In 2022, a devastating drought swept across Tsavo. For elephants, who require great quantities of vegetation to sustain themselves, survival became a daily fight. Older calves were particularly vulnerable, as they struggled to consume enough and then were unable to keep pace with the rest of the herd.

On the afternoon of 28th August 2022, our team spotted a female orphaned elephant in Kanderi, southern Tsavo East. During the rains, this wetlands is a green oasis as far as the eye can see — but the drought had transformed it into a vast desert plain. The calf cut a lonely figure, attempting to join passing herds but being rebuffed each time.

Given her emaciated state, the calf had clearly been struggling to survive for some time. She was in a state of collapse when she arrived at the nearby Voi stockades, which was all-too-common among drought victims. However, a series of drips had a revitalising effect. After a day, she was stable and shakily back on her feet.

However, Ushindi’s healing journey was far from over. It took her a long time to calm down and regain condition. She was in good company: Because of the number of juvenile orphans rescued from the southern Tsavo ecosystem, many went directly to our Voi Reintegration Unit. In 2022 alone, this included Akina, Ashanti, Baraka, Busara, Dabida, Epiya, Hildana, Itinyi, Juni, Kenderi, Kilulu, Seri, and Ushindi. The ‘Voi Kids,’ as we nicknamed this cohort of young elephants, quickly took Voi by storm.

Ushindi has always been well-liked as a friendly and calm girl. Now, she is starting to shine as an excellent nanny. She has adopted little Serenget as ‘her’ baby and diligently shadows her from sunup to sundown. When Serenget emerges from her room, Ushindi is there to scoop her up; when she drinks her milk bottles, Ushindi stands guard; when she enjoys a mud bath, Ushindi splashes right beside her — and so on and so forth!

Ushindi’s survival was by no means certain. Now, our victorious young elephant will continue to grow up in the place she was born, raising her own family in the fullness of time and perhaps even reuniting her natal herd.