Tumaren's Story

5pm on the 20th July 2008 brought a call for Kerry Glen of Tumaren Ranch, in Laikipia, that a baby elephant had been seen standing beside a dying mother, with no other elephants around. The mother elephant appeared paralyzed, possibly poisoned but the reason was uncertain.

The decision was made to rescue the calf, since the mother was obviously beyond recovery. Fearing the calf would not survive without its mother, especially with predators prevalent on the ranch, Kerry Glen and Jamie, along with the ranch workers secured the baby. To end her suffering, the mother was later euthanased by KWS. The rescued calf was taken to Kerry and Jamie's home, where Jamie remained near the calf in an adjoining room all night. It was a sleepless and very disturbed ordeal, because the distraught baby, cried all night for her mother, and even tried desperately to climb through a window.

Tumaren's Story

5pm on the 20th July 2008 brought a call for Kerry Glen of Tumaren Ranch, in Laikipia, that a baby elephant had been seen standing beside a dying mother, with no other elephants around. The mother elephant appeared paralyzed, possibly poisoned but the reason was uncertain.

The decision was made to rescue the calf, since the mother was obviously beyond recovery. Fearing the calf would not survive without its mother, especially with predators prevalent on the ranch, Kerry Glen and Jamie, along with the ranch workers secured the baby. To end her suffering, the mother was later euthanased by KWS. The rescued calf was taken to Kerry and Jamie's home, where Jamie remained near the calf in an adjoining room all night. It was a sleepless and very disturbed ordeal, because the distraught baby, cried all night for her mother, and even tried desperately to climb through a window.

The calf was flown to the Nairobi Nursery on the 21st July 2009 arriving at noon. She was still strong and aggressive (a good sign denoting the will to live and the reserves to make an effort), but she soon calmed down once the other Nursery elephants were brought in to impart hope and encouragement. The other orphans gave her a warm welcome, and immediately she responded, turning into a very affectionate member of the herd, calm and friendly to both her elephant orphan peers and their human family.

We named the new arrival “Tumaren” to denote her origin. She is about 10 months old and becomes the 22nd member of our Nursery herd of mini orphans ever partaking of the mudbath along with the others. An enchanting addition to the group, popular with the other elephants as well as her human admirers.

Adopt Tumaren 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 Tumaren 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

15 years old

Gender

Female

Rescued date

21 July 2009

Rescue Location

Laikipia, Tumaren Ranch

Date of Birth (approximate)

26 September 2008

Reason Orphaned

Poaching

Age at Rescue

9 months old (approx)

Current Location

Living Wild

Tumaren'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 Tumaren the gift of life by adopting today.

Tumaren's Calves

Meet Tumaren's wild born offspring.

Tembo

Male

On 26th October 2023, we met Tembo, Tumaren's first baby — an enchanting little boy whose name means 'elephant' in Swahili. After losing her mother so cruelly at such a young age, we are delighted that Tumaren now has the opportunity to raise her own baby in the wild. Read more.

Latest updates featuring Tumaren

Olare Gives Birth to Her First Baby, Ola

Read more

Tumaren Introduces Us to Her First Baby, Tembo

Read more

Nasalot Gives Birth to a Second Baby Bull, Noah

Read more

Tumaren's latest photos

Tumaren and Tembo

Tumaren with her baby Tembo

Tumaren with little Tembo

Tumaren with Tembo suckling

Tumaren with little Tembo

Tumaren with baby Tembo

Tumaren

Tumaren