Two Young Elephant Heroes Graduate to Lead Their Herd: A Moving Journey

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In a poignant moment, the relocation of Maisha and Nabulu to Ithumba marked a significant milestone in their lives.

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Graduating to matriarchal roles is a momentous achievement, especially for these two young female elephants who have cared for their younger peers.

Watch the video at the end.

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Despite their youth, they have already made significant contributions to the well-being of their fellow orphans.

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These graduation ceremonies are pivotal for young elephants returning to the wild.

Maisha, a distinguished member of the Nursery herd, was ready to take this significant step in her personal growth. The Ithumba Reintegration Unit in Tsavo East was chosen as her new home.

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Maisha’s rescue from Tsavo East during a devastating drought, which claimed the lives of many elephants, left her collapsed near a waterhole. After hours of being unresponsive, she made a remarkable recovery with the help of IV fluids.

Maisha’s transformation from a frail calf into a strong and caring leader has been astounding.

Her close friend Nabulu, orphaned in the Maasai Mara in 2019, also joined her in this graduation.

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It took some time for Nabulu to adjust, but she eventually became Maisha’s capable second-in-command.

Maisha was known for her gentle nature, while Nabulu had a no-nonsense approach. Together, they played vital roles in the Nursery.

On May 26th, Maisha, Nabulu, and their group set out for Ithumba, just two days after Kiasa, Kiombo, and Maktao left for Umani Springs.

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During practice sessions, Maisha hesitated to enter the largest elephant compartment, but she strode in confidently on a moving day.

Nabulu, on the other hand, required some encouragement with a milk bottle but eventually joined them.

Despite encountering several vehicles, they arrived at the Northern Tsavo East gate around 7:00 a.m. To prevent overwhelming the newcomers, they were offloaded without the entire herd present.

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The elephants were given time to explore their surroundings before being gradually introduced to small groups of orphans, starting with those they were familiar with from the Nursery.

After allowing Maisha and Nabulu to acclimate to their new home in Tsavo, they were introduced to four other elephants – Sattao, Musiara, Dololo, and Ambo.

The heartwarming sight of these elephants recognizing each other and joyfully trumpeting and trunk hugging was a delight.

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Ambo and Musiara’s warm welcome was particularly pleasing, as they were to share a room with Maisha and Nabulu in Class 1, which is reserved for the youngest elephants.

Maisha and Nabulu displayed unexpected confidence despite staying close to their keepers.

Kilaguni was the only ex-orphan present, and while the girls found her fascinating, they didn’t seem angry.

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Little Esampu made a few brash remarks, but Maisha appeared to overlook them as they had met in the Nursery.

Malkia also took an interest in the newcomers and stayed close, wrapping her trunk around theirs.

During the midday milk session at the mud bath, Maisha and Nabulu were in the fifth group. They observed the other orphan elephants and, taking cues, energetically enjoyed a mud bath. Without hesitation, they drank their milk and enthusiastically jumped into the waterhole.

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They played in the shallow end for a while before swimming to the opposite end, where the rest of the group was.

Despite the chilly weather, Maisha and Nabulu fully embraced the water, splashing around eagerly, demonstrating their readiness for the next stage of their development.

Though they struggled to exit the mud bath from a challenging spot, it was evident that Maisha and Nabulu were still gaining experience.

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Nonetheless, they climbed up the bank and spent the rest of the day joyfully socializing with familiar and unfamiliar faces.

As night descended, they were tired yet content, enjoying a peaceful evening in the company of Ambo and Musiara.

Nabulu’s confidence and fearlessness at Ithumba have left a lasting impression on everyone. She has introduced herself to all and boldly addressed any unruly behavior.

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She has taken on a leadership role, guiding the group to the mud bath and back to the fences. It’s an extraordinary accomplishment and a true honor.

Meanwhile, Maisha is taking a gentler approach to her new environment. After a year of caring for Nursery babies, she is finally savoring the chance to make friends and receive special treatment.

It’s an emotional time for Maisha as she returns to where she was abandoned during a drought. Despite the challenges, there is hope that she may one day reunite with her mother.

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