In Kenya, unpredictable weather is typical, but the floods that swept through the country in early 2018 brought a severe crisis.
One morning in March, amid all the chaos, an unexpected call came in. During their patrol, the Mara Elephant Project scouts made a startling discovery in the treacherous waters of the Mara River.
Watch the video at the end.
They found a tiny baby elephant, no more than a week old, adrift in the raging river. The scouts braved the turbulent waters to rescue the soaked and endangered animal without hesitation.
Upon receiving the news, a helicopter was dispatched to assist in the rescue operation. The calf was named Lemeki, honoring the area where she was found.
Surviving the raging floodwaters was nothing short of a miracle, but Lemeki’s fragile state and the risk of pneumonia demanded urgent action. Moreover, Nairobi was also grappling with severe flooding at the time.
As a result, a decision was made to fly Lemeki straight to the Kaluku Field HQ in Tsavo, where warmth and dry conditions awaited.
As the helicopter touched down at Kaluku, a crowd eagerly gathered at the airstrip to welcome the survivor of this harrowing ordeal.
Despite their experience rescuing elephants, no one was entirely prepared for Lemeki’s arrival. She emerged from the aircraft, larger than life and full of personality, albeit slightly worse for wear.
Onlookers were captivated as she charged around, her curiosity leading her to interact with anyone who caught her fancy.
Lemeki’s arrival marked an unexpected addition to the Kaluku Field HQ, as she became the first neonate orphan they had to care for.
The team quickly set to work building proper stables for her, but in the meantime, she settled into a ground-floor office converted into her makeshift bedroom.
Contrary to expectations, Lemeki thrived initially, declaring herself “Queen of Kaluku” and ruling it as if it were her private kingdom. The team willingly became her loyal subjects, tending to her every need.
After Lemeki’s rescue, the team faced the sorrowful news of Dame Daphne Sheldrick’s passing. Lemeki emerged as a source of comfort and hope amid their grief, especially for Angela.
During their afternoon tea gatherings on the lawn, Lemeki would trek over to Angela, snuggling up in her lap, a heartwarming reminder of earlier times when orphaned elephants were cared for by Daphne. Through Lemeki, they found a new beginning.
Lemeki, their forever optimist, brought sunshine into their lives. Unlike most female elephants known for their seriousness, Lemeki resembled Wendi – lively, noisy, and a complete jester.
She craved attention and would go to great lengths to ensure she got it. Ignoring her wasn’t an option; she would escalate her theatrics until she became impossible to overlook.
Her infectious personality drew various creatures towards her. In her early days at Kaluku, she adopted Neville Sheldrick’s newly hatched vulturine guineafowl.
Despite Neville’s efforts to nurture them, Lemeki claimed them as her own, and the chicks adored her in return.
When Lemeki moved to a new stable near Kaluku headquarters, the guineafowl followed and made themselves home on her rooftop.
As a result, Neville lost his flock, and to this day, Lemeki remains the leader of the guineafowl gang.
Lemeki was brought to them amidst a whirlpool of floodwaters, embodying the force of nature in the form of an elephant.
Her remarkable and larger-than-life personality has left a lasting impression on all who cross her path.
Presently, she reigns as the queen of Kaluku, but her rule will extend over all of Tsavo. The beginning of this extraordinary elephant’s reign is just the start of an incredible journey.
