A UNESCO World Heritage Site and conservation area, Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe, Africa, is home to more than 300 different species of birds and amazing wildlife, including crocodiles and hippos.
A group of workers work there to make sure their animals are content and healthy, especially since this oasis is home to numerous endangered species.
Therefore, a group of veterinarians jumped in their truck to help as soon as they received a report about an injured elephant. They had no idea that the elephant with the startling wound would come so quietly toward them.
Upon closer examination, they noticed what appeared to be a hole in the head of this lovely creature. After being shot a few weeks earlier, the elephant, whom they called “Pretty Boy,” had been moving around with the bullet still in his head.
As soon as they received the call, veterinarians Keith Dutlov and Lisa Marabini set out to find the injured pretty boy, anticipating that they would have to spend more time searching than caring for him.
To the astonishment of the animal heroes, Pretty Boy approached the truck immediately, walking softly as though he were pleading for assistance.
\Veterinarians from AWARE Trust Zimbabwe posted on Facebook, “He came straight up to their car and made himself available for examination within half an hour.”
According to the veterinarians, an X-ray of Pretty Boy’s skull shows that there was a malformed bullet there. The report states that the bullet probably struck him several millimeters too high for a “kill shot,” and it slid off his head, resulting in a depression fracture of the sinus bones.
After striking him in the head, the bullet lodged nearly two inches from the wound.
They reported a “gray pus” leaking from the infected head wound, “the likes of which they’d never seen before,” according to the post.
They gave Pretty Boy lots of antibiotics, cleansed and sanitized the incision, and extracted pieces of bone.
Pretty Boy had been lucky to avoid the bullet, which was less than an inch from killing him, according to the X-ray.
Upon closer examination, it became evident that this lovely animal had previously been shot; veterinarians surmised that he had most likely been shot outside the park and had sought sanctuary within. Given the human cruelty he had experienced, they were astounded by how composed and kind he was to those assisting him.
The elephant was pleased to find a place to slumber close to a tree when he woke up following surgery.
Luckily, the next day Pretty Boy felt much better.
Thanks to the amazing rescue efforts of the animal heroes, he was once again content and at ease. He may now be safely monitored in the national park, away from these heedless hunters.
Learn more about Zimbabwe’s only veterinary conservation trust and this amazing rescue group here.
This hunting must end because elephants are magnificent and amazing animals! To help spread awareness, kindly share this article.
