Kitirua

Now living wild, though she continues to visit us regularly

About Kitirua

  • Current age

    16 years old

  • Gender

    Female

  • Rescued date

    29 September 2011

  • Rescue location

    Amboseli Ecosystem, Amboseli National Park

  • Date of birth (estimate)

    26 February 2009

  • Reason orphaned

    Unknown

  • Age at rescue

    2 years old (approx)

  • Current location

    Living Wild

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Kitirua's rescue

This calf from Amboseli National Park was sighted on the 14th September 2010 in amongst the W.A. Family, so named for identification purposes by the Amboseli Researchers who have studied the Amboseli wild elephant population for the past 40 odd years. On the 29th the calf was again spotted by Norah of the Research Unit, but this time was all alone not far from the Swamp. She was thin, so had obviously been without her mother for several days. The fate of the mother is not known for sure, but she is suspected to have been the victim of poaching. Another possibility is that the calf became bogged in the swamp and subsequently abandoned by the herd.

Soila of the Amboseli Research Team reported the presence of the orphaned calf to the KWS Warden of Amboseli before alerting Cynthia Moss in Nairobi who alerted the Trust that a rescue was needed. The plane left at 2pm with Keepers from the Trust’s Nairobi Park Elephant Nursery and all the paraphernalia needed for the rescue aboard, while a second plane flew in a French Television Unit, who happened to doing a documentary on the Orphaned Elephants.

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The team was met at the Amboseli strip and transported to where the calf was close the swamp. Although visibly emaciated, the calf was easily restrained and captured by the Trust’s Keepers, and put up little resistance. After a short journey back to the airstrip, just as daylight faded, they took off for the forty five minute return flight to Nairobi. Covered with a blanket and strapped down in the plane she remained motionless throughout the flight, with our Keepers close at hand. One can only imagine how frightening the whole experience must have been for her. On arrival at Wilson airport in Nairobi she was driven to the Trust Nursery, arriving after dark at about 8 p.m.

She is a female calf, still without tusks, so aged between 15 and l8 months and at the suggestion of the Amboseli Researchers she was named “Kitirua”, the name of the hill overlooking the Swamp. She still had sufficient strength to give her Keepers a run-around throughout the night, but with lots of t.l.c. and the input of the other orphans and the milk of course she soon tamed down. After three days was able to join the others, and she is now is fully integrated into the Nursery and thankfully putting on weight. It is heartwarming to see her love for the new elephant family she has inherited, just when hers was lost, and to see her find happiness again. She is one of the lucky ones, rescued by many people who did so much to ensure she had a second chance.

Soila of the Amboseli Research Team reported the presence of the orphaned calf to the KWS Warden of Amboseli before alerting Cynthia Moss in Nairobi who alerted the Trust that a rescue was needed. The plane left at 2pm with Keepers from the Trust’s Nairobi Park Elephant Nursery and all the paraphernalia needed for the rescue aboard, while a second plane flew in a French Television Unit, who happened to doing a documentary on the Orphaned Elephants.

Latest updates featuring Kitirua

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Kitirua'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.

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