Keepers' Diaries, November 2011
Nairobi Nursery Unit
This month there have been five Elephant Rescues - Layoni (2 ½ years old) came in on the 4th from the Masai Mara with what looked like hyaena mauls on his rear end and under-belly, fortunately, only superficial. Three week old Sasab arrived on the 8th, having been washed down the flooded Uaso Nyiro River and retrieved near Sasaab Camp in the Kipsing area of Samburu. On the same day another 6 month old female orphaned calf was brought in having been found alone on the Taita Ranch abutting the Buchuma area of Tsavo East – a veritable poaching hotspot populated by Somalis. Sadly, this calf was too far gone to save, and collapsed soon after arrival. Despite being on life support throughout the night, she died the next morning. Next to arrive on the 20th was tiny Kithaka just a few days old from the Imenti Forest who was airlifted from the Lewa Downs airstrip. Finally, at month end on the 30th, another Rescue Alert came from the South Turkana Game Reserve where a beleaguered small remnant population of elephants somehow manage to survive under very challenging conditions. Those rescued from this area, are, indeed, the lucky ones, included amongst whom are Orphans Nasalot (now an Ithumba Ex Orphan living wild), Turkwel and Kainuk. This latest arrival, named “Orwa” was a young bull aged about 6 months, desperately dehydrated and malnutritioned in a state of extreme emaciation which was painful to even behold! However, he took milk overnight but had to be helped up from a sleeping position, and supported once up. It will be a miracle if this baby pulls through.
01 November 2011
The Nursery babies emerged as soon as the doors of their stables were flung open, Mutara and Makireti rushing towards the new baby, Ishaq-B, who was limping towards the others, having come in with a swollen back leg. They surrounded her, caressing her with their trunks. Mutara tried to touch her swollen leg, but Ishaq-B did not want that. Makireti then led the herd out to browse on the West side of the Stockades, since Ishaq-B could not walk far. All was well until a burst tyre on the nearby main road scared the herd, sending them fleeing to hide behind bushes, although Turkwel and Shukuru remained to guard Ishaq-B, who had her first Mudbath appearance today, regarding all the visitors with interest and suspicion. The rest of the day went well, but for the fact that Solio took off and the Keepers spent at least 30 minutes trying to find her to take her back to her Stockade.
02 November 2011
Ishaq-B’s leg is less swollen today, as the orphans headed out to browse in the morning. Out in the bush Ishanga, Kasigau, Rombo, Kilabasi and Kihari split from the rest of the group to go off and browse apart deeper in the forest. Ishaq-B wanted to accompany them but Mutara, Shukuru and Makireti would have none of it, so instead Ishaq-B was happy to have Naipoki for company, the older girls watching over the two babies. Apart from a limp, Ishaq-B behaves just like the others during the Public Mudbath hour, hurrying for her milk, and joining in the mudbath fun. At around 2 p.m. the Heavens opened and there was a heavy downpour with frightening thunder that scared the elephants, especially Tano, Sities and little Naipoki who decided to stay close to the Keepers. Solio was taken back to her Stockade earlier than usual, in case she ran away due to the thunder.
03 November 2011
Once out this morning, the orphans enjoyed some Stockade games in the compound. Ishaq-B’s leg is improving fast. She can now put weight on it. Mutara and Naipoki led the herd out to browse, Ishaq-B bringing up the rear, which prompted Mutara to return in order to walk beside her. Out in the bush Makireti and Kilabasi had an argument over a root which Kilabasi found first. After Pushing and shoving for a couple of minutes, Mutara and Turkwel came to separate them, Turkwel pushing Makireti away while Mutara blocked Kilabasi from following Makireti. The rest of the day was peaceful, but for Ishanga interrupting the younger orphans, Naipoki Ishaq-B and Kainuk while they were browsing. Today another young elephant was rescued from the Masai Mara. He is about 2 ½ years old, with short tusks and wounds around his rear end and under belly, likely to have been inflicted by hyaenas. He was named “Layoni”.
04 November 2011
Tano and Makireti escorted Ishaq-B as she trailed the others. On the way out Naipoki was head-butted by Kainuk from behind, which resulted in a fight, watched closely by Turkwel, who moved in to separate them. The orphans were brought to the Gates of the newcomers Stockade to take their 9 a.m. milk feed. Mutara, Makireti and Turkwel came to greet the newcomer, stretching their trunk through the bars to touch him, while he responded, stretching out his trunk, happy to see them. Ishaq-B also came to greet Layoni, extending her trunk to him. As it was a cool day, none of the elephants took a mudbath, but Sities entertained the visitors, running along the cordon kicking the football.
