The Tortuga peacefully flies over the Atlantic off the coast of southwestern Africa in Namibia. About 3 miles from the shoreline.
Inside, everyone was doing their own thing in the main HQ room.
"Ah, nothing like a nice day cruising across the African coast." Chris said.
"Yep, all smooth sailing." Martin said up on the balcony.
He was playing a hide and seek game with Amber.
"Now where are you?" Martin looked around.
As he looked around, Amber eyes on Martin hidden in the plants around the railing. She's keeping so motionless that Martin doesn't even notice her.
And then, distant thunder was heard.
And then an alarm went off as Koki checked the weather status.
"Uh, oh! Looks a cyclone is 2 miles northwest of us." Koki reported. "And it's huge. Jimmy, best to change course."
"I'm on it!" Jimmy replied.
Jimmy turns the Tortuga and heads northeast to avoid the storm.
"Okay, checking directional route." Koki said.
Everyone got to the main room as the sunroof soon closes.
"What's the status?" Aviva asked.
"Okay, looks like a Category 5." Koki said. "And it's directional route is..."
And then the screen showed the cyclone with the Tortuga right next to it.
"COMING RIGHT AT US!" Koki yelled.
Then suddenly the storm's blastfront winds struck the Tortuga as everyone was knocked off their feet. And some things dropped, and Jimmy struggles to keep it steady.
"Jimmy, try to keep us over the storm!" Koki yelled.
"I'm... trying!" Jimmy pulling the controls hard.
Aviva struggles as she climbs to her station. "If we can just make it... to the storm's eye, we'll have a straight shot to get over the storm."
"It's only 2 miles away." Koki said. "Can we even make it?"
"We have to try." Aviva stated. "I'm open for other ideas, though. You got any?"
"At this point, no!" Koki said.
"We're almost to the eye!" Jimmy yelled.
Then suddenly a lightning bolt hits the Tortuga, and it hits around the shell. And it was enough for the lights to go out, and then engine was heard shuddering. And then fails.
And everyone knew about it.
"Well that's not good." Jimmy nervously said and then ducks.
And then the Tortuga was suddenly in a nose dive as it was caught in the strong winds of the storm. And it was diving so fast that a few panels were striped off, and part off the sunroof was missing from the lightning strike.
And then a strong wind current cause the ship to flip sideways and then upside down.
And then everyone was flying around the room as Aviva quickly grabs hold of her MIK. And even Amber was holding on like mad. And soon, everyone was thrown out of the Tortuga and into the storm.
And a few moments later, the Tortuga glides over the ocean and then hits the water.
And everything went dark.
A day later, the water was all calm after the storm.
And there wasn't a single sign of life.
And over at a calm section of beach, as the waves wash over the sand. Aviva lays unconsciously, and he MIK was strapped on her with deployed life-jacket. It's likely she managed to deploy them before hitting the water.
And then a shadow hovered above her and made a familiar chatter.
Amber stood next to her trying to wake her up. She's awake for 2 hours and been having no luck, and the with the heat raising she's getting concern.
Amber press her snout on her face, and purrs and nudges her trying to wake her up.
And then she begins lightly stir, and then Aviva groans as she starts waking up. And blocks the blinding light with light.
"Oh... my head." Aviva sat up and rubs it and coughs.
Amber chittered a bit concernedly.
"I'm okay, sweetie." Aviva assured.
And then she looks around, and there was no sign of the storm. Nor the others or the Tortuga.
"Where are the others?" Aviva wondered.
Meanwhile, a few miles away to the south. Chris was trying to find the others.
"Hello?! Guys?!" Chris called out. "Martin! Koki! Aviva!"
But there was no response.
"They have to be here somewhere." Chris said and then feel he stepped on something. "Huh?"
He looked down and brushed some sand off, and then brought his Power Suit.
"Yes, my Power Suit and gloves!" Chris hugged them. "Hopefully, they'll come in handle."
2 miles inland, Martin was looking for the others as well after finding his Power Suit.
"The Tortuga has to crashed somewhere." Martin said. "It's getting hot out here."
