Grief and Healing – Murera’s story - Part 1
To be a baby elephant must be wonderful. Surrounded by a loving family 24 hours a day. Touched by the family, cuddled and comforted. A tremendous love and compassion exuded by every family member. I think it must be how it ought to be, in a perfect world. - Daphne Sheldrick
A recent story from The David Sheldrick Wildlife touched my heart deeply. The story revolves around a female elephant orphan called Murera. Her story highlights the role of conservation heroes in the lives of orphaned wildlife and how love and healing go hand in hand.
DSWT keeper with an elephant orphan
In 2012 a 2-year-old elephant calf stepped on a poisoned spike trap set by poachers in the wilds of Meru National Park. During the height of the ivory poaching crisis these cruel traps were intended for adult elephants; however, any animal was a potential casualty. The powerful poison ensured the animal would die a slow and painful death. In this case, the victim was Murera, a young female elephant calf. The spikes went deep into her feet. When she was found and transported to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Orphanage in Nairobi her feet were so infected she could not bear weight on her hind end. She was in extreme pain and her injuries seemed insurmountable. The vets recommended euthanasia..
Murera on the day of her rescue. Photo credit DSWT.
Daphne Sheldrick, who dedicated her life to saving orphan elephants, saw a spark of life in the little elephant despite her crippling injuries.
“This elephant has a lifespan of upwards of 60 years. Even if healing Murera takes a two-year struggle, it is important we try, as she so wants to live.”
Hers was a hard-won miracle. Every orphan requires intensive care, but Murera was on another level. She was too weak to be sedated, which made cleaning her wounds a challenge when she was still wild as could be. Her Keepers remained by her side day and night, slowly building up trust and showing her another side to humans. When she couldn’t stand on her own, they formed the scaffolding to help her find her strength. When she stopped eating, they coaxed her appetite back with tiny sips of milk and nibbles of greens. Even when she gave up, they refused to concede and coaxed her back from death. Murera became the Trust’s shared mission: She always had cheerleaders clustered around her stockade, human and elephant, voicing their encouragement and letting her know that she wasn’t alone.
DSWT Newsletter.
Murera struggling to stand. Photo credit DSWT.
Under 24/7 care Murera slowly began to heal. Eventually she took on the role of mini matriarch in the nursery. Her love and protective nature spoke volumes about her character and the transformation of her trauma. The other orphans in the sanctuary became her friends, including a calf called Sonje, who was permanently lame due spear wound and leg fracture that had fused in the wild.
Most of the orphans graduate from the nursery in Nairobi to two reintegration units in Tsavo National Park. The staff recognized these compromised youngsters would never be able to cover the long distances elephants are forced to travel during times of drought in Kenya’s largest national park.
Then a serendipitous opportunity presented itself. The Trust had established a Saving Habitats program in the Kibwezi Forest through a concession agreement with the Kenya Forest Service. This important groundwater forest with its fresh springs flowing into crystal clear pools connects to Chyulu Hills National Park. It was already home to wild elephants who had hit the habitat jackpot: Thanks to its network of underground springs, the Kibwezi Forest has food and water in abundance throughout the year. Protected by our field teams and lush year-round, it provided a wilderness where Sonje and Murera could truly thrive. DSWT newsletter
Amos, one of the keepers I’d met at the Narobi sanctuary, moved with Murera and Sonje to join a small team at the newly established Umani Springs. The reintegration unit is devoted to helping elephants with special needs have a future in the wild. I remember asking Amos what motivated him to dedicate his life to saving elephants. “I do it for love,” he replied.
I knew Murera and Sonje were in good hands but little did I know that this was just the beginning of Murera’s miraculous story. To be continued ….