In the heart of the wilds of Kenya, a story of friendship unfolds as two orphaned baby elephants, Ashaka and Kamok, find solace in each other’s company after the heartbreaking loss of their mother. Their journey from abandoned to inseparable serves as a poignant reminder of the deep connection within the animal kingdom.
Ashaka (left) and Kamok (right) were rescued by rangers and taken to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Nairobi National Park in Kenya a year ago
The animals have developed a close friendship after being integrated into the herd of orphaned elephants also rescued in the wild by rangers
Discovered separately in the wild and placed in the care of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Ashaka and Kamok, named after Kenyan landmarks, quickly formed an unbreakable bond. Integrating into the Trust’s herd of orphaned elephants has given them a new sense of family and belonging.
Kamok’s story is from the moment she was found, weak and unable to walk properly, after being abandoned by her mother and herd when she was just a day old. It was the compassionate intervention of rangers at the Ol Pejeta reserve that saved her, giving her the vital nourishment and care she needed to survive.
Similarly, Ashaka’s journey to safety was marked by danger when she was discovered at the bottom of a deep waterhole, her cries of distress waking rangers at the Wildlife Service Kenya. Together, these two young souls found refuge and hope at the Trust’s nursery in Nairobi National Park, where they became part of the organisation’s nurturing programme.
When orphaned animals are taken in by rangers or conservationists they form fast attachments with other creatures after losing their herds
The baby elephant roll around in the mud to cool down as visitors at the Nairobi National Park watch on. Ashaka and Kamok are part of the Trust’s fostering programme
Rob Brandford, director of the British David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, emphasized the importance of this bond between elephant species, describing them as “extremely close and important”. For orphaned elephants like Kamok and Ashaka, their rescued friends become their new herd and family, with many forming deep bonds and choosing their own companions.
As the threat of extinction looms over African elephant populations due to illegal poaching and habitat loss, the work of organizations such as the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust becomes increasingly important. Through their dedication to rescuing and rehabilitating orphaned elephants, they provide a glimmer of hope for the future of this endangered species.
The Trust’s commitment to caring for these majestic creatures extends beyond elephants, as evidenced by their fostering of a baby giraffe named Zili. Established in 1977 by Dame Daphne Sheldrick D.B.E in memory of her late husband, the Trust’s legacy is one of compassion and conservation, having cared for more than 150 elephants for nearly four decades.
With a mission to reintegrate animals back into the wild when they are ready, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is a testament to the power of humanity’s collective efforts to protect and preserve the natural world. And in the heartwarming bond shared between Ashaka and Kamok, we find inspiration in the resilience of the animal kingdom and the enduring power of friendship.