Original Source: The Telegraph
A 10-day-old runaway baby elephant found herself in the front
room of a ranch in Zululand, South Africa. ”Tom”, named after the ranch
chef who found the elephant, is thought to have traversed 30 miles of
nature reserve before ending up at the Thula Thula Private Game Reserve.
Owner Francoise Malby Anthony and her colleagues gave the elephant
food and water while rangers went out to find her mother, who
coincidently had been rescued by Mrs Anthony’s husband Lawrence years
before.
“I have owned this ranch for 15 years but I have never experienced
anything like this,” said Mrs Anthony. “She must be like the littlest
hobo as baby elephants never ever get lost from their herd. It’s also
remarkable that she ended up at my home – we have 4 500 hectares of land
and she was spotted a day before she arrived at my home with her herd
at the other end of the reserve.”
“She had walked miles to get here and was quite distressed when she
arrived – she looked tired, thirsty and hungry. I gave her some milk but
was careful to not have too much contact as I didn’t want her to be
rejected by her herd when we finally got her back. Her mother – who we
rescued from a neighbouring reserve which was going to allow a hunter in
to shoot her – was delighted when Tom was finally reunited with her.”
Francoise’s husband Lawrence Anthony died two years ago. He was a
famous conversationalist and novelist. “Lawrence was famous for the work
he did saving elephants and even saved Tom’s mother – people are saying
the elephant needed saving and was drawn here,” said Mrs Anthony. “I
don’t really know about that but I am sure that she couldn’t have spent
much longer out there alone. She was very dehydrated and very stressed –
she had been walking for an incredibly long time. The important thing
is she is back with her mother and herd and can now continue with them –
unless she decides to wander off again.”