All too often, elephants are targeted by poachers. Tragically a baby elephant named Max passed away following an encounter with poachers, however he survived just long enough for the experience of a lifetime.

All too often, elephants are targeted by poachers. Tragically a baby elephant named Max passed away following an encounter with poachers, however he survived just long enough for the experience of a lifetime.

Gary Roberts who is a pilot and nurse, was working as a missionary in Chad, Africa when he discovered a herd of elephants that had been killed by poachers. There was one young male survivor that was tied to a tree very close to his dead mother.

Roberts said he had been there for days. He patiently fed the baby he named Max and soon was able to place the 350-pound animal in his small plane with help from several rescuers.

Roberts was hoping to fly him to safety and get him the care he needed. The curious elephant seemed to enjoy the ride, but sadly he later died.

Max had an infection on his neck and was also fed cow’s milk, which is toxic to elephants, by some well-meaning citizens prior to his rescue. The traumatic ordeal he witnessed didn’t help his recovery.

It’s estimated that between 30,000 and 38,000 elephants are poached annually for their ivory. Poaching has gotten so bad that experts predict the African elephant will be extinct within the next two decades.