Different mothers have different approaches. We were reminded of this at the dawn of December, when Lima Lima kept the group together while Sonje wandered off with Sulwe on her own. Lima Lima always tries to keep the herd united, helping each other care for all the babies, while Sonje is happy doing her own thing.
Early in the month, Kapei and Maktao were at it again. They are favourite playmates and sparring partners. Despite their age difference — Kapei is five, Maktao is eight — the boys are well-matched. While Maktao dominates with his long tusks, Kapei has a clever trick, climbing to higher ground to appear bigger. Peace-loving Mwashoti, who at 11 years old is far senior to either boy, usually intervenes when he sees things are becoming heated.
Lenny is, not to sugarcoat it, a bit of a brat. Early one morning, he returned to Murera and found she was not in a mood to let him nurse. He kept pleading, but she ignored him. This forced Lenny to scream very loudly, bringing all the elephants back to see what was happening. Once they arrived and took stock of the situation, the nannies ignored Lenny — they knew he was just being spoiled. Later in the month, Lenny even tried his luck with the Keepers, seeing if they would give him a bottle reserved for the orphans.
Quanza may be in a courting mood. Unlike her peers, who are all mothers by now, she has shown little interest in any of that. But mid-month, she appeared with a wild bull. He followed at a cautious distance but seemed very taken with Quanza. Perhaps she will have a baby of her own in the not-too-distance future!
Although he is living wild, Mwashoti remains the dedicated uncle of our Umani herd. He can often be found sleeping by the stockade entrance, waiting for the dependent herd to wake up. Even though he is big and strong now, he is always polite and respectful.
All the orphans are fiercely protective of their Keepers. One morning, a group of buffalo had gathered in front of the stockade gate, blocking the team. Lima Lima and her team emerged just as the Keepers needed support. Lima Lima trumpeted loudly to scare off the buffalo, while the other elephants provided back-up. Mwashoti and Quanza charged the interlopers, clearing the way so the Keepers could attend to the herd.
The orphans are also fiercely protective of each other. Later in the month, Amali and Mwana were surprised by a crocodile in the springs. Mwana screamed, alerting all the nannies. Murera charged, which summoned Sonje and her team from the hills. Lima Lima, Mwashoti, Lenny, and Sulwe joined in support. The mothers had already taken control, and Amali and Mwana were safely escorted away, returning unharmed.
Several of our wild-living bulls were notably absent this month, likely enjoying the fresh greens after the rains. Faraja appeared a few times with wild friends in tow, and Alamaya returned on Christmas after a long absence. We did not see Ziwa, Jasiri, or Kiombo, who must be busy with his new adopted family
15th December was a very special day — Christmas come early for our Umani herd. It had been nearly five years since Umani Springs received a graduating class, and, as always, the orphans seemed to sense that something was happening. Murera and her team emerged from the stockades first and enjoyed pellets outside, while Lima Lima and the other “nightclubbers” arrived a little later than usual, delaying the herd’s normal departure into the forest. The elephants loitered just a stone’s throw from the stockades, as if they knew they shouldn’t travel far.
When the graduation truck made its way through the forest, Murera and Lima Lima rallied the herd back to the stockades. The elephants converged in a chorus of rumbles and trumpets, and little Lenny, Mwana, Sulwe, and Zigi — who had not yet witnessed a graduation — ran toward the truck with their tiny trunks aloft. Murera led the procession, as was fitting for the Umani leader, while Mwashoti walked right up to the truck doors, trying to figure out how to let the girls out himself.
New graduates brought new herd dynamics, which required a slight adjustment period. At first, Kapei was not especially welcoming, seeing the new girls as targets to push around. Quanza watched his movements closely and stepped in when needed. The girls weren't fazed by his behaviour — they were far too busy enjoying the green paradise in which they now find themselves. Kerrio, Kamlii, and Latika started feasting the moment they disembarked the moving truck, and haven't really stopped since!
Kiasa and Amali were keen to keep the new girls away from Zigi, Sulwe, and Lenny, seeing them as “their” babies. Pushy behaviour is to be expected from Kiasa, who has always been a bit unpredictable, but we were disappointed by Amali's churlishness. By month's end, however, she had become more accommodating. Lovely Enkesha and Mwana were friendly from the outset and played well with Latika, Kamili, and Kerrio.
Murera is advancing in her second pregnancy and has started weaning Mwana and her beloved “nephew,” Lenny. Lenny was unhappy about the change and made his feelings known very vocally. On Christmas Day, he carefully approached Murera, hoping she might be in a generous mood. He was in luck — she propped her front leg forward, allowing him to breastfeed alongside Mwana.
Lenny may be greedy, but he is also growing up — in fact, he and Sulwe celebrated their first birthdays this month. One morning, Zigi went over to Lenny and started play-fighting, pushing and whacking him with his small trunk. Lenny remained calm, behaving like an older brother. Although he could have fought back, he maturely allowed Zigi to play, knowing he is the baby of the herd.
December was a special month for our Umani family. For the first time in many years, we welcomed three new Nursery orphans into the small herd. Lenny and Sulwe celebrated their first birthdays — Lenny on 4th December, and Sulwe on Christmas Day. Both have grown significantly over the past twelve months. We look forward to seeing what 2026 has in store for our family in the Kibwezi Forest!