Tassia's Story

This 9 month old bull calf was found all alone by three Samburu herdsmen during the morning of 26th March, 2009 as they were herding their cattle in the arid scrub Acacia country of their tribal land in an area known as Olchurai. He was near a hill known as Ntalabani where there has been a marked upsurge in poaching for ivory of late, ever since Chinese construction workers arrived to work on the roads of the area. With only the remains of the dead around and no sign of any living elephants nearby, it is probable that this calf is yet another victim of ivory poaching, fortunate to have been found by some ele friendly tribesmen, who reported his whereabouts to the Headquarters of the nearby Il Ngwezi Conservancy. They sought the assistance of Lewa Downs to help capture the calf and transport him to the nearest airfield which happened to be the one near Tassia Lodge, there to await the arrival of the rescue plane. The care and concern shown by his rescuers for his well being was most touching.