Separated by Conflict, Saved by Compassion
Human-Wildlife Conflict is Rising. This is What it Looks Like…..
In the early hours of a recent morning in Nyekweri, a tiny elephant calf was spotted wandering alone- lost, dehydrated, and collapsing with exhaustion. She had been separated from her mother since Sunday.
By the time the alert reached our team, the community and rangers were already mobilising. The calf was weak, but still moving. In that moment, our collective instinct kicked in: act fast, act together.
Thanks to the rapid coordination of The Nyekweri Kimintet Conservancy Pangolin Rangers and Wildlife Technician, Kenya Wildlife Service, Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Mara Elephant Project, and local community members, the calf was safely stabilised and transported to the Sheldrick orphanage in Nairobi. She received round-the-clock care and is now out of the woods, despite it being touch and go for quite some time.
Why Was She Alone?
As space for wildlife continues to shrink across Nyekweri, the risks rise- particularly for elephants.
More fences. More land conversion. More pressure. Elephants are losing access to traditional migration routes and calving areas, leading to an increase in human-wildlife conflict. Injuries are rising. Mothers are being wounded- or worse. And calves, like this one, are being left behind.
In this case, the mother is known to our team. She has been treated for injuries linked to a prior conflict event. Likely unable to feed her calf, they became separated. The baby, too young to survive on browse alone, began to deteriorate quickly.
A United Front: What It Took to Save Her
From the moment the calf was reported by a local herder, everything moved fast:
6:00 AM: Calf located by rangers and community scouts.
8:30 AM: Stabilisation began with water and sugar while veterinary support was mobilised.
12:30 PM: Dr. Ashif and Wildlife Technician Joshua arrived, administered a glucose IV.
1:00 PM: The calf was transported to the airstrip.
2:00 PM: Medevac flight to Nairobi.
“This case was successfully handled, and through our collaboration with the Mara Triangle vet, we did our utmost to give this calf a second chance at life.”
Joshua and Kipekee
A Pattern We Cannot Ignore
This isn’t just a story of one calf- it’s a warning. Elephants are losing ground in Nyekweri.
“There is less space. Mamas and tots are becoming separated. Human-wildlife conflict is ongoing. Sometimes, it feels like bailing water on the Titanic. But slowly by slowly, we will get there.”
— Claire, CEO, The Pangolin Project
We are committed to:
Securing and restoring habitat for all species- not just pangolins.
Increasing monitoring to identify vulnerable wildlife faster.
Building rapid response pathways with KWS and partner organisations.
Engaging landowners and communities to co-create lasting solutions.
Help Us Power the Patrol
This rescue happened because rangers were already in the field.
They knew where to look.
They worked hand-in-hand with local herders.
They acted as the first responders in a fragile landscape.
Now, as part of the Wildlife Ranger Challenge, we’re raising $9,000 to keep those patrols going, funding two months of ranger salaries, rations, and gear.
You can help.
💚 $32 feeds a ranger for nearly a month
💚 $328 supports one ranger’s salary, rations & insurance
💚 $4,402 powers the entire patrol team for one month
👉Donate now to #PowerThePatrol
👉Watch our short film and meet the people behind the footprints
This is how we protect the protectors and the future they’re walking toward.
For pangolins. For elephants. For Kipekee.
From Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
Meet Kipekee - The “Unique” Nursery Darling
Now safely at Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s Nursery, the calf named Kipekee, meaning “unique” in Swahili is thriving in the care of her new human and elephant family.
After her frightening spell alone, Kipekee has eagerly embraced Nursery life. She’s grown deeply attached to her Keepers, who she insists must be holding a bottle (empty or full!) before she’ll leave her cosy stable in the morning.
With her bright blue blanket, long eyelashes, and slightly mischievous personality, Kipekee has already become a favourite among the other orphans and her story is inspiring a whole community.
You can follow more of Kipekee’s journey here
Holding On to Hope
One Tiny Elephant. One Giant Response.
This tiny elephant- her story reminds us why we keep going. That even in a fractured landscape, community compassion and cross-sector coordination can come together in time.
“She is not out of the woods yet,” Claire shared, “but she’s not alone either.”
Because every rescued calf, every coordinated response, every de-electrified fence, and every forest hectare protected adds up.
To a better tomorrow - for elephants, for pangolins, and for all life in Nyekweri.
A huge thanks to Tony Wild for media capture
