Kitiak's Story

Much of Kitiak’s story remains a mystery, but troubling signs hint at the trauma he went through. His story as an orphan began on 5th November 2022, when a lone calf was reported in the Mara.

Like Elerai, who we rescued a few weeks prior, Kitiak painted a deceiving picture: He was young yet with fairly large tusks which initially gave the impression that he was a much older elephant than in fact he was. Upon closer inspection, however, our SWT/KWS Mara Mobile Vet Unit concluded he was actually far too young to be on his own.

More troubling were the injuries on his body. Human-wildlife conflict is a pressing challenge in the Mara, and our teams have become all-too-familiar with its signs. They quickly recognised the punctures as arrow wounds.

We will never know Kitiak’s full story or how he became orphaned. We think perhaps he lost his family in the same incident of human-wildlife conflict that left him wounded, or it is also possible that he ran into trouble during his lonely days in the Mara.

Kitiak's Story

Much of Kitiak’s story remains a mystery, but troubling signs hint at the trauma he went through. His story as an orphan began on 5th November 2022, when a lone calf was reported in the Mara.

Like Elerai, who we rescued a few weeks prior, Kitiak painted a deceiving picture: He was young yet with fairly large tusks which initially gave the impression that he was a much older elephant than in fact he was. Upon closer inspection, however, our SWT/KWS Mara Mobile Vet Unit concluded he was actually far too young to be on his own.

More troubling were the injuries on his body. Human-wildlife conflict is a pressing challenge in the Mara, and our teams have become all-too-familiar with its signs. They quickly recognised the punctures as arrow wounds.

We will never know Kitiak’s full story or how he became orphaned. We think perhaps he lost his family in the same incident of human-wildlife conflict that left him wounded, or it is also possible that he ran into trouble during his lonely days in the Mara.

In consultation with the KWS and Mara management, the decision was made to rescue the young calf. Despite his not-insignificant size, the entire operation went smoothly. He was driven to Olare Motorogi airstrip, where an aircraft scooped him up and flew him to Nairobi.

While Kitiak’s future will now unfold in Nairobi and later in the Tsavo ecosystem, we will never forget his beginnings in the Mara. He was rescued along a seasonal stream called Ntiakitiak, hence his name Kitiak, which will forever connect him to his origins.

Kitiak is a stoic and independent bull. He can be quite shy and submissive at times, allowing younger bulls like Mukutan and Taabu to have the upper hand when playing, despite the fact that he could easily out-muscle them. Perhaps he will become more dominant as time passes, or perhaps he is docile by nature — only time will tell. He has become good friends with Ahmed and Elerai, and the trio can often be found browsing quietly in the forest. For a calf who came from such fraught beginnings, it is wonderful to see Kitiak today, at peace and surrounded by friends.

Adopt Kitiak for yourself or as a gift.

Adopt Kitiak for yourself or as a gift.

Current Age

4 years old

Gender

Male

Rescued date

5 November 2022

Rescue Location

Maasai Mara, Olare Motorogi Conservancy

Date of Birth (approximate)

9 April 2020

Reason Orphaned

Unknown

Age at Rescue

2 years old (approx)

Current Location

Living Wild

Kitiak'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 Kitiak the gift of life by adopting today.

Latest updates featuring Kitiak

A Serendipitous Reunion With Kitiak

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Ahmed, Tingai, and Taabu Graduate to Ithumba

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Rafiki, Kitiak, and Elerai Graduate to Ithumba

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Kitiak's latest photos

Kitiak, Elerai and Rafiki in the truck

Elerai and Kitiak

Kitiak

Elerai and Kitiak

Kitiak in the forest

Rafiki, Tingai and Kitiak in the training truck

Ahmed, Rafiki and Kitiak in the truck

Little Shujaa with big bull Kitiak