It was a momentous occasion for our organization when Lemeki and Thamana graduated from our Kaluku Neonate Nursery, becoming the first class to do so. Bid farewell to their home of almost four years, these two special orphans made their way to the Voi Reintegration Unit in Tsavo East National Park. It’s interesting to note that the founding member of our Kaluku Neonate Nursery herd, Lemeki, arrived amidst severe weather conditions that resulted in flooding. She was discovered by MEP scouts during a routine patrol in March of 2018, floating among the turbulent waters of the Mara River.
The full extent of Lemeki’s journey remains unknown, but her survival after braving the tumultuous river is nothing short of a miracle. However, her struggles did not end there as newborn elephants are highly susceptible to pneumonia when exposed to water for prolonged periods. Due to the severe flooding in Nairobi at that time, we had to modify our plans and transport Lemeki straight to our Kaluku Field HQ in Tsavo, where she could be sheltered from the elements in a warm and dry environment.
Lemeki and Thamana, who are childhood buddies, grew up together in our Kaluku Neonate Nursery. However, their journey commenced when KWS rangers discovered Thamana stranded in the middle of a drying waterhole during their regular patrol of the Voi River Circuit in Tsavo East National Park. The rangers came across a small elephant calf struggling in the waterhole’s center. It was evident that his family had attempted to rescue him but had no other option but to leave him behind. Luckily, the mud in the waterhole protected him from predators, and evidence showed that predators had tried to attack him but were hindered by the mud. Eight months later, Thamana joined Lemeki in the nursery, and ever since, the two elephants have been inseparable.
Following their three-year stay in Kaluku, the trio was prepared for the next step of their reintegration journey. During their time together, Thamana and Lemeki demonstrated opposite personalities – Thamana was a relaxed follower while Lemeki was more assertive and attention-seeking. However, over time, they grew close and became best friends regardless of their unique characteristics. As they both turned three years old, it was time to move forward with their integration process. Although this was a planned transition, it had to be postponed due to weather conditions, but in early January, the lush greenery of Voi welcomed them as its newest inhabitants.
The new members of the Voi community were warmly welcomed with a bottle of milk upon their arrival. To ensure that everyone was present and content, we took the entire Kaluku Neonate herd on an early morning trip to the airstrip. We knew that Lemeki, who typically remained close to her enclosure, would require some persuasion, so we made it a group outing. Luckily, Lemeki and Thamana had been preparing for this excursion for a few weeks and boarded the truck without issue. The journey was pleasant and Thamana enjoyed chatting with his favorite keeper, Joseph, while snacking on greens. In contrast, Lemeki was so at ease that she even drank a bottle of milk during the ride!
The group was overjoyed with the arrival of two new members. They arrived in Voi at 8:00 AM and since they were a different herd, precautions were taken to prevent any disturbance during their arrival. The new elephant named Lemeki was very friendly and made sure to introduce herself to all the Voi Keepers. Thamana, however, stayed close to Joseph but he managed the situation well. The Voi orphans were then introduced to the new friends in small groups, with Tagwa, Tamiyoi, and Sagala being the first to meet them. The entire herd then proceeded to the baobab tree for their afternoon milk and mud bath while continuing their introductions.
Upon her arrival, Lemeki wasted no time in introducing herself to Joseph and the rest of the Voi Keepers. It was evident that the other orphans had already informed them of her presence as she and Thamana rushed over for their milk without hesitation. Lemeki drank her bottle with great enthusiasm and immediately went back to socializing with the Keepers, oblivious to the fact that it was time to head down to the mud bath. In contrast, Thamana thoroughly enjoyed his time wallowing in the mud and taking a dip in the pool with his new friends. The pair quickly became popular among the orphans, with Tagwa, Tamiyoi, and Sagala showing a particular fondness for them. Mbegu, the mini matriarch of Voi, took a keen interest in Lemeki, while Ngilai and Ndotto showed a desire to have Thamana join their young bull group. Despite their newfound popularity, the pair might have to share their attention with the other orphans.
Ngilai and his gang of male elephants are thrilled at the prospect of adding Thamana to their boy band. The day was spent enjoying each other’s company, browsing and playing together. As the sun began to set, the herd led the newcomers back home. To ensure that Lemeki and Thamana, under the care of their Kaluku Keeper Joseph, settle in fully, they will remain at Voi for a few weeks. However, judging by how peaceful they slept on their first night, they are already at ease and comfortable.
This experience is a significant opportunity for both graduates. Lemeki, who was used to being a big fish in a small pond, will discover that there is a world beyond Kaluku. While she had always been independent, at Voi, she will benefit from older female guidance. On the other hand, Thamana will appreciate the support of a larger herd. The older female elephants will pamper him, while the male elephants will enjoy having a new sparring partner.
Lemeki and Thamana, along with their new companions and protectors, are exploring the daily routine of Voi. Their arrival coincided with a crucial transition at Voi, as Edie’s previous orphan herd returned and prompted many of our older partially independent orphans like Kenia, Ndii, and Tundani to follow them into the wild. This shift means that the next age group is now in charge, and with Lemeki and Thamana joining the team, there are now 18 orphaned elephants at Voi who still depend on us for support.
