The continent of Africa can be a harsh and unforgiving place for an orphaned animal. With predators abounding and harsh environmental conditions constantly threatening, most don't live long enough to see their first birthday.
A little more than a year ago, an orphaned baby elephant was found wandering the heartlands of a small Kenyan town. Thanks to the actions and quick thinking of selfless caregivers at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust the baby elephant, aptly named Doldol, is now thriving.
A little more than a year ago, a baby orphaned elephant, affectionately named Doldol, was seen wandering alone in the heart of the town at night. It's incredibly uncommon for mother elephants to abandon their young, leading experts to believe that the calf's mother had either been attacked during birth or possibly scared off by large predators.
A full-grown elephant would have a hard time left on its own to face the elements, but for a baby, survival would've been next to impossible. Were it not for the intervention of a kindhearted stranger, Doldol would've surely perished before sunrise.
The next morning, the man was able to send word to Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, and within hours a mobile vet unit was sent to collect Doldol. Right from the get-go, experts knew that Doldol would be a challenge, being that she was the smallest orphan to ever be brought to the compound.
"The continuity of a single carer also ensures a level of hyper-vigilance. This person knows all the nuances of their little charge and can immediately clock even the most subtle changes, which is vital during such a precarious stage."
Reps at Sheldrick knew that there was only one man for the job, so they turned to a man named Mishak — one of Sheldrick's most accomplished and experienced animal caregivers. Mishal is said to have a gift unlike any other, allowing him to care for some of the trickiest and most challenging orphans at Sheldrick.
In no time at all, Doldol began to thrive in her new environment. After some time had passed, a new orphaned elephant arrived at Sheldrick — thrusting Doldol into the role of "big sister." Although she was hesitant at first, Doldol quickly grew to love her newfound adoptive sibling.
Today, Doldol looks much the same, having hardly grown an inch since she was first brought to the conservation area. She's the living definition of a miniature miracle and a testament to human kindness and altruistic spirit.
