No rescue is ever the same – each comes with its own set of obstacles, heartbreak and pain.

Dear little Lodokejek, who was only three weeks old when he spent a gruelling night stuck in a well, also suffered an unimaginable loss when he was separated from his Mama. Guarding him all through the night while his tiny body was trapped underground, she was frightened off the next morning when the owners of the well arrived with their livestock – and sadly, she never returned.

Rescues involving calves and mothers who were separated are especially heart-wrenching because, despite trying everything possible, it’s often impossible to reunite them due to circumstances beyond our control. In Lodokejek’s case, Rangers from Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) stopped at nothing to find a way for him to rejoin his herd, but unfortunately, nothing worked. We realised then that he needed to be rescued, and his next chapter would take him to Reteti to join the other elephant orphans in our herd.

After being freed from the well, Lodokejek was first taken to the KWS Headquarters. It was such a pivotal part of his rescue, as we were very distressed to discover just how hungry and weak he was! Treating him with oral rehydration salts to start restoring his strength, the team – including Reteti’s vet and keepers, communications personnel, and Namunyak and KWS Rangers – then prepared the little calf for the journey to his new home.

About Lodokejek

Gender: Male
Age When Rescued: 3 Weeks
Rescue Date: 28 March 2022
Rescue Location: Lodokejek area near Maralal Town
Reason Orphaned: Fell into a well
Identifying Feature: The top of his left ear folds over slightly.

Looking back, it was an incredibly emotional experience for us when Lodokejek finally arrived at Reteti – he was so tiny and thin! But thankfully, over time, he regained his strength and is now the picture of health. There’s hardly a sweeter soul around, and we literally melt every time we see his adorable little face. And oh boy, if everyone was lucky enough to be around when he smiled, the whole world would really be smiling too!

Given all the hardships this small elephant had suffered less than two years ago, it’s remarkable that he’s already turned into such a resilient and independent young bull. We also think he deserves medals for best behaviour and good manners – as he’s setting such a great example for his ellie friends, and us, every day! Always humble, he never fights for a bottle; and he gets full marks for being gentle and kind.

WATCH: LODOKEJEK ENJOYING A MUD BATH, AUGUT 2022

Lodokejek Today

Sharing a stable with his best friend Naisimari, these two are truly two peas in a pod! Because their personalities are so different, they complement each other perfectly – and while Naisimari is super outgoing, Lodokejek is adorably shy!

Taking his time to look at things from all angles before making a decision, Lodokejek has such a measured and patient approach to life. It’s the complete opposite of Naisimari, who tends to pile in head first! It’s beautiful to see how these two have found a middle ground – they never tire of each other, and always want to play!

Friendships are built on so many things – including love, mutual respect, and a deep sense of trust. And while it’s painful to think about how both these orphans suffered such considerable pain so early in life, we can’t help but suspect that their similar histories have contributed to their incredibly close and loving bond. Just like Lodokejek, Naisimari was also rescued after being stuck in a well, and separated from her Mama.

One of the things we love most about Lodokejek is that he’s endlessly curious, and will take his own (sweet!) time to investigate whatever tickles his fancy – and find out more about the wonders of ellie world. He’s such a clever clogs too, and unlike most ellies, he can easily recognise his name – so when someone says it out loud, he’ll probably come bounding along!

We’ve also noticed that he’s a bit of a ladies’ man, who prefers the company of our female keepers – and you’ll see him sidling up Mary, Dorothy or Naomi whenever he can!