But 6 miles up the coast, the Tortuga has crash landed in a shallow bay not far from the shoreline.
And inside, everything was damaged as a few sparks flew.
However, Koki and Jimmy have managed to get to a spot and survived the landing.
"I don't think the others are here." Koki said.
"So... what are we gonna do?" Jimmy asked.
"All power is off, all comms are down." Koki brought out a glowstick and bends it as it glowed. "We're on our own till we get the Tortuga running again."
"How long will that take?" Jimmy asked.
"Not sure, it could take a while with these level of damage." Koki said.
"But, we don't even know where we are." Jimmy said.
"Well, we're in Namibia." Koki reminded. "So... at least we're not stranded across the ocean."
Back over with Aviva and Amber, after cleaning up and checking the MIK making it works still. She checks on what she has.
"Okay, MIK, 2 bottles of water, a bag with a saved sandwich and leftover jerky." Aviva went over the things she has.
Amber chittered.
"Hmm? All of these might be enough to last a few days." Aviva said thinking of the best solution. "But if we save it, it'll last longer." She then brought her Creaturepod out. "And I won't be getting a reading from the others for a while."
Amber lightly purred.
"Okay, a good thing is the storm is gone and the weather is calm." Aviva remaining positive. "A bad thing is... my friends are gone and I'm all alone." A quick screeched rang. "But I still have you, Amber. A good thing is I have my MIK and some food and water. A bad thing is... I'm still in the middle of the desert, alone with Amber."
But Aviva has little idea along with the others, is that they are stranded in one of the harshest places on the planet.
The Namib Desert.
Daytime temperatures can hit over 110 degrees F, and only gets 2 inches of rainfall each year.
And their in a region called the Skeleton Coast, where many shipwrecks lay where they've been sank. It stretches over 900 miles.
Meanwhile, Martin was thinking of the best way to locate the others.
"Okay, what to do?" Martin said thinking. "Maybe, if I make it to the coast, I can try to find the Tortuga. It probably landed in the water."
He then turns to the sun to get his barrings.
"Okay, sun setting west." Martin said. "So I need to follow it."
And he begins to head west and back to the beach.
Meanwhile, in the main room of the Tortuga. Koki and Jimmy were working how to get the ship up and ready again.
And they were up to their waists in water.
"Okay, If I can fix the damaging main wiring and reboot the system." Koki said. "When can have the Tortuga moving again."
"I think I saw a toolbox in the cockpit." Jimmy said. "I'll go it."
"And I'll try to gather up what will need." Koki said.
Jimmy soon got to the cockpit, and he saw the cracked windshield and slowly leaking water.
"Now where did I saw it?" Jimmy looking for the toolbox.
He looks around as he didn't noticed a shadow swam by.
"Aha!" Jimmy reaches and brings out the toolbox. "Knew I'd find it."
And then a shadow appeared and swam by, and Jimmy watches nervously as a Tiger Shark swam near the cockpit.
And Tiger Sharks are known to patrol these waters.
Jimmy nervously gulped and stepped out of the cockpit.
In the main room, Koki has salvaged as many things as she could.
"Okay, some food and water to last a few days." Koki said. "I hope the Tortuga is running by then."
And then Jimmy appeared still shaking with fear.
"Jimmy, what's wrong with you?" Koki inquired of his behavior. "You look like you seen a shark."
"I-I-I-I-I have! There's a Tiger Shark right outside!" Jimmy said. "I think's circling the Tortuga!"
"Let me have a look." Koki headed to the cockpit.
She soon got to the cockpit, and looked around. She waited a few moments, and just before she was about to leave. The Tiger Shark appeared again.
And soon she joins back with Jimmy.
"Okay, we definitely have a problem of that Tiger Shark circling." Koki said. "But as long as it doesn't break in, we should be okay."
"Okay, okay." Jimmy breathed to calm himself. "As long as he doesn't find a way inside."
"Okay, we better get to work." Koki said. "Maybe we can try to get rid some of these water first."
