Mutara reaching for browse
Daily updates
February 1st
Mutara, Tano, Makireti and Shukuru have been fighting over who is to take care of our newest orphan Lemek. During the public visiting hour Orwa and Tano had the pleasure of watching over her as the others enjoyed a mudbath in an effort to cool off.
Orwa at the mudbath
February 2nd
Today we had to separate Lemek from the rest of the orphans as when she is with them she does not want to feed and instead stays close to Mutara, Shukuru and Makireti who are like mothers to her, so much so that she tries to suckle from them. So that she is not entirely on her own Orwa has chosen to stay with her to keep her company.
Orwa with Abdi
Shukuru playing
February 8th
Kainuk has been disciplining Ishaq-B today because of her naughty behavior, whilst Orwa continues to be close to the keepers enjoying their company and especially his milk feeds, as he’s always first in the line, running up to his bottle. Sities, Turkwel and Tano have continued to be wonderful babysitters to little Kithaka who needs the love and attention.
Ishaq-B sucking on her trunk
Tano and Turkwel watch overh Kithaka
February 9th
Orwa has been exceptionally sociable today and enjoyed interacting with the guests at the mud-bath – walking up and down the line saying hello to everyone. He stubbornly chose not to leave the mudbath and didn’t want to follow the younger orphans into the bush, so we had no choice but to let him stay with the older group.
Orwa at the mudbath
Two of the orphans keepers Hassan & Peter
February 10th
Naughtily Ishanga went after Kilabasi today because she got angry when she couldn’t steal Kilabasi’s milk bottle. The keepers gave Ishanga a good telling off, but this did not deter her as she kept chasing Kilabasi and biting her tail. Today Orwa behaved very well with a film crew that came for a recce, posing nicely for all the photographs, enjoying the attention. They had wanted to take photos of Kithaka but Mutara being very protective didn’t let them near him.
Ishanga in the bush
Kilabasi browsing
February 14th
The orphans took their morning milk feed by Sonje’s stockade after which she exited her stockade and was embraced by the rest of the group. She spent the morning browsing with Mutara, Makireti, Shukuru and Turkwel. Lumo continues to mourn the loss of her family and is quiet and withdrawn. The rest of the orphans do their best to comfort her, especially Orwa who is always by her side keeping her company.
Turkwel
Lumo, Orwa and Peter
February 15th
Today was Sonje’s second day out with the orphans. Her swollen knee does not seem to bother her too much and she is able to keep pace with the rest of the group. Lumo, who is still quite weak, spent the day close to the stockades with Orwa.
Sonje out with the rest of the orphans
Little Lumo
February 23rd
The orphans spent the morning around Murera’s stockade, browsing nearby for an hour or so before heading out for the day. Ishaq-B is jealous of the new orphans and often has to be reprimanded for head butting Orwa. Ishanga and Kilabasi engaged one another in strength testing games, which escalated into a fight. The two had to be separated by the keepers.
Makireti browsing
Tano browsing
February 26th
Sities and Naipoki were the first to visit Murera this morning followed by Mutara and Shukuru. Murera was very happy to see the orphans and they greeted each other warmly before the group headed out for the day. Orwa was brought back to keep Murera company for the day and the two of them thoroughly enjoyed a red soil dustbath.
Sweet mischievous Sities
Murera and Orwa
February 27th
Orwa is a very gentle and loving orphan who enjoys spending time with all of the new orphans, keeping them company until they are able to join the rest of the group out in the bush. Murera is feeding well and is slowly gaining strength.
Lovely gentle Orwa with Abdi
Murera
February 29th
As soon as the stockade doors were opened Mutara and Shukuru rushed to see Murera who was thrilled to see them. The orphans are all kept close by so that Murera, who can not walk far, can join them for a while. Orwa continues to be a close friend and companion to Murera keeping her company thorughout the day. After she finished her 9am milk feed Makireti made a bee line for Kasigau and stole one of his milk bottle from him downing it before anyone could do anything to stop her.
Orwa dustbathing as Murera watches
Turkwel