An albino elephant calf was rescued after she was trapped in a barbaric snare for four days, having been left with horrible injuries, which includes a Joker-like scar across her pink-skinned face.
Khanyisa, the female albino elephant calf, was born with a unique pink skin rather than a normal grey color.
The baby elephant was rescued after she was tangled up in the snare at a private reserve, which is close to the border of Kruger National Park in South Africa.
Khanyisa had severe lacerations on the back of her both ears and neck.
The snare also wrapped itself around her cheeks, cutting into her mouth on each side, leaving a mark that resembles the marks of Joker.
According to reports, the wounds on the face of Khansyisa were so bad that there were maggots on the wound.
The decaying open flesh around her cheeks left gap holes in her mouth.
Khansiya was rescued from her ordeal by an elephant orphanage called the HERD (Hoedspruit Elephant Rehabilitation and Development).
She is now in a safe zone.
Sue Howells, a member of the HERD, released a statement about Khansiya.
Sue said, “She looked so innocent, fragile and pure, and yet so brave – a unique beauty who had been sadly mutilated by the hands of man. We knew we had to help her and protect her and give her a place of safety that she never has to endure such trauma again.”
Sue added, “Khanyisa is an exceptionally strong and brave little elephant. She is incredibly resilient and has what seems to be an uncrushable spirit. Her sweet, fragile and thoughtful personality shines through her toughness, despite everything that she has endured at such a young age.”
Adine Roode, the founder of the orphanage, named the pink little fella Khanyisa, which means light.
Khanyisa is a word from the Bantul Language of the Shona people in Zimbabwe.
The small elephant is currently recovering from her injuries at the orphanage.
The facility is specially built to rehabilitate and hand rear elephant calves that have been displaced or orphaned.
The facility is located in the Kapama Game Reserve, which is located near the Jabulani herd.
The website of HERD explains their job by saying: “When a rescued orphan comes into the orphanage, it is traumatized and in many cases dehydrated, sunburnt and possibly injured. Because of their high intelligence and complexity, they are very different to your usual wild animal.”
The website added, “Their needs are diverse and nuanced and require a special kind of management, one with heart and soul and respect as well as milk and medicine.”
Khanyisa is expected to recover from the injuries.