Kalama

Now living wild, though she continues to visit us regularly

About Kalama

  • Current age

    16 years old

  • Gender

    Female

  • Rescued date

    30 May 2009

  • Rescue location

    Samburu, Kalama Community Wildlife Conservancy

  • Date of birth (estimate)

    14 January 2009

  • Reason orphaned

    Man-made cause for separation

  • Age at rescue

    4 months old (approx)

  • Current location

    Living Wild

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Kalama's rescue

At 6 a.m. early during the morning of 30th May 2009, in the Kalama area, near Archer’s Post in Samburu district, 4 Samburu tribesmen (namely Iritek Likilwai, Malaria Lemramba, James Lemoyok and Temeriwas Lesankurikuri) visited what is known as “The White Well” (Ikwasi Oibor) , and discovered that a baby elephant had fallen in during the night and was standing chest-high in water at the bottom.

They managed to extract the calf, which was a baby female aged about 4 - 5 months. The Kalama Conservancy Chairman, Mr. Daniel Lolosoli was notified and he came with 4 Kalama Game Scouts to recce the area, hoping to find the mother of the baby, but there was no sign of any adult elephants nearby. He and the Kalama Scouts (Samson Lenamunyi, the Community Ranger Sani Lenapangae, Marianlo Lenawala and Mpapa Lelesera) loaded the little elephant into the back of their Pickup truck driven by Steven Maina and drove it to the nearby airfield, to await the arrival of the Rescue Plane sent by The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

The baby elephant was fed milk and rehydrant by the Trust’s Keepers before being airlifted to Nairobi lying with its legs bound on the rescue tarpaulin in the back of the Caravan aircraft. She arrived in the Nursery at 4 p.m. and was named “Kalama”. She was in good condition, and very calm, following the Keepers, so she was taken into the bush to join the other small Nursery babies for the rest of the afternoon. However, she was very restless and psychologically disturbed during the night, attempting to climb the stable partition, and calling continuously for her elephant mother. By dawn the next day, she was much calmer and more resigned to the circumstances in which she now found herself. Being a well victim, she need to undergo a long course of injectible antibiotic to forestall the dreaded pneumonia, but unlike many of the others who arrived severely emaciated, this calf had some reserves so we are hopeful that she will thrive.

They managed to extract the calf, which was a baby female aged about 4 - 5 months. The Kalama Conservancy Chairman, Mr. Daniel Lolosoli was notified and he came with 4 Kalama Game Scouts to recce the area, hoping to find the mother of the baby, but there was no sign of any adult elephants nearby. He and the Kalama Scouts (Samson Lenamunyi, the Community Ranger Sani Lenapangae, Marianlo Lenawala and Mpapa Lelesera) loaded the little elephant into the back of their Pickup truck driven by Steven Maina and drove it to the nearby airfield, to await the arrival of the Rescue Plane sent by The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

Latest updates featuring Kalama

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Kalama'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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