Tsitsiriga
Named after: Tsitsiriga Lagoon
Current Age: 2 years and 4 months old
Date of Birth (Approximate): June 1, 2022
Gender: Female
Reason Orphaned: Hyena Attack
Rescue Date: June 23, 2024
Age at Rescue (Approximate): 2 years old
Rescue Location: Ghabamochaa (near Tsitsiriga Lagoon)
Foster Me!
Tsitsiriga, or “TsiTsi” set a record for the fastest rescue ever. That’s because she was spotted just outside Elephant Havens. Scott, Debra and Bee were having their morning coffee when they noticed two big bull elephants at the lagoon outside the property. Then Bee saw a smaller shape in the dry reeds—a tiny elephant. Baby elephants don’t typically travel with bachelor herds, so there had to be a problem.
After quick calls to Botswana Wildlife for rescue permission and to our vet for assistance, in less than two hours little TsiTsi had been gathered up by the team and brought in to the quarantine center. There, we could address the fresh wounds on her rump, which were apparently from hyena (no scratches from big cat claws). Her tail had been taken very recently, all the way to its base. The attack was likely the cause of her separation from her herd.
While elephants use their tails mostly to swat at flying pests around their rump, they also wag them when they’re happy or excited. Wildlife attacks can leave elephants without tails, and it doesn’t really affect their daily lives. TsiTsi will be just fine without hers. After we administered antibiotics and applied antiseptic, she was well on her way to healing.
Within 24 hours she was comfortable with hand feeding and absolutely loving the warmth of the gas patio-style heater that we use with little ones in distress in the winter. Her ears had laid back to her sides, showing that we were gaining her trust. They want to trust. It is a special joy to experience as you watch it happen.
Debra got to participate in this rescue—her first. She was very excited to be part of it, to say the least. She and the team are taking great care of TsiTsi, the little elephant without a tail.
FOSTER AN ELEPHANT FOR YOURSELF OR AS A GIFT FOR SOMEONE SPECIAL.
For just $100 annually, our foster parents receive by email:*
Foster certificate with the name, photo and details of your orphan
Updates on their care and progress
*Emailing these items saves us money on printing and postage, so we can ensure every dollar you donate goes directly to the elephants.
Donation form
Please call 972-620-2523 if you have any questions about fostering.