Voi had a magical start to the year, with three beautiful baby girls born to our ex-orphans.
The first grandbaby was born mid-month. As we led the dependent herd out to browse, we saw a small group of ex-orphans on the southern side of the hill. Very slowly, we approached the group — and were happy to discover that Arruba had given birth to a tiny baby girl. Mbegu, Tagwa, Pika Pika, Mudanda, Ndotto and a wild teenage bull were standing guard around the first-time mum and her baby. We named her Aura.
Later that afternoon, we were happy to welcome Arruba, Aura, and her nannies to the stockades. They wandered in to drink from the trough, rested for a time, and walked away to join the rest of Mweya’s herd.
In the days that followed, Arruba and Aura were regular visitors at the stockades, joining babies Panya and Mica. While the youngsters were constantly surrounded by a heavy nanny detail, our dependent girls were desperate to Dabida, Epiya and Juni were desperate to be on nanny duty, too. The three girls kept pretending to play near Mica, Aura, and Panya, in the hope of getting closer. Mica’s protective big sister, Mwitu, pushed them away every time they got within touching distance.
Four days later, on 19 January, the herd made an unusual decision and headed west out of the stockades, rather than their usual easterly direction. They were two steps ahead of us: Just a short distance away, ex-orphans Edie and Sagala were waiting for them with two newborn babies! Enid is Edie's fifth calf, while Sia is Sagala’s first calf. Remarkably, we know the father of Sagala’s baby — none other than our own Laikipia.
Our orphans greeted the older elephants with trumpets as the two groups met and the two mamas showed off their babies. The ex-orphans spent the rest of the day with our herd, even coming with them to the mud wallow in the afternoon. It was a great celebration.
After a short time at the baobab area, the older elephants and their many babies wandered off into the bush — except for Sagala, who was still showing off her baby! Mum and tiny baby remained with our orphans while her loyal friend Rorogoi waited for her at a distance. At last, once she had lapped up every last bit of adoration and celebration, Sagala and Sia walked off to join Rorogoi.
Losoito is our dependent herd’s reigning princess. She knows that she is Lemeki’s favourite and thus can get away with anything! She is at her feistiest during milk feeds. One day, when several padded behind Losoito for feeding time, the little girl trumpeted loudly, assuming that her bottle was under threat — never mind the fact that she already had a mouthful of milk. Lemeki immediately charged over to check on her little sister. Rokka is nowhere near as demanding as Losoito, but she also likes to be first to the milk feed.
Many of our ex-orphans were unusually regular and consistent visitors this month. Following disappointing rains in November and December, conditions are difficult, and they know that we can support them. This shows prudent decision-making on the part of the matriarchs, especially because they have so many tiny babies in their midst.
Most mornings were full of activity, with ex-orphans Edie, Mweya, Sagala, Kihari, Panda, Mbirikani, Arruba, Kenia, Ndotto, Godoma, Mbegu, Ngilai, Murit, Tagwa, Tundani, Ndoria, Ndii, Suswa, and wild-born babies Eden, Ella, Enzo, Eco, Enid, Mwangaza, Mwitu, Sia, Kiki, Panya, Mica, and Aura joining our 20 stockade-dependent orphans. Typically, the various groups would gather for water and breakfast before splintering off for the rest of the day, Mweya leading her group in one direction and Lemeki taking hers in another.
Towards the end of the month, we had a wonderful and wholly unexpected visitor. The orphans were settled in their stockades and the evening was drawing to a close when Lasayen arrived, after an absence of many months! He arrived with his old friends, Ngilai, Tagwa, and Godoma. The group drank from the trough, stood under the tree for a time, and padded out into the night.
Serenget, our remaining patient in ‘Voi Hospital,’ is doing well. She still refuses to drink milk but is otherwise healthy and happy. Her bullet wound is healing beautifully.
While the ex-orphans undoubtedly stole the show in January, our dependent herd had a wonderful month. Little Baraka, Busara, and Ashanti lapped up love from all and sundry, while Rokka and Losoito enjoyed the undivided attention of Lemeki. Sileita continued to reign over her mini herd, consisting of Mushuru and Sholumai. Akina continued her funny habit of carrying lucerne to a private area, where she could eat in peace. She was often joined by Juni, Sholumai, and Ushindi. Gentle Thamana tried to maintain some order among the burly boys, Kilulu, Hildana, and Itinyi — with very limited success. Kenderi, with his large tusks, was an unexpected playmate for the boys. Juni, Dabida, and Epiya were singularly focused on interacting with the tiny babies — also with limited success!
January ended with a milestone for our beloved young matriarch, Mbegu: As the ex-orphans convened at the stockades for breakfast, they were joined by a wild bull with very large tusks. We soon realised he was there because of Mbegu. He followed her and flirted with her. She accepted the bull’s advances and soon the two elephants were mating near the stockades. In 22 months, we hope to meet Mbegu’s baby.