Mbegu may be living wild, but she is still fiercely protective of the dependent herd. An incident this month reminded us of that fact. Mbegu's herd of ex-orphans arrived one day in the company of a wild bull.
A few minutes later, we realised that the bull had kidnapped youngsters Sholumai, Mushuru, and Sileita. Wonderful Mbegu responded immediately — in contrast to Ngilai, who napped along the compound fenceline, blissfully unaware! With support from Tamiyoi and Juni, Mbegu chased after the bull, rescued the three girls, and brought them back to the stockades.
As the land is getting very dry and green browse is hard to find, our newly independent orphans continue to be regular visitors. This is our way of supporting them as they transition to their wild lives. They come to see their old families but also to fill their bellies. Ex-orphans Ndotto and Murit are usually on time for breakfast, sometimes spending the night just outside the stockades. Mbegu, Godoma, Tagwa, and Ngilai usually arrive at their own leisurely pace.
Now that Mbegu is living wild, Lemeki seems to be taking her place as the dependent herd's mini matriarch. Lemeki was at her most protective one day. First, walking back and forth on guard duty, she blocked Kenderi from playing with Losoito who was massaging her backside against a boulder. Lemeki took her little sister over to the water trough and the two elephants stayed there until it was time to head out.
Our injured elephants are doing well and recovering slowly but surely. Serenget, who was rescued in July with a serious spear wound, and Samaa, who was rescued in August with a bullet in her leg, are still healing in their stockades. With that said, we are happy with their progress thus far. The SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Vet Unit continues to treat their injuries, and meanwhile the girls are acclimating to their Keepers and new herd.
Chapeyu, our oldest orphan, is recovering at his own pace. After last month’s excursion, he has shown no desire to leave his stockade — he feels safe inside his comfy room, and that is okay! We want him to take his time and feel fully healed before he takes this next step. Epiya, Sholumai, Juni, Ashanti, Baraka and Ushindi sleep in the stockade next to Chapeyu. The girls often stop to greet their neighbour on their way out and in, draping their trunk affectionately over his head. Greedy Sholumai, who is not so sentimental, usually takes the opportunity to scoop up a trunkful of leftover pellets from his stash.
As our semi-independent orphans start to reclaim their wild lives, they are also trying to recruit their favourite dependent orphans to join them — never mind the fact that the dependent orphans are too young! One morning, to our surprise and consternation, Godoma tried to kidnap Baraka. Luckily, we noticed immediately and called back all the ex-orphans so Baraka did not have to choose between her adopted mother and her orphan herd.
On 14th September, we had a visit from an old friend. Just after dawn, while the orphans were still in their rooms, we found a surprise visitor standing outside her former stockade — Rorogoi! She has not visited us for several months. It was wonderful to see her looking so content and so healthy.
Tamiyoi is starting to hear the call of the wild. When Mbegu's semi-independent herd peels away from the dependent herd, she sometimes goes with them. She is their age and is showing signs of independence. On a few occasions, Tamiyoi did not return to the stockades at night, choosing instead to remain out in the wild with best friends Tagwa, Mbegu, and Godoma.
The last day of the month brought yet another new rescue into the mix. Our SWT/KWS Galana Anti-Poaching Team spotted an eight-month-old orphan on his own, with no other elephants in the area. He was rescued and brought to Voi. We settled him in the stockade next to Samaa, where he accepted a bottle and slept well.