Now living wild, though he continues to visit us regularly
Current age
21 years old
Gender
Male
Rescued date
7 February 2006
Rescue location
Amboseli Ecosystem, Amboseli National Park
Date of birth (estimate)
15 May 2004
Reason orphaned
Natural causes
Age at rescue
20 months old (approx)
Current location
Living Wild
The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust was immediately called and we organised a plane, with a rescue team aboard, to be dispatched to the area. When the team arrived in Amboseli the calf along with the AA herd moved into the swamps and there they stayed. Our team waited on the swamp edge but with the last rays of sunlight the plane and team had to return to Nairobi without the calf. Another week passed before he was again spotted, this time entirely alone, and quite obviously suffering the affects of milk deprivation since no calf orphaned under the age of 2 years can survive without milk, even though at that age they are already ingesting some green vegetation.
However he was very happy to be out with the other 8 Nursery calves, having formed a very close bond of friendship with another relative newcomer, little Sidai. The two, who were still grieving for their lost elephant families, liked to spend quiet time together away from the exuberance of the others, and at night, in their adjoining Stockades, drew comfort from the proximity of each other. In Sidai, angry little Orok found a quiet, calming and serene elephant, who was still too weak to show aggression, and having been at death’s door twice, was just grateful for her life.
The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust was immediately called and we organised a plane, with a rescue team aboard, to be dispatched to the area. When the team arrived in Amboseli the calf along with the AA herd moved into the swamps and there they stayed. Our team waited on the swamp edge but with the last rays of sunlight the plane and team had to return to Nairobi without the calf. Another week passed before he was again spotted, this time entirely alone, and quite obviously suffering the affects of milk deprivation since no calf orphaned under the age of 2 years can survive without milk, even though at that age they are already ingesting some green vegetation.
View diary updates from across all our orphan units as written by the Keepers
As the dry season of 2021 reached its peak, we were called to rescue orphans on a near-daily basis. Oftentimes, these babies were simply found on their own, withering away without love, milk, and protection. Such was the case with Oldepe, who we rescued from the swamps of Amboseli National Park on 10th November.
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