‘Weather forecast for tonight: dark. Continued dark overnight, with widely scattered light by morning.’ George Carlin’s words, delivered with his characteristic wit, were meant to make us laugh. But for a tiny gerenuk calf in Ol Donyiro, the forecast was all too real. And the scattered light could not come soon enough.
Gerenuks are among Kenya’s Special Five species, largely found in northern and eastern Kenya. Their distinctive long necks and remarkable ability to stand on their hind legs to browse make them one of Kenya’s most fascinating antelopes. They are elegant, graceful creatures, perfectly adapted to the arid landscapes they call home. Regrettably, grace offers little protection when predators strike.
In Ol Donyiro, a young gerenuk faced a frightening ordeal after being attacked by baboons. The doe-eyed little gerenuk’s life had taken a sharp right turn into horror. Baboons are opportunistic predators, and a vulnerable calf separated from its mother is an easy target. The attack was vicious, relentless, and terrifying. For the calf, alone and defenceless, the situation must have felt utterly hopeless.
Mr. Lemantile, the area Member of County Assembly (MCA), spotted the calf during the attack and immediately alerted the Kenya Wildlife Service Northern Conservation Area Mobile Veterinary Unit (MVU). His quick thinking and swift action were the first glimmer of light in an otherwise dark situation. The team arrived to find the orphaned calf injured, terrified, and alone.
The vets often have to steel themselves for the gauntlet of emotional turmoil they always run. They calculated the sum of the parts they had been given—an orphaned calf, a brutal attack, a race against time—and opted to move forward. Their thoughts were several paces ahead of their judgment, weighing every option and possible outcome. They knew that the calf’s survival hung in the balance.
The Unit responded and rescued the orphaned calf, which received treatment and supportive feeding as it regained its strength. Wounds were cleaned, medication administered, and the calf was given the nutrition it desperately needed. But this part—the part that comes on the opposite side of the same coin—is where hope enters the frame. Because even in the darkest moments, there are those who refuse to look away.
If we can find any sort of silver lining in this tragic tale, it is this: the calf is alive and safe, and she has been given a fighting chance. It was thereafter transferred to Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, where it will continue to receive care and nurturing.
Saving the planet, one gerenuk at a time is what this rescue represents. It is a reminder that conservation is not just about protecting species; it is about saving individual lives. Every orphaned calf that grows into a healthy adult is a testament to the resilience of nature and the compassion of those who protect it.
You can be part of this young gerenuk’s journey. By adopting this calf, you can help provide the care, nourishment and protection it needs as it grows stronger. Your support will make a real difference in giving this young calf a second chance to thrive. For the tiny gerenuk, the scattered light has arrived. And it is enough.
To adopt this gerenuk calf and support her journey to recovery, please visit https://kwspay.ecitizen.go.ke/donate.