Little Baraka survived a poacher’s snare around her head, only to fall victim to the 2022 drought. Her name means ‘blessing’ in Swahili — a fitting tribute to how fortunate she was to escape two life-threatening hurdles.

Baraka’s story with us began at the height of the 2022 drought, which had a devastating effect on Tsavo’s elephant population. The old and the weak struggled the most, particularly the milk-dependent calves who were also beginning to rely on vegetation to supplement their diet. There was simply a shortage of food, and the young lacked the skills and strength to find it.

On 11th October 2022, Mwatate Sisal Estate reported an orphaned elephant calf on their land. She was young — about 18 months old — and desperately weak. There was no trace of her family or any other wild elephants in the area. The calf had clearly been alone and without food for some time: she was emaciated, dehydrated, and looked resigned to her fate.

With drought victims, time is of the essence. A team of Keepers mobilised to the scene, loaded the orphan into their vehicle, and rushed her to the nearby Voi stockades. They immediately carried her into a quiet stable and placed her on IV drips — and not a moment too soon. The little calf was on her last reserves, and these drips very likely saved her life.

We were heartbroken to discover that Baraka had faced even greater trauma as a baby. Both her ears were maimed, with deep cuts running lengthwise from the bottom. Although the scars had long healed, the culprit was self-evident: Her head had clearly gotten caught in a poacher’s snare when she was younger. Baraka was lucky to survive such a grisly snaring, but not before enduring unimaginable fear, pain, and suffering.

Baraka arrived just as the Voi dependent orphans were returning home for the day. Tamiyoi went over to greet her, extending a warm, welcoming trunk touch to offer the young calf some reassurance. Over the next two months, she slowly recovered and decompressed in the stockade compound. Baraka was an unusually flighty orphan — no doubt due to the harm she had suffered at the hands of poachers — and needed time to build trust.

As the youngest of the ‘Voi Kids’ rescued during the drought, Baraka quickly became a favourite among our older girls. Godoma has adopted her as her honorary daughter, caring for her with touching devotion. For an orphan who has lost so much, this bond has been an anchor for Baraka. One afternoon, as the orphans walked out to browse, Baraka started at the front of the herd. However, as soon as she realised Godoma wasn’t with her, she turned back and trumpeted in alarm. In response, not only Godoma, but also Tamiyoi, Mbegu, and Sagala, ran over and clustered around the calf, cocooning her in trunk hugs.

Baraka is also the shyest of the Voi Kids, which is understandable given her history. However, it is abundantly clear that she feels happy and at home with us. We see signs every day: how she closes her eyes in contentment when sandwiched between Godoma and her other nannies; how she partners up with little Busara for best friend browsing sessions; how she relaxes with Ashanti atop the dust pile; or how she watches admiringly as the other orphans showboat in the mud bath.

Now, this little orphan, who nearly lost everything, will grow up knowing the love of a family — and when she is ready, she will reclaim her rightful place among Tsavo’s wild elephants.