Not too long ago, Kenya’s coastline was adorned with vast forests, serving as a haven for elephants and a diverse array of wildlife freely traversing between the hinterlands and the sea. Though the relentless passage of time and human activities have eroded these habitats, pockets of precious remnants endure. The Arabuko-Sokoke Forest stands as the final and largest safeguarded fragment of the East African coastal forest, nestled a few kilometers inland between the towns of Malindi and Kalifi. Amidst this sanctuary, a small yet crucial population of elephants finds refuge, accompanied by a rich tapestry of birdlife and mammals. In proud collaboration with the Kenya Wildlife Service and Kenya Forest Service, we actively contribute to the conservation endeavors within the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest.
On the morning of January 4th, an endearing drama unfolded in the heart of the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest involving one of its tiniest residents. A juvenile elephant calf found itself ensnared in a water trough, its desperate mother anxiously circling outside, accompanied by its slightly older sibling.
Responding swiftly to the distress call, our SWT/KWS Anti-Poaching Team, alongside teams from KWS and Friends of Arabuko-Sokoke, converged on the scene. Extracting the calf from the trough would have been a straightforward task if not for the agitated and aggressive mother, who posed a significant obstacle to the rescue efforts.
Enter the heroics of the Kenya Wildlife Service. With the SWT helicopter occupied with an urgent human-wildlife conflict case, the KWS organized for their helicopter, equipped with a vet, to fly down from Nairobi. Although initially prepared to dart the mother to facilitate the rescue, it proved unnecessary. The skilled pilot expertly positioned the helicopter between the mother and the water trough, safely creating the necessary distance.
With this strategic intervention, the rescue unfolded rapidly. The Trust’s ground teams swiftly moved in, lifting the baby elephant from the trough, while the KWS helicopter maintained a vigilant presence. As the rescuers stepped back, the KWS helicopter followed suit. A collective breath was held as the family reunion unfolded before our eyes, with the mother and older sibling rushing over to embrace their precious offspring. The heartwarming success of this operation marked a truly uplifting beginning to the new year.
