Tali’s time with us was short, but he touched so many lives. We only rescued him in February, after receiving reports of an orphan in northern Kenya. Rangers had observed the lonely calf for several days, but based on his gaunt appearance, he had likely been on his own for months.

We always knew it was going to be an uphill battle to save Tali. His body told the story of a little elephant who had been stuck in survival mode for too long. His skin was dull and flaking, his cheeks were gaunt, his telltale bloated belly indicated severe malnutrition, and blood work revealed a bacterial infection, extremely low red blood cell and platelet counts, and a serious parasite load.

For many weeks, Tali needed assistance to wake up and get to his feet, but slowly we saw signs for optimism as he started to put on some weight and grew a bit stronger. His Keepers devoted 24 hours a day to his care, making sure he got the sustenance and support he needed. The mini matriarchs were also eager to help the little newcomer, particularly Mzinga and Nyambeni. In fact, the girls completely eschewed their daily routine so they could stand by Tali’s side from dawn to dusk.

As Tali’s condition improved, he started to join more activities with the wider Nursery herd. He tended to stay on the periphery of the group, mindful of his weakened state. Despite this, one day he got caught up in the playful roughhousing of the junior bulls and was knocked to the ground. The Keepers rushed to his aid and helped him to his feet, but the encounter left him bruised and limping.

Young elephants lead a rumble-tumble life — it’s how they play with their friends, test each other’s strength, and establish dominance in the herd. For most calves, a knockdown would be a moment of embarrassment and nothing more.

But for Tali, it set off a tragic domino effect. In his compromised state, the injured leg was clearly troubling him, leaving him with a pronounced limp. Our veterinary team was immediately consulted. Given that he could bear weight on the limb, they recommended giving Tali a break from the daily routine so he could rest up, aided by anti-inflammatories. We kept Tali closer to the stockades, with his Keepers leading him on excursions into the nearby forest where he could browse and feed.

At first, Tali seemed to be getting better. His mobility improved and his appetite remained healthy. The other orphans were attentive to their little friend, checking in on him regularly. Tali, who was initially very wary of his Keepers, had grown extremely close to them and visibly enjoyed their company.

After a cautiously promising recovery, Tali’s condition took a downward turn. It was at this point that we felt it necessary to put Tali through the stress of an X-ray and were confronted with the very worst news: His distal femur was broken close to the hip, with bone override that made recovery highly unlikely and operating impossible. What must have initially been a hairline crack had turned into a serious break. In all the months he had spent on his own prior to his rescue, and the very weak condition he arrived in, it now seems likely that his bones were weakened.

The vets attending to Tali advised that it would be kindest to ease his passage — which was an extremely difficult reality to face. Tragically, that day came on 9th July 2025. Tali, who had so long been weak of body but bright of spirit, showed a marked downturn. He could no longer stand and was struggling in every way. The time had come to humanely end his suffering. He passed peacefully, leaving the SWT team totally bereft.

Tali was a brave little bull. We will never know exactly how he came to be orphaned — but those months of being alone prior to being rescued had taken their toll. The unfortunate fall in the forest should have been a non-event, but in little Tali’s case, the consequences became extreme.

For all the wonderful miracles we witness and success stories we bring to fruition, we must also grapple with the other side of the coin. It is with a heavy heart that I share this news. It has been a particularly dismal week for us and we are all heartsore, but the Keepers are particularly fragile at the moment after recent events. Theirs is a job that brings such joy, but when the bad times roll in, it can be emotionally brutal. We find comfort in remembering that Tali’s final chapter was marked by love and support.

We know that this is a very sad chapter in our Orphans’ Project. Please know that no one feels these losses more keenly than us; even when we did everything we could, it still hurts to the core to lose a member of our herd. But following the cues of elephants, we must turn the page and focus on the living — for there are over 100 young elephants entrusted in our care at the moment, each one in need of love and nurturing.