Close to nightfall, Aviva has managed to set up a mid-shift camp by some rocks. And place some drift wood to block the wind.
Nights in deserts can drop temperatures very quickly. And she was lucky to start a small fire to keep warm.
She wasn't hungry so that way she'll be saving the food for later. Though she spare a piece of jerky for Amber, and had a small piece herself.
But the real battle is lying ahead tomorrow, and she decided it might be best to head inland.
Using her jacket as a blanket, she lays down as Amber curls up next to her. And soon they fell asleep.
The next morning as the sun was raising, Aviva and Amber woke up early and headed inland before it gets too hot.
They did saw some tracks left from a pair of Jackals that pass by while they were sleeping.
As the sun got higher, they got a small ridge to try to get their barrings.
"Okay, which way?" Aviva thinking of the best choice.
As she looked, she noticed in the distance of a small patch of green near the horizon. It might be a good chance of an oasis, and possibly water.
Amber having better eyesight, can see through the heat.
"Okay, let's try that way." Aviva said.
And they begin to head to the patch of green.
5 minutes into the walk, they hiked to the patch of green. Aviva then noticed a green object ahead.
"What is that?" Aviva wondered.
They got to it, and see it what buried. And dig out some sand, and then pulled out a familiar object.
"Chris' Disc holder?" Aviva said stunned.
It appears some of their things might have gotten lost as the Tortuga flipped over.
"Better hold on to this." Aviva said and opens it revealing his Disc collection. "Looks like they're all here."
Half an hour later, as Aviva finished a sip of water.
Amber suddenly let out a loud screech and she stopped in her tracks.
"What's wrong?" Aviva asked.
Amber growled a little looking at something ahead. Aviva turns to where she was looking, and then saw something gray moving.
Taking a few steps forward, she then saw what Amber was growling at.
Coiled next to a rock, was a Puff Adder.
One of Africa's deadliest snakes, and they kill more people than any other African snakes. And they are lightning fast strikers, some of the fastest strikers.
They have a cytotoxic venom that is slow moving and tissue destroying. A single bite is enough to kill 5 people, and death comes in a couple days.
"Okay, best to leave him alone." Aviva said.
Aviva and Amber wisely moved around the Puff Adder at a respectfully distance of 7 feet. And as he puffs his body and hisses, clearly giving a warning that they read loud and clear. And soon moved away from the snake.
Back over with Jimmy and Koki, they've been slowly making progress of repairs in the Tortuga.
But the Tiger Shark from yesterday is still circling outside, waiting for a chance.
And they've managed to drain some water out they up to their knees now.
"Okay, it shouldn't be too much longer till we might get the Tortuga on it's feet." Koki said.
"Oh, good." Jimmy relieved. "But, what about that shark?"
"Until we get the Tortuga standing, we can't open the hatch." Koki said. "We could accidentally let the shark in."
And they begin to work on the wiring.
Meanwhile, Martin has already made it the beach and moving north to find the Tortuga.
"Has to be somewhere." Martin looking around.
He looks as held hand to block his eyes from the sun. And then, he saw a faint shape of a dome like structure.
"Hey, that looks like the Tortuga." Martin said.
And he heads up the beach.
Back over with Chris, he's been walking since this morning.
"It's hot!" Chris panted.
And then, he noticed a large mark in the sand in front of him. And it looked as if a fight was here, and saw a drag trail.
"I wonder where it goes." Chris wondered.
And he starts to follow it.
He follows the trail to some rocks, and then found an old carcass of an Oryx.
Oryx are common in this harsh desert, they can survive on little water.
But this one seems to have been killed by a Leopard. And it was stripped clean to the bone.
And Chris quickly decides it's best to leave now. Not wanting to stick around too long in case the Leopard is near.
Leopards are known to patrol this region, and they're easily known for being man eaters. They usually go for the weakest parts of an animal, like the neck.
Towards late afternoon, after a long day of hiking.
Aviva and Amber are nearing the green patch. But heat exhaustion has been slowly overtaking Aviva.
