In the harsh, sun-baked plains of North Horr, where water is more precious than gold, a heartwarming act of compassion has captured the nation’s attention. The Manyatta Durte community has successfully rescued an orphaned Gerenuk calf, protecting the fragile creature from predators and dehydration until the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) could intervene.

The Gerenuk, often called the "giraffe gazelle" for its long neck and ability to stand on its hind legs to feed, is a species perfectly adapted to the drylands but incredibly vulnerable when young. The calf was discovered alone, its mother likely killed by a predator or succumbed to the unforgiving drought conditions. Instead of ignoring it or viewing it as bushmeat, the villagers took it in.

Community as Custodians

"They became its surrogate mothers," said a KWS warden from the Sibiloi National Park response team. "They provided shade, water, and protection. In a region where human-wildlife conflict is common, this is a powerful testament to the changing attitudes towards conservation."

The rescue operation was swift. Upon receiving the alert from the community elders, KWS dispatched a team to retrieve the calf. Images shared by the service show the delicate animal being carefully loaded for transport to a rehabilitation center, likely the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust or a similar facility where it can receive specialized milk formula.

• The Species: The Gerenuk (Litocranius walleri) is native to the Horn of Africa. Their population is threatened by habitat fragmentation and poaching.
• The Location: North Horr in Marsabit County is one of the most remote and arid parts of Kenya, making the calf's survival even more miraculous.
• The Message: KWS used the incident to urge the public to report stranded wildlife via their 24/7 hotline (0800 597 000) or WhatsApp, emphasizing that "conservation is a shared responsibility."

A Shift in the North

This incident is part of a broader trend in Northern Kenya, where community conservancies are turning poachers into protectors. The economic benefits of tourism and the intrinsic value of heritage are sinking in. For the Manyatta Durte people, saving the calf was not just about following the law; it was an act of humanity (or utu) extended to the wild.

As the calf begins its long road to recovery, it carries with it the spirit of Marsabit—resilient, tough, but capable of profound tenderness.