Scooter came into our world in October 2021. During a routine patrol, the SWT/KWS Canine Unit found a tiny warthog piglet cowering in the bush. Aya, our tracker dog, showed a fleeting interest in the creature. However, the team knew that such a young orphan would not last long on her own. Nestled in the crook of a ranger’s arm, Scooter made her way to our Kaluku Field Headquarters.

Initially, Scooter seemed like a wallflower — but this illusion lasted all of a week! Once she realised that she was safe, her meek facade dissolved and the full force of Scooter was unleashed. Her flat snout tilted towards the sky, she patrolled the Kaluku compound with a chorus of croaky snorts. Scooter was bossy, bold, and utterly enchanting. Everyone was in her thrall, from Mkubwa the buffalo to Apollo the rhino to the entire orphaned elephant herd. Mayan, who delights in chasing around the smaller orphans, often set his sights on Scooter. Far from being intimidated by the elephant barreling towards her, she would nonchalantly trot off with her tail held aloft.

Scooter was a real ringleader, so her life became exponentially more exciting when a minion entered her orbit. Kwale, an orphaned hartebeest, was rescued just a few days after Scooter. They were the perfect duo: For as demanding as Scooter was, Kwale was always content to go with the flow. They trotted around Kaluku step in step, getting up to all sorts of mischief.

Warthogs earn their fittingly boorish reputation, particularly as they get older. Scooter was no different and delighted in tormenting the orphaned antelope at Kaluku. As her manners continued to devolve, we wondered if she might be ready for broader horizons. So, in March 2021, we moved Scooter to Kenze, neighbouring our Umani Springs Reintegration Unit in the Kibwezi Forest. Not only is Kenze an Anti-Poaching Team base, but it is also where we raise many non-elephant orphans rescued from the Chyulu ecosystem. Given that Kenze was a hive of activity, but with far less four-legged friends to hassle, we hoped it would be a perfect home for Scooter.

Initially, Kenze seemed to agree with Scooter. She quickly ascended to Queen of the Kibwezi Forest and recruited all the anti-poaching rangers as her new minions. She relished all the action and was never without a friend by her side. However, after about a month in Kenze, it became apparent that she was missing her original home at Kaluku. To the casual observer, she looked perfectly happy, but we could tell that she was not herself.

We always referred to Scooter’s sojourn at Kenze as her term at finishing school. She returned to Kaluku with better manners, but still the same bossy warthog we knew and loved. The timing of her return was also serendipitous: Shortly thereafter, we rescued a second orphaned warthog, named Sprite. We wondered how Scooter would react to a new addition — after all, she loved to be the star of the show. Much to our delight, however, Scooter proved to be incredibly maternal. She was obsessed with Sprite and treated her like a daughter, protectively shepherding her around and burrowing up with her at night.

And so things continued for the next six months. Then, in mid-November, disaster struck when Scooter broke her rear leg. Warthogs have spindly limbs, and she was not one to lead a sedate life. As soon as we were aware of the injury, we put her in a stable. She was joined by her little sidekick, Sprite, who was a very attentive nurse.

Hoping for a miracle, we flew in KWS vet Dr Poghon to attend to her. Warthogs are notoriously tricky to sedate and treat, and Dr Poghon was very guarded in his prognosis, noting that hers was a tricky break. However, we were determined to leave no stone unturned, and attempted to set her leg in plaster of paris.

Sadly, our last-ditch effort proved futile. Far from healing, it soon became clear that Scooter was in great discomfort. A follow-up visit from the vet confirmed our worst fears: Scooter’s break was not improving, and she was feeling its effects keenly. Following his advice, we made the heart-breaking decision to humanely end her suffering.

Scooter was one of those little characters who sticks with you for a lifetime. She was a reminder that every creature, no matter how big or how small, should be cherished. It is impossible to come to terms with the fact that we will no longer see her trotting around Kaluku in her signature, sassy manner. Scooter’s time on earth was cut short, but we believe she is in a better place now, taking charge with her singular panache.

These are some of our favourite photos of Scooter. We will never forget her.