An elephant calf named Moses was discovered alone and starving in a riverbed in northern Malawi. Rescued by game rangers in the Vwazi Wildlife Reserve, Moses was brought into human care, primarily under the nurturing guidance of Jenny Webb.
Moses had been suffering from colic and diarrhea but appeared to be recovering well until his life was tragically cut short.
Jenny Webb, who founded the Jumbo Foundation, adopted Moses and provided care for large animals at the foundation’s orphanage.
The search for Moses’ herd proved unsuccessful, leading to the belief that his mother had likely fallen victim to poachers. Rangers first observed Moses desperately trying to find his mother before they intervened.
Though his chances of survival were initially as low as 20%, Moses showed significant improvement over the months spent at the sanctuary, with his odds rising to about 50%.
Jenny fed him a special foal milk formula, which is necessary since baby elephants don’t begin eating solid food until around eight months old.
Jenny went to extraordinary lengths to comfort Moses, even sleeping on a mattress beside him, mimicking the close contact he would have had with his mother in the wild.
At the sanctuary, Moses was accompanied by two pet dogs, Barney and Bagheera, who provided essential social interaction for elephants.
The Jumbo Foundation in Lilongwe, Malawi, works to raise orphaned elephants, preparing them for eventual reintegration into the wild. Elephants thrive in herds, and other animals can fill the social gap in the absence of one.
Despite these efforts, Moses passed away, leaving a profound sense of loss for Jenny Webb and all who cared for him.
Moses’ story underscores the challenges orphaned wildlife faces and the dedication of those who work tirelessly to offer them a second chance.
