Hero Elephant Sounds Alarm to Save Drowning Antelope

An incredible rescue took place at La Aurora Zoo when an elephant’s alarm call drew attention to a drowning antelope. The concerned elephant, Trompita, and a brave zookeeper, Romeo Lopéz, worked together to save the distressed animal.

Watch the full video here.

Elephant SOS

What first sounded like trumpets of joy quickly turned to a sound of alarm as an elephant’s call echoed throughout La Aurora Zoo. Visitors and staff rushed to the scene to see what the distress call was for. They quickly realized the elephant was calling for help to save an unlikely friend.

Splashing Antelope Spotted

Once everyone rushed to the scene and the elephant stepped to the side, the crisis became clear. An antelope had fallen into the water enclosure and was frantically splashing. This sparked immediate concern with onlookers unsure whether the antelope could make it out on its own.

Zookeeper to the Rescue

A zookeeper who heard the elephant’s alarming calls was already on the scene. The urgency in the elephant’s trumpeting made it clear that immediate action was needed. The zookeeper made his way around the enclosure, assessing the situation.

Keeping a Safe Distance

The zookeeper tried to get to the struggling antelope, walking towards the elephant in distress, but quickly retreated, cautious about approaching the elephant. Elephants can be protective and potentially dangerous in such situations. The zookeeper had to find a way to help without provoking the elephant.

Diving In

The zookeeper carefully scouted for the best access point to the water. Once identified, walked around the far side of the pool and made the brave decision to dive into the water. He swam swiftly towards the distressed antelope, hoping to reach it in time.

Elephant Extends a Helping Trunk

While the zookeeper carefully executed his rescue, the elephant can be seen extending its trunk toward the antelope, either as a way of pointing or as an attempt to save the antelope itself. Watching pace back and forth, flap its ears back and forth, and constantly trumpet, it’s clear the elephant was in real distress watching the antelope fighting for its life.

Watch the full video here.

Slippery Struggles

The zookeeper reached the antelope and tried to push it toward the shore. Despite his efforts, the antelope kept slipping back into the water. It was a challenging task, with the antelope’s panic making it difficult to secure a hold.

Distressing Time For All

The elephant and the crowd weren’t the only ones that were worried. Throughout the video, you can see the other antelope sprinting back and forth around the enclosure in concern for their friend. This frantic movement only had to the anxious tensions of the scene.

Safe at Last

With determination, the zookeeper finally managed to get the antelope out of the water, grabbing it by the horn and shoving it toward shore. The antelope scrambled to safety, clearly shaken but unharmed. Relief washed over the zookeeper as he saw the antelope escape danger.

Watch the full video here.

Antelope’s Quick Getaway

Once on dry land, the antelope sprinted away, thankfully unharmed. It quickly made its way across the encounter, up the stairs, and toward a more private enclosure. Seemingly embarrassed by the whole ordeal, the antelope escaped the watchful eyes of the crowd.

Catching His Breath

The zookeeper stayed in the water for a moment, catching his breath after the intense rescue. It was just him and the elephant left, sharing a special moment together after the successful rescue He then swam back to the other side, where he was greeted with applause.

Visitors Amazed

Visitors who witnessed the event were both shocked and impressed. Many took out their phones to capture the dramatic rescue. The concern of the crowd can be heard in the murmuring and worried words in the background. The suspense of the moment broke when the crowd erupted into applause at the successful rescue, with A woman yelling “Bravo,” from outside of the enclosure. 

Captured on Camera

It was a visitor, named Maria Isabel Diaz Ruiz de Llarena, who managed to record the entire incident and shared it online. Her video quickly went viral, spreading the heartwarming story worldwide. The footage showed the incredible teamwork between the elephant and the zookeeper.

Watch the full video here.

Meet Trompita

The heroic elephant is named Trompita and is a 60-year-old Asian elephant. She has lived at La Aurora Zoo in Guatemala for 14 years after being rescued from a local circus where she was raised and trained to perform routines, This incident added to Moyo’s reputation as a beloved zoo resident.

Brave Zookeeper

The zookeeper was later identified as Romeo Lopéz. He is reported to be Trompita’s caretaker, clearly sharing a special bond with the animal. Carlos’s bravery was widely praised by both his colleagues and zoo visitors.

Heroic Duo

Both the zookeeper and the elephant were deemed heroes, making a dream team. They were rewarded by the zoo for their quick thinking and bravery. Trompita was treated with peanuts, watermelon, and carrots while Romeo was awarded a certificate to honor his bravery.

Where Did This Happen?

The incident took place at La Aurora Zoo in Guatemala which is a popular destination for animal lovers. The zoo showcases animals from around the world, including Asia, the Americas, and Africa. It is home to 287 species and more than 2100 animals in the entire collection.

Can Antelopes Swim?

Antelopes are generally not strong swimmers, adding to the urgency of the rescue. Their slender legs and hooves are not well-suited for swimming. But that wasn’t the main struggle for the antelope.

Was The Antelope in Danger?

Despite the dramatic appearance, the pool was relatively shallow. This meant the antelope wasn’t in immediate danger of drowning, but it still couldn’t get out on its own. The zookeeper’s intervention was necessary to prevent prolonged distress.

Elephant Empathy

Elephants are renowned for their intelligence and empathy, and Trompita’s actions shared this with the world. Moyo’s decision to alert the zookeepers was a clear sign of its understanding and concern. This event provided a touching example of the deep bond animals can share.

The Video

Watch the full video here.

Conclusion

The swift actions of both Trompita and Romeo were instrumental in saving this antelope. This heartwarming incident continues to inspire and remind us of the incredible connections we share with animals.