05 November 2011
Mutara led the group to Layoni’s Stockade to greet him, all pushing and shoving to get close to the door. In the process Ishanga, who tried to force her way in, head butted Naipoki making her scream, which frightened Kasigau, Rombo, Dabassa and Kilabasi who fled, whilst Mutara and Shukuru ran to comfort Naipoki. Later Tano and Naipoki led the others out to browse where Kainuk and Sities started another fight to settle an age-old grudge. Again Turkwel came to separate them. Ishaq-B is doing well, interacting with the others. Mutara is always close to her.
06 November 2011
After the noon milk feed Shukuru spotted a bushbuck and reinforced by Tano, Mutara, Sities and Naipoki charged. The buckbuck disappeared rapidly leaving the elephants rushing around downing small shrubs. Layoni’s wounds are healing well, but he still does not want a Keeper actually in with him.
07 November 2011
Kainuk is becoming naughty. She is jealous of Naipoki and Ishaq-B because Turkwel remained behind with Ishaq-B who is slower than the others due to her leg. Kainuk ran to push Ishaq-B down, warning her by putting out her ears! After the Private Viewing the orphans began charging around and trumpeting for no apparent reason, although we Keepers have come to understand that whenever the elephants behave thus, there is usually a rescue in the offing!
08 November 2011
The charging around and trumpeting continued this morning, only Turkwel remaining behind with Ishaq-B. Makireti led the whole group and as we predicted yesterday, a message came from Sasaab Lodge in Kipsing about a tiny baby elephant which had been rescued from the flooded river. There was another rescue from Tsavo as well - also a young elephant who had been seen near Buchuma Gate so two Rescue teams headed out in different directions. The baby from the Kipsing arrived back in the Nursery at about 2.30 p.m., a tiny newborn of about 2 weeks old. The Tsavo orphan came in severely malnourished and was in a bad way. Both were settled in their respective stables.
09 November 2011
With two new orphans in need of intensive care, and Layoni still in his stockade with wounds needing attention, the Keepers were kept very busy. The newcomer from Tsavo collapsed and had to be put on a drip, and the small Kipsing baby was very restless, crying for his mother. A Keeper had to be at hand at all times to try and comfort him. Out in the bush Mutara remained close to Ishaq-B who is nervous of Ishanga having been pushed down by her. Rombo and Dabassa engaged one another in a strength test, which was won by Dabassa who is still stronger than Rombo. At the mudbath hour Sities put on an impressive display for the visitors as none of the elephants wanted to wallow while Kainuk kept on trying to chase Ishaq-B away from Turkwel, so the Keepers had to stand between the two. Sadly at 8.42 a.m. the Tsavo orphan died, still on life support, but too weak to recover. So sad!
10 November 2011
Layoni is still a bit aggressive, and therefore not ready to come out yet. The Kipsing baby, named “Sasab” was taken to the rest of the herd. As soon as the older Girls spotted the baby, Mutara Tano, Shukuru, Makireti and Turkwel ran to him, pushing and shoving to get close, so the Keepers had to intervene to restore order. Meanwhile Kainuk and Naipoki ran away! In the end Mutara Shukuru and Turkwel were left with the baby, but Ishanga and Kasigau were also interested, while Sities was pleased to have Naipoki to herself. The tiny calf was out for Public Viewing, and everybody there wanted to touch him. Back in the bush the orphans were split into two groups, Mutara, Shukuru and Makireti with Sasab while the rest of the herd browsed separately.
11 November 2011
It began to rain last night, which upset the small calves, particularly Sities. It was still drizzling at daylight, so the small calves had to remain indoors. Today was the first day that Layoni accepted the Keepers in his stable to feed him, after having been in the Taming Stockade for 8 days, but too aggressive to allow close contact until now.
12 November 2011
It was a sunny morning as the elephants left their Night Stockades, all pushing and shoving to be close to baby Sasab. At the 9 a.m. feed the younger group were taken to Layoni’s Stockade to take their milk before him, while the three Big Boys, Dabassa, Rombo and Kasigau were at the Elephant Moving Truck where they are in training for their move to Ithumba later in the month, weather permitting. After taking milk Layoni was let out to join the others, moving off slowly with them, with a bit of pushing and shoving from Dabassa who is another naughty boy. However, as soon as he spotted all the visitors at the mudbath venue, he refused to follow, so remained hidden until after the mudbath, when the rest of the herd rejoined him. The rest of the day went well, and in the evening Layoni joined Rombo in the stockade that used to house Kasigau while Kasigau was moved to the one that was formerly occupied by Rombo.
13 November 2011
All the Big Girls were waiting at Sasab’s door this morning. Tano wanted him as soon as he came out, but Mutara took him over. Layoni and Rombo had a good night in their new Stockade with no fighting over the milk. Rombo, who is usually greedy, respects Layoni who is bigger. The training of the Graduates is still going on, but none of them are anxious to go into the Elephant Truck!
