18 Years After Her Own Mom Was Killed by Poachers, Rescued Elephant Cares for Her Second Baby

Yatta the elephant is an old pro at being a mamma. According to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT), she recently gave birth to her second little one, and she is being extra careful not to take her eyes off of him. Yatta knows all too well how dangerous the world can be – this is because Yatta’s mother was killed by poachers when she was only one month old. Knowing this, it’s completely understandable how protective she is over her sweet baby named Yoyo. Luckily, both mama and baby are protected and looked after by DSWT.

With one African elephant killed every 15 minutes for their tusks, it’s not surprising that the African elephant is at risk of extinction. Scientists estimate that unless serious measures are taken to protect them, they could be extinct from the wild within the next 20 years. Though there has been huge headway made in curbing the trade and improving the laws surrounding it, there is still so much corruption and loopholes. Because the ivory trade is so profitable, poachers don’t think twice about the fact that these are living, breathing, intelligent animals. However, there are several organizations that are hard at work to save these magnificent creatures.

The DSWT is one such organization dedicated to the rescue, protection, and Conservation of the wildlife in Kenya. They also play a huge role in the fight against poaching with their own anti-poaching teams and community outreach programs. The DSWT also embrace other methods of Conservation including safeguarding the natural environment, addressing animal welfare issues, providing veterinary assistance to animals in need, and hand-rearing orphaned elephants and rhinos, along with other species that can ultimately enjoy a quality of life in the wild when they become adults.

Yatta’s resilience and recovery is a hopeful sign that with the help of more amazing organizations like this one, the elephant species can be saved. The responsibility of protecting wild animals and their natural habitat falls on all of our shoulders. To learn more about the illegal wildlife trade and how you can help in the fight to save the elephant click here.

Best of luck to Yatta and her new little one! We cannot thank the people tasked with protecting them enough.

Image Source: The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust