A Chester Zoo ranger saved the day when a poorly toddler refused to see a doctor without the baby elephant he’d seen on a recent visit to the popular attraction.
Annabella Leftwich reassured ‘animal-mad’ three-year-old Rowan Bradley that all of the elephants who call Chester Zoo home are happy and healthy in a heartwarming video which has been viewed more than 13,000 times.
Struck down with the same virus which put his mum in hospital a few days earlier, Rowan needed to pay a visit to the doctors last Wednesday (December 30).
In an effort to persuade the reluctant youngster, his parents Mark and Emma told him he could take one of his Playmobil baby elephants, which was also feeling under the weather.
But little Rowan – who has since made a good recovery – misunderstood and thought they meant a real baby elephant.
Mark explained that his son was ‘very upset’ that he wasn’t able to make the journey to Chester Zoo from their home in Salford to collect the elephant.
By sheer coincidence, Rowan’s auntie Rebecca Singleton was visiting the Upton zoo that day and approached Annabella to see if she would provide some reassurance to him after learning how distressed he was.
Annabella was happy to put his mind at rest by stepping in front of the camera to tell him that all the elephants were ‘absolutely fine’ and did not require the attention of a doctor.
'It really did mean a lot'
Mark has praised the zoo's staff for ‘always going above and beyond’.
He told the Chronicle: “We just want to say thank you for taking time out of her busy day to do something special for a poorly little boy, it really did mean a lot and meant we managed to persuade him to go to the doctors without the elephant!
“All the staff and volunteers are very helpful when you visit the zoo and will take the time to explain things and talk to the children and adults alike.”
Mark posted the video on Chester Zoo’s official Facebook page, racking up more than 13,500 views and 580 likes.
Margaret Cooper posted: “Once again best zoo in country comes up trumps.”
While Glenys Croft wrote: “Bless – this would mean so much to a poorly little boy – so thoughtful!”
Jane Hubbard, head of HR at the zoo, said: “Our team of zoo rangers are always out and about talking to visitors around the zoo, answering questions, offering advice and holding interactive animal talks.
“As a zoo, we want people to be passionate about wildlife conservation and our teams are always willing to go the extra mile so that visitors thoroughly enjoy their visit.”
Chester Zoo's guest experience assistant Paul Weaver made headlines and warmed countless hearts in October when he spotted a deflated tyre on a visitor's car and pumped it up to ensure they could return home safely.
