‘Miracle baby’ born at Kenyan elephant unit. See photos, video as newborn joins herd

Moira Ritter
·3 min read
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An elephant herd in Kenya recently welcomed a “miracle baby,” according to officials.

Mwana — which is Swahili for “female child” —was born March 12 to the Umani Spring herd’s matriarch, Murera, a news release from the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust said. She is the first “wild-born” baby born into the reintegration unit.

Mwana’s birth was “seamless,” according to the trust.
Mwana’s birth was “seamless,” according to the trust.

Since her “seamless” birth, Mwana has been welcomed to the sanctuary by the rest of the herd, officials said. As soon as she was out of the womb, three male elephants formed a protective ring around the rest of the elephants who were tending to the mother and baby.

For two full days and nights, the elephants stood guard around the two, and officials believe that one of them is Mwana’s father.

The herd excitedly welcomed their newest member, according to officials.
The herd excitedly welcomed their newest member, according to officials.

“He is an impressive looking chap, with a real empathetic streak,” officials said in the news release.

Murera has let humans and elephants spend time with her new daughter, the trust said.
Murera has let humans and elephants spend time with her new daughter, the trust said.

During the day, the mother and daughter roam with the herd, according to officials. Murera lets both humans and elephants spend time with her daughter, and the rest of the herd constantly vies “for the prized position by the baby’s side.”

The biggest challenge Murera and Mwana have faced so far is nursing.

Officials said they hand-milked Murera and bottle-fed Mwana for 11 days until they learned to nurse.
Officials said they hand-milked Murera and bottle-fed Mwana for 11 days until they learned to nurse.

Officials said it was 11 days until Murera let her baby nurse. Until then, keepers at the unit had to hand-milk Murera and bottle feed Mwana.

Mwana can now nurse from her mother, keepers said.
Mwana can now nurse from her mother, keepers said.

“Only time will tell how Murera and Mwana’s little family takes shape. Perhaps they will remain anchored to the Umani herd, or they may venture further afield as Mwana grows,” the officials said.

Murera’s rescue

Mwana’s birth is particularly significant because of her mother’s rescue story, according to the trust.

Murera was found in 2012 during the “peak of Kenya’s poaching crisis,” the trust said. She had stepped on a poisoned spike trap, and her injuries made it hard for her to keep up with her herd.

Murera was rescued in 2012 by the trust.
Murera was rescued in 2012 by the trust.

Officials think Murera fell and dislocated her other hip while attempting to keep up with her herd. Both injuries left Murera incapacitated, which is how keepers with the trust found her.

At first, several veterinarians recommended that Murera be euthanized, but trust officials persisted in nursing her back to health.

“At the beginning, it was very hard for all of us,” one of the keepers who worked with Murera said in the trust’s release. “At one point she gave up and stopped feeding, but we persisted and tried to encourage her to eat and showed her our love.”

Murera survived her injuries, but she remained physically compromised, according to the trust. Because of her limited mobility, a new rehabilitation unit was created. Now, the Umani Springs unit is home to 18 orphaned elephants.

In May 2021, Murera faced another challenge: another elephant in the Umani Springs herd died, officials said. The elephant, Luggard, was like a son to Murera, and after his death she disappeared from the herd for four days.

Murera’s keepers noticed she was pregnant as her stomach grew and her mood changed, they said.
Murera’s keepers noticed she was pregnant as her stomach grew and her mood changed, they said.

Experts think that while in her mourning period, Murera found a mate, knowing that she needed her own baby after losing Luggard. Typically, Murera had avoided the company of other wild elephants, so this shocked keepers familiar with her.

After 22 months of pregnancy, Mwana was born, the trust said.

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