Please let these soccer-loving baby elephants play in the World Cup

GlobalPost

Is it too late for a last-minute entry into the World Cup? Because this team of orphaned baby elephants from Kenya really has the goods. These budding sports stars are residents of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Nairobi.

They’ve overcome some incredibly tragic histories — their bios on the trust’s website include “Found fallen down a well used to water livestock,” “Rescued from the jaws of a lion by the Ziwani desnaring team,” and “Was found standing guard over her collapsed and dying mother.” But now they’re safe and healthy and cute as hell, and their spirits are high enough that they love a good footie game. Enjoy your World Cup watching parties; I’ll be off trying to find a bar that just plays this clip over and over.

Will you support The World?

The story you just read is not locked behind a paywall because listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom. Now more than ever, we need your help to support our global reporting work and power the future of The World. Can we count on you?