Exactly 22 years ago, a heartwarming rescue occurred in Meru National Park when a stranded calf, just a week old, was discovered trapped in a waterhole. The calf was covered in mud, severely dehydrated, and had suffered burns on its ear.
Fast forward to today, that calf has grown into a magnificent elephant named Kinna, and she has recently welcomed her second baby, Kaia. Let’s join in celebrating this incredible journey!
Watch the video at the end.
In 1999, Kinna, the orphaned elephant, found a new home with us. We witnessed her transformation from a tiny calf in the Nursery to her journey through our Ithumba Reintegration Unit and eventually into the wild. In March 2017, Kinna gave birth to her first calf, Kama, sharing that precious moment with us.
Raising an orphaned elephant and witnessing them start their own family is a remarkable privilege. Even though Kinna now roams the wild, she still regularly visits us at Ithumba.
For the past two years, we’ve eagerly awaited the arrival of Kinna’s second calf. On October 17th, a momentous day arrived when Kinna and Yatta’s ex-orphan herd arrived at Ithumba with joyful trumpets, announcing the birth of a new baby elephant.
The newborn, named Kaia, was healthy, albeit a bit wobbly on her legs. Kinna’s first calf, Kama, is already proving to be a loving big sister.
With the support of her grown girlfriends, including Sities, Mutara, Suguta, Turkwel, and Kainuk, it’s heartwarming to see Kama actively caring for her new sibling.
Kinna, Kama, and Kaia returned to the fences as the sun began to set. The Keepers had prepared a special feast of lucerne for Kinna to ensure she stayed well-fed during these dry times, and she eagerly devoured it.
Maintaining proper nourishment is crucial for elephant mothers to sustain their milk supply.
While Kinna enjoyed her meal, Kaia suckled for a long while before settling down for a nap, using a small pile of lucerne as a pillow.
This moment allows us to pause and appreciate Kinna’s incredible journey. Twenty-two years ago, she faced a near-tragic end in a muddy mire.
Today, she confidently roams the Tsavo landscape, not with just one but two offspring by her side. Witnessing Kaia’s growth will undoubtedly continue to be a privilege as time goes on.
