In December, Mukutan, Choka, and Loldaiga began their graduation training. At four years old, they were Nairobi’s eldest boys, and it had become evident that they were outgrowing the Nursery phase. Not only were they growing bigger and burlier, but they had also started to distance themselves from the nuclear Nursery herd, making it clear that they were ready to broaden their horizons.

Preparations begin by feeding the orphans their milk bottles in the translocation truck that will eventually bring them to Tsavo. As usual, the first few days were tricky, but by the week’s end, all three boys were old hands. In fact, Mukutan became so comfortable with the truck — or, more accurately, the tasty milk he knew waited within — that he took to nipping back looking for extra helpings in between practice sessions!

Funnily enough, the practice sessions attracted an unexpected volunteer: Greedy little Pardamat, who never misses an extra treat, quickly cottoned on to the fringe benefits of graduation training. One afternoon, Choka snuck back to the translocation truck in search of extra pellets. He was shadowed by a small friend — Pardamat! To our great surprise, Pardamat strode aboard without even a backward glance. The cheeky bull grabbed a trunkful of pellets and ran back to the forest! Pardamat may have enjoyed his stolen spoils, but at just two years old, it will be some time yet before he is ready to start thinking about graduation.

Meanwhile, our big boys were more than ready for the move. The rains fell generously in Ithumba this season, transforming it into a very accommodating environment for new graduates. In the early hours of 11th January, we shepherded Mukutan, Choka, and Loldaiga into their now-familiar translocation truck. All three boys boarded without complaint, their minds on one thing and one thing only: the milk bottles they knew they would enjoy once inside their compartments!

From there, everyone enjoyed an uneventful drive to Tsavo. Several senior Keepers accompanied the boys on their journey, stopping at regular intervals to give them milk and fresh greens. Mukutan, Choka, and Loldaiga remained calm, cool, and collected throughout, enjoying all the extra treats and showing no signs of distress.

At nine o’clock on the dot, the translocation truck pulled into Ithumba, in the northern sector of Tsavo East National Park. Head Keeper Benjamin and the other Ithumba Keepers were ready and waiting to welcome their newest additions. The boys strolled out of the truck and glanced around before enjoying a celebratory milk bottle. After that, they headed down to the water trough while their new herd made their way over.

We had assembled a welcoming party of dependent orphans, but as usual, the elephants have the final word! Much to our surprise, ex-orphans Olare, baby Ola, Nabulu, Olsekki, and Ndiwa materialised just as the boys disembarked from the trunk. It never ceases to amaze us how the wild-living orphans are able to intuit the arrival of new graduates — we hadn’t seen Olare and co. for a few weeks, so it was as if she visited expressly to head the welcoming committee.

Mayan and Vaarti, who up until that morning had been the babies of Ithumba, followed closely behind. They clearly wanted to catch a glimpse of the newcomers and size up the competition. Mayan looked agitated upon meeting the new arrivals, knowing that he would no longer be considered a new baby of the herd and would be moved up to Group Two.

We were impressed by Loldaiga’s bravery, as he challenged Sattao and later Olorien. Shortly after, the newcomers were escorted to the browsing field. Nabulu showed great interest in Loldaiga, while Ndiwa tried to win over Mukutan. Choka played a pushing game with Roho before boldly leading the way into Kone Dam, where the trio cooled off with their new family.

After a day of browsing, milk bottles, and refreshing swims, the boys were shown to their new bedroom. In the days following, they have proven to be quick studies, learning Ithumba’s routes and routines with remarkable ease. Choka is turning out to be quite an extrovert, even inviting Olare’s baby, Ola, to play with him, while Mukutan and Loldaiga seem more interested in friends their own age. Aside from Mayan’s initial disgruntlement, everyone has been very kind and welcoming.

Mukutan, Choka, and Loldaiga endured great hardship before they came into our care. All three were victims of the drought and related human-wildlife conflict. Mukutan, the first of the trio, was rescued in November 2021. Discovered hiding in a cornfield, he came to us unusually terrified and aggressive — a hint at the trauma he must have endured.

Choka was rescued just four days later. He was found huddled by the body of his fallen mother, who had succumbed to the terrible drought that gripped Tsavo at the time. Given Choka’s skeletal condition, he wouldn’t have been far behind her. Fortunately, the heartbreaking sight caught the eye of passing tourists, and we were able to reach him in time.

Loldaiga was rescued almost exactly two years ago, in January 2023. He had been observed on his own for about a week and was clearly struggling. It is possible that he lost his mother, either to the drought or interlinked human-wildlife conflict, or that he became too weak to keep up with his herd and was abandoned.

Rewilding is a gradual and individual journey that unfolds at an orphan’s chosen path. Over the coming months and years, Mukutan, Choka, and Loldaiga will shadow older friends and learn the ways of their wild kin, until they feel ready to reclaim their place in the wild. We will be there to support them every step of the way, as they embark on this new chapter and beyond.