23 years ago, Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya rescued an orphaned elephant calf they named Icholta, reared her, and then released her into the wild.
Icholta was rescued from a waterhole when she was just weeks old, then spent her infancy in Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's nursery. She learned how to live as a wild elephant at their Voi Reintegration Unit. The organisation operates the most successful orphan elephant rescue and rehabilitation program in the world and, happily, were eventually able to successfully release Icholta back into the wild.
Then, lo and behold, a couple of decades later (about two weeks ago), Icholta returned 'home' to proudly introduce her new baby to her rescuers. As if to say, thank you for everything you did for me and, hey, look, I've become a mum!
The team at the wildlife reserve were delighted and named her baby Izzy.
"She is the 45th known calf born to an orphan we rescued, raised, and reintegrated back into the wild - and the fact that we met her just as we began our 45th year feels fitting indeed," the organization said.
Learn more about Sheldrick Wildlife Trust on their website.