A young elephant elephant was found trapped in deep mud in Chobe National Park in Botswana. The park’s heroic staff were seen trying to free the poor elephant who looked on in bewilderment, but otherwise seemed relaxed, as if he knew he was going to be helped.
As the touching song from the original Lion King movie blared, workers did their best to free the sinking baby elephant. A small herd of elephants, some elephants and babies ignored the situation, possibly concerned about the calf trapped in the mud. In the video, the baby elephant becomes weak as he tries to break free, before giving up and putting his life in the hands of the workers.
Park staff first tried to free the elephant with a large stick, but this was useless and the calf became somewhat distressed by this method. After the elephant tried to pull itself up, it appeared to be tired and rested its head on the mud. The group of adult elephants, one of which was undoubtedly the mother, stood watching as park staff tried to free the calf from the muddy trap.
A car in Chobe National Park navigates through mud on a rope and traction system attached to the back after the stick method failed. That’s bravery for park staff, as the wheels risk getting stuck in the mud, leaving behind not only the calf, but the vehicle as well. The baby elephant became weaker and weaker, and did not lie sideways in the mud, and its upper body was free.
finally free
Park staff tied the rope to the elephant and the driver began driving slowly, pulling the little elephant out of the mud. After several attempts to free the trapped elephant, the method seemed to work, and the weakened and distressed elephant was quickly freed from the mud.
Even after being released, the elephant did not appear to move or stand up. Park staff began using shovels to remove the rope so it could be unwound properly, and one proud staff member even patted the baby elephant on the head, glad he was finally all right.
As park staff observed the calf’s behavior, it became clear that he was not standing up on his own, although he was trying to wriggle himself up. A worker decided to help push the baby elephant up from the side, which seemed to work. After the baby elephant stood up, it gave the rescuer one last grateful look, no doubt thanking the rescuer for saving it. Then he flicked his tail and started walking towards the herd to reunite with his family.
In this case, it could be dangerous for the baby elephant if it got stuck deeper in the mud or its nose got stuck, but the staff luckily found the baby elephant and rescued it in time.
I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.
