Orphans, Loved and Lost

Every orphan we rescue becomes a part of our family.

In their hour of greatest need, we provide a place of love and hope for fragile orphaned elephants but not everyone makes it through the critical recovery period.

Witnessing the loss of their mother and herd can leave orphaned infant elephants severely traumatised and many arrive in our care with considerable psychological scars and physical injuries. Battling shock and grief for their lost loved ones, during this precarious period their survival hangs in the balance and not all calves make it through. Others have succumbed to underlying health issues despite the very best in veterinary care. Here, we remember those we have loved and lost.

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Name Gender Date born Age on arrival Comments Reason for being orphaned Date of passing
Shimba Male Tuesday, 29 August 2006 1 month Orphaned when his ailing mother died Natural causes Sunday, 20 October 2013
Shira Female Wednesday, 7 May 2008 10 months Trapped in a Well in the Sinya Community area close to the Tanzanian border near Amboseli National Park Man-made cause for separation Sunday, 20 May 2012
Shukuru Female Tuesday, 1 September 2009 2 weeks Rescued by a herdsman after falling down a manhole on the Mzima – Mombasa Pipeline Man-made cause for separation Monday, 29 November 2021
Shuujaa Male Thursday, 29 August 2013 1 month Found wandering alone following anyone he could find Unknown Friday, 8 November 2013
Simotua Male Friday, 20 June 2014 12 months Found in the Rumuruti Forest in a weak condition with a snare wound on the leg and a spear wound to the head Poaching Wednesday, 16 March 2016
Sokotei Male Wednesday, 2 October 2013 6 months Rescued after his mother's tragic death Natural causes Saturday, 28 April 2018
Sorka Female Saturday, 3 March 2012 2 years Found alone near Satao camp Unknown Saturday, 25 October 2014
Tano Female Tuesday, 5 May 2009 2 months Found on her own at Poaching Saturday, 11 May 2013
Wasin Female Saturday, 9 October 2010 1 week She was rescued by Samburu elders from the mud of a shallow well Stuck in mud Saturday, 8 January 2011
Ziwadi Female Friday, 9 March 2018 12 months Unknown Wednesday, 8 February 2023
Ziwani Female Saturday, 15 March 2008 10 months Human-Wildlife Conflict Tuesday, 10 February 2009