Breathtaking moment caught on camera of an elephant, who is suspected to have been shot by poachers, asking vets for help.
The enormous animal is thought to have been living with a bullet in its head for up to six weeks before it was discovered by staff from Aware Trust Zimbabwe.
The team sedated him, took an X-ray and cleaned the wound but judged it safer to leave the bullet in place, Dr Lisa Marabini told news sites.
“The elephant was is so much pain; he walked right up to doctors to ask for first aid. Named Pretty Boy, this targeted elephant was shot in the head. The elephant was then tranquilized and given an x ray which showed a deformed bullet in his skull.”
She said the elephant is believed to be around 25 years old but is doing so well since they removed the bullet.
“We think he was shot outside of the park and came into the park for refuge,” she said. Hunting areas exist near the park.
She said the elephant, nicknamed Pretty Boy, approached the veterinarians and showed no aggression.
“It’s like he knew we were there with the intention of helping him.”
If the shot had hit a few centimetres lower down it would have gone into his brain, she explained. The elephant also had a shoulder injury.
“We suspect he was shot in head first and turned to flee and the poacher put a bullet in his side.”
Watch the video below:
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