Her Keepers compare her to Lemeki — she is extremely intelligent and (rightfully!) believes she is the centre of the universe. We can usually find Kaikai whirling around, investigating whatever catches her eye or introducing herself to everyone in her periphery.

Kaikai was orphaned as a neonate, which makes her an especially hard-won case. She comes from Nenkikwei, in Mara North Conservancy (MNC). On 26th May 2025, an MNC ranger discovered an adult lactating female elephant who had died of natural causes. Hovering near her body was a tiny, week-old calf who seemed distressed. Concerned that this calf might be the orphan of the deceased female, the rangers investigated further. Their suspicions were confirmed when they found that no other lactating females were in the herd.

By this point, the calf was increasingly agitated. She moved to the nearest member of the herd — an adolescent bull — and tried to suckle him. It was clear that she was hungry, frightened, and getting desperate.

After assessing the situation, the Kenya Wildlife Service called for the orphan to be rescued. Darkness was rapidly falling and, given the Mara's formidable predators, she was unlikely to survive the night in her current situation.

We didn't have enough daylight to fly to Mara North before nightfall, so the orphan's actual rescue fell to MNC rangers and our friends at Mara Elephant Project. This was a challenge — even an infant elephant packs a serious punch. The team captured the baby and safely loaded her in their Land Cruiser. At last light, they drove her to the conservancy headquarters to overnight in their compound.

The poor little calf was extremely upset. Her mother's death had traumatised her, and she didn't understand that her rescuers were saving her life. Dr Ashif, the KWS vet based in the Mara Triangle, arrived and gave her a light sedative to calm her down.

The team remained with the little orphan throughout the night, ensuring she remained safe and secure. We are very grateful to Warden Joseph Lenkume, Maora Yiale, Benjamin Yiale, Duncan Ketuyio, Meyoki Morijoi, Katikwa Lepore, and Lentitiyio Sankei for their efforts.

First thing in the morning, our Keepers were flown to the Mara. They immediately went to MNC Headquarters to assess the calf and feed her. She hungrily drank her milk bottle, which was likely the first sustenance she had had in 24 hours. With her tummy full, she was secured in the aircraft and whisked to our Kaluku Neonate Unit.

Kaikai's full name is a nod to her birthplace and the people who rescued her — Nenkikwei. 'Kaikai' started as a nickname, but it quickly stuck!

All neonate orphans are complex, but Kaikai was particularly challenging. She was still very stressed when she arrived at Kaluku and remained that way for some time. Confused and missing her mother, she spent her first nights pacing her stable and crying. We assigned two of our most experienced Keepers to her care, and as the days and weeks unfolded, Kaikai started to heal from her emotional trauma. It was really lovely to witness her transformation.

Kaikai's love for her Keepers is what brought her through to the other side. Once she realised that she had new nurturing figures to lean on, she never looked back. She adores her trio of Keepers — Mishak, Joseph, and Simon — and leads them around like a tiny mother goose with her ducklings.

The moment Kaikai grew strong enough, she started walking great distances — and she has never really stopped! She loves adventuring around Kaluku. One nonnegotiable is her mud bath. Chilly or hot, overcast or sunny, Kaikai has a standing date with the mud — and nothing or no one will stop her! She is intensely curious and likes to invite herself into all sorts of scenarios. The cook doesn't blink an eye when two heart-shaped ears pop around the corner, nor does the grounds team when a little trunk snatches their garden hose. Just like Lemeki, it's Kaikai's world; we merely exist in it.

Our little sprite finds joy in the ordinary. She turns anything into a toy — a shovel, a tyre, even the hem of a flowing dress or a pair of shoelaces! We have all been tripped up or partially disrobed by Kaikai. However, cardboard boxes are her absolute favourite toys. She simply cannot resist them! She kicks them like a football, dons them like a hat, and in the grand finale, flops atop them and takes great delight when they collapse.

Keeper Joseph has this to say about her: "Kaikai feels like she's the one and only elephant in the world — she's a spoiled girl! She can't stand even a second without seeing me or her other Keepers, because she knows us as her parents. Kaikai is very happy to have found a second chance with her human family and she is very happy with us. She is the baby who understands things easily and helps herself, like finding fresh greens. At night, she sleeps like a new baby. She's our little princess."

If one ever needed a graphic display of how love conquers all — Kaikai is living proof. We know this extraordinary little elephant will go on to do extraordinary things. She already has.