December began with a tiny addition to our Umani family. We didn't know it yet, but before the month’s end, two new babies would enter the fold!
On the morning of 3rd December, Lima Lima arrived looking very tired, which is not her usual nature. She moved very slowly, flanked by Quanza and Sonje, and then lay down and rubbed her belly on an anthill. The Keepers suspected that Lima Lima was starting to go into labour. Keeper Evans even leaned his head on her belly, jokingly asking when the baby’s big debut would happen!
They didn’t have to wait long. The following morning, Quanza rushed up to the staff quarters in a very uncharacteristic state, trumpeting and charging around. Head Keeper Philip was informed of her unusual state and drove over to investigate. He was intercepted by Quanza, who directed him to a small group of elephants standing beneath a tree: Lima Lima and Sonje, flanking a tiny baby boy!
News of Lima Lima’s baby spread quickly. Keepers and orphans alike raced through the forest to meet their new family member, who we named Lenny. Only Mwana was dismayed by this turn of events. She saw Lenny as a personal affront, dethroning her from the coveted position of herd baby. As the day progressed, Mwana became increasingly impolite, even aiming some surly back-kicks in Lenny’s direction. Eventually, Murera escorted her daughter back to the stockades so she could sulk in private.
Fortunately, Mwana’s sullen mood only lasted a few days. We believe the turning point was a ‘meeting’ chaired by Murera and Sonje, in which the big girls explained to Mwana that every Umani elephant must welcome and respect new baby additions, just as they had done with Mwana. It was agreed that the family was growing, and they all needed to live together peacefully. From this day forward, Mwana transformed into a model big (but still very little!) sister.
Naturally, all the girls were clamouring for the opportunity to nanny Lenny, but it was Kiasa who emerged the victor. Up until Lenny’s birth, Kiasa was milk- and stockade-dependent, returning home with the other orphans every evening. She knew that her fellow dependents, Enkesha and Amali, would also want to look after Lenny. So, the clever girl devised a plan: Instead of fighting for nanny roles each morning, she stepped up her strategy and left the stockades, instead sleeping in the forest so she could spend every minute with the baby. Enkesha and Amali were forced to concede defeat and embrace being Lenny’s secondary nannies — a role they hold with distinction.
And then, on Christmas Day, we received yet another gift. Early that morning, the nightclubbers slowly approached the stockades, hiding something exciting. We quickly realised it was Sonje, introducing us to her brand-new baby girl! Discovering the news, the orphans started trumpeting and even urinating everywhere in excitement, all manners forgotten. The Keepers were overjoyed that Sonje had given them such a precious gift on Christmas Day — a day that now felt even more special.
We named Sonje’s daughter Sulwe, which means ‘morning star’ in the Luo language. It felt most fitting, for we could not have imagined a better or brighter way to top our Christmas morning. The name has special significance for Umani’s Head Keeper, Philip, who is of the Luo tribe. He has been by Sonje’s side since her Nursery days. Now, with the other Umani Keepers, he gets to be the honorary grandfather to her daughter.
When Mwana was a little baby, she nursed not only from her own mother but also from all the pregnant females — Sonje, Lima Lima, and Zongoloni. Now, it is Murera’s turn to return the favour. One afternoon, the Keepers couldn’t help but laugh when they saw Murera generously nursing both babies, Lenny from one breast and Sulwe from the other, as Mwana observed without any objection. She has grown up a lot in the past few weeks.
The head girls may be occupied with their own babies, but they haven’t forgotten the little orphans who rely on them for leadership, too! One afternoon, Kapei was tussling with Maktao, who is much larger than him. The fun soon turned heated when Maktao started using his strength to overpower the young upstart. Kapei started yelling in alarm, which sent Sonje and Lima Lima running over. They blocked Maktao and formed a protective circle around Kapei, restoring order once more.
Zongoloni, who wants every baby for herself, spent much of the month away. When she arrived on the 15th and discovered Lenny, she was immediately smitten — and a bit covetous! She attempted to whisk the little boy away from nannies Kiasa and Amali until Quanza and Lima Lima intervened. Zongoloni, who is heavily pregnant, will have a baby of her own in no time.
The same day that Zongoloni returned, Alamaya and Ziwa also visited the herd. Faraja made a brief visit early in the month. Only Jasiri didn’t make an appearance, but we know he is in the area.
Mwashoti, our gentle uncle of the Umani family, remained close this month. Unsurprisingly, he has been welcoming and polite to the little babies, supporting the new mothers in any way he could. One day, he took on Lima Lima’s usual role, intercepting some visiting wild bulls and directing them away from the herd, so the orphans and Keepers could carry on in peace.
Kiombo does his best, but he doesn’t share Mwashoti’s calm nature (unlike Maktao, a fellow ‘gentle uncle’) and occasionally steps out of line. One afternoon, as the boys swam in the mud hole, Kiombo made the mistake of touching Sulwe, the untouchable baby. The females banded together to punish him for daring to approach the young girl. Kiombo learned his lesson the hard way, receiving what the Keepers joked was ‘bitter medicine’ for his misstep.
The year ended with us marvelling at how much our Umani family has grown. Ten years ago, the unit didn’t even exist. Today, it has three wild-born babies to its name, with even more on the way. We are so proud of our Umani orphans and the special family we are fostering in the Kibwezi Forest.