Taabu
Has fully embraced his wild life in Tsavo East National Park
About Taabu
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Current age
4 years old
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Gender
Male
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Rescued date
29 September 2021
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Rescue location
Tsavo Ecosystem, Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary
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Date of birth (estimate)
20 September 2020
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Reason orphaned
Drought related
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Age at rescue
12 months old (approx)
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Current location
Living Wild
Adopt Taabu for yourself, or as a gift
Taabu's rescue
The Tsavo Conservation Area is in the throes of a long, challenging dry season. In times like these, elephants are constantly on the move in search of life-sustaining food and water. When a member of the herd no longer has the strength to go on, the matriarch must make the heart-breaking but inevitable decision to leave them behind. It is usually the very young and the very old who fall victim to prolonged dry seasons.
On the morning of 29th September 2021, our Field Operations Manager received a call from Salt Lick Lodge, in the Taita Hills Sanctuary. For the past 24 hours, they had been monitoring a baby elephant who had been abandoned in front of the lodge.
The hours passed into a day, but not a single elephant showed any inclination of absorbing the calf when they came to water. He was picking at the scorched grass, but obviously still milk-dependent and vulnerable to predators. Our Operations Manager went to investigate the reports at the request of KWS and immediately saw the little calf, who cut a very lonely figure on the plains.
Because of the lodge’s proximity to our Voi Reintegration Unit, a team of Voi Keepers were called to the scene. It was a very easy rescue: After capturing the calf, the team drove him down to the airstrip by Taita Hills Lodge, where a plane would collect him and fly him up to Nairobi.
By 4:30 in the afternoon, the little elephant was airborne, accompanied by two Nursery Keepers. He arrived at his new home after dark, where he was carefully moved into a freshly prepared stable. Throughout the entire operation, he never seemed agitated or overwhelmed. Oftentimes, these young calves are just relieved to be rescued.
We named him Taabu, which means “trouble” in Swahili. This is not a nod to his character — Taabu is an extremely cheerful and easy-going elephant — but rather to the troubled times in which he was orphaned. He is one of the lucky ones, spared from the fate that befalls so many calves during a challenging dry season.
The Keepers report that Taabu is as smart as he is sweet. He is a very social boy who always wants to be in the thick of all the action. He has become very close with Naleku, who is also his night-time neighbour. When Taabu isn’t exploring the forest with his sidekick, he is striking up new friendships, greedily seeking out his next milk bottle, or investigating the goings-on at the Nursery. We are so thankful that this curious calf was spotted in time and now has his whole life ahead of him.
On the morning of 29th September 2021, our Field Operations Manager received a call from Salt Lick Lodge, in the Taita Hills Sanctuary. For the past 24 hours, they had been monitoring a baby elephant who had been abandoned in front of the lodge.
The hours passed into a day, but not a single elephant showed any inclination of absorbing the calf when they came to water. He was picking at the scorched grass, but obviously still milk-dependent and vulnerable to predators. Our Operations Manager went to investigate the reports at the request of KWS and immediately saw the little calf, who cut a very lonely figure on the plains.
Because of the lodge’s proximity to our Voi Reintegration Unit, a team of Voi Keepers were called to the scene. It was a very easy rescue: After capturing the calf, the team drove him down to the airstrip by Taita Hills Lodge, where a plane would collect him and fly him up to Nairobi.
Latest updates featuring Taabu
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Keepers Diaries
View diary updates from across all our orphan units as written by the Keepers
A Serendipitous Reunion With Kitiak
Given how elephants continue to amaze us, our surprise meeting with Kitiak should really come as little surprise at all: These are creatures that work in mysterious ways. But still, our serendipitous encounter with a long-lost orphan has left us reeling.
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
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Monthly updates
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Exclusive content
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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.
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