This month for the Voi Unit has been dominated by little baby Emma, born to ex orphan Emily at the Voi Stockades on the 23rd of December. The ex orphans have chosen to remain close this month
And most days have visited the stockades. The juniors have been in awe of the tiny baby, but due to very possessive nurse maids in Sweet Sally, Thoma, Mweya, |Icholta, Edie, Sister Eve just to name a few any access to the calf has been difficult. Instead they peep through the legs of the big ex orphans and enjoy watching this gorgeous tiny baby from afar.

Ndoria rescued last month and taken to the safety of the Voi stockades to be raised there has finally calmed down enough to be able to be out during the day. Her tentative beginning has necessitated a split in the junior herd leaving some to remain with Ndoria staying closer to home with the more senior herd heading further a field. Panda is the leader of the baby group with Bada, Ndoria’s favorite friend, and little Mudanda, all part of the mix. Kihari often chooses to remain with the baby group along with Ishaq B, and Naipoki.

Lesanju with Lempaute and Wassesa and Sinya, along with Ndii, Kenia, Kivuku and Mbirikani as able back up, heads the senior herd. Wasessa has missed her babies this month due to the split, but then they all have, including the boys Dabassa, Rombo and Layoni Taveta and Tassia who have missed the adoring young audience who watch their every move. Towards the end of the month, with Ndoria settled more and less likely to spirit away with the wild herds, the two groups joined forces and headed further a field which pleased them all to be reunited.

Ex orphan Thoma has been the focus of enormousmale attention this month, including Laikipia who has much of the time had to defer to rank and resort to being an observer. Different wild bulls have been accompanying Emily’s herd, and coming to the stockades often, clearly taking an interest in Thoma, but one magnificent wild bull seemed to win the day and she was separated from the rest and taken away on honeymoon a couple of days.

One day Icholta came in search of the little ones alone, but was unable to locate them in the bush. Lesanju still takes pains to separate her herd from the independent ex orphans as the last thing she wants is to loose any of her special babies to Emily’s group.

It has been a very joyous month with all the Voi elephants in good health and great spirits, and to be able to watch little Emma’s progress so intimately having the ex orphans remain so close to home has been very enjoyable for everyone, elephants and Keepers alike. Details and beautiful photographs are shared in the Keepers Daily Entries.