Chamboi the orphaned rhino: 

It’s hard to believe that it’s been nearly four months since Chamboi was rescued! The little rhino is doing very well, although he is still just a baby and needs to be monitored constantly. He wakes up full of energy and starts the day by racing into the bush with his Keepers. However, like any infant, he tires easily and relies upon his afternoon naps. 

We suspect that Chamboi might be in the early stages of teething, as he has started grinding his gums in a chewing motion. Once his teeth come in, he will start eating greens, which will help him grow and put on weight. For now, however, his belly is kept full with formula milk feeds every three hours. He loves his bottle and closes his eyes in bliss as he savours every last drop.

The orphaned elephants: 

Thanks to all the recent rains, Mwinzi has found heaven on earth. Every elephant loves browsing, but this little bull takes it to the next level. His snacking continues throughout the night — the Keepers put greens in every orphan’s bedroom, but Mwinzi’s is stocked full to the brim. It’s often difficult to discern the elephant amidst the jungle!  

As soon as Mwinzi exits his stable in the morning, he heads straight over to the water trough for a long drink. He is a very good-natured elephant who has time for everyone. His favourite Keeper is Kingoo, who he singles out in the bush for one-on-one scratches and ear rubs. 

Unsurprisingly, given his penchant for feasting, Mwinzi has always been the most rotund of our Kaluku herd — but Natibu is quickly catching up! His tummy has become notably round, which is an excellent development, as he was quite thin when he was rescued. Like Manda, he also has unusually long legs. 

Natibu has a special friendship with Mayan, but he is also close with Vaarti — a gentle bull who is friends with everyone. With that said, Natibu started doing something that really annoys Vaarti! On the way back to the compound in the evening, he runs past the larger bull and cuts off his path. Vaarti takes the bait every time, chasing after Natibu and making a terrible racket as they storm up the road. Natibu is showing signs that he will be just as mischievous as Rokka was in her earlier days.

As we have said before, Vaarti’s favourite Keeper is Fred. He recently took extended leave for a family matter, and Vaarti felt his absence keenly. Upon Fred’s return, two things were very evident: Elephants really do never forget… and Fred was sincerely missed! Vaarti stuck to his old friend like glue and refused to let him out of his sight. It was very clear that he was over the moon to be reunited with Fred.

Despite being five years old — that ‘witching age’ when adolescent bulls start to act out and assert their dominance — Mayan has not changed and probably never will. He is very good-natured and friendly to everyone. 

However, one thing that should not be interfered with is Mayan’s 11:00 milk feed. Although he is very patient, when it is his turn to have his milk, he wants to be left alone. He even turns his body sideways to gently push the others away as he enjoys his bottle. From time to time, he tries his luck in pinching an extra bottle, but never in an aggressive way. Once his efforts are thwarted, he obediently moves on to the mud bath or the water hosepipe.

Manda has well and truly found his place among the little Kaluku herd. He is big and strong, but he fits in well. He is usually the first to arrive for the 11:00 milk feed and mud bath — we wonder if his unusually long legs help him travel more quickly than the others. In the pool, Mayan and Vaarti prefer to be in the water, but Mayan gravitates towards the muddy section. When he emerges, he looks like a giant mud puppy!

Rokka, our plucky girl amidst all the boys, continues to hold her own. She used to be very mischievous and even a trouble-maker, but her behaviour has evened out since Mwinzi and Natibu arrived. Now, she is well-behaved but strong-tempered — indicating that she might be a future matriarch. 

As we noted last month, Rokka recently swapped bedrooms with Mayan. When she was sleeping next to Mayan, the two were always up to something and causing midnight disturbances. Now that she is stabled next to gentle Vaarti, everyone can enjoy more peaceful nights in the elephant stockades. 

Twiggy the orphaned giraffe:

The giraffe is the tallest mammal in the world. Even newborn giraffes come into the world taller than most humans! Twiggy’s height comes with all sorts of advantages: During the dry season, the orphaned elephants must sometimes work hard to find ample browse in the well-foraged bush. Meanwhile, Twiggy has access to all the ‘untapped’ browsing areas, in the highest reaches of the trees. During the height of the dry season, she took up residence in the treetops of Kaluku, finding every last green leaf to enjoy.

Thanks to the bountiful rains of the past month, however, the trees are enjoying a well-earned break from Twiggy’s browsing rotation. Now, she has an endless cornucopia of vegetation at her feet. In fact, the greenery is so thick that it’s sometimes difficult to see the giraffe in its midst! Water is everywhere, from water troughs to natural puddles and pools, but Twiggy still prefers to empty the bird baths around Kaluku. She is a creature of habit!

Twiggy is a friend to all the small orphans, but Nini the gazelle is her special friend. If you’re looking for one, you can be certain to find her by the other. 

Apollo the orphaned rhino:

Apollo has settled well at Rhino Base — which has unofficially been renamed ‘Apollo Base’. On Christmas Day, a delegation of senior KWS members toured his compound. Apollo was less than welcoming and the visitors had to give the rhino a wide berth. Inhospitality aside, it was encouraging to see that he is becoming territorial and has made the enclosure his own. Rhinos are a very territorial species, and this drive will serve Apollo well in his wild life.

Further showcasing his growing independence, Apollo now only returns to his stockade when he feels like it. Sometimes, despite the best efforts of his Keepers, Apollo only comes ‘home’ late at night or even very early in the morning. Fortunately, his browsing grounds are completely fenced in and secure, so he can safely enjoy his nocturnal roamings. KWS deploys a ‘night shift’ to look after him while he’s out and about.

* Apollo is now continuing his reintegration journey at Rhino Base in Tsavo East