The following is information on the Elephant Orphan named: MADIBA  (foster now)

Latest Updates on MADIBA:

• 1/4/2014 - A happy New Year 2014
• 12/8/2013 - Celebrating the Legacy of Madiba
• 8/27/2008 - The story of Rafiki
• 5/7/2007 - Heart Warming Stories - THEN AND NOW -
• 7/15/2005 - The move to Ithumba in Tsavo National Park for Sunyei, Galana, Ndomot and Madiba
• 9/28/2004 - The rescue of Buchuma
• 8/15/2004 - The rescue of Galana
• 6/18/2004 - Moving Taita, Olmalo, Selengai, Wendi, Tomboi, Napasha. Kinna, Yatta, Nasalot and Mulika to Ithumba

View to Location map for MADIBA (opens a new window)

Most Recent Keeper's Diary Entry: (view all the latest entries for MADIBA)

4/7/2017 - It was a quiet morning as the orphans left their stockades and settled for lucerne. The sky was indicating the start of the rainy season, long overdue, might begin soon. The temperatures had dropped and we knew that some parts surrounding Ithumba had received rain the previous night. After feeding on lucerne, Narok led the way to the browsing field where they were joined by Kilaguni and Chaimu. Orwa settled to browse with Shukuru as Kamok scratched against the nearby trees.

At mud bath the juniors were joined by Ex Orphan bulls Madiba, Buchuma and four wild bulls too. The weather was chilly but this didn't deter Bongo from mud bathing. The rest of his friends just stood at the edge of the mud bath as if spectating, or wondering how Bongo was enjoying wallowing in the cold mud so much. Enkikwe, Kilaguni, Siangiki, Olsekki and Teleki were tempted to join Bongo in wallowing. Shortly after mud bath Kauro and Naseku, who opted not to mud bath, settled for a scratching exercise against a nearby tree. Olsekki tried to challenge Kilaguni but he was overpowered by him. Kamok led the way out to continue browsing. The temperatures was so cool compared to previous days and the orphans enjoyed each passing moment as there was no need to find shade to hide from the hot sun today.

The Two Latest Photos of MADIBA: (view gallery of pictures for MADIBA)

Madiba having a mudbath (right) photo taken on 11/16/2004	Madiba clowning around photo taken on 11/2/2004

ORPHAN PROFILE FOR: MADIBA (foster now)

Zoom / Enlarge With the approach of Christmas 2003, the Trust dispersed a small pamphlet to promote our online Fostering Programme, saying, “What do you dream of having for Christmas?” The answer was, of course, “A Baby Elephant”. However this was not at the top of our particular list of priorities (which would have been the milk to feed our growing elephant family). At the time we already had 8 in our Nairobi Nursery and another 31 growing up down in Tsavo – a BIG family, by any standards. However, for us, “the dream” came true in an unusual way – the arrival by air of a tiny Southern African orphan named “Olly”, despite immense pressure from many quarters in that part of the world from those who think that only humans are worthy of compassion, and all other living creatures are a mere commercial commodity for sale to the highest bidder. Fortunately, not all people in Southern Africa think that way; hence the saving of “Olly”. Said the famous Naturalist Albert Schweitzer, “until mankind can extend his compassion to the animals, he will never find peace”. We, in Kenya, are proud to be the one country in Africa whose wildlife policy incorporates the vital ingredient of compassion and animal welfare, something that is demonstrated on a daily basis by the hundreds of Kenyans who flock to our Nairobi Nursery to watch and wonder as the infant elephant inmates take their noon mudbath.    Of course, we welcomed little “Olly” with a feeling of great joy, knowing that that this tiny elephant had evaded a life of bondage. We thank the kind people in South Africa who battled long and hard, and withstood mounting pressure, in order to offer little “Ollie” the priceless gift of freedom and a quality of life amongst wild kin when grown in a Protected Area that offers the s p a c e that elephants need. Especially commended are The Bateleurs, pilots who donate their time and their planes to environmental issues and particularly we must thank Mr. and Mrs. Roland Kerer, who coordinated this crucial part towards the saving of Ollie. The Tanzanian based Coastal Air most generously and very kindly airlifted the little elephant at no cost and went out of their usual area of operation to bring the elephant to Wilson Airport in Nairobi. Karen Trendler and the Staff of Wildcare took good care of Ollie for the three months it took to organise all the CITES permits, and the South African arm of IFAW shouldered contingency expenses during this time.    Olly was rescued in Botswana, found in a riverbed suffering from a deep head wound, possibly inflicted by a predator, which left him confused, able only to walk in circles, and abandoned by his elephant family who had obviously given all hope for his survival. After difficulty, he was moved from Botswana to Wildcare near Pretoria, an internationally recognised rehabilitation center that takes in four legged waifs and strays. From there, the wheels were set in motion for the elephant to be able to come to Kenya and join our orphaned elephant family. And on the 23rd December 2003, after a 7 hour journey, lightly sedated and crated, he arrived at Wilson Airport in Nairobi at 6 p.m. in the evening, accompanied by Karen Trendler. From there he was transported to our Elephant Nursery, and there he walked out of his crate into the Nursery stable next to little “Sunyei” where he spent the night with Keeper Edwin. The very next day he was out and about with the other 8 Nursery inmates, cosseted by them all, and particularly by the Mini Nursery Matriarch, “Wendi” who is delighted to welcome into the group another very small, very furry, baby of 3 months, tiny for his age, smaller even than 2 month old ”Ndomot”.    With the permission of Wildcare, we have changed his name to reflect his Southern African origins and henceforth he will be known as “Madiba”, the name by which famous Nelson Mandela is affectionately known in his homeland..

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