Mpenzi

Has fully embraced her wild life in Tsavo East National Park

About Mpenzi

  • Current age

    32 years old

  • Gender

    Female

  • Rescued date

    15 June 1993

  • Rescue location

    Tsavo Ecosystem, Tsavo East NP

  • Date of birth (estimate)

    16 October 1992

  • Reason orphaned

    Poaching

  • Age at rescue

    7 months old (approx)

  • Current location

    Living Wild

Adopt Mpenzi for yourself, or as a gift

Mpenzi's rescue

This calf was found alone near the Tsavo East National Park Headquarters at Voi, in May 1993, when about 8 months old. The name “Mpenzi” means “Darling” in Kiswahili.

She was very dehydrated and weak, obviously having been without mother’s milk for many weeks. The older orphans were taken to her, and they immediately surrounded her affectionately, and walked her back to the Night Stockades as part of their group. She took to the bottle instantly, having taken her cue from the others, and was instantly fussed over and mothered by Malaika, who ‘adopted' her.

When Mpenzi became part of Catherine’s wild herd, and Chuma went off with Taru, as young bulls will, Lissa felt somewhat dumped and returned to the Orphans group along with Mpenzi briefly, accompanying the still dependent orphans into the Stockades in the evenings to partake of the cut greens and Copra supplement handed out during dry seasons. Since then, however, Lissa has become independent of our orphaned group, and is sometimes seen with Catherine’s group, and at other times returns to spend time with the orphans, usually accompanied by Mpenzi and her two wild-born calves, the first of which arrived in January 1999 and the next in January 2004.

Mpenzi has taken on the role of Nannie to Lissa’s two babies, and is extremely protective of them and even aggressive should humans venture too close for comfort. The birth of Lissa’s second calf which took place near the Orphans’ Stockades, was witnessed by our Keepers from the vantage point of a large rock. During the birth, Mpenzi was in close attendance, along with some 50 very excited wild elephants. Lissa’s first calf is named “Lara” and the second, also a female, has been named “Lali”.

She was very dehydrated and weak, obviously having been without mother’s milk for many weeks. The older orphans were taken to her, and they immediately surrounded her affectionately, and walked her back to the Night Stockades as part of their group. She took to the bottle instantly, having taken her cue from the others, and was instantly fussed over and mothered by Malaika, who ‘adopted' her.

Latest updates featuring Mpenzi

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Keepers Diaries

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

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For Once a Happy Story - Another Baby for Ex Orphan Mpenzi - Mpia

Ex Orphan Mpenzi (whose name means Sweetheart in Swahili) was orphaned just under one year old, and came into our care in May 1993 and given directly into the custody of the then Voi Orphans Matriarch, Eleanor who at the time was ably assisted by Malaika, whom we later lost in childbirth

Read more

Mpenzi's Latest Photos

Access the most recent photos featuring Mpenzi

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Mpenzi's Calves

Unnamed

Mpenzi's first calf sadly passed away shortly after birth, when she was attacked by a pride of lions.

Asante

Asante is Mwendi's second calf after her first was killed by lions. Her name means `thank you` in Swahili and she is the perfect older sister to Mpia. Read more

Mpia

Arriving at the Voi Stockades at just a few weeks old, little Mpia (meaning `new`) was proudly paraded by her mother Mpenzi who was rescued as an orphan in 1993 at just under a year old. Mpia`s older sibling Asante is always nearby looking after her younger sister. Read 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

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