On March 1, locals from the Maasai tribe had seen the elephant and corralled it to a tree until help could arrive.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But it wasn\u2019t until the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust rangers transported the calf back to their Kaluku Unit sanctuary that they realized the full extent of its injuries.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHis back was laced with deep claw marks. The wounds had scarred over, but he had clearly been pursued by lions \u2014 and based on the number of claw marks, he was very lucky to have survived the attack,\u201d the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust recounted. \u201cIt seems probable that this is how he initially came to be separated from his herd.\u201d<\/p>\n
Additionally, Bungalu was \u201criddled with parasites,\u201d which the veterinary care team linked to his lack of nutrients at such a young age.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was skin-and-bones and really struggled to put on weight, even as the keepers plied him with milk bottles and healthy greens,\u201d the nonprofit explained.<\/p>\n
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\u201cAfter all he experienced, one might have expected Bungalu to be withdrawn or even aggressive, but he embraced his keepers from the outset,\u201d the account continued. \u201cAs we have seen with other orphans, he had spent so long on his own that he was just relieved to be cocooned amongst a family once more.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was very little settling-in period; by the first night, he was bottle-feeding and suckling his keepers\u2019 fingers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bungalu also found an elephant companion in Kaikai, another calf who was orphaned at just a few days old<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cBungalu and Kaikai make for a wonderful, odd couple. As hyper as she is, he is staid. While she dashes ahead, he happily lopes behind. Bungalu is content to follow Kaikai’s lead \u2014 which is fortunate, because she wouldn’t have it any other way!\u201d<\/p>\n Kaikai, who has three keepers tending to her care, has been affectionately called a \u201cprincess\u201d at the sanctuary.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cSometimes, when her bossiness gets a bit out of hand, he keeps her in check with a firm headbutt, but he mostly lets her continue her little reign uncontested,\u201d the nonprofit added.\u00a0<\/p>\n On September 14, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust shared a video update of Bungalu on Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cBungalu has an adorable little habit: When he\u2019s drinking his bottle, he delicately grasps the handle with his two trunk fingers,\u201d the caption read. \u201cHe\u2019s not strong enough yet to hold the whole bottle, but he wants to pull his weight!\u201d<\/p>\n The nonprofit added that Bungalu\u2019s ability to use his trunk as \u201cfingers\u201d is a trait unique to African elephants.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThey have two prehensile \u2018fingers\u2019 on the end of their trunk, which give them the dexterity to pick up the tiniest pebble, the thinnest blade of grass \u2014 or the tubular handle of a milk bottle!\u201d<\/p>\n \u200d<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/6ab2de7a850ca389675da476_6ab2de74850ca389675da27c_baby-elephant-bungalu-rescued-lions-body-2.webp\")
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