Rombo

Has fully embraced his wild life in Tsavo East National Park

About Rombo

  • Current age

    15 years old

  • Gender

    Male

  • Rescued date

    27 August 2011

  • Rescue location

    Tsavo Ecosystem, Rombo Group Ranch

  • Date of birth (estimate)

    26 August 2009

  • Reason orphaned

    Poaching

  • Age at rescue

    2 years old (approx)

  • Current location

    Living Wild

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Rombo's rescue

The Oltepes village lies within a traditional elephant migratory passage linking Tsavo West and East and as such is an area of ongoing human/wildlife conflict. The name Oltepes means “acacia” and at this time of the year the acacia trees drop nutritious pods which all animals relish, including the elephants. Hence, every time the elephants move along this route, and pause to feed on the acacias near this village, they find themselves in trouble from a notoriously un-ele-friendly community.

The latest orphan from this area is a two year old bull calf whose mother is believed to be the poached cow elephant who died of poisoned arrow wounds and was found by the Trust’s Ziwani Anti-Poaching Team last month. The calf had apparently been spotted in the area by people from the village, who viewed him as a threat to their children herding livestock. They said that he had visited the body of his slain mother several times. His presence was first reported to the Big Life Scouts who alerted the authorities and the Trust's Field Officer, and he in turn contacted the Keepers based at the Trust’s Voi Rehabilitation Elephant Stockades.

Our SWT/KWS Ziwani Anti-Poaching Team and some of the Voi Elephant Keepers found and rescued the calf during the afternoon of the 27th August 2011, after which he was driven to the Voi Stockades for the night, comforted by the presence of the Keeper Dependent babies based there.

He had a spear wound in the ear, which penetrated the shoulder behind, in a glancing way, and not too deep.

The Nursery Rescuers went armed with a Pole Injection to give the new orphan a mild dose of Stressnil for the flight to Nairobi the next day – 28th August 2011. He arrived at noon and was named Rombo – the name of the general area of human/wildlife conflict that has yielded several of our orphans who have come in with spear injuries.

He was 2 years old, tiny tusks already protruding through the lip, and although emaciated, was not in life threatening physical condition. He was also very calm for a newcomer of this age, and by nightfall was taking milk from a hand-held bottle, and even sucking on the Keeper’s fingers, albeit on the other side of the Taming Stockade partition. He is a very lucky little elephant to have escaped severe spearing and been rescued in time and as soon as he is stabilized, will be a candidate for Ithumba, there to join other two year olds who have already sprouted tusks.

The latest orphan from this area is a two year old bull calf whose mother is believed to be the poached cow elephant who died of poisoned arrow wounds and was found by the Trust’s Ziwani Anti-Poaching Team last month. The calf had apparently been spotted in the area by people from the village, who viewed him as a threat to their children herding livestock. They said that he had visited the body of his slain mother several times. His presence was first reported to the Big Life Scouts who alerted the authorities and the Trust's Field Officer, and he in turn contacted the Keepers based at the Trust’s Voi Rehabilitation Elephant Stockades.

Latest updates featuring Rombo

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Keepers Diaries

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

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Aerial Unit Report: April 2025

April was a busy month, but less so than March. Still, there were a number of veterinary cases assisted by the Aerial Unit, as well as significant finds of poaching activity. Over the course of the month, the team flew 187 hours, covering 24,163 kilometres in flight.

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Rombo's Latest Photos

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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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