Amid the 2023 dry season, our team faced a poignant mission of rescuing orphaned animals, tugging at our heartstrings as we encountered countless helpless young creatures struggling to survive without the essential love, care, and nourishment they needed.
Among these brave survivors was Oldepe, a remarkable story of rescue that unfolded in the swamps of Amboseli National Park on November 10th.
Watch the video at the end.
Early in November, Cynthia Moss of the Amboseli Trust for Elephants (ATE) received reports about a forsaken calf near the Ol Tukai Orok palm woodlands.
Upon investigating the matter, she discovered a 2.5-year-old bull wandering through a swamp, isolated and abandoned by his family.
Despite hoping for a reunion, it became painfully evident that the calf had been permanently forsaken.
The mission to rescue Oldepe commenced without delay. We ensured this young bull received the care and attention he desperately needed to recover from his ordeal.
While the journey was arduous, witnessing Oldepe survive and thrive under our care was incredibly rewarding. Our joy knew no bounds when we saw Oldepe regain his health and reunite with his new elephant family.
Our unwavering commitment to safeguarding these majestic creatures remains resolute, and our dedication to rescuing and rehabilitating those in need continues.
Oldepe’s rescue saga is a testament to our remarkable work to ensure the safety and well-being of elephants in Kenya.
Amboseli’s environment is exceptional, with elephant families meticulously studied and named by ATE.
Oldepe, born in 2019 in this unique ecosystem, is one such male calf alongside Barnoti, another Amboseli orphan.
While ATE believes Oldepe is the offspring of Orna from the “OB family,” recent confirmation has remained elusive. Therefore, he was named with an “O” to symbolize his heritage.
Oldepe holds a special place among elephants and can often be spotted in the southern part of Amboseli National Park.
The SWT/KWS Amboseli Mobile Vet Unit received a distress call regarding an orphaned calf. After confirming the calf’s dire situation, they remained by his side until a team from Nairobi could reach them.
Navigating the swamps of Amboseli was challenging, with concerns about losing the calf despite his size. However, the rescue proceeded smoothly as Oldepe, weakened and without resistance, was transported to a Nursery stockade.
Here, he spent weeks recuperating before joining his herd in the forest. Oldepe’s tendency to disappear had worried his caretakers on previous occasions.
Soon enough, it became apparent that we had a spirited young calf on our hands! After approximately a week with the other elephants, Oldepe developed a playful habit of engaging in hide-and-seek with us Keepers as the day drew close.
He would vanish into the bush, and every time we caught a glimpse of him, he’d dart away to find a new hiding spot.
This delightful game seemed to be his way of having fun, prompting us to adapt our approach. Rather than actively seeking him out, we patiently waited at the fences.
As expected, Oldepe would eventually emerge from the forest and head straight back to his “bedroom.”
Though Oldepe’s newfound game added a touch of humor to the situation, it also brought a fair share of tension.
Keepers worried about his whereabouts, and the other orphaned elephants grew restless and agitated while waiting for his return. Fortunately, Oldepe has grown weary of hide-and-seek and remains close to his herd.
