Yesterday, we shared a heroic mission to rescue a mother elephant and her baby who were trapped in a drying dam. Their story ended with the best possible outcome: Both were freed together, resulting in a wild family kept together. Sometimes, however, fate intervenes before we get to the scene. We have rescued a number of orphans who were stuck in mud and abandoned by their herd. With no hope of freeing their babies, families must make the heartbreaking decision to leave them behind. Such was the case with this elephant. Four years ago, Dololo was found floating in a dam. At first glance, it looked like it was too late to save him: He was completely motionless, with just the tip of his trunk poking above the water’s surface. Miraculously, there was life in him yet. If you watch to the end, you’ll see some incredible photos of Dololo’s rescue. They’re in stark contrast to the handsome, chubby elephant standing before us today! Left for dead, Dololo is now thriving at our Ithumba Reintegration Unit, where he will eventually reclaim his place in the wild. Your support makes these stories possible. From keeping wild families together to rescuing the orphans left behind — we couldn’t do it without you. —— Video © Sheldrick Wildlife Trust #SheldrickTrust #SWT #DololoSWT #elephant #kenya #whyilovekenya #adopt #conservation #bekindtoelephants #transformation