Kiko

Our eccentric giraffe is continuing his rewilding journey in Lewa Wildlife Conservancy

About Kiko

  • Current age

    9 years old

  • Gender

    Male

  • Rescued date

    19 September 2015

  • Rescue location

    Meru Region, Meru National Park

  • Date of birth (estimate)

    13 September 2015

  • Reason orphaned

    Unknown

  • Age at rescue

    0 weeks old (approx)

  • Current location

    Other

Adopt Kiko for yourself, or as a gift

Kiko's rescue

On 19th September 2015, KWS Officer Bernard Rono, who heads the SWT-funded Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit, reported having received a baby male reticulated giraffe estimated to be just one week old, which had been rescued by KWS rangers on the Meru National Park boundary. The fate of his mother remains a mystery, but the location where he was found happens to be an area bedeviled by human wildlife conflict.

He was flown to the Nairobi Nursery by Sky Vet, sparing him what would have been a gruelling and very hot seven to eight hour journey by road and being the first time our Keepers had been involved in the rescue of an orphaned giraffe, they were fully briefed about the necessity to ensure the giraffe’s head remained upright at all times throughout the flight.

On this occasion the usual elephant-rescue tarpaulin had to be modified into a make-shift cradle and throughout the entire procedure the little giraffe was seemingly totally resigned to whatever lay in store for him.

Sitting quietly with his neck sticking out, he calmly surveyed the scene, making no attempt whatsoever to break free as he was carried and loaded onto the plane. Airlifting him to Nairobi involved a one hour flight, thus sparing him the gruelling journey. Upon arrival at the Nairobi Nursery, he was still amazingly trusting and even affectionate, happy to fraternize with the men who had rescued him - the veterinary team, the pilot, the Keepers, or whoever else happened to be passing by.
He has been named Kiko a name from Meru National Park, and he is now very much in the Nursery fold, not only with the company of his Keepers whom he loves but also some feathered friends in the form of Pea and Pod and our two latest little elephant arrivals. Both Weiwei and Loboito love to spend time under his belly resting their trunks on his side and neck, which he happily tolerates. Kiko is extremely playful these days with limbs splaying in all directions he hurtles around the car park and in the open forested glades letting off steam.

In March 2020, Kiko graduated from the Nairobi Nursery, moving to Sirikoi in the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. This move allowed Kiko to join another hand-raised reticulated giraffe, and to be closer to wild members of his own species, as his journey back to a fully wild life continues.

He was flown to the Nairobi Nursery by Sky Vet, sparing him what would have been a gruelling and very hot seven to eight hour journey by road and being the first time our Keepers had been involved in the rescue of an orphaned giraffe, they were fully briefed about the necessity to ensure the giraffe’s head remained upright at all times throughout the flight.

Latest updates featuring Kiko

See all updates

Keepers Diaries

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

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Kiko’s Wild Journey: A Special Update

Seven years ago, an orphaned giraffe was found on the border of Meru National Park. He was tiny — a week old, at most — and stood no taller than the rangers who rescued him. The fate of his mother remains unknown, but given the location, he is likely a victim of human-wildlife conflict. On the rescue flight that ferried him down to Nairobi, he sat swaddled in a ball of blankets with just his neck and head poking out, his big, brown eyes quietly taking everything in.

Read 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

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