Chamboi is growing bigger, and his character is becoming more like Apollo’s. Sometimes he is very friendly, and other times he can be a bit aggressive — but he knows his Keepers very well and treats them like family.
When Chamboi finds a smell, he makes it very clear that he wants to investigate. He sets off at speed, with the Keepers following closely behind. Elephants, kudus, waterbucks — all these scents are fascinating to Chamboi. But his favourite place remains the mud bath, where he loves rolling up and down and playing in the soil.
Over on the elephant side, Kaikai continues to be our little ray of sunshine. She runs a tight ship when it comes to milk mixing. She likes to closely supervise the process — so closely, in fact, that her Keepers have decided it best to move her away from the immediate area, so they can focus on the task at hand!
While they prepare bottles, they have designated a special patch of yard overlooking the milk mixing area just for her. From this elevated perch, Kaikai observes proceedings carefully, shaking her trunk and flapping her ears impatiently when she feels her Keepers are moving too slowly. Despite this, she is very polite. No one is making her stay at her observation point, but she dutifully waits there until the bottles are ready. The moment she sees her Keeper screw the lid on the bottle, she dashes down to escort him to the feeding point.
Lamuu, our newest baby, continues to recover well after a difficult start. She was rescued three months ago after suffering from a serious case of poaching, with a wire snare tightly wrapped around her left front foot. She had been in a lot of pain, but thanks to the rescue team and her Keepers — especially Keeper Lekoli — she is improving day by day.
After a long period of treatment, Lamuu has now joined the other babies out in the bush. She is very happy to be back on her feet and part of the group. Lekoli notes that she is a very clever girl who enjoys her favourite greens and can easily pick them out. She is calm, sweet, and friendly with the Keepers, although still shy around visitors. Lamuu is a busy girl, quietly minding her own business as she feeds without much distraction.
Korbessa still carries herself like a queen and remains firmly in charge of the group. She leads the others wherever they go and has recently taken Lamuu under her wing. Already, the girls are firm friends.
Toto is growing bigger and remains a gentle, easygoing boy. He is a bit spoiled, but he is also very smart. He enjoys browsing close to the Keepers and spends most of his time with Korbessa and Mwinzi. He continues to play endlessly with Natibu, because the two boys are matched in age and energy.
Natibu is a big boy full of energy and always ready to play. He is very strong and often initiates games with Toto, the two jumping and pushing each other. At times, Natibu can be a bit of a bully, but it never comes from a mean place.
Mwinzi plays an important role among the orphans. He is the biggest and often acts like a protector, watching over the others while remaining calm and friendly. He is very good with both the Keepers and the other elephants. He has a very gentle and understanding nature.
This month, Mwinzi, Natibu, and Toto resumed graduation training. They proved to be excellent trainees, sure-footedly walking aboard the moving truck, where they have their milk bottles. In solidarity, Korbessa, Lamuu, and Subi also join the boys for their training sessions. While graduations are always bittersweet, we are excited for Mwinzi, Natibu, and Toto’s next chapter — they are ready for it.
Pips the giraffe continues to be a lively and mischievous presence. She follows the zebras and buffaloes and rarely goes off into the bush on her own. Much of her time is spent around the lawns, where she often lies down as if supervising the gardeners. When Keeper Peter heads out to the bush, she follows him very closely.
She has developed a particular fascination with the Keepers’ tent, constantly rubbing against the flysheet and, in the process, damaging it on a daily basis. The Keepers are kept busy repairing it. Washing lines are also not safe — Pips will remove clothes and carry them away. She loves her milk and knows no limits, drinking five litres during the day and five at night, yet always trying for more.
Sometimes, Pips refuses to return to her stockade in the evening, but a bottle of water usually convinces her. Suleiman is her favourite Keeper, and whenever she is being stubborn, he is the one who steps in. She is quite afraid of the resident troop of baboons and will run for the safety of the stables when they appear, kicking in all directions. Aside from that, she is friendly and good-natured with everyone.
Over at Rhino Base, Apollo had another good month. His Keepers call him Mzee — in Swahili, an old man, someone to be respected — and it is a fitting name.
He is becoming more and more independent, which is a good thing. In the morning, when his stockade is opened, he makes his way out into his roaming grounds on his own. We usually know where Apollo is because of his friends, as he spends much of his time with a small herd of zebras who have made his area their home.
At night, when he decides he is ready, Apollo returns to his stockade to sleep. His Keepers still give him porridge in a bottle as a treat, and they continue to sleep in bunk beds above his stockade to make sure he is safe. He may be a mzee, but he still needs his parents.
Watch a special video in your account, featuring the Kaluku orphans.
Apollo is at Rhino Base in Tsavo.
