Wildlife SOS has rescued, rehabilitated and released many animals over the past 30 years. The everyday work at our centres includes our caregivers and veterinarians tirelessly dedicating hours to care for the animals. During the structured routine, certain episodes emerge and reflect the quirky behaviour of our resident animals. Their cheerful, unique and interesting acts truly make for unforgettable tales.
Recently, a baby elephant, gravely injured and requiring utmost attention, arrived at the Elephant Hospital Campus. Over the past few months, our team of veterinarians and caregivers have devoted themselves to focus on her health and employ every possible technique to restore her well-being. While baby Bani’s care came as a colossal challenge, the team and Bani took up this journey with courage and might. Every positive move she made had our team cheer with delight. One of the ways Bani showed signs of healing was through her mischievous conduct that she began to slowly reveal. She is now amicably called a “bundle of joy” that never fails to bring a smile to everyone’s face! Here are 7 antics of baby Bani that portray her playful, determined, and absolutely adorable personality!
1. Rumbles For The Win!
One of the most endearing sights at Wildlife SOS is baby Bani’s mealtime ritual. When hunger kicks in, after a gap of almost an hour every day, Bani knows exactly how to make her desire to eat known. She lets out a distinctive rumbling noise, followed by enthusiastic trumpeting, all directed towards her caregivers. It’s her way of saying, “I’m hungry, and I need my milk now!” The caregivers, now very well aware of this ask, rush to prepare a fresh bottle for her. If, in case, the delivery of milk is even slightly late, Bani’s tender rumbles turn into a rumbling trumpet! The young elephant knows how to make a demand, but also displays immense pleasure when it is met. For our team, watching Bani hold this bottle with her own trunk as she eagerly gulps down the milk formula in it is indeed a joyful sight to behold!
2. Fun in the Mud!
While summer temperatures soar in Mathura, Bani has her own tactics to ‘chill’! Her caregivers have dug out a special mud pool that is filled daily with water for Bani. While they knew how pools provide elephants with refreshing respite from the heat, caregivers and our team had never witnessed how muddy water can double up as a fun enrichment. Bani not only splashes mud and water all over herself, she even rolls around delightfully in the slushy mix! She pushes the mud with her head, digs the ground with her front limbs, and then lies down in the pits to roll in the mud — covering herself with it from trunk to tail. The mud bath soon becomes a mud spa for her!
This activity is far from over yet. The caregivers surrounding her pit are met with a sudden shower of water that lands on them. Clever Bani, in the midst of all the fun, fills her trunk with water and waits to spray it around when the time is right! While they are caught off guard each time, the drenched caregivers wear wide smiles, assured of the young one’s improving health. Bani concludes every frisky session by folding her mini forelimbs to sit, and takes heavy breaths of contentment with caregivers by her side.
3. A Comfort Seeker
Even though she tends to express her preferences and desires vocally, Bani is still very much a baby at heart. When playtime is over and tiredness takes over, there’s nothing quite like the comfort of being with a fatherly figure — the caregiver. Our caregivers have become Bani’s source of security, and she often seeks solace by resting her trunk on their laps.
Sometimes, Bani can be seen sniffing and gently tugging the clothes of her caregivers, as if asking them to stay with her. These tender interactions and moments of quiet affection are overwhelming to witness. They serve as beautiful reminders of the deep bond that is forming between Bani and those who care for her.
4. Bani’s Tantrums!
Bani’s treatment plan is constantly adapting in response to her reactions and progress. Our experienced team of veterinarians and caregivers is ensuring that she receives the highest quality of care and continuous attention.
Recently added to her ongoing regimen is acupuncture treatment. When it’s time for this particular session, Bani plonks herself on the ground and simply refuses to get up. Patiently persuading her is a tactic that will yield no results. But coaxing her with her favourite bananas… that’s a certain way to make her stand! Bani has now figured out that banana treats always precede her treatments — and her tantrums during this time make sure that many bunches of them are available to her!
5. The First Heist!
One day, while a caregiver was busy cleaning her enclosure, Bani’s curious eyes spotted his bag, which was filled with sugarcane stalks and bananas. She silently raised her trunk, slipped it inside the bag, and sneaked out those sweet treats, one by one. It was not until a loud munch was heard that the caregiver caught her in the act!
There Bani was, happily chomping, her eyes twinkling with mischief. Her adorable expression and playful spirit instantly melted every heart!
6. Bani, the Photobomber!
Cameras fascinate Bani, and she just can’t resist playfully reaching out to one when a photographer comes close. This impish infant has made sure to make the photographer’s role, and his goal, a challenge that needs more than talent to overcome! Most of Bani’s pictures now feature super close-up captures of her nares. While she has made clicking charming portraits a majestic task, her childlike expressions are simply too cute to ignore!
7. The Mini Mastermind!
Bani may be young, but she’s already proving to be an intelligent problem-solver. Our caregivers place miniature versions of enrichments across her enclosure to stimulate her mind and natural behaviours and understand how she responds to them. Watching Bani figure out how to access the hidden treats placed within cage feeders or haynets stuns the caregivers! She can skilfully pull-out sugarcane stalks and fodder that are strategically stuffed with the enrichments. With her pace of extracting these increasing each day, caregivers are often seen in a deep discussion on how to create a new enrichment design to keep baby Bani cheerfully engaged!
While Bani’s journey of healing at Wildlife SOS is filled with love and care, her antics add several layers of colour to her tale. From her fun-loving pool times and mud baths to her trumpeting tantrums, Bani is gradually revealing her inherent behaviour with complete trust and confidence. We can’t wait to see what she displays next!
To contribute towards Bani’s journey of healing at Wildlife SOS, please consider making a donation here. If you wish to support her long-term care, become a sponsor for baby Bani, and join our family of wildlife warriors.
