Kimani & Siilai
A SPECIAL ELEPHANT & BUFFALO FRIENDSHIP
While all wildlife orphans at Reteti are deeply caring towards each other, it’s a special sight to see deep friendships developing between species – and in Kimani and Siilai’s case, it was a bond that was forged right from the start!
LATEST NEWS
Siilai has been rewilded!
Following careful weaning and gradual preparation, Siilai is now exploring Namunyak’s landscape on his own terms. Adjusting to the presence of wild buffalo herds, he is watched over every step of the way with patience and hope.
Meet Kimani, the elephant
Gender: Male elephant
Age When Rescued: 3 days old
Rescue Date: 12 February 2025
Rescue Location: Kalepo
Reason Orphaned: Fell into a well
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It was a quiet February morning when Dr. Joseph Lolngojine, Reteti’s veterinarian, received the urgent call that a little elephant calf had fallen into a well in a remote area near Kalepo, and that the poor baby was in deep distress.
Upon hearing the news, a plan immediately fell into place, and a team was dispatched to come to the calf’s rescue. On their arrival, they found that the baby had been trapped for hours – and was tired, frightened, but miraculously unharmed. Working carefully and gently, they lifted him out of the well and assessed his condition, and thankfully determined that he was stable.
The immediate hope was to reunite the calf with his mother, so the team set to work to locate her and his herd. But despite extensive tracking efforts and multiple attempts, no signs of his family were found. It was then that the heartbreaking reality started setting in: the baby had been orphaned.Named Kimani – after one of the striking mountain peaks near the site of his rescue – this courageous little calf’s story is rooted in the land that first cradled him, and as the team transported him safely to Reteti, he carried it forward into the next chapter of his life.
When he arrived at our doorstep soon after, our hearts melted as we welcomed him with open arms – and everyone marveled at this little one’s brave little spirit, right from the start…
Meet Siilai, the buffalo
Gender: Male African buffalo
Age When Rescued: 1 week
Rescue Date: 28 February 2025
Rescue Location: Kirisia Forest, Maralal, Samburu County
Reason Orphaned: Abandoned
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Receiving an emergency call late one evening from Ranger Mike Lesil at Maralal Sanctuary in Samburu National Reserve, Reteti was alerted that a group of Samburu warriors reached out with the most surprising message! Returning to their lale (a traditional mobile homestead) deep in the Krisia Forest with their livestock that night, they noticed a little baby buffalo had integrated itself into their herd of cattle during the day…
As they were planning to move on and rlocate the next day, they were deeply concerned for the wellbeing of the calf, and feared it would not be able to survive in the wilderness all on its own. That’s when they asked Ranger Lesil’s assistance to come to the baby buffalo’s rescue, and retrieve him from the forest.
Without hesitation, Ranger Lesil contacted the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and launched a plan to help the little baby. Setting out into the night, he travelled to the forest to locate the buffalo, and safely transported him to Maralal Sanctuary. In the meantime, Reteti’s team was travelling by road, and the final step of the well-coordinated plan involving bringing the little one safely to our doorstep fell into place.
Arriving at the sanctuary, this brave little buffalo was welcomed with open arms and hearts. Reteti’s veterinarian, Dr. Joseph Llongojine, determined that he was in excellent health, and we were overjoyed that he displayed strong vitals and alertness. Even more remarkable, he wasn’t dehydrated or hungry at all – which led us to believe that his Samburu rescuers, the local warriors, may have allowed one of their cows to nurse him, or that little Siilai might have opportunistically suckled during the day!
Siilai’s name was lovingly derived from “Lesil” – and was given to him in honour of the ranger who played such a pivotal role in his rescue. It’s also a celebration of his long-standing dedication to wildlife, as Ranger Lesil has been instrumental in coordinating multiple rescues of orphaned and injured animals, working closely with communities and conservation partners to ensure that vulnerable animals like Siilai get a second chance in life.
Kimani’s playfulness nudged Siilai out of his shell, while Siilai’s quiet, steady presence became a dependable source of comfort and companionship to Kimani.
Almost immediately after they arrived at Reteti, it was clear that Siilai imprinted on Kimani.
In their first days at the sanctuary, the two were placed in the same sleeping quarters, spent their days playing together, and quickly found solace in each other's company. The presence of another orphan can significantly ease feelings of isolation and inner trauma.
Apart from providing Siilai with a much-needed sense of security after his ordeal of becoming abandoned, Kimani – being a larger and more confident animal – also offered him the safety net of leadership and reassurance. In that way, Kimani became a safe haven for Siilai, as the friendship between these two started to grow organically.
But this was hardly a one-sided relationship, and Kimani was on the receiving end of a great deal of mutual comfort, care, and closeness.
Favourite Moments with Kimani & Siilai
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![An elephant and a buffalo running on a dirt road surrounded by green bushes and trees in a savannah landscape with hills in the background during sunset.]()
They werre both playful, but occasionally a bit jealous too! This was hilarious to watch at times, as they competed for keepers’ attention – which often resulted in a tug-of-trunk or nudge battles. Their instincts complemented each other beautifully, and when it really mattered, they always had each other’s backs.
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![A baby elephant and a baby buffalo, are touching heads while grazing on green plants in a natural outdoor setting.]()
Elephants are naturally affectionate and protective, and Kimani often offered calming physical contact – trunk hugs, gentle leans, and quiet reassurance whenever Siilai needed it.
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![Two baby elephants standing close together in a green, grassy field with bushes and a mountain in the background.]()
Siilai had a heightened sense of awareness, typical of buffalo calves, and was quick to alert Kimani of sudden sounds or movements. They became each other's emotional anchors – blending curiosity with caution in equal measure.
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Both animals had plenty of confidence and emotional resilience. Siilai became more open and playful, drawing courage from Kimani's boldness. Meanwhile, Kimani learned empathy and a sense of responsibility, often watching over Siilai in ways we so often see between young elephants.
THEIR JOURNEY
At Reteti, we rescue to release.
Rewilding is never a single moment; it is a long and carefully tended process. As Kimani and Siilai grew at Reteti, they began to engage with wild elephants and buffaloes respectively during wilderness walks, slowly learning to become more independent.
Kimani continues to be integrated into a group of young elephants, developing the essential survival skills he will need for the wild. And in a wonderful milestone – also for all of us at the sanctuary – Siilai has since been rewilded. Following careful weaning and gradual preparation, he now roams Namunyak’s landscape on his own terms, moving freely among wild buffalo herds. We could not be prouder of how far he has come.
The aim for both of these remarkable calves has always been to gain confidence within their own species and return to the wild where they belong. Siilai has taken that step – and Kimani is well on his way. Whatever the future holds for these two, the extraordinary bond they shared will always be treasured by everyone at Reteti.
