By Grace Muturi
December, 2024
At Crystal Tours Kenya, we are proud to support the conservation efforts of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, an extraordinary organization dedicated to rescuing orphaned and injured African wildlife—particularly young elephants who have lost their mothers to poaching.
Over the decades, the Trust has rescued, raised, and rehabilitated hundreds of elephants, preparing them for reintegration into the wild. We’re honored to bring safari travelers to visit their nursery and support their invaluable work.
While every rescue story is unique, in celebration of World Elephant Day, we want to share one of the most heartwarming tales—the story of Toto, a baby elephant whose journey from tragedy to triumph is nothing short of inspiring.
The Beginning of Toto’s Journey
In April 2022, Toto was discovered in the Ithumba region of Kenya’s Tsavo National Park, home to one of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s reintegration units. This is where rehabilitated elephants transition back into the wild, often forming strong bonds with their wild counterparts.
One fateful afternoon, a group of female former orphans arrived at Ithumba with a frail, days-old baby elephant in tow. The little one was visibly undernourished and weak, and none of the adults seemed to be his mother. The staff deduced that the compassionate elephants had found him alone and brought him to the safest place they knew.
Trust staff immediately leapt into action, sending a helicopter to transport the fragile calf to the Kaluku Neonate Nursery. By the evening of the same day, Toto was safe in a warm stable, with two dedicated carers, Joseph and Sammy, tending to his every need. They named him “Toto,” derived from mtoto, the Swahili word for “baby.”
A Fighting Spirit
Toto’s early months at Kaluku were challenging. Like many orphaned elephants, he faced health issues, especially during teething. But Joseph and Sammy discovered that tiny Toto possessed an enormous fighting spirit.
As he grew, Toto revealed his playful personality. He became enamored with soccer, eagerly kicking anything that resembled a ball, and developed a love for country music, which Joseph played for him on a small radio.
After his first birthday, Toto began to socialize with other orphans at Kaluku. Initially shy, he often sought comfort in Joseph’s presence. But he soon found a best friend in Natibu, another young elephant, and together they joyfully joined group mud baths.
A Bright Future
Today, Toto is thriving at Kaluku. Though now two years old, he will remain at the nursery for some time as raising a young elephant is a slow and careful process. Eventually, Toto will move to a reintegration unit, perhaps even returning to Ithumba, where his remarkable story began. There, he’ll take his first steps toward a life in the wild, with the hope that one day he will father his own family.
Experience Toto’s Story Yourself
At Crystal Tours Kenya, we invite you to visit the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s nursery in Nairobi. Witness the care and dedication that goes into raising these magnificent creatures. Watching the playful baby elephants wrestle in the mud, spray each other with water, and bond with their carers is an uplifting and unforgettable experience.
To add a visit to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust to your East African safari itinerary or learn more about our partnerships with conservation organizations, contact us today or visit our website.
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