14 November 2011
The orphans entertained their mudbath audience, playing in the mud, until a troupe of baboons on the nearby rocks disturbed them, prompting them to crowd around their Keepers.
Solio behaved herself today and did not try to give the Keepers the slip! At 2 p.m. she came for her mudbath, and her Keeper anointed her with mud, which she enjoyed. In the evening she came back into her new Stockade (the one vacated by Shida) where she had a chat with Maxwell next door.
15 November 2011
All the orphans were anxious to spend time with little Sasab today, even the Big Boys. Rombo and Layoni have become firm friends since sharing a night stockade. The Truck-Training went well today, Rombo and Kasigau entering the truck to take their 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. milk feeds. However, Dabassa is still reluctant, reaching his trunk to get the milk inside rather than going in. Showers of rain meant that Naipoki, Ishaq-B and Sasab had to go in early. Meanwhile Solio gave her Keepers a run-around, reluctant to return in the evening.
16 November 2011
Kainuk and Sities are jealous of Ishaq-B because of the attention lavished on her by Turkwel. They tend to try and bully her, so Ishaq-B tries to steer clear of these two. Then Sities pushed her down later on in the day, which hurt her sore leg making her scream after which Kainuk tried to block her from being accessed by Turkwel. The Keepers moved in to protect her.
17 November 2011
Mutara has developed a new habit – she wants to browse deep in the forest in the evenings, taking with her Dabassa, Kilabasi and Rombo, and not responding when called. It took the Keepers about half an hour to locate them today even though they were not far away, but hiding in a thicket. In the end it was a tiny Piglet who gave the game away, scaring the elephants who emerged in a hurry!
18 November 2011
Sometimes Kainuk appears scared of little Sasab! Whenever he is behind her she begins to run away! Today, when he was following her, she screamed as she ran away! At the mudbath Sasab tried to suck Turkwel’s ears, but when she wouldn’t allow it, he tried the ears of the rest, but only Tano would permit it, though not for long. After the Public Visiting Hour Tano ran towards Sasab with her ears out followed by Sities and Shukuru who began trumpeting. This caught the attention of the others who all surrounded the little boy, ensuring that he was O.K. Later all began browsing peacefully.
19 November 2011
On a drizzly morning, Sasab had to remain indoors, as Mutara and Shukuru led the others out, all looking around for the baby! Rombo and Kasigau are now going into the Elephant Truck well, but Dabassa is refusing, even declining his milk rather than entering it.
Solio was cooperative today, returning early at 4.15 p.m. due to the rain. Upon arrival there was a pile of Murram soil near her old stockade, and even though she approached from the opposite end, she had to go and inspect it before going into her own Stockade.
20 November 2011
It was a chilly morning dominated by Showers. The Big orphans were happy about the weather, but little Sasab again had to remain indoors while Naipoki and Ishaq-B had to wear rainwear. Just after 3 p.m. there was another Rescue alert from Meru National Park to say that a tiny calf from the Imenti forest was at the Lewa Downs airfield awaiting a plane to be airlifted to the Nursery. The rescue Team of two Keepers plus all the paraphernalia were soon on the way. The calf, a baby bull, no more than a few days old, arrived back at the Nursery after dark. He has been named “Kithaka” the Meru word for “forest”. He was put in the stable next to Tano and Sasab, which made Tano very excited and happy. She tried to reach out to him, but the baby was too preoccupied adjusting to his new surroundings.
21 November 2011
There are now l8 infant elephants in our Nairobi Nursery, tiny Kithaka being the new kid in the block. In the morning the two tiny babies were taken out together, Sasab heading off in any direction while little Kithaka followed the Keepers closely. When the older girls spotted the tiny newcomer, the Keepers had a difficult time keeping order for all wanted to be as close as possible to the latest baby. Even naughty Ishanga was a front-runner vying with Shukuru. Meanwhile Makireti gave up and went instead to find Sasab in order to baby-sit him. The rest of the day proceeded smoothly, all attention focused on the tiny newcomer.
22 November 2011
Mutara, Shukuru and Tano reported to the new baby’s stable before heading out, Mutara and Shukuru monopolizing Kithaka, so Tano waited for little Sasab to emerge, but due to the rain the two babies were left indoors, and the Girls had to eventually leave without them. The sun came out in time for the mudbath, so the two new babies were the first to show up before the visitors. Cameras clicked. When the older elephants came, there was a lot of pushing and shoving between Turkwel, Tano, Sities and Naipoki until Tano took little Sasab aside, and began patting him with her trunk, allowing him to suck on her ears. Turkwel then managed to wrestle tiny Kithaka from Sities and Naipoki and walk him along the line of visitors, Sities and Naipoki following hoping for a chance to get close to Kithaka, while Ishaq-B and Kihari kept their distance, chewing on branches. Layoni has become greedier than Dabassa, always first for milk feeds, and screaming when his share has finished.
