Her story began in Korbesa, on the northeastern boundary of Meru National Park. It is a remote area with little infrastructure, ensconced in thick vegetation and anchored by a large well that was built many years ago. This well serves as the only water source in the vicinity and is used by humans, livestock, and wildlife alike. The KWS Korbesa Base sits on one side, the community on the other. 

In the dead of night, on 23rd August 2023, KWS rangers heard elephants making a great commotion. At first light, they went to investigate. Their patrol ended at the Korbesa well — and much to their surprise, they found a tiny elephant calf staring at them from inside.

Clearly, the calf had fallen in the night prior. While many modern wells are built with greater consideration, traditional wells can be a death trap for young elephants. Deep and steep, stout legs are unable to clamber to safety. This calf was young — a few days old, at most — and had no chance of getting out on her own.

The rangers jumped inside the well and hefted out the calf. As soon as she was on firm ground, they called the SWT/KWS Meru Mobile Vet Unit to assess the calf as they monitored the situation. They kept her close to the well, hoping that her mother would return for her. Two hours passed, and no elephants were seen nor heard.

By the time the Vet Unit arrived, the little elephant was absolutely spent. She was suffering from acute exhaustion, but was also so stressed from her ordeal that she could not relax. Dr Aminga gave her fluids, glucose, and water, which had an immediate effect. Bolstered by fluids, she soon drifted into a deep slumber. The team laid her on a mattress, so she could rest comfortably.

The team waited in the area for two more hours in the hopes that the calf’s mother would return. When it became clear that a reunion was not on the cards, KWS called for a rescue. The SWT Caravan flew to Meru with a Keeper onboard. Meanwhile, the team drove with the elephant calf to Kinna airstrip, which took another hour by road.

Throughout it all, the little elephant remained fast asleep. She had exhausted every ounce of energy in the well and finally allowed herself to rest. In fact, the team had to wake her up when it was time to put her on the airplane!

Given her precarious age and the expected complications that come with well victims, the little orphan was brought to our Kaluku Neonate Nursery, where she would be under Angela Sheldrick’s watchful eye. The journey to Tsavo was uneventful. The calf was already hooked on her Keeper and spent the flight wedged between his legs. She curiously stared out the plane window, watching the landscape unfold beneath her.

We named the orphan Korbessa, to forever connect her to her origins. Korbessa was put into a stable next to Toto. Although Toto is 18 months her senior — effectively making him her ‘big brother’ — it immediately became clear who the boss was. In fact, we all became Korbessa’s subjects!

Right from the start, Korbessa established herself as the queen of Kaluku. Half bemused, half shocked, we found ourselves ruled by a tiny, bossy elephant who unequivocally ran the show and who demanded her Keepers’ undivided attention at all times. One of her favourite tricks was ‘jailbreaking’ Toto from his bedroom, ambling over to his stable door and deftly undoing the latch. Just to be sure Toto remembered who was in charge, she was equally fond of shutting him inside!

We assigned Joseph, a gifted young Keeper, to be Korbessa’s primary carer. Joseph, ably assisted by Jonas, Sammy, and Simon, have devoted countless hours to Korbessa’s care. Raising a neonate elephant is very, very tricky. Inevitably, they struggle — especially during the teething stage, which is notoriously fraught for orphans. Korbessa was not spared these challenges and lost a lot of condition as her molars came in.

But Korbessa is a fighter. You could see the resolve in her face, as she forged ahead even during her most precarious times, fuelled by her love for her Keepers. She started eating greens at a very young age — even before she had teeth, she muddled them around in her mouth — which was an enormous help. In fact, Korbessa was defensive of her greens that she refused to let any of the other orphans approach a bush, tree, or branch that she deemed hers.

Korbessa is absolutely obsessed with her bedroom. It is easy to understand why: Her Keepers have turned it into a palace fit for a queen. The radio is often playing (Korbessa is a big fan of Kenyan musicians), with fresh greens hanging in place and a soft mattress just waiting to become a little elephant’s throne.

Even as youngsters, female orphans tend to be quite businesslike. But Korbessa is an affectionate little extrovert. She adores her Keepers and wants to be attached at the hip. When they are sitting down, she tries to plant herself in their laps. When they are sleeping in their bunks, she tugs at their mosquito net with her trunk. Should a Keeper leave her sight, she greets his return with deep purrs of excitement, as if it has been weeks — not minutes — since she last saw him. Korbessa is also eager to make new friends and embraces everyone she meets with her whole heart.

Joseph calls Korbessa his ‘little frog'. While she is not green in colour, she is such a fan of eating greens that she may as well be! Like her amphibious cousins, she loves water. Mud, puddles, water troughs — it is all fair game for our little frog. But perhaps her most frog-like quality is the way she plops down on her belly, front legs splayed out. It is not a position usually preferred by elephants, but Korbessa is no ordinary elephant.

It is a rare privilege to be part of an elephant’s journey from the very beginning. Korbessa was only a few days old when fate left her orphaned, but now she has her entire life ahead of her. Only time will tell her future — again, we predict she will become a matriarch in the fullness of time — but we will be there to support her, look after her, and love her every step of the way.