Icholta's Story
Estimated to have been between 2 - 6 weeks old when orphaned, and therefore born in August 1999, this little female elephant, comes from far-off legendary Marsabit Mountain, where a once beautiful mist forest harbouring many endemic plants and birds today struggles to survive the depredation of a burgeoning human population. Icholta was rescued from the mud of a drying waterhole of that name, where she was bogged and abandoned by her herd who were unable to risk venturing in to pull her free. She was minute for her age, with soft fuzz on her head and body, but also with good coordination, so we guessed her to be older than she looked.
Like all the infants her beginning was fraught, and she became very emaciated cutting her first molars in the Nairobi Nursery, and we were fearful that she might not be able to pull through, but thankfully she did. Amazingly Icholta right from the get go had a passion for water and savored her mud baths, which is unusual given the reason for her being orphaned in the first place.
Adopt Icholta for yourself or as a gift.
Important Note: Thank you for adopting and being part of the SWT family, it is important to note that your donation will help any orphan in need. Our orphans will need more than one adoptive parent.
Current Age
20 years old
Gender
Female
Rescued date
1 September 1999
Rescue Location
Northern Kenya, Marsabit National Reserve
Date of Birth (approximate)
1 August 1999
Reason Orphaned
Stuck in mud
Age at Rescue
1 month old (approx)
Current Location
Living Wild
Icholta's featured photos
Our digital adoption programme includes the following:
Personalised adoption certificate.
Monthly email update on your orphan and the project.
Monthly water colour by Angela Sheldrick.
Access to special content; latest Keepers' Diaries, videos and photos
Give Icholta the gift of life by adopting today.
Icholta's Calves
Meet Icholta's wild born offspring.
Inca is very active, playful and very brave; he`s been spotted stealing milk from Safia`s mother, Sweet Sally and when caught, puts up a afight before running for cover under his mother`s legs. His nannie is Mweya.
Latest updates featuring Icholta
Icholta's latest photos
Icholta with her babies
Icholta, Inca, Thor and Thoma arrive at the stockades
Icholta leading stockade orphans to browse
Icholta arriving at the stockade
Stockade dependent orphans follow Icholta
Icholta scratching her bottom
Icholta resting her leg
Inca with her mum Icholta