Augustin David, a 29-year-old nature reserve keeper, gazed into the eyes of the three-month-old pygmy elephant, Joe. The baby elephant, visibly distressed, nuzzled his lifeless mother in a desperate attempt to revive her.
Why won’t you wake up, mummy? Joe was visibly distressed as he nuzzled his lifeless mother in a desperate attempt to revive her
The tropical rainforest of Malaysia had witnessed a mysterious spate of poisoning, claiming the lives of 14 elephants, including Joe’s mother. Frightened, thirsty, and confused, Joe faced a perilous fate. Had he not been rescued, he would likely have stayed by his mother’s side until starvation claimed him.
Joe the baby pygmy eleph
Under 24-hour care in a nature reserve, Joe’s struggle wasn’t over. There was a fear that he could succumb to a broken heart, despite the dedicated efforts of his caregivers.
Getting to know you: Little Joe and his keeper indulge in a bit of horseplay now that they have formed a remarkable bond
Enter Augustin David, the surrogate mum for Joe. The bond that formed between man and beast was nothing short of remarkable. Augustin faced a demanding schedule, feeding Joe every two hours, all through the night, with a special mix of formula milk tailored to the infant’s needs.
Bath time: Joe’s new keeper Augustin seems to be enjoying it, but the elephant isn’t so keen. Augustin said of the elephant that he ‘has clear likes and dislikes’
Playtime at the Lok Kawi zoo involved Augustin running Joe around the compound, engaging in a bit of horseplay that the little elephant loved. However, bath time was a different story – Joe loathed it, much to Augustin’s efforts to persuade him otherwise.
Feeding: Keepers have found a special formula of milk which caters to Joe’s nutritional needs
“He has clear likes and dislikes,” Augustin explained. “He loves suckling people’s thumbs – just like a human baby, it calms him. But he doesn’t like showers, so we have to wash him in his pen.”
Bond: The keeper and the inmate have formed an unusually close relationship at the wildlife centre
Friendly: So far, Joe seems to be adapting fairly well to life among humans after his mother’s death
Danger: But it is too soon to say for sure that the fun-loving elephant will survive his ordeal
Joe’s preferences extended beyond thumb-suckling; he enjoyed attention and wasn’t shy about demanding it. Kicks to Augustin’s legs or nudges were Joe’s way of letting his adopted mother know that he needed some focus.
Chilling out: The elephant stretches in his new home as Augustin looks on at his protegé
In normal circumstances, their partnership would be delightful, but Joe’s survival was still hanging in the balance. Dr. Diana Ramirez, overseeing Joe’s recovery, cautioned, “He is far from safety yet. It’s too soon to be sure that he will make it.”
Mysterious spate of poisoning: Joe’s mother is one of 14 known elephants to have died and investigations are still being carried out to discover what wiped them out and whether it was deliberate or accidental
Popular: The orphaned elephant has been a hit with handlers at the wildlife centre in Malaysia
The Borneo pygmy elephants faced an uncertain future, with investigations ongoing to determine the cause of the mysterious poisoning. Palm oil plantation workers were suspected, using toxic substances to protect the lucrative crop. The elephants lived in proximity to these fields, making them vulnerable to accidental contamination.
As Joe stretched in his new home, surrounded by the care of Augustin and the wildlife center, the hope for his survival was palpable. If he pulled through, Joe would likely spend the rest of his life in the 280-acre park, a testament to the resilience of these remarkable creatures in the face of adversity.