Kiasa
Throughout her little life, Kiasa has showed an iron-clad determinaton to do things her way and always with a mischievous glint in her eye. We are honoured to share her story with you, so that you might get to know this unique individual as we have.
Kiasa’s rescue story began with an unusual sight: a tiny elephant calf being chaperoned through the vast wilderness by two big bull elephants, with no other elephants in the area. Yet while the young calf had found herself a pair of bodyguards who could provide protection, they certainly couldn’t offer the milk she needed to survive. And so a rescue was mobilised, with a helicopter ferrying Kiasa to the Sheldrick Trust’s Nursery, where nourishment awaited. Read more.
If you feel inspired by Kiasa’s story, and want to support her care, you can adopt through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s Adoption Program. Our ability to raise orphaned elephants so that they will grow up as healthy, loved and supported animals is completely reliant on donations and the generosity of others.
Creating Kiasa’s sculpture
Crafted in bronze by artists Gillie and Marc, the sculpture of Kiasa portrays a headstrong individual who knows what she wants - much like the real-life orphaned elephant who inspired it.
Raising awareness for elephants
Elephants once roamed the plains of Africa in their millions but now, the species are officially endangered. Poachers and habitat loss, amongst other threats, has brought African savanna elephants like Kiasa to the brink of extinction, while their forest elephant cousins are listed as critically endangered. There is a very real possibility we might be the last generation to see elephants in the wild.
By sharing Kiasa’s story, we hope to raise awareness and engage people in the plight of elephants, and how our own actions could help save a species.