This is the moment an orphaned baby elephant that was speared and stoned by angry villagers gave one of the people who rescued her a kiss of gratitude.
Mbegu was targeted by locals in Kimanjo, Kenya in a revenge attack after a woman was killed by another elephant.
The innocent calf was separated from the rest of the herd after she was set upon by angry villagers and was injured during the commotion.
Affectionate: Pictures capture the moment an orphaned baby elephant that was speared and stoned by angry villagers gave her rescuer a kiss of gratitude
Grateful: Mbegu was targeted by locals in Kimanjo, Kenya in a revenge attack after a woman was killed by another elephant
Cruel: The innocent calf was separated from the rest of the herd after she was set upon by angry villagers and was injured during the commotion. She was left injured in a classroom (pictured) after being stoned by school children
On the mend: Mbegu found a new home with the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT) Nursery in Nairobi National Park
A warden from the Naibunga Conservancy was forced to intervene and protect the young animal.
Eventually Mbegu found a new home with the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT) Nursery in Nairobi National Park.
There, the baby elephant fell in love with her keeper and to this day continues to show her gratitude by nuzzling her keepers.
Rescue mission: Wardens from the Naibunga Conservancy was forced to intervene and protect the young animal. The animal is pictured during a flight to her new home
Emergency care: The baby elephant was found with bad injuries before being transferred to her new home at a Kenyan reserve
Up and running: Mbegu, pictured just after arriving at her new home, quickly found her feet and has been a big hit at the sanctuary
Gratitude: Edwin, a David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust keeper, receives some affection from Mbegu, an orphaned baby elephant
Introduction: Mbegu (right) was timid at first but was introduced to other elephants and soon found her feet at the sanctuary
Thirsty work: Mbegu greatfully accepts a drink from one of her keepers as she continues to recover from her horrific ordeal
Amie Alden from DWST said: ‘Mbegu has settled extremely well and loves the other orphans who love her too.
‘But more than that she is hooked on her keepers, never forgetting the love and tenderness they have shown her.
‘Her wounds took some time to heal but thanks to the power of the green clay all the sepsis disappeared and she has made a full recovery.
Her rescuers say Mbegu appears ‘hooked on her keepers, never forgetting the love and tenderness they have shown her’
New outfit: Rescuers fitted the baby orphaned elephant with a blanket to keep her warm as she continued her recuperation
Bath time: Keepers say Mbegu likes nothing better than to plunge into mud and cool off in the water at the sanctuary
Mbegu gives her keeper a kiss and a cuddle. She narrowly escaped death when angry villagers attacked her with stones
Mbegu has proven to be very loving towards her keepers despite the trauma originally suffered at the hands of humans
Keepers have described as a ‘perfect little treasure’ who has ‘bounced back from her emotional scarring very quickly’
‘Mbegu is a perfect little treasure, incredibly playful and given her tender age has bounced back from her emotional scarring very quickly and is now totally at home in her new environment and is genuinely happy.
‘She had experienced unimaginable trauma that day and is extremely lucky to still be alive.
‘Mbegu is very friendly and loving towards her keepers despite the trauma originally suffered at the hands of humans.’