It may take a village to raise a child, but at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT) in Nairobi, Kenya, it takes an ostrich to raise an elephant herd.
A very special ostrich named Pea was rescued in 2014 and immediately found her place as the elephants’ personal entertainer and friend. According to DSWT, the bird became an “integral part of the nursery family there” and was loved by the elephants who would hug her, play with her, and “positively maul her with affection.”
Although Pea quickly had many friends at the elephant sanctuary, there was one elephant in particular with whom she’d create an everlasting friendship-Jotto.
Jotto the elephant was just a one-month-old baby when he was discovered at the bottom of a well. His rescue report states that he tumbled in while his keepers had taken the herd for water, and had been abandoned.
Jotto was rescued and brought in to the DSWT elephant orphanage, where he could recover his health and grow strong for his release back to the wild. It’s at this very sanctuary that Jotto met Pea.
The ostrich and the baby elephant instantly bonded, often cuddling, taking naps, and just enjoying each other’s company. DSWT writes in a post: “It is safe to say orphaned ostrich Pea most definitely believes she is part of the elephant herd and little Jotto is more than happy to enjoy a cuddle with his feathered friend.”
Pea and Jotto became friends immediately. “Little Jotto is more than happy to enjoy a cuddle with his feathered friend,” the rescue wrote on Facebook. “These two orphans and many, many others, are being given the opportunity to heal and, when they are ready, to return to the wild. “Days passed and now Pea has grown up and so has their friendship.
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