Ashanti

Known for her feisty personality and short trunk, which was cut by a poacher's snare

About Ashanti

  • Current age

    4 years old

  • Gender

    Female

  • Rescued date

    17 October 2022

  • Rescue location

    Tsavo Ecosystem, Taita Ranches

  • Date of birth (estimate)

    1 October 2020

  • Reason orphaned

    Drought related

  • Age at rescue

    2 years old (approx)

  • Current location

    Voi Reintegration Unit

Adopt Ashanti for yourself, or as a gift

Ashanti's rescue

Ashanti is a very special orphan. Maimed by a poacher’s snare, she is instantly recognisable within the Voi elephant herd. Her name embodies strength, courage, and resilience. She is yet another victim of the 2022 drought — although poachers added an additional, tragic twist to her circumstances. We are deeply grateful that fate gave this sweet young girl the second chance she deserves. 

Ashanti’s rescue story began on 17th October 2022. During a routine patrol on Rukinga Ranch, the SWT/KWS Burra Anti-Poaching Team spotted a young elephant calf stuck in thick, sticky mud. There were no other elephants in the area. This is often the case with calves stuck in mud; their family tries their best to free them, but once it becomes clear that they are hopelessly stuck, they are forced to move on. 

At two years old, the calf was far too young to survive on her own in a drought year. The rangers rolled up their sleeves and waded into the mire. They managed to haul her onto firm ground, and then transported her to the Burra base while a rescue was organised. Because she was on the older side and rescued nearby, we brought Ashanti directly to our Voi Reintegration Unit.

Like so many other drought victims, Ashanti arrived in a dire state. However, she had endured a dual tragedy: The end of her trunk was completely severed. Given the clean cut, she had obviously been maimed by a poacher’s snare. While the wound had healed by the time we rescued her, it left Ashanti doubly compromised. The snare had severed the ‘fingers’ at the tip of the trunk, which allow African elephants to dexterously grasp even the smallest blade of grass. She was still milk-dependent and lacked the skills to adequately browse. During a drought year, this would have sealed her fate.

Fortunately, Ashanti got the lifeline she needed. For several weeks, she remained within the stockade compound as she acclimated to her new life. When she made her debut with the rest of the orphan herd, Mbegu and the other matriarchs formed a protective circle around her. They were very interested in her short trunk and clustered to investigate it, with great gentleness and concern — it is incredible how elephants immediately pick up on these things.

Ashanti is a calm, shy young girl. She has become friends with Kilulu and Kenderi, while Mbegu — who is such a good ‘mum’ to everyone — always pays her special attention. However, during milk feeds, we see a new side to Ashanti. This is when her mischievous behaviour comes out in full force: She is the first to finish her bottle, and she always tries to demand an extra. She is already very good at browsing, despite her compromised condition. On her first day out with the herd, when little Ashanti dropped to her knees in order to eat grass directly with her mouth, the girls looked shocked.

These techniques will help Ashanti flourish in Tsavo, when she is grown and living wild. We have seen countless elephants thriving in the wild with cut trunks. Animals are very resilient, and these special elephants simply learn how to live with their impediments.

Ashanti will be no different. Drought years will be difficult for her, but she is already adapting to her compromised trunk. We have every confidence that she will be able to live a completely wild life, in the fullness of time. But for now, Ashanti has a home with us, for as long as she needs it.

Ashanti’s rescue story began on 17th October 2022. During a routine patrol on Rukinga Ranch, the SWT/KWS Burra Anti-Poaching Team spotted a young elephant calf stuck in thick, sticky mud. There were no other elephants in the area. This is often the case with calves stuck in mud; their family tries their best to free them, but once it becomes clear that they are hopelessly stuck, they are forced to move on. 

Latest updates featuring Ashanti

See all updates

Keepers Diaries

View diary updates from across all our orphan units as written by the Keepers

Read more

Sileita, Mushuru, and Sholumai Graduate to Voi

On 25th May 2025, our Nursery big girls — Sileita, Mushuru, and Sholumai — graduated to our Voi Reintegration Unit, where they will continue their journey back to the wild.

Read more

Ashanti's Latest Photos

Access the most recent photos featuring Ashanti

View more

What's included in your adoption?

By adopting, you play a vital role in the life of an orphaned elephant, rhino, or giraffe — helping us provide the round-the-clock, loving attention each one needs and deserves over many years, so they can ultimately reclaim their place in the wild.

Your adoption supports the 100+ orphans in our care at any given time, covering the cost of milk and food supplies, Keepers' salaries, veterinary treatment, and other essentials.

Personalised adoption certificate

Celebrate your adoption with a personalised certificate, ready for you or your lucky gift recipient to print and display!

Monthly updates

Each month, we send a detailed update about our Orphans’ Project direct to your email inbox, featuring photos, stories, and special highlights.

Exclusive content

From the latest Keepers’ Diaries to a downloadable image gallery and more, adopters have exclusive access to our content library.

Do you have any questions?

Please refer to our FAQs for more information on the Adoption Program. However, if there is any specific question that is not on the FAQs page, feel free to contact us and we will do our best to assist you.
FAQs

You can also adopt

Chapeyu

Gender

Male

Age

7 years

Unit

Voi

Reason orphaned

Human-Wildlife Conflict

Adopt Chapeyu

Tali

Gender

Male

Age

2 years

Unit

Nairobi Nursery

Reason orphaned

Found alone

Adopt Tali

Itinyi

Gender

Male

Age

6 years

Unit

Voi

Reason orphaned

Human-Wildlife Conflict

Adopt Itinyi

You can also adopt

Chapeyu

Gender

Male

Age

7 years

Unit

Voi

Reason orphaned

Human-Wildlife Conflict

Adopt Chapeyu

Tali

Gender

Male

Age

2 years

Unit

Nairobi Nursery

Reason orphaned

Found alone

Adopt Tali

Itinyi

Gender

Male

Age

6 years

Unit

Voi

Reason orphaned

Human-Wildlife Conflict

Adopt Itinyi