Once a witch doctor of an unspecified African pygmy tribe, the man who would be known as Doctor El had a chance encounter with the Shredder, who was impressed by the doctor's skills. Shredder mutated the doctor into an anthropomorphic elephant, hoping to have him as yet another soldier in his mutant army. Unfortunately for Shredder, whether the doctor was interested in the plan or not was moot, as his elephant nature made him friendly and adverse to evil. As an ally of the Ninja Turtles, Doctor El fights the forces of the Foot Clan with his Bone Nunchaku, Spooky Spear, and various concoctions. He also loves a good pepperoni pizza!