Sunyei is a brave elephant who was rescued in the middle of the African wilderness when she was only about a week old, unfortunately she was orphaned after separation from her mother.
Although a baby elephant is in danger of being left completely alone, Sunyei’s fate has completely changed by taking care of wonderful people who have helped her grow into a healthy and strong elephant.
To some extent, she fulfills the role of mother to orphaned elephants like Sunyei. Rob Branford, Executive Director of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, commented:
„He organizes the care and welfare of the orphans and ultimately ensures that they are always happy and healthy.“
Sunyei managed to overcome her stage as an orphaned calf and grow into a happy and healthy elephant through Benjamin’s care, with him and other caregivers she learned what it takes to survive in her natural habitat.
However, Sunyei created a special bond with Benjamin, they seemed to be related somehow, they have been best friends for years.
In 2009, she was ready to start her life in freedom, in her natural habitat, even though 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 rescue, she decided to get out of the wild to visit her faithful friend Benjamin, but she didn’t come back alone, she brought her own baby with her so that the man who raised can meet her.
A moving act that reminds us once again how intelligent and noble these handsome giants are. Brandfor commented:
“Although it may have been over a decade since Sunyei chose to return to nature, it seems he never forgot the kindness shown to him.”
Simply magical 🐘
Head Keeper Benjamin catches up with an orphaned elephant he helped raise, who has been successfully reintroduced back to the wild but came back to say ‚hello‘. pic.twitter.com/dZcdg8ahOG
—Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (@SheldrickTrust) August 30, 2021
The organization captured the touching moment Sunyei is reunited with her caregiver, through a post on her Twitter account that reads:
“Just magical. Senior keeper Benjamin comes across an orphan elephant he helped raise, he successfully returned to the wild, but came back to say hello””
After the meeting everyone in the organization was really surprised, it’s been just over 10 years since the elephant returned to its natural habitat and 20 years since she first saw the man who took care of her at all times.
Despite all the years, Sunyei has never forgotten Benjamin with whom she undoubtedly has a great bond.
“That a fully developed and wild elephant had the desire to present a new baby that very morning to the human family who raised her, says a lot about her intelligence and her sense of family: one cannot think of any reason other than her. . She returned to a safe place to show her new baby to her caregivers, with whom she still has a close bond,” Brandford said.
Since then, Sunyei has returned often enough to meet her former caregiver, perhaps she will see Benjamin as the best adoptive father for her baby.
For the members of the organization, it’s really satisfying to see Sunyei’s return. In this regard, Bradford said:
“Although Sunyei grew up calling Benjamin and our caregivers her family, any interaction her caregivers have 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 her to do so.”
Thanks to the work of Benjamin and other keepers, many elephants have managed to survive and start a family. To all those who ensure the well-being of our fauna, thank you infinitely.
