Elephant Helped by Kristin Davis Returns to Her Caretakers to Give Birth to Her First Baby

Mar. 15, 2025

Chaimu with her calf, Chapa, and another elephant, Kainuk.Photo:Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Chaimu the elephant never forgets a friend.

The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust(SWT), an animal welfare organization that rescues and rehabilitates orphaned elephants, saved Chaimu in 2009.According to the nonprofit,Kristin Davisfound the abandoned and weak elephant calf while on a trip near Kenya’s Chyulu Hills. She and a group of concerned animal lovers contacted Sheldrick Wildlife Trust for assistance.

The organization took in Chaimu and helped her build up her strength again at its orphaned elephant nursery in Nairobi. Once Chaimu was more independent, she moved to SWT’s Ithumba Reintegration Centre, where she gradually returned to the wild and found a herd of elephants to be her family.

Kristin Davis with Chaimu as a calf and other young elephants.Sheldrick Wildlife

Sheldrick Wildlife

Chaimu and Chapa.Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Kristin Davis with Chaimu’s statute that is part of the traveling art installation, The Great Elephant Migration.Courtesy of Kristin Davis

Courtesy of Kristin Davis

This is a big year for Chaimu. Not only did she welcome her first calf, but she also became a model. The elephant mom is one of two SWT orphans used as models for the sculptures ofthe Great Elephant Migration, a traveling art installation of 100 life-size elephant sculptures.

The creators of The Great Elephant Migration’s herd live in the Nilgiri Hills, Southern India, where elephants and humans coexist. The elephant sculptures were made to promote coexistence with animals and support conservation organizations worldwide.

The Great Elephant Migration installation in New York City.Jim Fryer & Iri Greco / BrakeThrough Media

Jim Fryer & Iri Greco / BrakeThrough Media

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“Elephants face so many challenges around the world. The Great Elephant Migration does a beautiful job of discussing the importance of coexisting with wild animals. As land and resources are stretched thin, we can make choices that support environmental sustainability in our own lives, which will contribute positively to global sustainability,” Davis says about the installation. “Also, we can support the organizations working to help the wild animals remain safe in their wild homes. Such as the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and many others.”

The Great Elephant Migration can be seen in New York City’s Meatpacking District through Oct. 20. After that, it will travel to Miami Beach, Fla., for December, with later stops in Montana, Wyoming, and California.

source: people.com