to just how intelligent and socially sensitive these wonderful beasts can be. Far from being slow-witted, lumbering giants, elephants are known to have complex social structures, address each other by individual "names," pass down traditions, and perhaps even mourn the dead.
“Elephants are one of the most sentient and, therefore, relatable animals we share this planet with,” Wittemyer said. “But they are big and need space and resources as a result. Only with determination and foresight can we ensure the protection and survival of elephants – something I have faith we will accomplish.”
