Kilabasi

Now living wild, though she continues to visit us regularly

About Kilabasi

  • Current age

    15 years old

  • Gender

    Female

  • Rescued date

    7 July 2011

  • Rescue location

    Tsavo Ecosystem, Tsavo West NP

  • Date of birth (estimate)

    4 January 2010

  • Reason orphaned

    Poaching

  • Age at rescue

    18 months old (approx)

  • Current location

    Living Wild

Adopt Kilabasi for yourself, or as a gift

Kilabasi's rescue

Villagers of Chala, near the Tsavo - Tanzanian border, spotted the lone elephant calf coming from the Tanzania side. They had seen a large herd migrating from Tsavo West National Park into Tanzania a few days previously, and it is assumed that this orphan is another poaching casualty. The calf, aged between one and two years old was still milk dependent, and was very emaciated, with no chance of survival without access to milk. It had obviously been without its mother for sometime.

The villagers from the community who now occupy what has always been an ancient traditional elephant migratory passage between Tsavo East, Tsavo West and Mkomazi National Park in Tanzania, are certainly not known to be ele-friendly, since inevitably there is a great deal of human/wildlife conflict in the area. Believing that all elephants pose a risk, the villagers reported the presence of the calf to the Maktau KWS Community Officer, who in turn got in touch with the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's Ziwani Anti-Poaching Team operating in the region.

By the time the Team arrived to rescue the orphan, it had retreated into thick bush, so the Trust’s Voi Elephant Keepers were summoned to come and assist. Together they managed to locate and capture the calf during the late afternoon of the 7th July, 2011 with hordes of curious community members watching from afar.

The calf, a female just over a year old, was bruised, dehydrated and weak but still strong enough to put up quite a struggle. Having been overpowered and bound, she was transported in the back of a Pickup to the Trust’s Voi Elephant Stockades, fed water, and spent the night in a Stockade with the other Keeper Dependent orphans nearby, all of whom reached through the separating bars to comfort and touch her. The next day a chartered rescue plane was not available until 2 p.m. so it was only in the late evening of July 8th that she reached the Nairobi Nursery, having been immobilized for the flight. The KWS Vet Dr. Poghon attached to the Trust’s Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit was on hand to administer the revival drug, after which the orphan got to its feet. We feared the usual bloating which results from the slowing of the metabolism due to the immobilizing drug, which can put pressure on vital body organs should the calf collapse during the night, thereby compromising survival. Fortunately, however, the new baby managed to survive the night, and began taking milk from a bottle the next morning. We are therefore cautiously optimistic that she will make it.

She has been named Kilabasi, the name of a large hill in the area. She will spend several days in the Nursery Taming Stockade before being allowed out to join the others, first having been de-wormed. The arrival of this new orphan brings the number currently in the Nursery to 14, the 3rd orphan elephant to have been brought in during the month of July 2011.

The villagers from the community who now occupy what has always been an ancient traditional elephant migratory passage between Tsavo East, Tsavo West and Mkomazi National Park in Tanzania, are certainly not known to be ele-friendly, since inevitably there is a great deal of human/wildlife conflict in the area. Believing that all elephants pose a risk, the villagers reported the presence of the calf to the Maktau KWS Community Officer, who in turn got in touch with the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's Ziwani Anti-Poaching Team operating in the region.

Latest updates featuring Kilabasi

See all updates

Keepers Diaries

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

Read more

Makireti's First Baby, Pint-Sized Makimaki

Another motherhood milestone for our extended elephant family! This time, it’s 15-year-old Makireti becoming a mum. As is tradition among many of our ex-orphans, she chose to come close to ‘home’ to give birth and then introduced us to her brand new baby.

Read more

Kilabasi's Latest Photos

Access the most recent photos featuring Kilabasi

View more

Kilabasi's Calves

Kofi

On the morning of 2nd January 2022, Kilabasi introduced us to her firstborn calf, a little boy aged no more than 10 days old. He is a cherub of an elephant, with an inquisitive little trunk and perfect, heart-shaped ears. We have named him Kofi. 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

You can also adopt

Chapeyu

Gender

Male

Age

7 years

Unit

Voi

Reason orphaned

Human-Wildlife Conflict

Adopt Chapeyu

Wamata

Gender

Female

Age

21 months

Unit

Nairobi Nursery

Reason orphaned

Found alone

Adopt Wamata

Korbessa

Gender

Female

Age

22 months

Unit

Kaluku

Reason orphaned

Trapped in a well

Adopt Korbessa

You can also adopt

Chapeyu

Gender

Male

Age

7 years

Unit

Voi

Reason orphaned

Human-Wildlife Conflict

Adopt Chapeyu

Wamata

Gender

Female

Age

21 months

Unit

Nairobi Nursery

Reason orphaned

Found alone

Adopt Wamata

Korbessa

Gender

Female

Age

22 months

Unit

Kaluku

Reason orphaned

Trapped in a well

Adopt Korbessa