26 Years After Being Rescued and Raised by Kind People, Ndume the Elephant is Reunited With His Caretakers (VIDEO)

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, DSWT, has been doing amazing things for the wildlife of Kenya for years. At the heart of the organization is the Orphans’ Project. This project has rescued and successfully released over 150 infant elephants in its history. The staff and volunteers who work with these orphans care deeply about these animals, investing their time and love into the success of the individuals and their species. Seeing an elephant they raised almost 30 years later, still alive and doing well, has to be the greatest feeling on Earth.

In this video, we see the Head Keeper of the Voi Unit of DSWT, Joseph Sauni, and his crew. They were called by someone who saw an elephant and were surprised at its acceptance of people. The caller thought for sure this bull must be an elephant alumni of the Orphans’ Project, and they couldn’t have been more correct. The bull turned out to be Ndume, a 26-year-old bull who had come to DSWT many years ago when he was only three months old.

Upon hearing the voices of the humans who had raised him so many years ago, Ndume stood completely still for a few moments and then approached the vehicle his human family was in, letting out a low, welcoming rumble. The joy on the crew’s faces is obvious. Ndume’s survival is an incredible win for his species and an incredible success for the staff who worked so hard to ensure his survival. Thank you DSWT and Orphans’ Project staff for your incredible dedication to such an amazing species of animal!