The ‘Kaluku Trio,’ consisting of three young elephants – Kindani, Kinyei, and Bondeni – has embarked on an inspiring journey after being rescued from different parts of Kenya.
These three remarkable pachyderms initially found themselves along the sandy riverbanks of Kaluku before making their way to Nairobi’s red earth.
Watch the video at the end.
As they prepared for their next adventure back into the wild, it was only fitting that they did so as a united team.
Before we delve into their recent graduation, let’s take a moment to revisit the origins of the Kaluku Trio.
It all began with Kindani, rescued in April 2018 when she was found abandoned in Meru National Park at just a few days old. She followed KWS rangers, who discovered her, seeking safety.
At that time, Nairobi was experiencing frequent storms, and the Nursery was not ideal for a vulnerable calf.
So, Kindani was taken to the Kaluku Field Headquarters in Tsavo, which provided her with a warm and dry environment.
It’s worth noting that, at the time, they didn’t even have a proper room for her, using an antelope stable while building suitable long-term housing.
Kindani’s arrival at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust was bittersweet, as it occurred shortly after the passing of the Trust’s founder, Dame Daphne Sheldrick.
Her rescue was further complicated by a flood in Athi River, forcing her to stay in Daphne’s bedroom for safety.
It was a moment that felt like a message from beyond, providing solace to the young elephant during a challenging time.
Next came Kinyei, a newborn giraffe, discovered dangerously close to a pride of lions in the Mara by a safari group.
She was rescued and brought to the Kaluku establishment, where she formed a unique lifelong bond with Kindani, growing up together like sisters.
The trio was completed with the arrival of Bondeni in February 2019. Found wandering into a village near the Chyulu Hills, Bondeni, though just a newborn, had covered a significant distance and had visible lacerations on his tiny feet from traversing lava fields.
Kindani, Kinyei, and Bondeni spent their early years at the Kaluku Field Headquarters in Tsavo, enjoying the river’s beaches and resting under the shade of acacia trees.
In September 2020, they were transferred to the Nairobi Nursery to socialize with other elephants and learn from the older ones.
Though initially the youngest members, they matured into senior elephants over time while maintaining their unbreakable bond.
These three elephants, with their distinct personalities, grew up together, insisting on having adjacent bedrooms even as they transitioned from baby stables to larger enclosures.
As their journey at the Nursery progressed, they remained inseparable, and it was clear they would continue to stay together.
The decision was made to transfer them to the Ithumba Reintegration Unit, a return to their natural habitat since Kaluku is located in the Tsavo region, also home to many of their Nursery friends.
The graduation ceremony took place on May 25th, 2023, marking the beginning of their journey back to the wild.
Their journey to Ithumba was successful, with Kindani and Kinyei smoothly settling into their designated spaces.
Bondeni, however, required a bit of persuasion before joining his companions in the lorry.
They reached Ithumba at 8:30 a.m., where familiar faces and lush greenery welcomed them.
Kindani assumed a leadership role among the new graduates at Ithumba, and ex-orphans and their offspring warmly received them. The Kaluku Trio had found their place in a thriving haven for elephants.
Two weeks after graduation to Ithumba, the trio, according to Head Keeper Benjamin’s latest report, had adjusted well.
Initially sticking together, they were starting to interact with the rest of the orphan herd and had adapted to the daily routine.
Each of them had found their niche, with Bondeni reuniting with an old friend, Kinyei playing with wild-born babies, and Kindani taking on the role of a miniature matriarch.
The Kaluku Trio’s adventure is only beginning. Despite losing their biological families, their bond is as meaningful as ever. They’ve traveled a great distance together, but their journey is far from over.
In the months and years ahead, they will learn to live in the wild until they are ready to return to their natural habitat. It’s a journey they will take together, hand in trunk.
