The mum was submerged, using her trunk as a snorkel, while her baby was struggling to keep her head above water. Getting them out was going to be a real mission — but we had a plan.

In echoes of last week’s operation, we were again called to southern Kenya to rescue a mum and baby who had fallen into a well. We received the report from the KWS Company Commander of Ranches just after noon on 2nd September 2024.

While the SWT helicopter flew down with manpower and equipment onboard, we formulated a game plan. Every extraction mission is a bit like a puzzle; we have to make do with the resources at our disposal. Last week, we had a grader nearby, which we used to backfill the well to create a step for the elephant to clamber to freedom. This week, we had a water bowser in the vicinity — so things would unfold a bit differently.

Our plan was to use the bowser to further fill the well using water drawn from a nearby well. As the water level rose, the elephants would float to freedom. This particular well was very deep and very full, which made filling it with water (instead of earth) preferable.

The teams converged upon the site at 2:30 in the afternoon — and not a moment too soon. The calf was exhausted and really struggling to swim. It would take several hours to pump the well up to an adequate level, and we feared she would not be able to tread water for that long.

It was time for immediate action. We managed to get ropes around the calf and dragged her to solid ground. The sounds of her mother in the well would only stress her further, so we carried her to a tree a good distance away, where she could rest in the shade until the extraction was complete.

Using our bowser and a supplemental water pump, it was slow but steady going to fill the well. When the water level rose to the lip, we threw ropes around the mum, which we then tied to the bowser and a Land Cruiser. Pulling in tandem, they dragged the elephant to freedom.

As soon as the mum was standing on all four feet, we released her calf. They ran right to each other and reunited with a sense of palpable relief. We flew home to a most wonderful sight below: Baby happily suckling from her mom, finally free and together.

A note about wells: Like so many ranches across Kenya, Kuranze Ranch is mixed use for wildlife and livestock. There are hundreds of wells across the landscape, and unfortunately, fencing every single one is simply not feasible. But when wildlife fall into trouble, rest assured that we will be there to help them.