Last month, Mbegu and co. delivered Manda back home. He had been absent for ten months after being kidnapped by a wild herd. Initially, Manda enjoyed a return to his familiar routines, joining the dependent herd for their daily circuit and settling into his old bedroom at night.
As time went on, however, he grew restless. One day, when ex-orphans Ndotto, Murit, and Ngilai paid us a morning visit, Manda took the opportunity to head back into the wild with them. The choice was entirely his, and whenever he feels nostalgic for home, he will be more than welcome.
We know that Mbegu and her gang are still very much in the area, but their visits are irregular. Some days they come as one big group; others, only one or two report in. Tamiyoi, who seems to be a bit wistful for home these days, made several solo visits. Sileita was always happy to see her old nanny, who slotted right back into the usual routines.
We have noticed that Itinyi loves to be with older bulls. Whenever the ex-orphans visit, he makes a beeline for Ndotto, Ngilai, or Murit and follows them like an adoring shadow. Mentorship is important in elephant society, and Itinyi knows that he has a lot to learn from his elders.
After a successful debut with the herd last month, new rescue Lumo began May fully in the mix. During the weeks he spent resting and recuperating in his stockade, the other orphans were in constant communication with him — so by the time he was ready to join them, he entered a herd full of friends. He has grown especially close to Serenget and Busara, although both girls can sometimes be pushy when they're jealous of the attention the young bull is receiving.
Losoito may be the shortest, stoutest member of the Voi herd, but she thinks she rules the show. Mornings and feeding times are when she is her bossiest self, yelling and pushing the others so she can be first. One day, the milk truck dared to arrive a few minutes behind schedule for the afternoon feed. When an impatient Losoito heard the vehicle approaching, she sprinted to the feeding area before it had even stopped and we had unloaded the milk!
The addition of Serenget and Lumo to the Voi herd has changed the dynamics — and our 'former babies' are still adjusting. Busara, Baraka, and especially Losoito are not happy about having to share the nannies, especially Lemeki. Lemeki takes their quibbling in stride; she never gets angry, but she does handle the situation. While she scoops up Lumo, Ushindi does the same with Serenget, and Losoito is sent away to consider her actions.
However, mid-month showed signs of progress: after emptying her bottles, Losoito approached Lumo while he was still drinking. Lumo warily eyed the pudgy girl, remembering the times she had pushed him around. This time was different. Losoito gently trunk-touched him and did not try to steal his bottle.
Ashanti is a close second to Losoito when it comes to bossiness. Her trunk may have been shortened by a snare, but she certainly doesn't lack confidence! She is fortunate to have the protection of older friends like Thamana, who shield her from bullies while she eats in her slow-but-sure, scooping manner. (The snare cut off the 'fingers' at the end of her trunk, so Ashanti has had to adapt her eating style.)
Our Voi herd is unique in that it is quite large, and many of the orphans are of a similar age, as they were rescued during the 2021–2022 drought. Over the years, the original 'Voi kids' — Itinyi, Epiya, Busara, Ashanti, Baraka, Kilulu, Akina, Ushindi, Seri, Kenderi, Dabida, Hildana, and Juni — have been joined by Losoito, Rokka, Sholumai, Mushuru, Sileita, and now Serenget and Lumo. They squabble like siblings and have special friendships, but everyone really does roll along like one big, wonderful family.
The 26th of May brought another addition to that family. Mid-afternoon, we received a report of an abandoned elephant in the Dida Harea area with a spear wound on his front leg. With the KWS team, we rescued the elephant and brought him to the stockades. Harea, as we named him, slept well that first night and fed on fresh greens. The older girls greeted him in the morning, while the SWT/KWS Tsavo Vet — who is based just down the drive — returned to treat his wound.
The month ended on a lovely note. The sun rose to find ex-orphans Ndotto, Ngilai, Godoma, Tagwa (who is heavily pregnant), Mbegu, and Murit waiting outside the stockades. We opened the dependent herd's gates and the two groups mingled around the lucerne. Little Baraka honed right in on Mbegu, hiding her face under the big girl's ear. When a curious Kilulu approached, Mbegu warned him off with an extended trunk. Once a nanny, always a nanny!