Davy: The shy elephant who lived with Sachangwan residents for seven years
Officers from the Kenya Wildlife Service transport Davy to Aberdare National Park from Sachangwan in Nakuru County.
Davy has been living in Sachangwan in the Koibatek forest for the last seven years.
Coming out only during the night time to eat whatever left overs the locals left for him, Davy would quickly return into the heart of the forest at dawn to spend the rest of his day.
This may be confused for the typical behavior of a homeless person but believe it or not Davy is an elephant who was a neighbor to the residents of Sachangwan until he was finally captured by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) earlier this week.
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Ken Kitush, a resident at Sachangwan describes Davy as a humble beast.
"His tendency to only roam at night reduced chances of theft of farm produce during the day. In addition, the residents, especially the men would report back home to their families early so no one was hurt," he says.
Surprisingly, Kitush says Davy clearly loved freedom for him and other animals, as he would release tethered animals by snapping the ropes.
Speaking to the area Chief Evans Mageto the residents had gotten so used to the elephant that they named him Davy.
"Carrots, cabbages and pumpkins are some of the foods that Davy usually enjoyed. Surprisingly, whenever he would come around the residents would chase him away by calling out his name and telling him to leave to which he would comply," he said.
Chief Mageto jokingly says that some of the residents actually miss him especially since he never harmed anyone.
Speaking to the County Warden at the Lake Nakuru National Park Cheruiyot Chepkwony he reveals that Davy was originally from Laikipia when he made his way to Sachangwan.
Cheruiyot Chepkwony, the County Warden at the Lake Nakuru National Park during an interview with Mtaa Wangu.
“He only came to Lake Nakuru National Park for a while before leaving and going back to Sachangwan. At the park, we put a tracker on him which is what enabled us to locate him,” he narrates.
With regard to how the KWS are able to move such a big animal, the county warden says that the officers first administer an anesthesia to make the animal unconscious then load it on to a lorry.
Once secured, the veterinary doctor administers another drug to make it conscious during the transportation process.
"Upon arrival, the restraints are loosened and the animal moves into its new habitat," Mr Chepkwony says.
Davy has now been relocated to the Aberdare National Park. The park was chosen as his new home because of the elephant population present that will keep him company.