After a long day in the bush, the orphans had returned home for the night. The stockade area was starting to wind down, as visiting ex-orphans and wild elephants trickled back into the Tsavo wilderness. Mutara and her ex-orphan group stopped briefly for water, before returning from whence they came.

Only Chaimu remained behind, loitering near the water trough. The Keepers thought she was behaving strangely, pacing back and forth and lifting her legs. Darkness was falling, but they stood vigil outside, knowing that a special delivery must be imminent.

Sure enough, without preamble, a little bundle dropped from Chaimu. She immediately started fussing over the calf, using her trunk to inspect him and coax him to his feet. This is Chaimu’s first baby, but she knew exactly what to do.

Out of the gloom, as if on cue, Ambo materialised. The eight-year-old bull had evidently gotten wind that an exciting event had just taken place. He made a beeline for the pair and trailed after them, clearly angling for an introduction. Chaimu promptly expelled him from the scene — his presence was not welcome at that juncture!

But Chaimu was very happy for the Keepers who raised her to meet her baby. They took up residence by the lucerne feeding point, just outside the stockades. The Keepers kept their distance, but laid out lucerne and range cubes for the new mum to enjoy while her baby nursed.

A little over an hour later, a fantastic fanfare of trumpets exploded through the darkness. It was Mutara’s herd, all terribly excited to welcome the little one to the world. They ensconced mum and baby, then ushered them into the wilderness.

We have named Chaimu’s baby — a little boy — Chapa, in keeping with the ‘Cha’ family.

The following morning, Chaimu and Chapa returned to the stockades in the company of Kinna, Kama, Olare, Ola, Sagateisa, Ukamu, Mulika, and Mkuu. Chaimu appeared confident and competent in her new role. Chapa is plump, active, and utterly loved.

This morning, Chaimu and Chapa again visited the stockades. A short while later, Mutara’s group arrived with an explosion of trumpets. In the excitement, they momentarily forgot about Mambo, Mutara’s baby and the apple of her group’s collective eye, as they converged around baby Chapa. This was not their first meeting, but their enthusiasm hasn’t died down! Ukamu appears to be Chapa’s main nanny. Dependent orphans Naleku and Surugoi also hopefully volunteered their nannying services, but Chaimu turned them away — she has more than enough help.

This is but the latest chapter in our story with Chaimu, which has spanned some 15 years and counting. Orphaned when she was just an infant, she then travelled more than 20 kilometres on her own, perhaps searching for her family or hiding from whatever trauma had taken them from her in the first place. When she arrived at the Nursery, Chaimu was terribly suspicious and frightened of people. We worked very hard to earn her trust.

To compare the fearful young calf we rescued to the self-assured elephant we see today is a stark study in contrasts. Chaimu has always been an excellent nanny, first at the Nursery, then at Ithumba, and more recently in her wild life. We know that she will be an even better mother.

Chapa is the 62nd known calf born to an orphan we rescued, raised, and reintegrated back into the wild. He is but the latest in a family tree that continues to grow, all because of a life saved. There are several pregnant ex-orphans around Ithumba, and in the coming months, we expect many more happy arrivals to join the creche.

Chapa doesn't know it, but his mother is an international ambassador for elephant conservation. Chaimu is one of two African elephants (and SWT orphans!) featured in the Great Elephant Migration, a travelling art installation of 100 life-size elephant sculptures dedicated to raising funds for non-profit conservation organisations and fostering awareness about the challenges wildlife face. Chaimu’s likeness is travelling across the United States on this special mission, while she raises the next generation of elephants here in Kenya.

Learn more about the Great Elephant Migration