She has been drinking a few sips each hour, but there's only a 5th of water left in the first bottle. And she's spared a few for Amber.
As they hiked, what Aviva didn't know. Is that Amber has been more active, every now and then she's been moving ahead of her. And sniffing the air, it appears she's in survival mode.
The brain of a dinosaur works like a light switch, one is on, and one isn't. And the primal instinct of every animal is survival. It's almost as if an old hidden Cretaceous instinct has hot-wired into her mind. And she's using her senses get around, sight, hearing and smell.
"Okay, okay." Aviva panted and sits on a log. "I need a break."
She then brought out her bottle and sees there's only water for one sip.
Close by, Amber was sniffing the air and the sand trying to catch even the faintest scent of anything. And then she turns to a direction she thinks is promising.
She then turns back to Aviva and screeches to get her attention. Aviva turns to her and the little Raptor started pacing in a circle. And Aviva thinks she want her to follow her.
"What is it?" Aviva asked and got up.
She followed Amber to a small ledge, and then saw a dried up riverbed. And Amber moves down the hill as Aviva followed.
As soon as they got the riverbed, Amber then started sniffing the sand. It appears she's trying to sniff out a water source.
And then, she slightly harden area and then starts digging.
Aviva hurries over to her as Amber quickly dug up 6 inches of sand. And then got out of the hole and then a small amount of water appeared.
"Whoa, great job Amber!" Aviva beamed.
Amber digs a little more, and soon starts drinking and spared some for Aviva.
An hour later as the sun is slowly lowering, Aviva and Amber were resting on a ledge 20 feet high.
"Well, guess we could wait here for a while." Aviva said and yawned.
Amber curls up and begins to fall asleep, and soon Aviva laid down and used her jacket as a pillow to get some sleep.
But what they didn't know, somewhere on the riverbed lies a large circle-like shape in the sand.
It was a footprint.
And the owner who made it.
Belongs to a Desert Giant.
Meanwhile, Chris was unknowingly about a mile from where Aviva and Amber are.
He's managed to set up a small fire, and earlier in the day. He came across a Rock Monitor stuck in some rocks, and he has managed to pull him out. And the lizard didn't even try to bite, he was probably in shock of being trapped.
At the moment, Chris was tending the right hind leg as he wraps a bandage he had around his leg to make a splint. The Monitor's leg has either a broken bone or tore muscle.
Chris was really surprise the lizard was showing no signs of aggression.
And soon he finishes the splint as he place a pin to secure the bandage and lock it.
"There you go, buddy." Chris said. "Well, since Martin not here, I think I'll call you... Rocky."
Chris decides the best choice is to keep Rocky with him. Until the others find him, and Rocky can have a proper check-up till his leg's healed.
Close to an hour before dawn, Martin has managed to make it to the Tortuga and avoided the circling Tiger Shark.
And he helped out with Koki and Jimmy with the final repairs.
"I hope we're almost done." Martin said.
"Nearly close, could be another 2 hours." Koki said as Jimmy hands her a wrench.
They were working at a platform checking the inside wiring where one of the shell panels were missing. Martin with his headlight on glance down as the Tiger Shark was still circling.
"That guy must be hungry." Martin said.
And they got back to work.
Over an hour later, the sun slowly raises.
Chris was peacefully asleep, and soon he wakes and yawns. And as he rubs his eyes to wake up completely, he thought he glimpse of black slithered behind a rock close by.
"Huh, what's that?" Chris wondered.
He got up and slowly approached the rock, and then carefully peaked behind it. He knows it's some kind of snake from the S shape in the sand it made. And soon, he saw it was a Western Barred Spitting Cobra.
They are some of the fastest moving of snakes. And fast even for a cobra, and they can moved even with the hood up when threaten.
And then the cobra sensed Chris' presence and quickly turns to him with a hiss and raised hood and stands a third of his body up.
"Okay, okay. I'm going." Chris quickly said.
And then Chris leaves the Spitting Cobra alone.
There are 8 species of Spitting Cobras in Africa, and 10 species in Asia, making a total 18 species worldwide.
