Tumaren was accompanied by her firstborn, Tembo, along with fellow ex-orphans Chaimu, Ukame, Esampu, Mteto, Roho, Neshashi, Sana Sana, and four wild boys. The group stopped by the stockades for a long drink, allowing us to admire Tuck, then headed east towards Kalovoto.

Tumaren's firstborn, Tembo, is already proving to be an excellent big brother. At the sage old age of (nearly!) three, he clearly feels protective of and responsible for little Tuck. Poor Toto found this out the hard way: every time Tumaren and her family visited, he tried to befriend Tuck, only to be blocked by Tembo.

Tumaren is proving to be a calm and competent mother. One afternoon, when Tuck got a bit too close to the water trough, she didn't panic. She gently but firmly nudged him backwards — and when the young rebel ignored her, she called in reinforcements to send the message home! See for yourself below.

Watching this, it's easy to forget that Tumaren didn't grow up alongside her own mother — in fact, she was orphaned under the most tragic circumstances. In July 2009, we received a heartbreaking report from Tumaren Ranch in Laikipia: A mother elephant lay dying, evidently paralysed. Her little calf, who was just nine months old, stood solidly by her side.

We will never know what happened to Tumaren's mother, but it seems likely that she was poisoned. With no hope for recovery, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) made the difficult decision to end her suffering. Meanwhile, the managers of Tumaren Ranch took custody of the young orphan for the night, until a rescue could be mobilised in the morning. It was a sleepless night for all, as Tumaren screamed for her mother and even tried to climb out a window in desperation.

By noon the following day, Tumaren was safely ensconced in the Nursery. She was very strong and aggressive — which was actually a good sign, as it indicated that she had both the will to live and the reserves to fight for herself. We immediately brought the other orphans over to welcome and reassure her, and from that moment forward, Tumaren was like velvet.

In December 2010, Tumaren graduated to our Ithumba Reintegration Unit in Tsavo East National Park. As with all orphans, her reintegration journey unfolded gradually, but by the end of 2015, she was leading a completely wild life. She joined a small herd with her Nursery friends, including Olare, Melia (another recent second-time mum!), Kandecha, Naisula, Kitirua, Chemi Chemi, Kalama, and Kibo.

Tumaren's first baby made his appearance on 24th October 2023. It was after the 'evening rush' at the stockades, and most of the visiting ex-orphans and wild elephants had dissipated into the wilderness. Thus, Ithumba Head Keeper Benjamin was surprised to see a mum and newborn calf emerge from the dust and beeline for the stockades. He was even more surprised when he realised it was Tumaren, making the time-honoured pilgrimage 'home' to introduce her baby boy to the people who raised her!

Almost three years later, Tumaren made that same journey home to introduce us to baby Tuck. After losing her mother so cruelly at such a young age, we are delighted that Tumaren now has the opportunity to raise her own babies in the wild. We are also deeply touched that she chose to share this joy with us, welcoming us into her ever-expanding family.