The Thula Thula Rhino Orphanage in South Africa usually takes in rhinos who’ve been victims of poaching but one day they took in a sweet baby elephant.
The baby elephant, named Ellie, was rejected by his herd and critically ill. They tried to reintroduce Ellie to his herd many times, but every time he was rejected. He also had suffered an umbilical hernia, meaning the entire belly button area was open and very infected; in 99% of cases of an umbilical abscess like Ellie’s, it’s fatal.
Against all odds, baby Ellie is still fighting. But that might have to do with the animal he met at the orphanage.
Ellie was very lethargic and wasn’t interested in much, until he met Duma, a German Shepherd.
Elephants are extremely social animals, so it’s no surprise he took so easily to Duma’s friendship. Ellie needed someone to play with, and play they did.
Ellie will eventually need to be reintroduced to a herd, but until he’s at full-strength, Ellie and Duma will be the best of friends!
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