Elephants Take Major Step Towards Independence in Tsavo

On May 14th, a significant milestone was reached as three senior orphan elephants—Kelelari, Karisa, and Dupotto—began transitioning from the Nursery to the Ithumba Reintegration Unit in Tsavo.

Considering the elephants’ growth and recent heavy rainfall in Tsavo, the move was carefully orchestrated.

Unlike the dry conditions in Voi and Southern Tsavo East, Ithumba in the north had seen a surprising increase in rain, leading to plentiful food and full waterholes.

The process began at 3:00 a.m. with the elephants, accompanied by their Keepers and a film crew, boarding a specially designed transport truck.

The convoy departed from Nairobi National Park before dawn, taking less-traveled roads to minimize stress for the elephants.

During the journey, the elephants showed remarkable trust in their caretakers, calmly eating freshly cut greens provided in the truck. Their composure was evident as they neared their new home.

Upon arriving in Tsavo, the orphans started meeting wild elephants, beginning their gradual shift to a wild lifestyle.

Much like human children learning independence, the transition was paced according to each elephant’s readiness, guided by their experiences.

Ex-orphans from Ithumba were key in mentoring the newcomers, recognizing subtle signs of their readiness for each new stage.

Despite challenging road conditions due to rain, the truck reached Ithumba ahead of schedule. When the gates opened, the orphans were initially disoriented but soon comforted by the presence of milk bottles.

Under the care of Nairobi Keepers, the elephants integrated with other orphans and began to adjust to their new environment.

Kelelari adapted quickly, Karisa settled in, and Dupotto happily reconnected with old friends.

The day concluded with a soothing mud bath in the warm temperatures, with Kelelari relishing the mud while Karisa and Dupotto sought solace near him and their Nairobi Keepers.