Jipe
Little Jipe was only 3 weeks old when he fell into the quicksand-like mud along the shores of Lake Jipe in Tsavo West National Park. His family made a valiant attempt to rescue the infant, but were unable to and eventually moved on. Fortunately, a ranger spotted his tiny trunk waving above the mud-line and was able to pull the elephant free.
Trusting and docile, Jipe showed little fear of his human rescuers. On his first night at the Nairobi nursery, a calf in the stable next door, Sunyei, was eager to meet the new arrival, so they were given time alone to get acquainted. Sunyei greeted the infant lovingly and with great gentleness, fondling him all over with her trunk.
Jipe adapted quickly to life at the Nairobi nursery. He soon became a great charmer at the public noontime bath hour and a favorite among the keepers.
One of the healthiest and most problem-free infants at the Nairobi nursery, Jipe died unexpectedly two and a half months after his arrival, shocking everyone who had come to love and care for this gentle little calf.
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