The Umani orphans are extremely fat and healthy and if you could call an elephant glossy, glossy they are. Umani is a perfect habitat for the orphans who need a gentler environment because of past trauma, whether from injuries sustained from poaching, or medical health issues as was the case with our recent arrivals who joined the group this month.

Ziwa and Balguda joined the fold in the middle of this month making the transition from the Nairobi Nursery to Umani Springs Rehabilitation Unit.

For Ziwa this was his second time on the road, having been moved to Ithumba first last year. He fell ill shortly afterwards last year and was flown back to the Nursery to undergo intensive care treatment. He was brought back from the brink from a mysterious blood parasite. For Balguda, Ziwa's friend, but also an elephant who has had medical scares over the years, it only seemed appropriate that he be considered too.

These two little chaps were delivered to Umani on the 15th April early in the morning after a successful drive. All the details about how they have settled can be enjoyed throughout the Keepers diary daily entries, but safe to say they have not looked back having arrived in Utopia. Ziwa's condition is improving before our eyes, and Balguda has been lovingly adopted by Sonje.

The Umani herd consisting of Murera, Sonje, Quanza, Lima Lima, Zongoloni, Faraja, Jasiri, Ngasha and now Ziwa and Balguda have been having a wonderful month with so much food, water and easy living. Details about their month are shared in the Keepers daily entries.