Kinna's Story
This little female calf is estimated to have been born on or about 15 October 1999 and only 1 week old when rescued. She was discovered submerged in mud in a waterhole near 'Kina' within Meru National Park. She lay exposed to the sun all day before being rescued and extracted, but it was clear the sun had damaged her petal pink ears terribly. She was airlifted to our Nairobi Nursery and in time one ear was so sun damaged that it became like parchment and despite our best efforts to heal it, the top finally died and fell away completely. Due to her sun-damaged ears, Kinna has always been very distinctive and easily recognisable even amidst the wild herds when grown.
This little female calf is estimated to have been born on or about 15 October 1999 and only 1 week old when rescued. She was discovered submerged in mud in a waterhole near 'Kina' within Meru National Park. She lay exposed to the sun all day before being rescued and extracted, but it was clear the sun had damaged her petal pink ears terribly. She was airlifted to our Nairobi Nursery and in time one ear was so sun damaged that it became like parchment and despite our best efforts to heal it, the top finally died and fell away completely. Due to her sun-damaged ears, Kinna has always been very distinctive and easily recognisable even amidst the wild herds when grown.
Current age
25 years old
Gender
Female
Rescued date
18 October 1999
Rescue location
Meru Region, Meru National Park
Date of birth (approximate)
15 October 1999
Reason orphaned
Stuck in mud
Age at rescue
0 weeks old (approx)
Current location
Living Wild
Kinna's Featured Photos
Our digital adoption programme includes the following:
Personalised adoption certificate.
Monthly email update on your orphan and the project.
Monthly watercolour by Angela Sheldrick.
Access to special content; latest Keepers' Diaries, videos and photos
Give Kinna the gift of life by adopting today.
Kinna's Calves
Meet Kinna's wild born offspring.
Born in the early hours of 24th March 2017, Kama is Kinna's first calf and arrived as the clouds over Tsavo were building, a sign of oncoming and much needed rains after a long drought. She has been named after the Hindu God of Love. Read more
On the morning of 17th October 2021, Kinna, her first-born Kama, and the rest of Yatta’s ex orphan herd converged upon our Ithumba Reintegration Unit with a chorus of trumpets.
The level of fanfare could only mean one thing: a baby announcement and sure enough, Kinna had a newborn scuttling by her side. She was still petal pink behind the ears and wobbly on her legs, but looking very healthy. We have named her Kaia, a nod to the ancient red earth she will call home. Read more
On 6th December 2023, Kinna arrived at dawn to introduce us to the newest addition to her family — her third daughter, a beautiful baby girl. We named her Kito, which means 'precious jewel' in Swahili. Read more.
Latest Updates Featuring Kinna
Kinna's Latest Photos
Kinna and Kito
Kinna and Kito
Kaia and Kinna
Mundusi and Kinna
Kinna and Kaia
Kinna's group of ex-orphans
Kinna
Mwende, Mala, Kaia and Kinna