Sunyei is a brave elephant who was rescued in the middle of the African wild when she was only about a week old, unfortunately she was orphaned after the separation from her mother.
Although, a baby elephant is at risk by being left completely alone, Sunyei’s fate changed completely by having the care of wonderful people who helped her become a healthy and strong elephant.
Elephant reunites with the man who took care of her when she was rescued, he returned to introduce her to her calf.
elephant
Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is one of the pioneering organizations in the conservation of wildlife and natural habitats in East Africa, they became responsible for Sunyei. It was there that the elephant met Benjamin, a man who with his infinite kindness and love for animals fulfills an incredible job as a caretaker of the nursery.
To some extent, she fulfills the role of mother of orphaned elephants like Sunyei. Rob Branford, executive director of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, commented on this:
“He organizes the care and well-being of orphans and ultimately makes sure that they are always happy and healthy.”
Sunyei managed to overcome her stage as an orphaned calf and become a happy and healthy elephant thanks to the care of Benjamin, together with him and other caregivers she learned what is necessary to survive in her natural habitat.
However, Sunyei created a special bond with Benjamin, they seemed to be connected in some way, they have been best friends for years.
In 2009 she was ready to start her life in freedom, in her natural habitat, although she was surrounded by other elephants and started a new life, Sunyei never forgot who did so much for her.
Surprisingly, after almost two decades of her rescue she decided to emerge from the wild to visit her faithful friend Benjamin, but she did not return alone, she brought her own baby with her so that the man who raised her could meet her.
An emotional act that reminds us once again, how intelligent and noble these beautiful giants are. Brandforf commented:
“While it may have been more than a decade since Sunyei chose to return to nature, it seems he never forgot the kindness shown to him.”
The organization captured the emotional moment when Sunyei is reunited with his caregiver, through a post on his Twitter account reads:
“Just magical. The main caretaker Benjamin comes across an orphaned elephant that he helped raise, he has successfully returned in the wild, but he came back to say hello””
After the meeting, everyone in the organization has been really surprised, it has been just over 10 years since the elephant returned to her natural habitat and 20 years since she first saw the man who took care of her at all times.
Despite all the years, Sunyei never forgot Benjamin with whom she undoubtedly has a beautiful bond.
“That a fully developed and wild elephant had the desire to present a new baby that very morning to the human family that raised her, says a lot about her intelligence and her sense of family: we can’t think of any other reason than her. She returned to a safe place to show her new baby to her caregivers, with whom she still maintains close ties,” Brandford said.
Since then, Sunyei has returned quite often to meet with her former caregiver, perhaps she will see in Benjamin the best foster father for her baby.
For the members of the organization it is really satisfying to see Sunyei return. In this regard Bradford said:
“Although Sunyei has grown up calling Benjamin and our caregivers her family, still, any interaction her caregivers enjoy with her is always on her terms. That’s what makes this moment so special, that she chose to share this moment with Benjamin and I trust him to do it.”
Thanks to the work of Benjamin and other caretakers many elephants have managed to survive and make a family. To all those who look after the welfare of our fauna, infinite thanks.
