November was a wonderful month in Voi, as we welcomed two new grandbabies into the fold.
The first arrived on the 12th of November. We woke up to the most exciting news — ex-orphan Naipoki had given birth to a baby boy! The new mother visited the stockades to introduce her son to the Keepers who had raised her. When Naipoki and baby Nsimba walked up the path, there was great excitement. Current and former orphans welcomed her with rumbles and extended trunks.
Naipoki hung around for a time to show off her little boy. Mbegu, the former matriarch of the Voi herd, was on nanny duty and was staying very close to little Nsimba. Unfazed by the baby and unwilling to let him interrupt her routine, Losoito carried on with her usual early morning dust bath.
The following day, great drama ensued. Spirits were high with baby Nsimba in the mix, and everyone started excitedly chasing each other around. When Godoma and the ex-orphans ran off towards the river, Juni, Hildana, Kilulu, Seri, Akina, Itinyi, Epiya, Baraka, Dabida, Sholumai, Mushuru, and Ushindi sprinted along behind them.
We followed in our vehicle but could not find them in the thick forest. A chopper was sent out to look for the elephants but could only locate Sholumai and Mushuru, who were with Ngilai, Murit, Mbegu, Rorogoi, Naipoki, and tiny Nsimba. With Naipoki's help, the two girls were shepherded back to the stockades — but the others were nowhere to be seen.
Then, around 4 AM, wise Godoma brought the rest of our truants home from the forest. She led Juni, Akina, Hildana, Kilulu, Seri, Itinyi, Dabida, Ushindi, Baraka, and Epiya up the path to the stockades. The Keepers opened the gates and our runaways (as well as their rescuer) padded happily into their rooms to a chorus of rumbles. Godoma spent the night in her old stockade.
The celebrations weren't over yet! The 17th of November was another banner day, as ex-orphan Mbirikani arrived at the stockades with a beautiful baby boy. She was with Arruba, Ndii, Mudanda, Suswa, Pika Pika, Mweya and her babies Mwangaza and Mwitu, whom we had not seen for many months. Our orphans welcomed the visitors, especially Mbirikani and baby Mica, with excited trumpets and charging.
After helping us bring the truant orphans home, Naipoki did not return to Voi for the rest of the month. By contrast, Mbirikani and co. continued to visit almost every morning. Of course, all our girls were desperate to interact with wild-born babies Mwangaza and Mica, but this was not possible as Pika Pika and Mwitu would not let them approach. The two nannies sandwiched the babies and did not leave them alone for even one minute.
However, our ex-orphan mothers are more generous — even our 'kali matriarch' Mweya! Desperate to interact with one-year-old Mwangaza, crafty Lemeki hatched a plan. She slowly walked backwards towards the baby girl, in the hope that her mother would not notice. But, of course Mweya noticed. Rather than seeing off the enthusiastic nanny, however, she moved away and allowed Lemeki and Juni to enjoy time with Mwangaza.
Lemeki has matured a lot over the years, although she remains delightfully flighty and easily distracted — even now that she has the esteemed position of mini matriarch of the Voi herd. While she looks after all the orphans, she has clear favourites: Her 'little brother,' Thamana, stout Losoito, and cool-calm-and-collected Rokka, who also serves as her deputy matriarch.
Even though Sileita is now one of the youngest Voi orphans, she still maintains her own little herd, which consists of Nursery girlfriends Mushuru and Sholumai. She watches both of them hawkishly and never lets them out of her sight. We have noticed that Sileita is like Ndotto in that she doesn't like to submerge herself in water. Instead, she stands guard on the edge of the pool, watching Sholumai and Mushuru wallow.
Clever Busara is always scheming for more milk. Twice this month, she had her usual bottles in the first milk feed, only to circle back and sneak into the next feeding group to steal an extra bottle. The first time, she managed one extra bottle before we realised that she had already been fed. The second time, we were wise to her tricks! Unlike Losoito, however, who shouts for her milk and runs at full tilt, Busara never rushes. The Voi princess knows that her milk will be waiting for her no matter how late she arrives!
Some days are drama days. One morning, the orphans were full of energy and excitement. A showboating Kilulu was running up and down in front of the stockades, causing trouble, pushing everyone, and attracting attention. When he barged into Epiya, she responded with a trumpeting tantrum.
An update from the 'Voi hospital wing': Serenget is doing well and her injury is healing on pace. We want her to settle in a bit more before she wanders out with the herd, but we are happy with her progress.
Chapeyu is still spending his days inside his stockade, which is large enough for him to walk around in. He is healthy and gaining weight but does not want to leave his room. We won't rush him, although we know that he is ready to leave the hospital wing.
Very sadly, little Samaa died on the 15th of November. Her leg injury had been more severe than was initially thought.
November ended with a welcome return. After the herd headed out to the browsing fields one morning, ex-orphan Ndotto ambled into the stockades. We were so surprised to see the gentle giant, as he had not visited since the kidnapping drama. We know that Naipoki, Nsimba, Rorogoi, Mbegu, and Ngilai must be in the area, as he had last been seen with that little herd.
Unfortunately, we predict difficult times ahead. Rain was very poor this month, especially in this part of Tsavo. We are really hoping for generous downpours soon.