February saw the death of 2 new newborn elephant orphans, and the rescue of two others.   Particularly painful was the death of  two month old Lemek, who during the eight days that she was with us resolutely refused to take her milk in sufficient quantity to sustain life and literally faded away before our very eyes.   We were convinced that she must have suffered a defect of a major body organ, but the autopsy proved otherwise which made her death particularly sad.  The next casualty was 1 month old Lumo, retrieved from the dam at Taita Hills Sanctuary, who, upon arrival was already suffering from life threatening diarrhea.  We lost the struggle to save her 6 days later, despite our best efforts.

15 month old Sonje was flown to the Nursery from the Galana Ranch abutting the Eastern boundary of Tsavo National Park on the 11th.     She arrived lame with a huge swelling on the right hind leg and has yet to show signs of softening.  Next to arrive, on the 21st,  was 2 year old Murera from the Meru National Park, whose existence today must surely be a miracle.   She had obviously trodden on poisoned steel spikes concealed on an elephant trail which punctured the sole of one hind foot inflicting horrendous damage. She also survived a subsequent fall obviously compromised either a bone, tendon or ligament on the other hind leg, rendering her virtually immobile.   For many days she remained alone on a grassy plane at a place in Murera.

Sonje settled in very rapidly, and was out and about with the other Nursery Elephants within just two days, even attending the open noon mud bath when the public arrive to enjoy the activity.   As for Murera, we had to wait for the anticipated  collapse before being able to assess the extent of the damage to the foot, clean the horrendous suppurating wounds, and pack the holes with antibiotic and green clay.   An infusion of Dextrose and Saline into an ear vein brought her round again, and she began taking milk from a hand-held bottle, grateful for the company of the Keeper, but remained too feeble to risk a de-worming, which she badly needed.

Both she and Sonje were, as always, welcomed warmly by all the Nursery elephants,  who upon being let out of their Night Quarters in the morning, habitually rush to the stable or Stockade of any newcomer to check up on them and exude comfort and compassion.   Murera was clearly suffering deep depression due to her disability exacerbated by the feeling of being imprisoned, so we opened up the door to her Stockade so that she would at least know that this was not the case.   This helped enormously but it was gentle Orwa who was detailed to keep her company and ease her feeling of helpless loneliness and this he has done in full measure.   In fact, such a strong bond of friendship has developed  between these two elephants that Orwa has moved next door to Murera, so that he is with her throughout the night as well as by day.

The dynamics of the Nursery Group has changed subtly.   Kainuk, who has been a pushy member of the herd, exacerbated by having to endure protracted treatment to the eye, has changed and is becoming more normal.    She is now playful and happy, and even displaying Matriarchal tendencies, disciplining Ishaq-B for thwarting Orwa with a shove at milk feeding times.   Tano, Mutara, Shukuru, and Turkwel have also come to a compromise, acting as joint Nursery Matriarchs, all being roughly the same age, and all obsessed with baby Kithaka, while Sities and Naipoki (mischievous members of the group) are the stars of Elephant football games.   This month’s excitement has been the wild buffalo, rather than the lions, whom the elephants have happened upon out in the bush.  One old bull even turning up during the mud bath hour, which thrilled the visitors.