Jotto

Now living wild, though he continues to visit us regularly

About Jotto

  • Current age

    9 years old

  • Gender

    Male

  • Rescued date

    21 March 2016

  • Rescue location

    Samburu, Namunyak Conservancy

  • Date of birth (estimate)

    20 February 2016

  • Reason orphaned

    Trapped in a well

  • Age at rescue

    0 months old (approx)

  • Current location

    Living Wild

Adopt Jotto for yourself, or as a gift

Jotto's rescue

The 21st March 2016 began as a particularly fraught day for us, with the news that two orphaned elephants were in need of rescue at different ends of the country; one having fallen down a well in the Namunyak Conservancy in Northern Kenya, and the other possibly a victim of poaching in Tsavo East National Park found near a huge lone rock named “Sobo”, close to the Eastern boundary of the Park.

Were this not enough, we then received the tragic news that one of our Elephant Keepers based at the Voi Rehabilitation Unit had suddenly collapsed and died very suddenly and unexpectedly whilst out in the bush with the orphans, which was heart-breaking for all the Sheldrick Trust team.

The male calf found in Namunyak was suspected to have fallen down a well on the 19th March. He was found by herdsmen who had taken their cattle for water at the well on the morning of the 20th March. They reported the calf to Namunyak Conservancy staff who later sent their scouts to extract the baby. He was rescued at around 10am and the team remained with the calf at the scene, whilst rangers attempted to locate the mother for the rest of the day.

When the attempt to reunite the orphan with his mother and herd failed the SWT were contacted to mobilise a rescue. By the time the rescue plane landed at the Namunyak airfield, the calf had not yet arrived, so the plane and Keepers waited for his arrival which did not take long. Once fed he was then loaded onto the plane with his legs tied to ensure he was secure for air travel, the bull calf was then given intravenous life support to avoid plummeting glucose levels, which usually happens under such stressful circumstances and can prove life-threatening.

March is always the hottest time of the year in Kenya, particularly at lower altitudes, and this year due to the equinox combined with unpredictable weather patterns due to global warming, ambient temperatures countrywide were a lot warmer than anyone can remember, with advice to people at sea level to remain indoors and take regular cold showers in order to avoid heat stroke. For this reason, we named this little well victim “Jotto” (in Swahili spelled 'Joto' and pronounced “Injoto~ – the word that describes such hot conditions).

On arrival at the Nairobi Nursery, he was cooled down with water and a mud bath, and fed rehydration mineral water along with milk formula, which he drank enthusiastically since he was obviously extremely thirsty. Of great concern was the fact that his digestive system was in disarray since he was passing liquid mud, combined with the fact that he had no teeth so we were mindful we still had the dreaded teething process to go through, something that is very often accompanied by fevers and serious diarrhea, which orphaned elephants are prone to with their natural elephant stomach flora compromised due to the change of milk.

We have been cautious about placing Jotto on the fostering program, considering that he had much to overcome. From the outset this feisty little bull settled well, become completely hooked on his Keepers and despite some ups and downs has generally thrived within the baby herd. Given his curious and boisterous nature and with the arrival of Ambo, another robust bull who recently came into our care, little Jotto and Ambo were upgraded to the larger Nursery orphan group where both are extremely content and spoilt rotten by many doting mini Mums.

Were this not enough, we then received the tragic news that one of our Elephant Keepers based at the Voi Rehabilitation Unit had suddenly collapsed and died very suddenly and unexpectedly whilst out in the bush with the orphans, which was heart-breaking for all the Sheldrick Trust team.

Latest updates featuring Jotto

See all updates

Keepers Diaries

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

Read more

Musiara and Jotto Return Home

After exactly a year away, Jotto and Musiara — two wild-living Ithumba orphans we have known since they were just weeks old — returned home for a visit.

Read more

Jotto's Latest Photos

Access the most recent photos featuring Jotto

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