What makes the Spitting Cobra different from other cobras, is that the fangs are designed differently. Unlike other venomous snakes with fangs meant to bite and deliver venom, the Spitting Cobra's are designed with a different opening in the fangs, which are forward facing. And they spit the venom with a strong exhale and squeeze from the venom glands with powerful muscles around them.
And some species can have a range of 6 feet and hit a target. And they usually target the eyes of a predator, or any other nosy creature. And the venom can actually cause blindness that can be permanent and cause chemosis and conreal swelling in the eyes as well.
If someone was to get some venom in the eyes, they must quickly wash the venom out before it takes affect.
Wearing protective eye goggles and masks is the only way to safely properly handle a Spitting Cobra.
And so, Chris lifts Rocky up to his shoulder and begins to move away from the Cobra.
Meanwhile, over at their high sleeping area. Amber wakes up as dawn approaches.
And then, a deep rumbling sound catches her attention, and she looks down. And sees something on the riverbed, and then Aviva starts waking up and soon sat up. And she soon Amber looking at something.
"Amber, what are you looking at?" Aviva asked rubbing her eye awake.
As she looks to where Amber was watching, she was suddenly awestruck and wide awake as if she was dreaming.
Marching across the riverbed was a herd of desert elephants.
Namibia is one of the 2 areas in Africa, where desert elephants are found. On the edge of the Sahara, and in the Namib Desert. Desert elephants are not a separate species, they are the exact same animals as in the Savannah animals. But they have learnt to adapt in this harsh landscape. And they have been surviving here in this desert for countless generations.
Aviva has little idea how lucky she is right now, seeing a herd of desert elephants is one of the rarest moments in Africa. Over a century ago, over 3,000 of these giants once roamed. But now there's less than 800 due to poaching.
What keeps them moving in conditions like this, is the endless search for food and water. And elephants can only survive without water for only 4 days. This herd is lucky to come across the riverbed. And there's a small amount of water left from where Amber dug yesterday. And each elephant trunk took a turn for water, but it won't be enough.
And soon, the herd begins to move on to find a larger source of water and food.
Aviva then suddenly thought that if she follows them, they might also help her and Amber find a larger water source. And maybe the others will find her.
Once the herd is far enough, they begin to climb down the rocks and begins to follow them.
Aviva could hardly believe that a large creature like an elephant can survive out here. She was more use to the ones further inland at the grasslands.
But they know what they're doing.
And like every family herd, they are following one single female.
The Matriarch.
She could be 50 years old, and she can remember where any areas will have water. And she leads the herd on a route she learnt when she was a calf, and her mother before her. And it's the same path that her ancestors took in previous generations before her, like her mother took, and even her grandmother. Elephants have incredible memory, and even if it's been years they been to a certain area they'll remember.
As they traveled, Aviva counted 11 animals in the herd. And there are even a few calves, between 3 and 6 months old. But one calf as caught her attention, among the many legs of the adults was a tiny calf only 2 weeks old.
As long as Aviva keeps her distance from the herd, there shouldn't be any problems.
Meanwhile, the trio in the Tortuga have finally managed to repair the damage.
"Okay, I think it's done." Koki said. "Jimmy, see if you can try to get it running."
Jimmy heads to the cockpit, and turns the key. The engine shudders at first.
"Come on, come on." Martin begged.
And then with one final turn, the engine starts running and the lights turned back on. And then the Tortuga begins to raise to it's feet, and the raising metal turtle cause the Tiger Shark to be spooked and then swims off away.
And the 3 cheered of the Tortuga back in action. And soon the hatches open as the rest of the water was drained out.
"Okay, now we gotta find Chris and Aviva." Martin said.
Koki rushed to her station, and soon was able to get a location on them.
"I got them!" Koki announced. "4 miles inland, and Chris moving north only a mile from her."
"Let's go get them!" Martin said.
And soon the Tortuga took off as begin to head their location.
Meanwhile, Chris is moving up a hill with Rocky on his shoulder.
