Burra

Has fully embraced his wild life in Tsavo East National Park

About Burra

  • Current age

    24 years old

  • Gender

    Male

  • Rescued date

    15 December 2001

  • Rescue location

    Tsavo Ecosystem, Taita Ranches

  • Date of birth (estimate)

    1 May 2001

  • Reason orphaned

    Poaching

  • Age at rescue

    7 months old (approx)

  • Current location

    Living Wild

Adopt Burra for yourself, or as a gift

Burra's rescue

There is a migration route, that the elephants have used down millennia, linking the population of Tsavo West to that of Tsavo East National Park, which now passes through dense human settlement and a tribe that has long been prone to setting wire snares to capture whoever passes, caught in a noose around the leg, the neck, the trunk, or whatever part of the body triggers the loop knot concealed on a game path.

Burra was caught in a thick steel cable around the neck and behind one ear. The cable bit deep into the tender flesh around his throat, behind the back of his neck, trapping one ear, the noose tightening as his mother pulled him free, leaving him almost throttled, unable to lift his head, unable to feed, but still desperate to, somehow, try and live.

His family were en route through the human habitation, desperate to meet up with others in the sanctity of Tsavo East National Park. They never made it, because they were driven back by Helicopter and gunshots, and this eight month old calf was, by now, too weak to keep abreast of his terrified, fleeing family. He fell behind, and it was clear that he had a problem, so those in the Helicopter landed, captured him, and saw the extent of the problem, and the reason for it - a snare that had almost severed three quarters of his ear, cut the back of his neck, and his throat, inhibiting his feeding. He was emaciated, starving and weakened by the time he was found.

The snare was removed, though not without difficulty, (and a great deal of pain), and he was taken to the Sheldrick Trust Orphans' Night Stockades in Tsavo East National Park, and later bought up to the Sheldrick Trust nursery in Nairobi National Park.

Burra is an ex-orphan wild bull now who does not frequent the stockades often, especially since the death of his friend, Mweiga, when she died in 2007 due to a heart condition. He has been seen a few times in extremely good health, usually with Emily's ex-orphan herd.

Burra was caught in a thick steel cable around the neck and behind one ear. The cable bit deep into the tender flesh around his throat, behind the back of his neck, trapping one ear, the noose tightening as his mother pulled him free, leaving him almost throttled, unable to lift his head, unable to feed, but still desperate to, somehow, try and live.

Latest updates featuring Burra

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Keepers Diaries

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

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Watch: Quick Treatment to Save a Snared Elephant

From beginning to end, this treatment took just 15 minutes. But in that time, a life was saved and an elephant was spared agonising pain and suffering.

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Burra's Latest Photos

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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

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