How Naisimari reclaimed her strength & spirit!

Naisimari was only one week old when life took a turn for the worse – and after falling into a well 11 months ago, she has faced so many harrowing experiences. From the trauma of being stuck in the well to losing both her Mama and foster mom within five months, it’s heartbreaking to think of all she’s endured. 

And yet, through her irrepressible spirit, Naisimari has defied all the odds – and her incredible resilience keeps teaching us so much about perseverance and staying positive, whatever may come! We are in awe of her ability to generate and share sparks of joy, and can’t wait for the next chapter in her journey.

This is her story…

 After Naisimari fell into a well in Kalepo Conservancy in October 2022, the situation soon worsened when she also got stuck. Rescuers were dispatched, but they were slowed down due to sandy riverbeds and terrain. Yet when the team – consisting of Reteti’s vet and keepers, rangers from Namunyak and Kenya Wildlife Service, and a communications team – finally managed to reach her, they immediately came to her aid.

On closer inspection, they discovered that little Naisimari had sustained injuries on her trunk, which were caused as her mother desperately tried to free her from the well. Situations like these are especially distressing as her mother probably tried everything to free her, before having to move away when people or livestock came to the wells. Naisimari’s injuries meant it wasn’t possible for her and her mother to be reunited, and authorities agreed to bring her to Reteti to recover and heal.

Taking those first few steps

When she first arrived, Naisimari struck everyone at the sanctuary with her innocence and friendly demeanour. She was so young, and therefore imprinted on people and the elephants quite quickly – and also followed whoever would allow her in their personal space.

 Naisimari also immediately sought out the company of the bigger female in the small herd, Sitiin – who soon assumed a motherly role and offered her the comfort she needed. Sitiin had an equally rough start in life, when she was found guarding her Mama’s body for three days high in the Matthews Mountains. 

Naisimari would often suckle Sitiin's ear for comfort, and Sitiin was incredibly generous with her too. Their incredible closeness made it all the more devastating when tragedy struck once more, and Sitiin unexpectedly passed away due to natural causes.

A miraculous turn 

Naisimari was absolutely grief-stricken by the sudden loss of her foster mom so soon after being separated from her Mama – and we worried about her wellbeing every single day!

But then, despite all she’d been through, she once again astounded us all when she found the strength within her tiny body to allow another elephant into her heart – sharing the bonds of friendship, connection, and trust yet again. Slowly but surely, she and Titiyo – another ellie in the nursery herd – developed a beautiful closeness, and over time, she also started regaining her health.

Added to that, it’s been wonderful to watch her interact with her fellow orphans, because in the nursery herd, she makes the other young ones seem old!

Keeper Ntesekwa Lelkaleipi with Naisimari. Photo by Simon Pocock

Learning at Naisimari’s feet

 Growing stronger by the day – in body and spirit – Naisimari is filled with a joyful and inspiring energy that’s especially visible during feeding times. Undeterred by her small size, she makes a beeline for her bottle – and always likes to get there first!

 Now that she’s found security in a stable friendship again, it’s also wonderful to witness her inherent character blossoming and coming to the fore. She’s already grown into such an awe-inspiring and independent being – and didn’t allow hardship and loss to hold her back. 

 We feel so privileged to learn from her example – and she’s teaching us to not be victims of pain, but to rather step back into life, and to generously accept and share love.

Keeper Dorothy Lowakutuk with Naisimari. Photo by Simon Pocock

It takes a village to raise a calf!

Naisimari’s journey is only starting and by joining her foster family, you can support Naisimari as she grows under our care at Reteti and stay up to date with her development and shenanigans through our quarterly updates on her.