LUSAKA, ZAMBIA - UNDATED: Vets treat the damaged ankle of young elephant Suni at the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation supported Elephant Orphanage Project near Lusaka, Zambia.   A BABY elephant walks again thanks to an ingenious new boot - a year after ivory poachers almost hacked her to death. The 17-year-old orphan, known as Suni, was found dragging herself by the front legs, weak and dehydrated with severe axe wounds to her spine and legs. Staff at the Elephant Orphanage Project in Lusaka, Zambia, came to her aid and have nursed her back to health. They then called in a team of specialists from Norway and the USA to operate on the cute youngster and fit her with an aluminium leg support. She is now back on her feet thriving and playing with other juveniles at the orphanage. A BABY elephant walks again thanks to an ingenious new boot - a year after ivory poachers almost hacked her to death. The 17-month-old orphan, known as Suni, was found dragging herself by the front legs, weak and dehydrated with severe axe wounds to her spine and legs. Her mother had been killed and stripped of her tusks. A deep wound to Suni's spine had caused paralysis in her right leg. Staff at the Elephant Orphanage Project in Lusaka, Zambia, came to Suni's aid and nursed her back to health. A team of specialists from Norway and the USA were then flown in to operate on the cute youngster and fit her with an aluminium leg support - which has put her back on her feet. Rachel Murton, Elephant Orphanage manager, said: "It was touch and go at first. But as the swelling decreased in her back she demonstrated increasing feeling in her leg.  "With a combination of physiotherapy, massage and intense nursing we kept our fingers crossed for this little fighter." The unique leg support is made of aluminium, PVC and leather. With her new mobility, Suni charged around with her friends. Head keeper, Kelvin Chanda, added: "You cannot imagine the excitement from all involved when Suni finally walked normally for the first time." Suni still requires constant care, medical support and milk feeds every three hours - but she is now on the road to recovery.