Choka

A 'gentle uncle,' fiercely protective of his friends and happy to play with anyone

About Choka

  • Current age

    4 years old

  • Gender

    Male

  • Rescued date

    8 November 2021

  • Rescue location

    Tsavo Ecosystem, Tsavo East National Park

  • Date of birth (estimate)

    2 November 2020

  • Reason orphaned

    Drought related

  • Age at rescue

    12 months old (approx)

  • Current location

    Ithumba Reintegration Unit

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Choka's rescue

It might seem contradictory for such a magnificent creature, but elephants struggle the most during the dry season. This is nature’s equilibrium at work: As an apex species, elephants would have few threats to their survival in an ideal world. To balance the scales, nature made them fragile. Elephants have inefficient digestive systems and require great quantities of vegetation to sustain themselves. Scarcity of food has lethal implications, so during drought conditions, they are on a constant quest for life-sustaining browse. It is usually the very young or the very old who fall first, but no elephant is safe from the drought. Such was sadly the case for Choka’s mother.

On 8th November, tourists reported a calf standing vigil beside his dead mother. He was located on the Ndara Plains, which was experiencing the worst of Tsavo’s extended dry season. Knowing there wasn’t a minute to spare if we were going to save his life, we hastily assembled a rescue. While the SWT helicopter flew to the scene, a team of Keepers from our Voi Reintegration Unit rushed to the calf’s side.

Our Keepers were met with a heartbreaking sight: Dwarfed by the drought-stricken plains, the skeletal calf was huddled by his fallen mother. We mourn the loss of any elephant, but it is especially heartbreaking to see a young family torn apart. The mother must have hung on for as long as she could, but the dry season had proven too much for her to overcome. Based on the calf’s withered condition, her milk bar had depleted in the days and weeks leading up to her death.

Dusk was falling, so we brought the baby directly to our nearby Voi Unit, where he was tucked into a cosy stable and given much-needed drips and milk. The older orphans were intrigued and delighted to have such a tiny guest spending the night! Bright and early the next morning, we loaded our precious cargo onto the SWT Caravan and flew him to Nairobi.

Only once he was at the Nursery did we appreciate how small Choka was — in fact, he dethroned Kerrio as the smallest member of the herd! As is often the case with starvation victims, worms had taken hold. This can be a death sentence for an infant elephant, so we had to tread carefully. However, Choka helped us by fighting to survive. Despite witnessing the tragedy of his mother’s demise, he still had a fierce will to live. He fed well, drank well, and determinedly forged ahead. 

Choka's name means "exhausted” in Swahili. He was rescued at a challenging time, as many elephants succumbed to desperately dry conditions. It feels all the more special that this lion-hearted little calf beat the odds and is so full of life today. Despite the personal loss he suffered, Choka has embraced his new family with gusto and can always be found at the heart of the Nursery herd.

On 8th November, tourists reported a calf standing vigil beside his dead mother. He was located on the Ndara Plains, which was experiencing the worst of Tsavo’s extended dry season. Knowing there wasn’t a minute to spare if we were going to save his life, we hastily assembled a rescue. While the SWT helicopter flew to the scene, a team of Keepers from our Voi Reintegration Unit rushed to the calf’s side.

Latest updates featuring Choka

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Keepers Diaries

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

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Mageno, Kitich, and Muwingu Graduate to Ithumba

On 9th June 2025, Mageno, Kitich, and Muwingu graduated from the Nursery and moved to our Ithumba Reintegration Unit in Tsavo East National Park, where they will continue their journey back to the wild.

Read more

Choka'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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