In a heartwarming tale over two decades, we look back to a remarkable rescue that unfolded at Meru National Park.
It was 22 years ago a helpless, week-old elephant calf was stuck in a waterhole, covered in mud, dried, and bearing burns on her ear.
Kinna, This young calf, was embraced as an orphaned elephant under our care in 1999. Over the years, she blossomed into a majestic creature we proudly call our own.
Recently, Kinna achieved a beautiful milestone by welcoming her second offspring, Kaia, marking yet another remarkable chapter in her incredible journey. Join us in celebrating this touching moment in Kinna’s life.
We’ve witnessed her transformation from a vulnerable calf in the Nursery to her successful integration into the wild through our Ithumba Reintegration Unit. In March 2017, we were privileged to witness Kinna give birth to her first calf, Kama.
It’s an honor to nurture an orphaned elephant and witness them build their own family. Even after returning to the wild, Kinna regularly visits us at Ithumba.
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For the past two years, we’ve eagerly awaited Kinna’s second calf, and on October 17th, our joy overflowed as Kinna, along with Yatta’s ex-orphan herd, announced the birth of a new baby elephant with joyous trumpets.
Kaia, the newly born elephant, is healthy but, like all young ones, is still working on her coordination. Her older sister, Kama, already shows love and care towards her.
And it’s heartwarming to see adult female elephants like Sities, Mutara, Suguta, Turkwel, and Kainuk actively supporting and nurturing the little ones, creating a beautiful family bond.
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Maintaining proper nourishment is crucial for elephant mothers to ensure a steady milk supply.
During a recent observation, we saw Kinna savoring her meal. At the same time, her baby, Kaia, suckled for an extended period before using a pile of lucerne as a makeshift pillow for a nap.
It’s a moment that invites reflection on Kinna’s journey, which almost ended tragically 22 years ago when she was mired in mud.
Today, Kaia roams confidently through the Tsavo terrain, accompanied not by one but two offspring.
Witnessing the growth of Kaia’s family is a lasting honor that will continue to warm our hearts.
