Barnoti had a difficult start in life, as he was already orphaned during a challenging time. However, the Amboseli’s BC family, identified by the Amboseli Trust for Elephants (ATE), had a reason to celebrate in April 2019 with the arrival of a new baby elephant from Bouenza. Bouenza was a well-known female elephant within the Amboseli ecosystem, having given birth to several calves, including two daughters who stayed close to her. The arrival of a male calf, named Barnoti, must have brought joy and excitement to this close-knit family of females.
In November 2020, Bouenza, a leading elephant with a small calf following her, passed away due to natural causes. Sadly, her calf, Barnoti, was only 19 months old and would normally not be able to survive without a mother at such a young age. However, the circumstances were unusual as the area experienced heavy rainfall which resulted in an abundance of vegetation, giving Barnoti enough food to sustain himself without his mother’s milk. Fortunately, he had the support of his two older sisters who took care of him diligently.
2021’s latter half marked a significant shift in the situation. The prolonged absence of rain caused a detrimental effect on the resources available, putting various creatures in a precarious position. Even a young calf like Barnoti struggled to survive as his physical condition worsened each week, leaving him unable to keep up with his family. The 19th of October saw Barnoti in a dire state, alone, and vulnerable, compelling the Amboseli warden to contact ATE for assistance. Upon receiving the call, we swiftly coordinated a rescue operation. The ATE team and our SWT/KWS Amboseli Mobile Vet Unit kept a close eye on Barnoti, ensuring he didn’t wander off or fall into harm’s way until we arrived. Once nearby, they secured him and transported him to the airstrip, ready for our arrival.
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Rescuing Barnoti, a two and a half year old elephant, was no easy feat. Despite his size, our team worked together to ensure he was safely secured inside the aircraft for transport. Luckily, Peter, one of our skilled Keepers, was there to keep Barnoti calm during the flight to Nairobi. Thankfully, they arrived at the Nursery without incident later that day.
Survival is a precarious situation for those affected by drought. Our focus shifted to helping Barnoti survive, but he quickly adapted to his new surroundings. The other orphaned elephants welcomed him with open arms and often gathered outside his enclosure. Despite his weakened state, Barnoti eagerly accepted their friendship and showed interest in joining them on their forest excursions. Although it was too soon for him to join the rest of the herd, he was eager to regain his strength and make progress towards integration.
On Barnoti’s inaugural day of mingling with the group, he joined the rest of the herd.
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Barnoti, a youthful elephant, has faced both triumphs and trials in his short life. Sadly, he lost his mother at a young age, causing his older sisters immense pain when they had to leave him behind. Despite these challenges, Barnoti is a fighter, and we are thrilled to provide him with a new family and future. He has integrated perfectly into the Nursery herd, looking up to the impressive Mukkoka and developing a close bond with Taabu, another recent addition.
