Garzi's Story

On Saturday 6th July members of the community near Kaluku, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's Field HQ, reported to the local SWT De-Snaring Team that they had seen a lone baby elephant on the eastern shore of the Athi River for the past few days, inside of Tsavo East National Park. Another SWT De-Snaring Team working together with KWS closer to the area was deployed that morning along the eastern shore of the river to search for the elephant. Whilst on patrol the team came across two sets of human footprints and following one they found a camp that had recently been occupied. As they scouted the area they saw a lone person returning with water from the river, so they quickly laid an ambush and captured him. In the camp they recovered poisoned arrows, axes and food items. The poacher was arrested by the Kenya Wildlife Service.

Garzi's Story

Two days later the baby elephant had still not been seen and even with an aerial search in the SWT Top Cub nothing was found. The teams began to lose heart that the baby had gone for good. The following day the team on the eastern bank picked up more human footprints and followed them to a new hideout. The gang had obviously left in a hurry as there was a hot fire, large quantities of food and more poison arrows, which were all confiscated.

At 7am, on the morning of the 11th July 2013, the teams were out on patrol again and finally the baby elephant was sighted. Quickly and efficiently the elephant was captured and secured with ropes and straps. They loaded the calf into their vehicle and called into the Trust's Kaluku HQ. The SWT Nairobi Office was immediately informed and an aircraft was soon dispatched from Nairobi's Wilson Airport to collect the orphan who was by this time being transported across the river to the Kaluku airfield. Here he was laid under a tree for shade with a blanket while they waited for the team from Nairobi.

The De-Snaring Team members took it in shifts to look after him and give him water. He suckled their hands and fingers, already understanding that he was in good hands after his lonely ordeal. He appeared relieved to now have comfort and seemed to understand he was being helped. Soon the Cessna Caravan landed with the SWT Nairobi rescue team on board. They quickly set to work in assessing the condition of the orphan and securing him, placing him on a saline trip ready for the hour flight back to Nairobi.

This new eighteen month old male has been named Garzi after the area in which he was found and after the hard efforts of many people he has been given a second chance at life. He will now find his place within the elephant orphan herd at the SWT Nairobi Nursery in Nairobi National Park before he will be returned to Tsavo East National Park from where he belongs.

UPDATE - On 2nd June, 2014, Garzi, alongside orphan elephants Vuria and Ziwa, graduated from the SWT Nairobi Nursery to the Trust's Ithumba Reintegration Unit.

Adopt Garzi 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 Garzi 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

12 years old

Gender

Male

Rescued date

11 July 2013

Rescue Location

Tsavo Ecosystem, Tsavo East NP

Date of Birth (approximate)

15 January 2012

Reason Orphaned

Poaching

Age at Rescue

17 months old (approx)

Current Location

Living Wild

Garzi'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 Garzi the gift of life by adopting today.

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Garzi's latest photos

Garzi and Barsilinga sparring in the water

Garzi

Garzi

Garzi and Orwa

Garzi lying on the ground

Garzi and Maisha in the water

Garzi and Olsekki

Garzi sparring with Wanjala