23 November 2011
As the two new babies went out to join the others, two warthogs emerged from the bushes chasing one another, scaring the babies who ran back to the stables. It took some time for the Keepers to calm them down. Sasab is becoming a little jealous of Kithaka, who receives most of the attention both from the Keepers and the older elephants. When the Keepers were paying attention to Kithaka, Sasab came and pushed Kithaka away from them!
24 November 2011
A heavy downpour again meant that the two little boys had to remain indoors, and only a few tourists showed up for the Public Viewing hour. However, the bigger elephants enjoyed playing in the rain, slipping and sliding along the mudbath banks. Layoni spotted a Keeper carrying empty bottles, and rushed to pick them up, hoping that to find more milk, screaming and throwing the empty bottles down in disgust! The sun came out at 3 p.m. which enabled the little babies to be taken out of their stables for the first time today.
25 November 2011
Again, it was a morning dominated by rain, so the two babies had to be indoors again. However, the Big Elephants enjoyed themselves, Naipoki, Kainuk and Sities slipping and sliding happily in the mud and playing in the rain pools. The orphans had a dramatic mudbath despite the rain, plastering themselves with mud until they looked like anthills moving amongst the green surroundings. In the evening Layoni enjoyed a Pushing Game with Rombo.
26 November 2011
It was another showery and cold morning, so Kithaka and Sasab again had to remain indoors until the weather cleared. Kainuk, Sities, Kihari and Naipoki had a happy time playing and rolling on the ground, bumping into each other while the Bigger orphans concentrated on picking out new shoots. None dared go into the mudbath, but Ishanga and Shukuru entertained the visitors by chasing off some warthogs. After the mudbath Kithaka and Sasab were able to join the other elephants, warmly welcomed and sandwiched between the Big Girls with each trying to be closest to them. Makireti and Shukuru competed for Kithaka while Turkwel and Tano competed for Sasab who was allowed to suckle Turkwel’s ears today. This made Kainuk jealous, so she tried to scare Sasab away from Turkwel.
27 November 2011
It was a golden sunrise for a change, which was welcomed by all the elephants, and especially the two tiny babies. Makireti, Shukuru and Turkwel patiently waited outside the stable doors of Sasab and Kithaka for them to come out and embraced them warmly as soon as they emerged. Out in the field Kasigau and Rombo enjoyed a Pushing Match which broke up when the Keepers changed location. At 11 a.m. Kithaka and Sasab received warm applause from the visitors who were delighted by them. Today the two baby boys spent the entire day with the herd, and consequently by evening were exhausted and ready for bed.
28 November 2011
Today a Photo Journalist arrived to film the orphans. Kainuk, Naipoki, Tano and Sities put on a good show, bumping and pushing each other, glad to have the attention of the visiting Journalist. The tiny boys Kithaka and Sasab were also on stage. Kithaka demonstrated his strength by trying to push the Journalist down! Since it was a cold day, at the mudbath the elephants tested the temperature of the water with their trunks, and decided against going in. At 4 p.m. the Journalist was back, warmly welcomed by Naipoki. He was incredulous that elephants could be so friendly to humans! Ishaq-B is putting on weight now, her injured leg improving. She is a gentle, quiet little girl unlike boisterous Kainuk, Sities and Naipoki, probably due to her injury.
29 November 2011
As the orphans were moving off to the forest in the morning, a filming crew arrived to film them. Mutara remained behind with the babies, Kithaka and Sasab who were anxious to suckle her ears for comfort. Meanwhile Kainuk, Sities, Naipoki, Ishanga, Kilabasi and Turkwel played dramatically, anxious to please the filming crew. Rombo, Kasigau and sometimes Dabassa still prefer to browse separately to the other orphans. Layoni’s wounds are healing well and he is now comfortable with his human family, though very greedy at milk feeding times!
30 November 2011
Another Rescue today – this time a calf from the South Turkana Game Reserve, so the Rescue Team set out at 7 a.m. The calf arrived back in the Nursery just before 1 p.m., a young bull of about 6 months old, in an advanced state of dehydration and emaciation, obviously having been without his mother for quite some time. He was named “Orwa”, the name of the area in which he was rescued. He occupies the Stable next door to Sities, who did her best to welcome him, but just trying to survive was his main preoccupation. Being so feeble, and in such poor condition, everyone was worried that he would collapse during the night and have to be put on life support, which, amazingly, did not happen!