We’ll never know how or why this adorable baby giraffe was left for dead by his mother, but thankfully, Kiko’s story doesn’t end there. Only a week old, wandering alone in Meru National Park in Kenya, he was discovered by people who were traveling through his habitat. His mother was nowhere in sight, and for newborn Kiko to survive, he needed immediate aid.
He was rescued by the Kenya Wildlife Service and brought to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s Orphanage in Nairobi National Park, in neighboring Nairobi. It was here where Kiko met Loboito, a 3-week-old baby elephant.
The two have formed an amazing bond. Loboito has a similar story, too. The two unlikely animals now understand each other, coming from the same place and going through the same trauma — this comes as no surprise. Loboito was abandoned by his mother and brought in as an orphan. The elephant has been looked after by the staff ever since. His new best friend is Kiko, and he follows his tall, lanky buddy everywhere.
If they hadn’t been rescued, neither of them would have survived in the wild without their mother’s milk. And, considering how endangered their respective species’ are, it’s a small miracle that they were found and rescued.
Giraffe numbers have fallen by 30% over the last decade and it’s speculated that there are fewer than 7,700 reticulated giraffes left. Finding Kiko and saving him is a small step in the right direction to preserve these incredible animals.
The two are adorable to watch; there are a few more orphaned baby elephants in the family, too. This is a sweet little crew of unloved wild animals who have each other to grow up with.
Loboito loves following Kiko around and they are safe and sound in the orphanage which will keep them until they grow strong enough to be released into the wild again. Without this place, their future wouldn’t have looked so bright. Kiko will go back before Loboito who will have to mature until the age of 10 before he can go. Already, Kiko is getting taller and taller and the workers will soon require a ladder to feed him. But until then, this pair has each other to play and frolic with!
Click below to watch this unique set of friends find love and friendship in each other. It was such a blessing they were found and brought together.
