Releasing orphaned animals into the wild is a common practice at the Voi and Ithumba Reintegration Units. However, this had not yet happened at the Umani Springs unit. But, there’s exciting news! In this article, we will share the story of our latest release, whom we fondly call the ‘Lone Ranger.’ – Written by Angela Sheldrick.
A tragic event took place in Amboseli back in 2014 when a female elephant named Zombe became dangerously sick and isolated from her herd. This left her alone with her calf, who was solely dependent on her milk. It was a heart-wrenching sight to see as the team from SWT/KWS Sky Vets flew in to treat Zombe but found no apparent injuries or illnesses. Despite administering antibiotics, there was no improvement, and three weeks later, Zombe collapsed in a waterhole. Her calf remained by her side, bravely attempting to fend off hungry hyenas. In response, Sky Vets and Keepers mobilized quickly, but sadly, it was too late to save Zombe. Her calf fought hard to protect her, but eventually, it succumbed to the inevitable fate.
The team stumbled upon Zombe who was partially submerged in water and struggling to breathe. Her calf was visibly scared and confused as he stood by her side. Sadly, the KWS veterinarian concluded that there was no hope for recovery from her mysterious ailment, forcing them to put her out of her misery. As Zombe took her final breath, emotions ran high. Nonetheless, her calf’s journey was just beginning. We decided to name him “Ziwa,” which means waterhole in Swahili, an appropriate name given the location where his fate was sealed.
Ziwa was a typical elephant calf from Amboseli with impressive size and strength. Despite his short stay in our Nursery, he quickly progressed to our Ithumba Reintegration Unit where he happily mingled with other wild herds. Unfortunately, Ziwa’s condition took a turn for the worse as he began to show signs of lethargy and slowed down significantly. Things got worse to the point where Ziwa collapsed, and I had no choice but to bring him back to the Nursery for closer veterinary attention. Time was of the essence because of his fast growth rate, which meant he wouldn’t be able to fit in an airplane for much longer.
Ziwa came back to Nairobi effortlessly and settled into his Nursery bed as if he had never left. However, his physical health was still deteriorating despite his strong spirit. He had painful lesions and oedema, which led to the discovery of a blood parasite after running several tests. Although Ziwa was struggling with life-threatening challenges, he received remarkable veterinary care, which included a critical blood transfusion that ultimately saved his life. For months, Ziwa recovered in the nurturing environment of the Nursery and became a protective big brother to the younger female orphans, especially little Roi, who shared a room with him. Ziwa’s bravery and persistence were a testament to his exceptional nature and made him a cherished member of the herd, just like how he once protected his mother.
Ziwa was all set to embark on the next leg of his journey. After recovering from his health issues, we sought out a serene location that could cater to any residual vulnerabilities. As luck would have it, we stumbled upon the perfect destination in the Kibwezi Forest. Our Reintegration Unit, Umani Springs, had been established around ten months ago with the aim of providing support to two orphaned elephants, Murera and Sonje, who had permanent injuries. We were aware that rewilding them in the right environment would enable them to flourish as wild elephants. The Kibwezi Forest, which is adjacent to Chyulu Hills National Park, offered a secure sanctuary where food and water were easily available.
Umani Springs provided a loving and caring home not only for physically disabled orphans but also for those who needed an environment to thrive. One of these orphans was Ziwa, a young male elephant who faced some health challenges. In April 2015, he was reunited with his former nursery mates, Faraja, Jasiri, and Ngasha, who had moved to Umani earlier that year. He also had the chance to meet older female elephants such as Lima Lima, Zongoloni, Quanza, Sonje, and Murera in Kibwezi Forest. The forest proved to be an ideal place for Ziwa as he quickly gained weight and filled out his cheeks and belly. With an increased appetite, he gained energy and could enthusiastically chase after his milk bottle alongside his fellow orphans.
