Caring for an abandoned animal is especially difficult as their wounds can go far beyond the surface.
When Karen Trendler and staff at the Thula Thula Rhino Orphanage in South Africa found a sick baby elephant they nicknamed ‘Ellie’, they quickly learned his physical pain was nothing compared to him emotional trauma.
After caring for his infections and finding a diet plan that would work for him, the caretakers knew they had to find him a companion.
Baby Ellie was getting round the clock care, but as his body recovered, it became clear to caretakers how depressed he was after being rejected by his herd.
Caretakers at the rhino orphanage knew he needed companionship, and decided to introduce him to Duma, a former service dog and resident pet at the orphanage. “He suddenly started to get a little bit of interest in life again,” said Karen Trendler, a rehabilitation expert at the orphanage.
Watch the incredible video below to see how this German Sheperd gave an abandoned baby elephant reason to live.
Can you believe the effect this dog has had on Ellie’s morale? Let us know what you think in the comments below, and please SHARE this incredible story on Facebook.
[Featured image credit: Youtube/Earth Touch]