Musau began working with The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in 1989 and has been with us for 27 years. When he died of a sudden heart attack while out with the Voi orphans in the morning hours of the 21st March, it left our team completely stunned and shocked. Musau gave himself the nickname ‘Channel 0’, making fun of the fact that he had never gone to school, and struggled to read or write as a result. His lack of formal education did not prevent him from becoming one of our most effective and efficient elephant Keepers. His greatest legacy is perhaps the fact that he was liked by everybody within the system including the Kenya Wildlife Service personnel. As one of our longest serving Keepers, he had the advantage of being familiar with many of our early elephant orphans who are now living wild.

Joseph Musau Mule died quite suddenly, sitting on a rock on Msinga Hill while surveying the scene below him, miles and miles of unspoilt Africa with his Voi dependent elephant charges browsing beneath. He quite suddenly fell backwards, suffering from a massive heart attack and, by the time his colleagues rushed to his side, they found no pulse. It is the lucky few who have such an end, but in Musau’s case it came far too early for he was only in his 40’s. He is survived by his wife and three children, a 16 year old daughter and two sons aged 15 and 8.  His long-standing service leaves an irreplaceable void and he will be sorely missed by both his human and elephant friends.  Safari Njema ‘Channel 0’ and rest in peace – your long and loyal service will never be forgotten. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust has setup a family fund to allow for contributions to be made in support of Joseph’s wife and children. Any donation made to the fund will be directed to assisting the family with their costs of living and educational needs for the children. Should you wish to contribute to the fund, please follow this link: http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/is/donate_now_family_support.asp