Kikwar

About Kikwar

• Gender: Female

• Age when rescued: 8 months

• Rescue date: 30 July 2018

• Rescue location: Kalepo Conservancy

• Reason orphaned: Well

• Release date: 21 June 2024
  

Kikwar’s Rescue

On the 30th July, 2018, an 8 month old calf was found at the foot of a well near Ndonyowasin. She’d been there for days, dehydrated and absolutely terrified. She was found sinking between life and death. Her eyes were swollen from absorbing water from the well and her skin was peeling. She was in a terrible state. On arrival at Reteti, it took weeks of dedicated comfort and care from our keepers and vets to help her recover, not only physically but emotionally too. Elephants are sensitive animals, they feel trauma just as we humans do. Kikwar is now almost 4 years old and one of the leading elephants in the herd at Reteti.

Kikwar at Reteti

Kikwar is a lady who is always on the move. It can be very tricky to get a photo of her, because it seems like she always has somewhere to be! That is why you'll seldom see a photo of Kikwar standing still. Kikwar, gentle in spirit and playful in personality, certainly keeps us on our toes! She is gentle with both keepers and orphans alike, and is also astoundingly bright, and she learns quickly. Every day she impresses us with her newfound knowledge and her understanding of the bush.

She is a measured and patient elephant, who doesn’t fuss for any extra milk - like some of the other elephants in the herd. But, make no mistkae, Kikwar is fast and usually first to get to her bottle. The only fuss we see is when Jonathan feeds another elephant! We’ve discovered she has a particular fondness of keeper Jonathan, and jealousy strikes when she sees him feeding other elephants. She loves her name and loves to be called. When she hears it she comes rushing over. She spends her days at the sanctuary browsing and teaching the younger elephants to browse and understand the environment, and is particularly close to Meibae.

Kikwar in the Wild

Kikwar – along with 12 other elephants in her herd – was released right here in Namunyak Community Conservancy on 21 June 2024. It’s been wonderful to witness them joining a herd of wild elephants on the slopes of the Mathews Mountains! The next step of our journey involves monitoring their progress and wellbeing in a variety of ways. As a foster parent to Kikwar, you’ll support her vital ongoing monitoring – and receive regular updates and inside info on her forward strides in the wilderness! Read more about her release on our Release Hub.

Please note:
Multiple adoptions of individual elephants enable us to cover the costs of caring for all 46 elephants at Reteti; your contribution will help us cover the cost of milk, the keepers, veterinary cost and other essentials your elephant needs.