A family in Yunnan, southwest China, recently received a surprising visitor: a one-month-old injured baby elephant, who had been separated from her herd.
According to People’s Daily Online, the young female calf stumbled into a villager’s home on August 17, seeking shelter and food.
The incident took place in Ba Ka, a small village of eight families who primarily grow rubber trees on the mountainside, over 3,000 feet above sea level.
Wild elephants occasionally pass through the area, so villagers are familiar with their presence. However, this visit was particularly unexpected.
One of the villagers, Tie Wen, was startled when he heard his daughter scream that morning. Rushing to her bedroom, he found a baby elephant had pushed her way inside.
With the help of neighbors, he gently guided the calf out of the house and called local authorities for assistance.
Once outside, the calf lingered around the home, appearing hesitant to leave and searching for food.
Luo Kaidong, another villager, offered her some milk, which she eagerly drank. After that, the little elephant seemed to bond with him, following him around the village.
Local forestry officers examined the calf and estimated her age at about one month, noting she weighed approximately 100 kilograms.
She had a small gash on her left hind leg that had begun to heal, but her umbilical cord showed signs of infection.
Villagers speculated that the calf may have wandered off or been abandoned by the herd due to her injuries.
Concerned for the elephant’s well-being, the villagers treated her injuries and built a temporary shelter for her.
They hoped to keep their distance in case her mother returned, which could lead to potential danger if the herd perceived humans as a threat.
However, each time Luo Kaidong left, the baby elephant would cry out and even managed to escape her shelter to follow him around.
This created a delicate situation for the villagers as they worked to care for the calf while avoiding any risk to themselves.
To ensure the calf’s safety, she was eventually transported to Xishuangbanna Wild Elephant Valley, where veterinary professionals will continue her care.
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