In Ithumba, May began in the best possible way: with the arrival of yet more grandkids!
On the first of the month, Sidai, Silas, Sid, Wema, Ishanga, and Siku strode up to the stockade compound. Half a minute later, Sunyei arrived — and with her was a tiny baby, who just happened to be her third daughter! It appears that Wema ditched her wayward mother, Wendi, in favour of helping Saba and Siku look after their new little sister. The visit was clearly just to show off Sunyei’s latest arrival, whom we have named Subiri. After just five minutes, the group melted back into the wilderness.
Not 24 hours after Subiri’s debut, we were treated to another new arrival. This time, it was first-time mum Makireti introducing us to her beautiful baby boy. She spent quite some time parading around the stockades, ensuring we all properly got introduced to her new baby, whom we have named Makimaki. Makireti was diligently shadowed by young Neshashi, who seemed to be Makimaki’s sole nanny.
This will be a year to remember, with so many babies already born. Now we wait for the next birth — bearing in mind that Kilabasi, Naserian, Wendi, Nasalot, Suguta, and Mutara are all pregnant.
Kuishi is still too young to start a family, but she does seem set on recruiting a little herd. The newly independent girl has been quite devious on that front. One evening, as the orphans began heading back to the stockades, Mukutan was nowhere to be found. It turned out he had been ‘kidnapped’ by Kuishi and her team, who had no intention of returning to the stockades that night. Mukutan, however, realised he did not want to miss his evening milk and decided to part ways with them. The Keepers mounted a quick search and spotted the junior bull making his way back, clearly determined not to miss out on his bottle.
Last month, we were treated to a welcome return from Jotto and Musiara, after an absence of a year. After so much time away, the boys seem content to remain in the area for now. We often found them in the company of newly independent orphans Kuishi, Sattao, Larro, and Galla. While Musiara often mingled with the dependent herd, Jotto disappeared for stretches of time — we wondered if he was searching for his old friends, Ambo and Kauro.
Suguroi lives life on her terms. Early one morning, after having her fill of lucerne, she decided to start her journey to the browsing field. Much to her dismay, no one followed her. She made a low rumble, calling her colleagues to join. Naleku responded and started following, and the rest of the herd reluctantly followed suit.
Another evening, as the Keepers were preparing to return the orphans to the stockades, Suguroi suddenly dodged them and climbed up the hill. It took us nearly 45 minutes to locate her and shepherd her back down. We cannot imagine what she was thinking, pulling a disappearing act at such a late hour!
Given the favourable conditions in the field, we didn’t have too many ex-orphan or wild visitors this month. However, our old reliables still filtered through. Late one night, the Keepers awoke to find Kinna and her three babies — Kama, Kaia, and Kito — outside the compound. The youngest kids were sleeping comfortably, showing just how safe they feel at Ithumba.
Another day, Mutara’s herd — which now includes baby Mambo, Sities, Sunni, Turkwel, Suguta, Maramoja, Kainuk, Malkia, Sana Sana, Naboishu, Ndiwa, and Olsekki — joined the orphans in the morning for lucerne feeding. The group had been away for some time and has grown significantly larger. It used to just be Mutara and her girlfriends, Sities, Suguta, Turkwel, and Kainuk.
As she gets into the swing of motherhood, it seems that Makireti decided to form her own little herd of nannies. Her baby, Makimaki, is now under very tight security. The members in her group include Neshashi, the main nanny, along with Malima, Siangiki, Roi, Oltaiyoni, Kuishi, and Maramoja.
Naleku is turning into a bit of a bully. One morning, she set her sights on the new boys, Choka and Loldaiga. The Keepers quickly intervened, admonishing Naleku for her uncharitable actions. Another day, Mayan and Loldaiga assisted each other in peeling the bark from the same tree. Naleku came over and pushed the two boys away, taking over the task.
Her behaviour has not gone unnoticed by the rest of the herd: Often, when she walks somewhere, the others don't follow her. The junior orphans know she has become a bit of a bully and are hoping she reforms herself!
The odd bully aside, our stockade-dependent herd — consisting of Choka, Loldaiga, Mukutan, Lodo, Vaarti, Mayan, Suguroi, Esoit, Kinyei, Kindani, Bondeni, Olorien, Naleku, and Roho — are all doing well. Mayan and Vaarti continue to be our peaceful bulls, while Kindani, Kinyei, and Bondeni remain the best of friends. Roho and Lodo, the boys with the corresponding names, get into daily tussling games that never end with a winner.