I want to go I am such a geek but, wow it sounds like fun.
I am sore, but feel good, I did Pilates on Saturday and Yoga last night, and tonight is just cardio. But my body feels good, and it is helping with my breathing and allergies.
So, is everyone going to The Pixies? I am not! Too expensive and a hundred other cool shows coming up: Icon of Coil, Clinic, Interpol, The Faint, Lamb of God etc.
More
For the Nursery, it has been an eventful month, and one that held deep sadness, for we lost a yearling calf rescued from the Ziwani Swamp, who was too severely mauled around the genitals, and too far gone from the affects of both scepticaemia and pneumonia for us to save. He died the next morning. Then on the 28th there was the rescue of little 4 month old “Buchuma”, yet another victim of the Mombasa pipeline, having fallen down a manhole. Extracting this calf through such a small opening proved very challenging, and he arrived in the Nursery severely traumatised and with multiple abrasions and bruises as a result of his ordeal. After a very restless night in the stable next door to Madiba, which disturbed Madiba as well, as soon as he saw the other Nursery inmates the next morning, he calmed down, and was sufficiently quiet to be allowed out with them. We discovered, however, that a stable held grim connotations for him, obviously reminding him of being trapped in the manhole, and that he was much more at ease in one of the Rhino Stockades, next door to Galana, where he could see out. Since then, little Buchuma has turned into a very trusting and loving little elephant, albeit looking somewhat battered, because the damaged surface layers of his bruises are peeling, and the abrasions cracking. But apart from these superficial injuries, he is feeding well, and now sleeping well, but we will be on the look-out for any signs of the dreaded pneumonia, having been in the water of the pipeline.
It has been an adventurous month for our Nursery inmates, almost daily encounters with buffalo becoming commonplace, as well as interludes involving the baboons. The unwelcome attentions of our feisty 5 year old rhino orphan, Makosa, have kept the Keepers on their toes, particular the Keeper assigned to little “Shida”. Makosa is now no longer Keeper dependent, but would like to be, anxious to play, and, of course, throw his weight around little Shida. Sunyei fulfilled her role as the mini Matriarch of the Nursery, by immediately taking charge of comforting little Buchuma. Galana, having been deprived of milk for so long, tends to think only of her milk, and her tummy, whilst Madiba and Ndomot spend hours tussling with one another, and are very competitive. Naserian has developed into a caring little elephant, very close to the younger calves.
Shida is a rotund yearling rhino now, who has been promoted to a Stockade at night, having outgrown his Nursery stable. As usual, this was not popular, but he is settling in. From there, protected by the uprights, he enjoys lengthy sparring sessions with Makosa who habitually makes a point of coming to check out his Nursery Stockade each evening, where he enjoys a hand-out of goodies from our kitchens.
The Ithumba unit continues to flourish. Yatta, Mulika, Nasalot, and Kinna share Matriarchal responsibilities overseeing the younger ex Nursery members of their herd. The antics of Napasha feature prominently, as does Olmalo, who seems to have been craving more attention from the older elephants, prone to hiding in bushes and only coming when one of the older elephants actually comes to “collect” her! Taita and Tomboi enjoy races against Napasha, little boy elephants always very competitive with one another, whilst Wendi remains her mischievous self. Selengai is quiet and settled, very attached to the older elephants.
Emily’s herd of 28 in Voi became 29 on the 20th with the rescue of little Sagalla from Taita Ranch, who was immediately comforted by Aitong, and later Mweiga, who remained back at the Stockades with her until she became a little stronger. Being still milk dependent, and having been deprived of a mother obviously for quite a long time, this calf was seriously malnourished and weak upon arrival, but eagerly took milk from a bottle. We had every hope that she would recover fully, but tragically she succumbed to the dreaded pneumonia 2 weeks later, and died early in October.
The Voi unit, and particularly Emily and her favourites, have enjoyed the company of wild elephants this month, Emily showing great interest in a wild bull. Lissa and her two calves, along with Uaso and Mpenzi, have maintained contact during the month and Natumi is singled out as blossoming into a very motherly figure, always anxious to be near the tiny wild calves, and spending time with Lissa’s two offspring. Morani remains a great favourite, and Mweya, who is extremely innovative and mischievous never fails to be mentioned in each month’s Voi Diary. Encounters with other species include the usual buffalo and antelope chases and happening upon two lions resting at the Orphans’ mudbath, and a hyaena hiding in a bush, both interludes that left the entire group very nervous.