Kinna's Story

This little female calf is estimated to have been born on or about 15 October 1999 and only 1 week old when rescued. She was discovered submerged in mud in a waterhole near 'Kina' within Meru National Park. She lay exposed to the sun all day before being rescued and extracted, but it was clear the sun had damaged her petal pink ears terribly. She was airlifted to our Nairobi Nursery and in time one ear was so sun damaged that it became like parchment and despite our best efforts to heal it, the top finally died and fell away completely. Due to her sun-damaged ears, Kinna has always been very distinctive and easily recognizable even amidst the wild herds when grown.

Kinna's Story

Kinna has been a forceful character from the outset, inclined to be bossy and a very precocious baby compared to others. She has always had an outgoing character, and with time, as she has grown older she has become a no nonsense girl, providing the discipline when needed.

Adopt Kinna 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 Kinna 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

24 years old

Gender

Female

Rescued date

18 October 1999

Rescue Location

Meru Region, Meru National Park

Date of Birth (approximate)

15 October 1999

Reason Orphaned

Stuck in mud

Age at Rescue

0 weeks old (approx)

Current Location

Living Wild

Kinna'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 Kinna the gift of life by adopting today.

Kinna's Calves

Meet Kinna's wild born offspring.

Kama

Female

Born in the early hours of 24th March 2017, Kama is Kinna's first calf and arrived as the clouds over Tsavo were building, a sign of oncoming and much needed rains after a long drought. She has been named after the Hindu God of Love. Read more

Kaia

Female

On the morning of 17th October 2021, Kinna, her first-born Kama, and the rest of Yatta’s ex orphan herd converged upon our Ithumba Reintegration Unit with a chorus of trumpets.

The level of fanfare could only mean one thing: a baby announcement and sure enough, Kinna had a newborn scuttling by her side. She was still petal pink behind the ears and wobbly on her legs, but looking very healthy. We have named her Kaia, a nod to the ancient red earth she will call home. Read more

Latest updates featuring Kinna

Our Second Ithumba Great-Grandbaby, Mala

Read more

A Milestone Birth: Yebo, Ithumba’s First ‘Great-Grandbaby’

Read more

Melia's Extraordinary Ithumba Birth

Read more

Kinna's latest photos

Mwende, Mala, Kaia and Kinna

Kinna and Kama

Kinna and Kaia

Kama, Kaia and Kinna

Kinna and Wendi's families

Kinna, Kama and Kaia

Kaia leading Kinna and Makena

Kinna and Kaia