Lentili

Now living wild, though she continues to visit us regularly

About Lentili

  • Current age

    12 years old

  • Gender

    Female

  • Rescued date

    7 October 2013

  • Rescue location

    Samburu, Naibunga Conservancy

  • Date of birth (estimate)

    7 July 2012

  • Reason orphaned

    Unknown

  • Age at rescue

    15 months old (approx)

  • Current location

    Living Wild

Adopt Lentili for yourself, or as a gift

Lentili's rescue

On October 5th Ol Lentille Rangers on routine patrol sighted an abandoned baby elephant calf, estimated to be 18 months old. There were no other elephants in the area, and the fate of her mother remained unclear. The Rangers were posted on 24 hour follow-and-observe duty.

On October 6th a group of elephants approached the calf, and it was hoped that she would be reunited with her family but unfortunately the herd moved off seemingly disinterested in the lone baby.

On the 7th October The Conservancy informed the Kenya Wildlife Service about the orphan who contacted Angela Sheldrick. Ol Lentille Conservancy is on the edge of Laikipia in Northern Kenya, approximately a 1 hour 15 minute flight from Nairobi. We were informed by the Conservancy management that they would await our team and provide all the ground logistics in order to aid us in the capturing of the calf. On arrival at the Ol Lentille airstrip at 3.10 pm the team led by Peter Mbulu were immediately taken the where the elephant was, and having disembarked from the plane with a canvas stretcher, mattress, straps and ropes, and a few blankets the curious onlookers were incredulous as to how a rescue of a fairly large calf was going to be undertaken.

Our Keepers told their expectant audience to wait and watch – and so it was that the team efficiently approached the calf, were able to get close enough to it and when she charged threw the blanket over the calf’s head enabling them to grab her behind her ears, restrain and constrain her in no time at all. She was then subdued with tranquilizers to take the edge off her stress and driven back to the airstrip and loaded onto the plane. Total operation time 70 minutes!! The aircraft was airborne to Nairobi at 4.45 pm.

The young calf has been given the name Lentille and has obviously been without her family and mum for sometime. She was reluctant to take her milk, and after feeding on greens in the stockade collapsed 24 hours later. She required a drip in order to gather strength enough to get back to her feet and it was some time before she would feed adequately in order to fully regain her strength.

On October 6th a group of elephants approached the calf, and it was hoped that she would be reunited with her family but unfortunately the herd moved off seemingly disinterested in the lone baby.

Latest updates featuring Lentili

See all updates

Keepers Diaries

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

Read more

The move of Arruba, Mashariki and Rorogoi

The move of Arruba, Mashariki and Rorogoi was originally planned for the 19th of November, and the loading process went extremely smoothly on that day with the three orphans safely loaded and ready to go by 4

Read more

Lentili's Latest Photos

Access the most recent photos featuring Lentili

View 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