This is a scene we have seen before: Orphaned calves sometimes latch onto bulls, seeking company and protection. Tsavo was in the grips of a long, severe drought at the time, which led to an increase in orphans who lost their mothers or could no longer keep up with their herd. Our suspicions were confirmed when an extensive aerial scan of the area revealed no lactating females or family herds.

The calf had found refuge with the bull, but this refuge could only be temporary. At about two years old, she was too young to survive without milk. Worryingly, she also had an extremely bloated stomach, which hinted at a parasite load. After comprehensive patrols confirmed that she was an orphan, KWS called for a rescue.

Given the orphan’s age and location in southern Tsavo West, we brought her directly to our nearby Voi Reintegration Unit. During the 2022 drought, Voi had become a nursery of sorts. Many older calves orphaned by the drought skipped the Nairobi Nursery and went directly to Voi. The new rescue would be the newest member of this special class of orphans, nicknamed the ‘Voi Kids’. We named her Losoito, after the area where she was found. 

Although conditions had improved by April, Tsavo was still feeling the ramifications of the drought. We suspect that Losoito was one of its last victims. As is common among starvation victims, she was critically malnourished, compounded by a dangerous case of bloat that required immediate veterinary intervention.

For two full months, Losoito recuperated within the stockade compound. In that time, the furtive, frightened calf we rescued blossomed into a curious, friendly little elephant. She enjoyed feasting on nutritious meals of freshly cut greens and milk bottles, interacting with the other orphans as they came and went.

Finally, it was time for Losoito’s first big day out with the Voi herd. After weeks of patiently waiting, everyone wanted to be friends with the stout newcomer. During breakfast, the Keepers took Mbegu and Thamana up to her room. The two orphans padded quietly in, rumbling and touching Losoito gently before escorting her out to meet the rest of the herd. Large and small, the orphans clustered around the newbie — even big boys like Lasayen and Emoli were competing for her attention. She stood stolidly among the herd, keeping her cool. Lemeki lay outstretched on the pile of lucerne as she invited Losoito to play with her, while Emoli and Thamana spontaneously decided to show off their sparring skills.

In the end, it was Lemeki who won Losoito’s heart — and in the process, found a new purpose in her own life. Lemeki used to be a clinging vine to her Keepers, but now she is fully focused on looking after her adopted ‘daughter’. The love is mutual: One day, Losoito became concerned when she saw Lemeki sparring with boisterous Itinyi. She padded over to see if Lemeki was in trouble and Itinyi, taking advantage of the situation, climbed onto her back. Trumpeting, Lemeki chased the naughty bull away — she takes no chances when it comes to Losoito!

Losoito is an elephant who spreads happiness wherever she goes. She has a wonderfully chunky body that is easy to identify, with short little legs that somehow manage to zoom at dizzying speeds. Now that she feels fully comfortable among the Voi herd, she is emerging as a sassy, characterful young girl — truly, a perfect protégé for larger-than-life Lemeki.

As one of the Voi Kids, Losoito will grow up in the heart of the Tsavo wilderness, the same landscape where she was born. In the fullness of time, our little munchkin will reclaim her place in the wild and raise her own family — but she will always have a family and a home with us.