Keepers' Diaries, September 2014

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Ithumba Reintegration Unit

The month of September at Ithumba has been a very sad month with an incident on the 10th leaving keepers and elephants stunned and heartbroken. Precious Sabachi who has been struggling with weak health in recent months despite undergoing medical treatment and having extra supplements was tragically attacked by hyenas in the early hours of the morning within earshot of the stockades. The elephant trumpets that woke the keepers at 4.00am were blood curdling and they knew full well something dramatic was happening. When they went to investigate, which was challenging in itself given that it was still dark, and a good distance from the stockades, they discovered Sabachi being chewed by five hyenas. Between them and the elephants they managed to get the hyenas away from Sabachi and remained guarding him until day break, but it was obvious the situation was dire. More details can be read in the keepers daily entries on the 10th.

The month of September at Ithumba has been a very sad month with an incident on the 10th leaving keepers and elephants stunned and heartbroken. Precious Sabachi who has been struggling with weak health in recent months despite undergoing medical treatment and having extra supplements was tragically attacked by hyenas in the early hours of the morning within earshot of the stockades. The elephant trumpets that woke the keepers at 4.00am were blood curdling and they knew full well something dramatic was happening. When they went to investigate, which was challenging in itself given that it was still dark, and a good distance from the stockades, they discovered Sabachi being chewed by five hyenas. Between them and the elephants they managed to get the hyenas away from Sabachi and remained guarding him until day break, but it was obvious the situation was dire. More details can be read in the keepers daily entries on the 10th.

Ziwa has been growing weaker too and this culminated with him finally collapsing and requiring an IV drip in order to get to his feet again. Angela made the decision to fly Ziwa back to Nairobi on the 17th so that he could have closer supervision, and be under intensive care. His departure so soon after Sabachi’s tragic tale was sorely felt by the Ithumba community, two footed and four. Ziwa was much loved by the dependent orphans, and the independent orphans too, and his departure took them days to get over.

There has been a steady presence of wild elephants visiting the orphans both at the stockade water trough, and also at their midday mudbath a number of kilometers away. Many have names and Half Trunk is a very conspicuous wild friend with half his trunk missing due to a terrible old snare injury. This must have happened many years ago when he was much younger, and he copes incredibly well with this disability, even in the dry seasons. This month wild elephant herds have brought tiny babies to the stockade water trough and all our orphans, independent, and dependent alike have loved the company of these wild friends. This all culminated with a special day on the 16th when over 60 elephants (mostly ex-orphans) visited the dependent babies who were simply thrilled.

Suguta’s group which consists of Suguta, Chemi Chemi, Melia, Chaimu, Kalama, Kandecha, Tumaren, Olare, Makireti, Kilabasi, Murka, Kilo, Kitirua, Kasigau and Kilaguni are semi-independent, straddling the wild life yet still with frequent visits back to their keepers and their dependent orphan friends. They report back very often as a group, but sometimes in splinter groups, and they have remained in the orbit of the Ithumba relocation unit this whole dry season. It has been an exceptionally dry season and challenging for them all with even little Mwende looking a little thinner than usual. Their supplementary Lucerne has been much needed and most welcomed by all the orphans.

Thankfully there was a much welcomed down pour of over an inch of rain on the 15th which brought about a flush of green and mud puddles which were enjoyed for days afterwards. Suddenly the orphans were able to feast on a huge variety of food and tastes that they had long missed. Hot days, cloud build ups and nesting weavers suggest more rain is on the way soon.

For much more detailed accounts for September please view the keepers daily entries.

September 2014 day to day

01 Sep

Soon after leaving the stockade, Shukuru opted to have a good scratch instead of feeding on lucerne like the others. As the orphans were busy eating, our wild friend Half Trunk with eight other wild bulls arrived at the stockade water trough whilst Suguta and her group joined the juniors for lucerne. Soon after finishing the lucerne, the juniors headed out to browse leaving Suguta’s group at the stockade. In the browsing field it was all quiet as the orphans tried to get the best out of the dry vegetation. This morning Bongo and Vuria had a difference to settle and they decided to engage in a pushing competition which Vuria surrendered by turning his back to bongo. At mud bath time, the weather was chilly and none of the orphans participated in wallowing. The orphans took milk then settled for water. At the water trough, bongo and Vuria had another strength testing exercise that was cut short by Kanjoro who pushed Bongo away and tackled Vuria. Vuria wasn't interested in playing with Kanjoro and he quit the game. The orphans returned back to the browsing field and searched for more food until the evening where Sities, Shukuru, Mutara and Kanjoro dodged the keepers. When it was time to return to the stockade, the four had still not been located. The rest of the orphans were taken back to the stockade and then the keepers returned to the bush to continue the search for the missing ones. At six o'clock in the evening, they found them quite unaware of the worry they had caused and brought them back to the stockade.

Bongo and Vuria pushing one another

Ziwa scratching

Kanjoro, Mutara and Bongo drinking water