Burra's Story

There is a migration route, that the elephants have used down millennia, linking the population of Tsavo West to that of Tsavo East National Park, which now passes through dense human settlement and a tribe that has long been prone to setting wire snares to capture whoever passes, caught in a noose around the leg, the neck, the trunk, or whatever part of the body triggers the loop knot concealed on a game path.

Burra's Story

Burra was caught in a thick steel cable around the neck and behind one ear. The cable bit deep into the tender flesh around his throat, behind the back of his neck, trapping one ear, the noose tightening as his mother pulled him free, leaving him almost throttled, unable to lift his head, unable to feed, but still desperate to, somehow, try and live. His family were en route through the human habitation, desperate to meet up with others in the sanctity of Tsavo East National Park. They never made it, because they were driven back by Helicopter and gunshots, and this eight month old calf was, by now, too weak to keep abreast of his terrified, fleeing family. He fell behind, and it was clear that he had a problem, so those in the Helicopter landed, captured him, and saw the extent of the problem, and the reason for it - a snare that had almost severed three quarters of his ear, cut the back of his neck, and his throat, inhibiting his feeding. He was emaciated, starving and weakened by the time he was found.

The snare was removed, though not without difficulty, (and a great deal of pain), and he was taken to the Sheldrick Trust Orphans' Night Stockades in Tsavo East National Park, and later bought up to the Sheldrick Trust nursery in Nairobi National Park.

Burra is an ex-orphan will bull now who does not frequent the stockades often, especially since the death of his friend, Mweiga, when she died in 2007 due to a heart condition. He has been seen a few times in extremely good health, usually with Emily's ex-orphan herd.

Adopt Burra for yourself or as a gift.

Adopt Burra for yourself or as a gift.

Current Age

23 years old

Gender

Male

Rescued date

15 December 2001

Rescue Location

Tsavo Ecosystem, Taita Ranches

Date of Birth (approximate)

1 May 2001

Reason Orphaned

Poaching

Age at Rescue

7 months old (approx)

Current Location

Living Wild

Burra's featured photos

Our digital adoption programme includes the following:

Personalised adoption certificate.

Monthly email update on your orphan and the project.

Monthly watercolour by Angela Sheldrick.

Access to special content; latest Keepers' Diaries, videos and photos

Give Burra the gift of life by adopting today.

Latest updates featuring Burra

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The Rescue of Ashanti

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Burra's latest photos

Burra returns to the stockade

Burra wrestling with a wild friend

Burra and Laikipia enjoying some Copra cake

Burra coming down the hill

Burra at the stockade

Burra following Dabassa

Burra left playing with Siria

Burra