Mweya
Now living wild, where she is a matriarch and mother of an ever-growing family
About Mweya
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Current age
24 years old
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Gender
Female
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Rescued date
27 February 2001
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Rescue location
Uganda, Queen Elizabeth Park
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Date of birth (estimate)
1 January 2001
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Reason orphaned
Man-made cause for separation
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Age at rescue
1 month old (approx)
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Current location
Living Wild
Adopt Mweya for yourself, or as a gift
Mweya's rescue
A female calf born in January 2001 in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda; estimated age just days old when rescued. Age on arrival in our Nursery - 1 month.
This baby was unique, being Ugandan as opposed to all the other Kenyan orphans we have rescued. She simply wandered into a fishing village near Lake George in Queen Elizabeth National Park, was thereafter transported across the Channel in a fishing boat and dumped back in the bush, because her rescuers didn't know what else to do! Fortunately, word got out, and she was re-captured by an expatriate who had heard about her, and taken to the Uganda Education Centre, where she was cared for round the clock by expatriate volunteers and two National Park Rangers with telephone instructions from us in Nairobi.
Meanwhile, the ponderous bureaucracy of getting an elephant across a territorial boundary had to be tackled, which involved 6 long weeks. Eventually, however, "Mweya" (thus named by the Ugandans) arrived on the 27th February 2001 by Helicopter.
Mweya is now an ex-orphan in Tsavo East National Park, and a mother, she visits the Voi stockades every now and then.
This baby was unique, being Ugandan as opposed to all the other Kenyan orphans we have rescued. She simply wandered into a fishing village near Lake George in Queen Elizabeth National Park, was thereafter transported across the Channel in a fishing boat and dumped back in the bush, because her rescuers didn't know what else to do! Fortunately, word got out, and she was re-captured by an expatriate who had heard about her, and taken to the Uganda Education Centre, where she was cared for round the clock by expatriate volunteers and two National Park Rangers with telephone instructions from us in Nairobi.
Latest updates featuring Mweya
See all updates
Keepers Diaries
View diary updates from across all our orphan units as written by the Keepers
Mweya’s New Baby, Mwangaza
Our extended elephant family has grown yet again! Just 10 days after Mudanda debuted her new baby, Mweya strolled up to the Voi stockades with a tiny girl in tow.
Mweya's Calves
Mwitu
Mwitu is the first wild-born calf of Mweya, born in the height of the dry season. We first met Mwitu on 15th November, when Mweya and Edie - with her new calf Eco - travelled back to our Voi Reintegration Unit after the rains to share their new babies with their human family and the dependent Voi orphan herd. This photo is of Mwitu and Eco on morning of 18th November 2019. Read more
Mojo
Mojo was Mweya's second baby, following in the footsteps of big sister, Mwitu. He was born in September 2022, at the height of the drought in Tsavo. As a newborn, he made the incredible journey back to Voi, navigating some 100 kilometres of drought-stricken plains. Tragically, on 5th November 2022 Mweya and Mwitu returned to the Voi stockades after a week's absence, without Mojo. A mother would never leave her infant, unless the very worst had happened. Read more
Mwangaza
Just 10 days after Mudanda debuted her new baby, Mweya strolled up to the Voi stockades with a tiny girl in tow. We have named ber Mwangaza, which means 'light' in Swahili. Mweya, the consummate matriarch, learned from her past experiences and led her herd 'home' before giving birth, so the mums and newborns could benefit from Voi's support system. 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