As soon as he got to the top, he saw a large oasis of green and a large pool of water.
"Hmm, maybe if I hang around here for a while." Chris theorized. "The others might come this way."
And he begins to move down the hill.
But Chris has no idea, that a herd of Desert Giants is heading his way as well.
Nearing towards late afternoon, Aviva, Amber and the elephants have arrived in the oasis where Chris arrived at.
And it wasn't long before Chris who was resting under a tree with Rocky that he spotted the herd.
Chris knows how rare it is coming across desert elephants, and it was too much to resist for a closer look.
Elephants have good hearing, and a highly developed sense of smell. But they don't see very well, as long as he remains quiet and stay downwind, he'll move a little closer.
Chris silently moves ahead in front of the herd, and watches as they continue coming towards him.
But Chris was so caught in the chance, that he has failed to realize that the most dangerous place to be, is between an elephant and where it wants to go.
And when an elephant is on the move.
Nothing gets in their way.
Realizing they're getting closer, Chris decides to back away. But he was too close, and at this range, any movement attracts attention. And he was seen as a threat.
Then suddenly Chris was running as one of the females charges at him. And Chris runs off as the female slowed to a halt, proving it was only a warning and a mock charge.
But a real reminder of the sheer size and power of these colossal beasts.
Chris quickly raced back to the tree where he left Rocky.
"Phew. That was close." Chris panted catching his breath.
Despite being gentle giants, elephants can be aggressive if needed. And all Chris did was getting in their way, and making them nervous. But Chris doesn't blame them for that since they have calves under their protection and care.
Behind the herd, Aviva and Amber noticed the commotion in the herd.
"I wonder what's going on." Aviva frowned.
And then, she noticed a familiar figure with green not far by a tree.
And she and Amber quickly ran over to him and carefully without spooking the elephants.
"Chris!" Aviva called out.
Chris turns and saw them nearing them. "Aviva! Oh, am I glad to see you!"
Aviva soon nears him. "Me too! Me and Amber saw you back there."
Amber then rushed to Chris.
"Hey, Amber." Chris happily greeted her and stroke her as she purrs. "How long were you with these guys?"
"We've been following them since dawn." Aviva said. "I never thought there was such a thing as desert elephants."
"Actually, these guys aren't a separate species." Chris said. "They're the same animals as Thornsley."
"Really?" Aviva glanced the herd.
"Yeah, they're just adapted for life in the desert." Chris said. "Oh, desert elephants are very rare to come by. You have any idea how lucky we are?"
"A little, but there's also a few calves with them." Aviva said. "I think that one tiny one is just born recently."
"That one?" Chris gestured to the 2 week old calf in the herd.
"Yeah, that one." Aviva nodded.
"Amazing, he's probably only 2 weeks old at least." Chris beamed. "That is such a rare find."
"Wow, we are really lucky." Aviva said. "I hope the others find us soon."
"Yeah, me too." Chris agreed. "But maybe if we stick around with these elephants long enough, they might find us."
"Hey, they're moving away!" Aviva exclaimed.
They watched as the herd begins to move away.
"Let's try getting over the raise and ahead." Chris said and heads to the tree and lifts up Rocky.
"Oh, who's your friend?" Aviva asked.
"Oh, this is Rocky." Chris introduced the Monitor. "He has a hurt leg and decided to take him with me till he's healed."
"Hi Rocky." Aviva greeted and stroked his back.
And then they quickly to the hill and climb up and back down again.
Before long, they soon came across the herd again as they dropped Rocky and Amber by a tree. And they went to have a closer look.
"Oh, we got here just in time." Aviva said.
"Yeah, we should be fine here." Chris said. "Oh, Martin has no idea what he's missing."
Among the 11 elephants, 4 of them are calves.
They quietly watched as the herd walks by them about 100 feet from them. And they even noticed one of the females has a branch stuck between her trunk and left tusk.
As they watched the herd walking by, they then saw a young bull elephant suddenly appeared. He's either a member just about to venture on his own, or following the herd looking for a female to mate.
