Revered 49-year-old forest ranger, Titus Onyenwe, known far and wide as the “Elephant Whisperer,” has spent 30 years forging a bond with the majestic inhabitants of the sprawling Omo Forest.
He takes Dayo Oyewo on a remarkable journey into when he first ventured into the dense, shadowy forest in 1990, nights of silent vigils and patient observation and how he became a cherished companion to the ‘gentle’ giants.
Nestled deep within the dense Omo Forest in the Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State lies a story as old as time itself – a tale of profound connection and mutual respect between man and beast.
This forest, a sanctuary of ancient trees towering like sentinels over the land, harbours within its depths a bond that transcends the spoken word and a friendship that has been quietly nurtured for decades.
At the heart of this tale is Titus Onyenwe, a 49-year-old forest ranger, whose life has been intricately woven into the fabric of Omo Forest.
His journey began in 1990, when the thick canopy of Omo Forest first cast its shadow over him.
Brought to this untamed wilderness by a white man, who had partnered with the then Nigerian forest elephants, Onyenwe was tasked with a daunting mission to monitor the elephants that roamed the vast lush lands.
Omo Forest, a sprawling labyrinth of life, is home to the majestic forest elephants.
The forest, located about 135 kilometres from the bustling city of Lagos, is a world unto itself.
It boasts of over 200 types of trees, their canopies forming a natural cathedral under which life thrives.
No fewer than 125 species of birds add their songs to the chorus of the forest, while several mammals make their homes in the undergrowth, moving through the foliage with the grace of those who have known these woods for generations.
Yet, this paradise is under threat. Over the years, illegal poaching, logging, and farming have encroached upon the sanctuary of the forest elephants, turning what was once a safe haven into a battleground for survival.
The trees that have stood for centuries now face the sharp blades of axes, the birds’ songs often interrupted by the roar of chainsaws, and the elephants—wise, gentle giants—find their paths increasingly obstructed by the advance of human activity.
It was into this fraught environment that Onyenwe was thrust, a young man from Orita, a community close to the forest, with roots in the southeastern region.
Although his family’s heritage lay elsewhere, his destiny was undeniably tied to the Omo Forest. Alongside a friend, Onyenwe began his work, setting up a camp in what would later be known as Erin Camp, or Elephant Camp.
For two long years, Onyenwe toiled in the camp, his senses ever alert, his spirit ever patient.
The forest, with its dense undergrowth and towering trees, seemed to hold its breath, keeping its secrets close.
The elephants remained elusive, shadows in the mist, their presence felt but never seen. Many would have lost hope, but not Onyenwe.
He understood that the forest and its inhabitants moved to a rhythm all on their own—a rhythm that required patience, respect, and above all, time.
Then, one day, as the sun filtered through the leaves, casting dappled light onto the forest floor, the moment came. Onyenwe, going about his duties, caught sight of them—his first glimpse of the magnificent creatures he had come to know only through stories and signs.
It was as though the forest had decided he was ready; that he had earned the trust not just of the land, but of the elephants themselves.
From that day forward, Onyenwe’s life changed. The connection he forged with the elephants was not just born out of observation but from a deep, almost spiritual understanding.
