A young elephant calf nearly dying due to poaching is taking her first steps, thanks to an innovative leg brace and dedicated care.
Seventeen-month-old Suni was found in Zambia with severe injuries caused by ivory poachers, but a remarkable team effort has brought her back to her feet.
A New Beginning for Suni Suni’s story began tragically when she was discovered abandoned and struggling to move with severe wounds to her spine and legs.
Her mother had been killed for her tusks, leaving Suni alone, dehydrated, and paralyzed in one leg. Fortunately, the Elephant Orphanage Project near Lusaka, Zambia’s capital, stepped in to rescue her.
The orphanage team and specialists from Norway and the United States worked tirelessly to nurse Suni back to health.
A key turning point came when they created a custom aluminum leg support that allowed her to regain her mobility.
The orphanage’s manager, Rachel Murton, said that although the initial recovery was slow, Suni showed remarkable resilience.
“Through physiotherapy, massage, and intensive nursing, we remained hopeful for this resilient little fighter,” she explained.
Taking Her First Steps Suni’s progress has been a source of joy for the orphanage staff. After weeks of care, she could walk again with her new leg brace, much to the delight of everyone involved in her recovery.
Kelvin Chanda, the headkeeper at the orphanage, described the moment Suni took her first steps as “indescribable.”
Now, Suni spends her days playing with other elephants at the orphanage. Despite her progress, she still requires constant care, including regular medical check-ups and milk feeds every three hours.
Her unique leg support, made from aluminum, PVC, and leather, has proven to be a game-changer.
A Grim Reminder of the Ivory Trade Suni’s story highlights the devastating impact of ivory poaching on elephant populations in Africa.
Despite a global ban on ivory trading since 1989, poaching has reached its highest level in over two decades, driven by demand from newly wealthy Chinese consumers.
Conservationists warn that even small-scale sales of ivory fuel the illegal trade, threatening the survival of elephants.
Cynthia Moss from the Amboseli Elephant Research Project in Kenya, a place where elephants have been relatively safe, expressed her concern about the resurgence of poaching.
“It’s disheartening to fight the battle to save elephants again,” she said. Moss believes the only ones who genuinely need ivory are the elephants.
Despite the challenges, stories like Suni’s offer a glimmer of hope. They show that with the proper care and support, even the most vulnerable can return to health.