Ziwa, the youngest elephant in the Umani herd, was given special treatment by the older female elephants like Murera and Sonje. However, things changed when Mwashoti and Alamaya joined the herd as younger bulls and replaced him. This made Ziwa resentful towards them and he expressed his emotions through minor physical confrontations. But this challenge proved to be a valuable opportunity for personal growth. With Sonje and Murera occupied with the younger boys, Ziwa was given the freedom to explore and socialize. He started playing with Faraja, Jasiri, and Ngasha and gradually positioned himself to become the leading bull in the group. When he exhibited signs of arrogance, the female elephants corrected his behavior and taught him the proper way to behave as an elephant. This discipline was crucial in helping Ziwa acquire essential skills that he missed out on as an orphaned elephant.
Unlike other young orphans, Ziwa didn’t show any fear towards the wild elephants. He was thrilled to make new friends in Kibwezi Forest and would introduce himself by dashing ahead of his herd. Ziwa quickly made friends with the elephants of the Kibwezi Forest and Chyulu Hills due to his improved elephant etiquette. In 2019, Ziwa along with Faraja, Ngasha, Zongoloni, and Jasiri started spending their nights out in the forest. They would eagerly wait for their morning milk bottles outside the stockades, filled with excitement from their nocturnal adventures. It was fascinating to witness how Ziwa, once the youngest member of the herd, became a competent ringleader – an unprecedented role at Umani as they were the first group without any older, wild-living orphans to guide them.
Ziwa, one of the semi-independent elephant orphans at the sanctuary, earned the nickname ‘Lone Ranger’ because of his independent nature. Unlike other semi-independent orphans who preferred to remain close to the dependent herd, Ziwa chose to explore on his own. Initially, he would be gone for a day, but gradually, he started wandering for weeks at a time. Despite his solitary tendencies, Ziwa remained sociable and often brought wild friends whenever he returned to meet the dependent herd.
These visits turned out to be fruitful for the other orphans as they got to expand their social circle. Ziwa always respected the matriarchs and introduced his friends to them before introducing them to the rest of the herd. As time went by, Ziwa became a vital link between the dependent orphans and the local wild elephant population.
As we previously discussed, reintroducing an orphan elephant into the wild isn’t a quick process. It takes time for the elephant to gain confidence and acquire knowledge. However, there was one significant moment that marked Ziwa’s official return to the wild elephant community in Kenya. One afternoon in October, a large bull elephant emerged from the trees and approached the Umani orphan elephants. The Keepers noticed his calm and collected demeanor as he greeted Zongoloni and Lima Lima with his trunk. They suspected it could be Ziwa, who had been absent for some time. Despite his rugged appearance, they weren’t entirely sure until they called out his name. The Keepers were overjoyed when Ziwa responded with a deep rumble, confirming his identity. Seeing the once vulnerable orphan standing before them as a majestic bull elephant filled the Keepers with immense pride.
Every now and then, the ‘Lone Ranger’ pays a visit to the Umani herd, which he considers his chosen family, just like he is devoted to his mother. Ziwa is fiercely protective of them and always makes sure to check on their well-being. Sometimes, he brings along a group of wild friends to the mud bath, while at other times, he remains hidden in the trees. It’s amazing how well Ziwa has blended in with the elephants of the Kibwezi Forest and Chyulu Hills. When he’s with his wild friends, you wouldn’t be able to tell that he was raised by humans.
A heartwarming twist came in Ziwa’s life as he recently found a small family herd to settle with. They have welcomed him with open arms and embraced him as one of their own after several years of getting to know different wild elephants.
Ziwa is the solitary male bull in his herd, save for a young calf. He has assimilated well into his new social group and relishes spending time with the dependent orphans and caretakers at Umani. Nevertheless, when the wild elephants begin to depart, he joins them promptly. Ziwa has always been protective of females, and it’s heartening that he has found a caring tribe to call home. It is speculated that these elephants could be his relatives since he was rescued from the Amboseli ecosystem. Even though his reintroduction journey has concluded, Ziwa’s existence is just commencing, and additional members of the Umani herd will soon follow suit. Despite braving numerous obstacles along the way, including calamity and health scares, Ziwa has ultimately discovered his niche while patrolling the Kenyan wilds as the Lone Ranger.
