Zurura's Story

Yet another call for help, this time to rescue a tiny calf that had fallen down a open faced mine dug for rubies on "Mukuki Ranch" between Tsavo West and East during the moonless night of the 28th October 2005. This area forms a migratory corridor long used by elephants to move between Tsavo East and West National Parks, but which is now densely populated by an expanding human population making passage extremely dangerous for elephants. Therefore they have taken to streaking through at speed under cover of darkness, in trouble should daylight find them betwixt and between their two safe havens. Disturbed earth all around the pit was evidence that the herd had struggled long and hard to retrieve the precious calf that had fallen in during this process, but eventually the Matriarch had to make the terrible decision to abandon the trapped tiny baby in order to ensure the safety of the rest of her family before daybreak. By morning, what seemed to be a ghost herd had vanished entirely. There was no sign of an elephant anywhere.

Zurura's Story

As the miners took their early morning tea, they heard the muffled bellows of the baby and set about searching the area following the sound, and peering into the many deep pits that dotted the ruby rich area. Eventually, they came across the traumatized baby elephant deep inside one that had already yielded some rubies, and taking this as an omen of having been led to this particular pit which might yield many more rubies, they were at pains to save the calf's life rather than kill it. Having hauled it out, they wrote the name Zurura on one ear, using a felt tip pen, 'Zurura' being the Swahili word for 'The Wanderer', and in deference to them for having saved his life, that is what he has been named.

The calf was taken to Mwatate Police Station, who contacted The Kenya Wildlife Service authorities in Tsavo East. They in turn contacted The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and we immediately sent our SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit to investigate. The unit arrived to a calf swamped by people, all touching feeling and holding him. He was remarkably calm despite what must have been a very frightening time for him. In the absence of any wild elephants in the area, the tiny baby bull was driven to our Voi Elephant Stockades where it was fed milk and rehydration both of which he gulped down enthusiastically and spent time at the stockades having a sand bath while waiting for the Nairobi Keepers to arrive. He is remarkably tame for a calf that was only this morning a wild elephant, he followed the Keepers and offered little resistance.

A Rescue Plane was sent to the Voi airstrip with three Keepers from Nairobi on board, and the calf was flown up to the Nursery. We estimate him to be seven to eight weeks old, a baby bull, who we hope will find solace in our care after his traumatic beginning.

Adopt Zurura for yourself or as a gift.

Important Note: Thank you for considering an adoption. Each orphan needs more than one foster parent: your adoption donation will be processed by the SWT UK and Kenya to help all the orphans in our care.

Adopt Zurura for yourself or as a gift.

Important Note: Thank you for considering an adoption. Each orphan needs more than one foster parent: your adoption donation will be processed by the SWT UK and Kenya to help all the orphans in our care.

Current Age

18 years old

Gender

Male

Rescued date

28 October 2005

Rescue Location

Tsavo Ecosystem, Taita Ranches

Date of Birth (approximate)

3 September 2005

Reason Orphaned

Man-made cause for separation

Age at Rescue

1 month old (approx)

Current Location

Living Wild

Zurura's featured photos

Our digital adoption programme includes the following:

Personalised adoption certificate.

Monthly email update on your orphan and the project.

Monthly watercolour by Angela Sheldrick.

Access to special content; latest Keepers' Diaries, videos and photos

Give Zurura the gift of life by adopting today.

Latest updates featuring Zurura

An Incredible Treatment at the Ithumba Stockades

Read more

Sattao, Musiara and Dololo move to Ithumba

Read more

Esampu, Mteto and Mundusi move to Ithumba

Read more

Zurura's latest photos

Zurura

Zurura

Roho and Zurura

Zurura having a morning drink of water

Zurura

Zurura

Zurura staying close to his wild bull friend

Zurura in the mud bath