Has fully embraced his wild life in Tsavo East National Park
Current age
16 years old
Gender
Male
Rescued date
26 March 2009
Rescue location
Laikipia, Il Ngwesi Group Ranch
Date of birth (estimate)
19 July 2008
Reason orphaned
Poaching
Age at rescue
8 months old (approx)
Current location
Living Wild
With only the remains of the dead around and no sign of any living elephants nearby, it is probable that this calf is yet another victim of ivory poaching, fortunate to have been found by some ele friendly tribesmen, who reported his whereabouts to the Headquarters of the nearby Il Ngwezi Conservancy. They sought the assistance of Lewa Downs to help capture the calf and transport him to the nearest airfield which happened to be the one near Tassia Lodge, there to await the arrival of the rescue plane. The care and concern shown by his rescuers for his well being was most touching.
Before being loaded for the flight back to the Nursery, he was fed milk and rehydrants and given the usual prophylactic antibiotic injectionas a precaution against pneumonia. He was laid onto the canvas stretcher, his legs bound for the flight. Stephen in the meantime took notes about his rescue story from the men involved.
He arrived at the Nairobi Nursery the afternoon of the 26th March, and although emaciated and weakened from milk deprivation, he remained with a strong will to survive. This was made more evident when he was warmly embraced by the other orphans and immediately accepted into their group. He is a lovely mellow elephant that the Keepers have nicknamed Papa Oscar, and he absolutely loves his milk having been without it for so long, and is constantly in search of more. Tassia continues to grow stronger and his loving nature makes him a firm favourite with all those lucky enough to know him.
With only the remains of the dead around and no sign of any living elephants nearby, it is probable that this calf is yet another victim of ivory poaching, fortunate to have been found by some ele friendly tribesmen, who reported his whereabouts to the Headquarters of the nearby Il Ngwezi Conservancy. They sought the assistance of Lewa Downs to help capture the calf and transport him to the nearest airfield which happened to be the one near Tassia Lodge, there to await the arrival of the rescue plane. The care and concern shown by his rescuers for his well being was most touching.
Before being loaded for the flight back to the Nursery, he was fed milk and rehydrants and given the usual prophylactic antibiotic injectionas a precaution against pneumonia. He was laid onto the canvas stretcher, his legs bound for the flight. Stephen in the meantime took notes about his rescue story from the men involved.
View diary updates from across all our orphan units as written by the Keepers
Our Ex Orphans at the Voi stockades are very much independent of their keepers and the sanctuary of the Voi Rehabilitation Unit and have been so for many years
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