In the throes of a poaching crisis, where elephants were being slaughtered every 15 minutes for their ivory, a poignant moment unfolded in Chala in July 2011.
A frail elephant calf abandoned and seemingly orphaned, embarked on a solo journey from Tanzania into Tsavo.
It was evident that this young soul had lost its mother to the brutal hands of poachers, marking a turning point in the calf’s life.
This lone survivor, named Kilabasi, symbolized the countless young elephants left parentless due to the devastating impact of poaching on the ivory industry.
When Kilabasi arrived at the Nursery, she exhibited restlessness, a common trait among grieving orphans. Over time, she transformed, growing more confident.
In January 2013, Kilabasi transitioned to Ithumba, fearlessly embracing her new home, starkly contrasting her initial arrival at the Nursery.
As we usher in the new year, heartening news emerges from our beloved elephant family. Kilabasi, having roamed the wild, continues to visit her Ithumba family regularly.
The joyous revelation of her pregnancy captivated our attention for nearly two years as her baby bump expanded.
Despite the challenging dry season, Kilabasi wisely stayed close to Ithumba during the final stages of her pregnancy.
With the eagerly awaited rains, Kilabasi’s baby, Kofi, made a grand entrance on January 2, 2022.
A delightful sight with a curious trunk and perfectly shaped, heart-like ears, Kofi adds to the growing family in Ithumba.
Kilabasi, once an orphan herself, now guides her little one alongside the support of the ex-orphan mothers nearby.
Kilabasi’s nurturing spirit extends beyond her offspring, as she plays the role of a devoted nanny to her friends’ infants.
The end of 2021 witnessed a baby boom in Ithumba, with six calves born within six weeks.
The positive momentum continued into 2022, with Icholta presenting her newest addition to the Voi Keepers.
Kofi, the 46th known offspring of an orphaned elephant reintegrated into the wild, thrives under Kilabasi’s care.
Kilabasi’s journey, initiated during a time of uncertainty for elephants, now takes a heartwarming turn as she guides Kofi through the wild.
The birth of wild-born elephants like Kofi is a testament to the decade-long progress in safeguarding these majestic creatures’ future.