Three young elephants, Esoit, Olorien, and Lodo, have successfully transitioned from the Nursery to the next stage of their rehabilitation journey, bringing them closer to being released back into the wild.

This exciting step occurred amidst the recent blessing of rains in Ithumba, leading them to the Ithumba Reintegration Unit within the northern sector of Tsavo East National Park on April 26th.

Each of these remarkable elephant individuals has a unique story. Esoit, whose mother tragically passed away, is a social extrovert who loves to make new friends.

Olorien was found clinging to a group of Maasai herders’s cattle and, though initially shy, eventually became the leader of the Nursery herd. Lodo, a gentle soul, was rescued during a drought last year, and it was now his time to become a member of a more prominent elephant family.

The journey to Ithumba was preceded by weeks of preparation for this significant graduation. The orphans were trained to get comfortable with the loading and unloading process, and they all proved to be quick learners on the big day.

Despite some initial hesitation from Olorien and Lodo, Esoit remained calm throughout.

The journey to Tsavo went smoothly, thanks to prior efforts to prepare the roads, which were vulnerable to washouts due to heavy rains.

Upon their arrival at Ithumba, the graduates were given a warm welcome. Lodo had a joyous reunion with his old Nursery friend, Suguroi, while the group arrived at the Ithumba stockades around 9 a.m.

Esoit was the first to be released from their compartment, accompanied by the exuberant Lodo.

Olorien, the patient one, waited for her turn and enjoyed her first Tsavo milk bottle along with the others.

The welcoming committee, led by the Ithumba Keepers, including old friends like Naleku, Sagateisa, Suguroi, Roho, and Neshashi, came to greet the new graduates, creating an atmosphere filled with warmth, trunk hugs, and trumpets.

Olorien had her first mud bath in Tsavo and was excited and accompanied by old and new friends.

She was joined by Kauro, a nine-year-old, who made her, Esoit, and Lodo feel at home by inviting them to play with him.

The lush surroundings of Ithumba provided an abundance of vegetation, mud, and dust for the elephants to enjoy.

The three newcomers quickly adapted to their new home, wearing the signature red earth of Tsavo with pride, and even joined the others for a swim in a full-to-the-brim mud bath.

The Ithumba landscape is a vivid green, offering the perfect environment for these recent graduates.

They are welcomed into “Class One,” a sanctuary for the youngest orphaned elephants, with old pals Suguroi, Sagateisa, and Naleku next door and the vast expanse of Tsavo within reach.

This marks an essential step towards the ultimate goal of reintegrating Olorien, Esoit, and Lodo into the wild elephant population of Tsavo. They will reside in Ithumba for several years until they are ready for the next phase of their journey.

This remarkable progress has been made possible through the generous support of our foster parents, who have played a pivotal role in providing these elephants with the opportunity to lead a life fully immersed in the wild, set against the backdrop of Kenya’s extraordinary habitats.

Watch the video below: