A gentle giant known for his placid, peaceful personality
Current age
10 years old
Gender
Male
Rescued date
26 September 2014
Rescue location
Samburu, Namunyak Conservancy
Date of birth (estimate)
26 August 2014
Reason orphaned
Trapped in a well
Age at rescue
1 month old (approx)
Current location
Voi Reintegration Unit
He had obviously fallen down this community dug well meant specifically for livestock but so often frequented by the thirsty elephant herds under the cover of darkness in the dry season months. Little elephant calves at this time become increasingly vulnerable and slip in. Because of the human presence the elephant herds disappear at daybreak to avoid human wildlife conflict and in this case are faced with the simply heartbreaking decision of walking away from their forsaken calf.
Fortunately for the baby the community alerted the security rangers of the area when they were confronted by this stranded baby elephant who were able to retrieve him from the well. The decision was made by the management of the area to keep the calf overnight and try to reintroduce him to a herd in an effort to reunite him with his family.
He had obviously fallen down this community dug well meant specifically for livestock but so often frequented by the thirsty elephant herds under the cover of darkness in the dry season months. Little elephant calves at this time become increasingly vulnerable and slip in. Because of the human presence the elephant herds disappear at daybreak to avoid human wildlife conflict and in this case are faced with the simply heartbreaking decision of walking away from their forsaken calf.
View diary updates from across all our orphan units as written by the Keepers
Itinyi is the last of the ‘Voi Kids’ to be rescued in the 2022 drought. He was orphaned after his mother was killed before his eyes — a heartbreaking note upon which to end a time of great hardship.
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