A heartwarming story of resilience and friendship has emerged in the arid landscapes of Kenya’s Mathews Mountain Range.

On September 14th, the Northern Rangelands Trust alerted us to a young elephant calf in the remote Kitich Forest Camp, nestled amidst the scenic Mathews Range.

Watch the video at the end.

This calf, estimated to be about one and a half years old, was notably small and bore tiny tusks.

While the details of his journey before this moment remain a mystery, it’s plausible that he had grown too weak to keep up with his herd, or perhaps his mother had fallen victim to the unfortunate human-wildlife conflicts that often escalate during droughts.

The plight of this young calf touched our hearts deeply, and we knew immediate action was required to ensure his survival.

Transporting him from the Kitich Camp to our Nairobi Nursery proved challenging due to its location.

When he arrived, the elephant greeted our Keepers in exhaustion and fragility, raising concerns about his prospects for recovery.

The sight of a calf seemingly having given up is always disconcerting, as their will to survive plays a crucial role in their rehabilitation.

Nevertheless, our dedicated team had successfully nursed many elephants back to health, even those lacking the strength to fight for themselves.

To honor his place of origin, we named the fragile newcomer “Kitich.” During his initial days at the Nursery, Kitich’s condition deteriorated, consistent with our experience with drought-affected animals.

Yet, we also know that improvement often follows a period of worsening health.

In the days leading up to Kitich’s arrival, we had the privilege of rescuing two other remarkable elephant females – Weka from Tsavo East National Park and Muwingu from Laikipia. These two gentle giants, like Kitich, were victims of the prevailing drought conditions.

Their bond was evident from the outset, and their friendship became a vital source of strength during their vulnerable initial weeks with us.

Weka and Muwingu, known for their spirited nature, provided much-needed encouragement to the frail Kitich.

With round-the-clock care from our devoted Keepers, Kitich began to show signs of recovery, thanks in no small part to the support of his newfound friends.

Today, Kitich, Weka, and Muwingu find solace and companionship in each other’s company as they spend their days peacefully browsing and observing the activities of the Nursery herd from a distance.

Their heartwarming bond is a testament to the resilience of these magnificent creatures. This, however, is just the beginning of Kitich’s remarkable journey.

In the few weeks since his arrival, he has made incredible strides towards recovery, leaving us confident that he will continue to thrive in the years ahead.

Canidae Pet Food Reviews: An In-Depth Look

Choosing the right pet food is crucial for the health and well-being of our furry friends. In this blog post, we'll delve deep into Canidae pet food, a popular choice among pet owners, and provide an in-depth review based on various sources.

Canidae is a well-known brand in the pet food industry, offering a range of products designed to cater to pets of all ages, breeds, and sizes.

Product Range:

Canidae All-Life Stages (Dry): This vet-formulated product suits dogs of all ages, breeds, and sizes. It's available in both dry and wet formulas.
Canidae Pure: A limited-ingredient diet crafted for dogs with food sensitivities. Each recipe typically includes 7 to 10 ingredients.

Key Ingredients

The Canidae All Life Stages Multi Protein Formula, which represents the brand's product line, contains ingredients like chicken meal, turkey meal, brown rice, peas, oatmeal, and barley. Chicken meal, the primary ingredient, is a meat concentrate with nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.

Recalls and Safety

Canidae has had recalls in the past. It's essential to stay updated with the brand's recall history to ensure your pet's safety.

Customer Reviews

The Canidae Dog Food product line has earned an overall rating of 4.5 stars from The Dog Food Advisor. The Canidae All Life Stages Dog Food has received the Advisor's second-highest tier rating of 4.5 stars.

Pros and Cons:

Pros: High protein content, suitable for all life stages, contains beneficial ingredients like flaxseed and taurine.
Cons: It contains some controversial ingredients, and not all minerals are chelated, which might affect absorption.

Conclusion

Canidae All Life Stages is a grain-inclusive dry dog food that uses a notable amount of named meat meals as its primary source of animal protein. With an above-average protein content and a profile suggesting a significant amount of meat, it comes highly recommended for pet owners.