Kiombo
Rescued from the plains of the Masai Mara National Reserve, it is hoped that Kiombo will one day roam the wilds of Africa. Just like his likeness in sculpture currently roams across Spitalfields Market.
Before his rescue, orphaned Kiombo cast a lonely and emaciated figure, sporting prominent cheek bones. Fragile and weak, he'd been without his mother's milk for days and needed extra care and attention if he was to survive. One rescue and many bottles of freshly-mixed, specialist formula milk later, you couldn’t meet a more assertive young elephant who has all the makings of a future iconic giant of the African plains. Read more.
If you feel inspired by Kiombo’s story, and want to support his 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 Kiombo’s sculpture
Kiombo’s likeness in bronze is symbolic of his commanding presence and admirable inner strength in the face of tragedy, which is an inspiration to us.
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 Kiombo 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 Kiombo’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.