The following is information on the Elephant Orphan named: ILINGWEZI  (foster now)

Latest Updates on ILINGWEZI:

• 4/26/2008 - Update on the Voi Unit Orphans
• 5/6/2007 - Female Orphans and their Suitors

View to Location map for ILINGWEZI (opens a new window)

Most Recent Keeper's Diary Entry: (view all the latest entries for ILINGWEZI)

10/24/2009 - There was a big rainstorm during the night, which filled up the red waterhole below the Headquarters, where the orphans were taken by their Keepers at noon, the Keepers being anxious to see whether the two youngsters, Tassia and Taveta, knew how to swim in such a large pool. However, the two youngsters, Tassia and Taveta, plunged right in, so there was nothing for the Keepers to worry about in this respect.

The day was marked by the return of Emily and her calf, Eve, who were spotted near the Voi Safari Lodge. Mishak, who knows Emily well, went with some other Keepers to try and bring Emily and her baby back to the Stockades because the calf was very weak and kept on lying down. All the lodge visitors were amazed to see the Keepers going up to and talking with a large elephant with a calf! Because little Eve was so weak, it took Mishak and the Keepers with him about 6 hours to get Emily and her baby safely back to the Stockades, where everything had been prepared for them - freshly cut greens, Dairy cubes and Copra cake to supplement Emily’s milk and nourish her weakened calf. As the calf became stronger over the next two days, it kept on trying to charge the Keepers, but was calmed down by Emily and soon seemed to understand that the Keepers were helping. Emily spent the next two days at the Stockades, feeding on all the supplements, and her calf quickly began to regain strength. She was delighted to greet the Stockade inhabitants and meet up again with Edie’s group. (She was later joined by Ilingwezi, Ndara, Sweet Sally and Loisaba as well as Laikipia.

The Two Latest Photos of ILINGWEZI: (view gallery of pictures for ILINGWEZI)

Ilingwezi is pushed to wake up by Natumi photo taken on 5/20/2005

ORPHAN PROFILE FOR: ILINGWEZI (foster now)

Zoom / Enlarge A female calf estimated to have been born in April 1999, this tiny female was only 2 weeks old when she was orphaned. She comes from the Il Ngwezi Group Ranch in Laikipia district, Northern Kenya, an area belonging to the Samburu tribe who have become conservation conscious and protect their wildlife for the benefit of visitors to their beautiful little self catering Lodge, which is a popular tourist destination. Revenue derived from tourism to the area benefits the community directly. Ilingwezi was rescued by the tribesmen, who herd an elephant commotion during the night and went out the next day to investigate. They found this tiny calf in a deep erosion gulley, signs of the other elephants' struggle to free her during the night very evident. She was unharmed, and flown to Nairobi that afternoon, arriving in good condition, one of the lucky few who has never needed the attentions of a Vet. The Il Ngwezi Group Ranch tribesmen were concerned about the future of "their" little elephant, so in the interests of public relations, they were flown to Nairobi to satisfy themselves that she was in good hands. They arrived, some dressed in tribal regalia, and spent the day with the Nursery elephants, thoroughly enjoying the experience. Daphne Sheldrick promised them that when their elephant left the Nursery to join the older orphans in Tsavo, they would be taken there to see her again. This promise was fulfilled in February 2001 when the man who actually rescued Ilingwezi, plus the Chief and Elders of the tribe joined Kenya Wildlife Service dignitaries and a Minister in the Office of the President to spend time with all the Tsavo orphans. Surrounded by about 25 orphaned elephants of all sizes, it was an experience none of them will ever forget, particularly as one of our Big Boys, 14 year old Dika, now independent, turned up unexpectedly, and greeted the people gently, towering over them. Ilingwezi is a gentle, playful elephant, whose best friend is Edie. She is a forceful character, who doesn't hesitate to put any of the others in their place should they displease her.

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