In early September, residents near Tsavo East National Park in Kenya were stunned by a bizarre sight in the middle of a dam—a small gray lump that, upon closer inspection, turned out to be a baby elephant struggling to survive. The tiny creature, later named Dololo, was only about 18 months old and had clearly fallen into the dam, unable to escape. Lying on his side with his trunk raised above the muddy water, Dololo used the natural snorkel of his trunk to breathe, an extraordinary instinct that likely saved his life. Without it, he might not have survived the ordeal at all.
Rob Brandford, executive director of The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT), which rescues orphaned elephants, described the situation: “His survival is certainly credit to the fact that he has a trunk and was able to use it like a snorkel, raised above the muddy water so he could continue to breathe. Without it, he wouldn’t have stood a chance given he was submerged in the muddy water. We don’t know how long he had been stuck, but he was certainly exhausted from the effort of trying to stay alive.”
It is believed that Dololo’s family may have attempted to rescue him but were unable to navigate the treacherous mud surrounding the dam. “The conditions surrounding the dam were extremely difficult with slippery mud, and it could be that the herd were simply unable to free the stricken calf and gave up, or that their efforts were disturbed and they fled,” Brandford explained. The vulnerability of a lone calf in such conditions made the intervention of humans critical for his survival.
Rangers from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) responded swiftly. Removing their uniforms, they waded into the dam and gently guided Dololo to the edge. A coordinated effort ensued to lift him out of the water and onto dry land, where he could finally breathe without struggle. Yet even on solid ground, Dololo was not out of danger. Exhausted, weak, and sick, he required immediate medical attention.
The KWS team transported Dololo to their camp, where they coordinated with DSWT. A helicopter was dispatched to relocate the baby elephant to the intensive care unit at the DSWT nursery. Brandford recounted the condition in which Dololo arrived: “He was incredibly weak, suffering from an infestation of worms which likely affected his condition prior to falling into the dam. His eyes needed attention after being submerged in foul water, and he had potentially ingested water into his lungs, which could lead to pneumonia. With these ailments combined, his outlook was bleak, but we persevered, as we do for all new rescues, never giving up on him or his health.”
Despite the severity of his condition, Dololo exhibited remarkable determination and resilience. Within hours of arrival at the nursery, the team attempted to help him to his feet, and to their amazement, Dololo stood unaided. Brandford described this as extraordinary: “Considering how weak and exhausted he was, it was surprising that he was able to stand unaided so soon after his rescue. Many orphans are unable to achieve this, and it’s a testament to his strong character and desire to live.”
The DSWT keepers and veterinary team immediately began intensive care. Dololo received nourishment through bottles of milk, fresh greens, and consistent monitoring to ensure his recovery from the injuries and ailments sustained during his ordeal. Over the following weeks, Dololo’s strength gradually returned. With careful attention, he was able to eat and drink on his own, build energy, and regain confidence in standing and walking.
As he grew stronger, it became time for Dololo to integrate with the larger herd of orphaned elephants housed at the DSWT nursery. Socialization is a critical component of rehabilitation for orphaned elephants, who rely on bonds with others to learn essential behaviors. Dololo quickly adapted, forming connections with his new companions. Brandford highlighted the touching interactions: “Dololo has settled in very well and quickly with the rest of the orphan herd, who made a real effort to welcome him. For instance, his stockade neighbor, Emoli, seemingly understood his vulnerability and throughout the night kept checking on him, resting his head across the partition of the stockade next to Dololo.”
