Ndololo the Little Blind Elephant
R.I.P. 2005 - 2006


Photogal met this little guy (note how small he is, that's why I didn't crop out the guys standing next to him) when she was in Africa last month. He was a little blind baby elephant whose mother had allowed to be taken away when she realized he would never survive in the wild. Here is what they said about him on the site of the refuge that resued him:

Little Ndololo was a charmer who captured all hearts instantly and became the darling of the Elephant Nursery and the foster-elephant of hundreds of people in distant lands.

He was our pride and joy and returned the love that was lavished on him by all who met him. He was the favourite of every Keeper; clever, intelligent and understanding, so very special in his dependency, and so quaint and amusing in how he made his wants and needs clear to all, in a forcibly gentle manner. He began to walk with growing confidence, even without the tapping of the stick, weaving his way through thickets, and even managing to kick the elephant’s football accurately during a game with the Keepers out in the forest one day, which left his human family convinced that the time had come when he could, in fact, see again.

Mysteriously, he could detect the presence of his favourite Keeper, even when totally blind, either by scent or intuition, or perhaps a combination of the two. In short, therefore, we were overjoyed with his progress, and optimism replaced despondency. We were convinced that little Ndololo was going to become whole again, and end up as a full-grown member of the wild elephant Kingdom of Tsavo. Certainly, in character, intuition and intelligence, he had the makings of a very fine elephant bull. (full text)

Unfortunately, that was not be. The full details are here but suffice to say Photogal and I are very saddened by his passing. I never met the little guy but feel as if I got to know him through Photogal's stories and photos. Hopefully now he's in a place where he can see and play with all of his other little elephant friends.

If you would like to learn more about (or make a donation to) the people who resuced him and gave him a home then visit the website for The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

So long Little Ndololo...