Nyika


Sadly Nyika passed away on September 20th, 2012. He shall forever remain in our hearts

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Nyika's Story

Nyika is estimated to be approximately 10 months old, a lone male calf whose rescue story almost duplicates that of Bomani and Panda. Somali Cattle herders illegally graze their cattle in Tsavo East National Park in their thousands, and following attempts by KWS to drive them out, the herdsmen have vowed reprisals against the elephants who utilise the ancient migratory route (now the Taita Ranches bordering Tsavo.) Some of these are now leased from Taita tribesman to Somali's for grazing rights and with the current price of ivory as it is the area has become a poaching hotspot.

Nyika's Story

The lone calf desperate for water was first sighted by the scouts of both Taita and Rukinga Ranches. They remained with the elephant observing its pitiful plight as it wandered aimlessly exhausted, emaciated and thirsty, desperately trying to reach water at a water point called Tangi overwhelmed with hundreds of Somali Cattle. The remains of two recently poached female elephants were confirmed in the area, and given the condition of the calf who had clearly been without his mother for sometime, the scouts concluded as nighttime approached that they should capture him before he befell the same destiny as his mother. They immediately reported this to the KWS authorities who confirmed that he should be captured and held safely overnight so that the rescue team could move in in daylight hours. Our Voi Elephant Keepers travelled there the following day, 29th July, and he was driven to the Voi stockades to await the arrival of the rescue plane to airlift him to the Nairobi Nursery.

Weak and in a pitiful state this little bull was so relieved to find himself near other elephants and humans that were kind and loving, with access to milk and water, that he was calmed very quickly and relished his good fortune. He has been named Nyika (The term commonly used for the arid scrubland comiphera bush that is indigenous to the area of his rescue, which was formally known as the Taru desert). His stools were pure mud to begin with, indicating the harsh conditions to which he was tragically subjected following the loss of his mother and her life sustaining milk.

We continue to monitor this calf very carefully, whose survival is by no means assured, in view of his weakened state. But he is indeed one of the few very fortunate orphaned elephants from that area that thanks to the kind actions of the Taita and Rukinga Scouts and the compassion of the authorities of KWS has been afforded another chance of life. We are proud at having been able to help in this way.

Date of Passing

20 September 2012

Gender

Male

Rescued date

29 July 2012

Rescue Location

Unknown

Date of Birth (approximate)

29 September 2011

Reason Orphaned

Poaching

Age at Rescue

9 months old (approx)

Passed away

20 September 2012

Nyika's Archival Updates

Other Orphans in our care

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The death of Nyika

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The Rescue of Nyika

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Nyika's Archival Photos

Nyika enjoying a bottle of milk

Nyika with ears spread

Nyika in the company of a keeper

Nyika resting while the little ones browse

Nyika enjoying a dustbath at the visiting hour

Balguda with Nyika

Nyika hiding in the herd

Nyika in the park