They kept dead still as the young bull wandered closer, and clearly has spotted them.
If he decides to charge, they got nowhere to run.
And they watch as he keeps moving.
"I feel like my heart's in my mouth." Chris softly whispered.
"Same here." Aviva whispered.
The young bull let out a roar as he turns back to them. And he eyes them as he continues moving.
"Oh, boy." Chris said getting nervous.
"Uh-oh." Aviva quietly trembled.
They kept dead still as the young bull kept walking.
Luckily, the young bull keeps going towards the rest of the herd.
Once he was a safe enough distance, the 2 suddenly sighed in sheer relief.
"Oh, that was close." Chris said.
"Yeah." Aviva nodded. "Oh! I just remembered." She reached into her pocket and brought out his disc holder. "It's your disc holder."
"Yes!" Chris happily took it. "I was looking for it. Where'd you find it?"
"I came across heading inland." Aviva said.
Then suddenly a beeping sound was heard.
"Hello? Anyone there?" Called a familiar voice.
Chris brought out his Creaturepod. "Koki?"
"Chris! Oh, we are glad to hear you." Koki said relieved. "Is Aviva with you?"
"Yeah, same with Amber." Chris replied.
"Is Martin and Jimmy with you?" Aviva asked.
"Yeah, we have you're location and almost a mile away." Koki said.
"Oh! You guys have to come over here." Chris said. "Because there's something you gotta see."
Later towards sunset, the herd of desert elephants peacefully drink water from a lake. While some were feeding on some branches of the trees.
And the Wild Kratts now back together, happily watch the herd on the balcony's platform.
"I can never get enough of watching elephants happy together." Aviva smiled at the sight.
They even saw a 3 month old calf playing with the 2 week old smaller calf.
"This is such a rare sight, few people are even lucky to even see a glimpse of these desert elephants." Martin said.
And then, the mother of the 2 week old calf appeared and trumpeted to the baby. And the calf and it's cousin rushed over her as the mother tenderly placed her trunk on her calf affectingly.
And soon she leads her calf back to the herd as they begin to settle down for the night. There's enough food and water for them to last a few days, after that they'll keep moving.
And then, the herd's matriarch appeared. And she was approaching the Tortuga with no concern, and nears a tree next to it. And then she reaches her trunk high up to grab a branch and pulls it off and brought to her mouth to eat.
And then Chris brought another branch off, and lowers down and reaches down with it.
"Here you go." Chris said.
And then the matriarch wraps her trunk around it, and brings it to her mouth.
"It's amazing how they trust her." Koki said.
"Yeah, they depend on the matriarch on her experience of life in the desert." Chris said.
"I think I'll name you... Sand Tusk." Martin said naming her.
The matriarch now called Sand Tusk hangs around the tree for another minute. And soon she heads back to the herd.
The Wild Kratts happily watch the herd over the next 3 days. And they are rewarded with honor of witnessing behavior, that has gone on for countless generations. And they hoped, will go on for countless more.
It is nothing short of a miracle, that the biggest land mammal on Earth has survived here at all.
But where once thousands of elephants roamed, not only a few hundred remain. And every new life is unbelievable promise.
This is truly something they hope their grandchildren will witness one day.
They can't even bare to go and leave them.
But in the end, it's the elephants that leave them.
Melting back into the timeless landscape.
On day 4, Sand Tusk leads the herd back out to find another source of food and water.
But they managed to place a small tracker around her right tusk.
A week later, the Tortuga sits in the area where Chris found Rocky.
And after over a week of healing, Rocky's leg is better. And ready to go home.
The bandage was soon removed, and soon Chris placed Rocky down.
And after a minute of sitting flicking his tongue, Rocky soon crawls away and back out free into his desert home.
And 3 miles away, Sand Tusk and the rest of the herd feed off a patch of bushes.
And Sand Tusk grabs a trunkful and brings it to her mouth. And stomach rumbles.
Author's Note:
There is a similarity to that in Puffin Rescue.
But as it moved on, I decided to reward them at the end...
With the rare and remarkable desert elephants.