A few months ago, in the beginning of October 2011, we had a new addition in camp! Sarikoki the eland had been quite lonely up here in the hills, and although he sometimes hung out with the zebras when they visited the garden they left and he remained… spending far too much time in the workshop. Then, one day, some of the elders apporached us; they had found a baby eland and wondered if we would like to have it?
Of course we said yes! …but I have to admit I was concerned – Sarikoki had behaved rather agressively towards other orphants in the past such as a zebra and a buffalo. However, I had noticed his different attitude towards Ariel the bushbuck, so I just crossed my fingers and… got not only suprised but very happily so!!!
Sarikoki and Embe with the new baby eland in front of our house
Sarikoki and Baby, both orphaned, bonded fast! Now at least they have eachother… It was amazing to discover how they instinctively knew they were of the same kind even though they never have been part of a herd.
Talking of which… As you might know, I live on a Safaricamp in the wild so there are already quite a few animals around… to which we have added a few:
Two dogs, Embe and Kidogo has been here almost from the start 9 years ago:
With Ric & the dogs on the terracce of Nyati wearing my favourite “Out of Africa” style of hat – very comfortable for eyes and skin!
The dogs are of the local Maasai breed; playful, kind and always ready for games and fun - and fierce with baboons! Visitors just love them and children especially has been known to profess when asked about which of the animals they have seen so far they liked the most: “…The dogs…”
Then the cats came, Snapper first… Snapper then went on to produce Kitamu and a few other beauties now living good lives in Maasai and Kiisi villages;). I have to admit I have a special soft spot for this one, though: she is a rather interesting cat as her mother, living far away from other villages mated with a wildcat so she is halfbreed…
Quality time in the studio recliner, Kitamu in front, Snapper in the background.
But it is not the mix, it is the resulting character which amazes me. The mix leads to some interesting things, such as her catching and eating snakes, huge spiders and bugs! Not to mention climbing Acacia trees in total disrespect of their fearful spines… climbing down with her head first reveals her wild genes… She also like walking on the top of the roof of our house… While mummy just sits and watch and wonder! And yet she never acts in agressive ways, she is always attentive, affectionate and secure.
Kitamu in action mode
Well, enough of that, it was Baby and Sarikoki I was about to tell you about!
The development has been very good. They always hang out together, never go far from eachother, Sarikoki taking the lead (in fact his name, Sarikoki, means “The one who leads” in Maa). Eating, resting, exploring… and interacting with all of us here at camp, biped, fourped, four or twowheeled, the sky sets the limit.
Sarikoki and Baby in the garden resting in the shadow of a Pepper tree (Schinus treblintifolius) in the mid-day heat.
Baby has, as you can see, grown a quite a lot since october!
It seems almost to good to be true, as elands are known to be extremely skittish so… is it all tell and no show?
Well, as they say, a picture say more than a thousand words so here is one from this morning:
Embe and Baby by the sundowner bench in my garden.
And that should about say it all, is it not… except I guess, with my philosophical streak, there is one.
We, as humans, behaving in a relaxed and accomodating way around animals, can help species accepting and getting to know eachother even though they from Natures side would be sworn enemies as hunter and prey. They need to be given sufficiently space, food and attention to accept eachother as part of a group.
Hmmm… having said that, still working on how to include the vegetable part of living life to the community feeling, though…
In the meanwhile fences just have to do the job…
Sacrificing to protect… Sarikoki checking out Jackson building a fence around my Silk Floss trees grown from seeds collected in the Nairobi Arboretum… Jackson is a rather tall fellow, so, yes, Sarikoki IS rather huge by now… glad he is friendly most of the time!
Have a lovely day! Mine has been!