An adorable baby hippo has been saved from certain death after it was trapped in a thick mud pool on its own for several days.
The hippo, called Humpty, found herself stranded in a fast-drying swamp of mud and was surrounded by flailing catfish after being abandoned by her mother.
But she was eventually spotted in the depths of the remote Kiunga Forest in Kenya and was thankfully rescued by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT).
She was found dehydrated, severely sunburnt and barely able to move and the miniature calf would have been certain to die if the rescuers did not save her.
The hippo, called Humpty, was stranded and left in a quickly-drying mud pool in Kenya, Africa
But rescuers found the abandoned hippo and were able to pull her safety using a huge net
Members of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust pulled her to safety after dragging her from the mud pool
After being discovered, a Kenya Wildlife Service Vet was also on hand to pull Humpty to safety.
Using a huge net, rescuers waded into the stodgy, knee-deep mud, where they could heave the baby hippo out of its clutches.
They eventually managed to get her out to the safety of the DSWT Field HQ rehabilitation clinic, in Kaluku.
A spokesperson from the DSWT, said: ‘The baby hippo had been observed for a few days to ascertain that it was, in fact, an orphan.
‘Given the remoteness and inaccessibility of the area, rescuing Humpty certainly presented a challenge.
‘But a challenge we had to rise to, as, without intervention, it was evident she was going to die.
‘Thankfully, the rescue was a seamless success and we were able to extract Humpty by helicopter without a hitch.’
Her skin became incredibly sunburnt but this did not stop people at the trust to nurse her back to health
After being rescued, members of the trust and a local vet have began looking after her
Hilariously, upon being released from her cargo carrier and believing she’s still submerged in several inches of mud, Humpty attempted to take huge bounding steps along the concrete, before releasing she’s safely back on solid ground.
Basking and smiling in the sun, the tiny hippo tot has really taken to her new home, where she will spend the foreseeable future.
Under the care of her new ‘mother’ Frans, a veteran Fields Operation Manager and full time carer for the David Sheldrick team, Humpty will be hand raised until she can return to the wild.
A spokesperson said: ‘Humpty became attached to Frans and her keeper very quickly, they have a great relationship.
She is now enjoying her new home and was photographed rolling around in the sand after being rescued
She was saved by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and was discovered in a dehydrated state
‘She now follows them everywhere, and has become exceptionally tame, happy to enjoy the company of all the human DSWT team, where she is adored and treasured by all.
‘She is extremely loving, relishing close contact with those she knows and loves, and is thriving at Kaluku, blissful in her new home with all the creature comforts she could wish for.
‘Safe to say, our little orphan Humpty is an exceptionally spoilt and lucky little baby hippo.’
Humpty will stay under the close care of the DSWT team until she is ready to be reintegrated into the wild, into a family of her own.