Adorable Grandma Knits Elmer Blanket For Baby Elephant

A grandma who turned to knitting while recovering from pneumonia has knitted a patchwork 'Elmer' blanket for a baby elephant in South Africa.

Does it get ANY cuter than this?

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Enid McDermott, 83, spent two months knitting the huge colourful blanket during her stay in hospital - and it's finally arrived at its destination.

The grandmother, from Leicestershire, had heard about a young orphaned elephant, named Khanyisa, who is currently being cared for at orphanage, HERD (Hoedspruit Elephant Rehabilitation and Development).

Khanyisa was rescued after being caught in a snare for days - she suffered from horrendous lacerations to her ears and neck, with her injuries so severe maggots had started eating the open flesh around her cheeks.

When Enid heard about Khanyisa's devastating experience, she was determined to help out. But when she - and her daughter Deb Small - posted the blanket, they were concerned it had gone missing as it took months to arrive.

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Enid's daughter, 55-year-old Deb explained: "Mum is absolutely over the moon that the blanket eventually got there and that it still fits.

"She was really very ill in hospital and having this to focus on definitely helped. She'd had lots of wool for her birthday and one day she asked for it all to be brought in and that what was she did almost all day every day for about two months.

"She has always loved wildlife and was aware of Khanyisa's plight and wanted to do something to help. She loves the Elmer books and used to read them to her grandchildren and this was just an idea she came up with.

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"Once it was sent off she kept asking everyday if it had arrived and we were so disappointed when it seemed to have gotten lost in the post.

"When we heard it had finally been delivered after all this time she was so so pleased. Over the moon in fact. It's great that Khanyisa will still get some use out of it too because they are still having cool winter nights there."

HERD rehabilitates and hand rears elephant calves that have been displaced or orphaned. The orphanage allows for the baby elephants to be close to a herd which helps with their emotional wellbeing.

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Sue Howells, from HERD, said: "Khanyisa is an exceptionally strong and brave little elephant.

"She is incredibly resilient and has what seems to be an uncrushable spirit."

This is so cute, we hope Khanyisa enjoys her beautiful blanket!

Topics: Life News, Cute, Animals

Lucy Devine

Lucy is a journalist working for Tyla. After graduating with a master's degree in journalism, she has worked in both print and online and is particularly interested in fashion, food, health and women's issues. Northerner, coffee addict, says hun a lot. Get in touch at [email protected].

@lucedevine