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AN EXCITING WEEK FOR OUR NEW WHITE RHINO COMMUNITY
An Exciting Week for our New White Rhino Community
April 20, 2010
The Final Translocations
Since our last update, we had one more day of translocation on the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, on the 10th of April. The day started early, with the aircraft going up first to spot the elusive mum and calf that had evaded us the previous day. It was a tense time for the team as the calf, named Atan, is only 3 weeks old. It was essential the capture and release went smoothly. The mother, Arimiet was darted first. The team followed her until the drugs took effect, and Atan was darted quickly after and taken into the transport box. After dehorning Arimiet, the short journey to the new enclosure went without incident and the mother and baby were released together into their new home. They were closely monitored and have been sighted every day since.
After the morning capture, we moved the last southern white male from Ol Pejeta to Lewa. The male was released on Lewa without incident just after dark. This completed our translocation objectives.
The Ol Pejeta Conservancy now has a new community of southern white rhinos together in the new enclosure ready for the northern whites’ arrival. The area now holds four female southern whites – Dali, Arimiet, Mojo all of which were translocated from within Ol Pejeta and Tauwa – the young female from Lewa. There are also two young male calves, Jomo and Atan.
Nights Out for the Northern Whites
After the translocation was completed, the team decided it was time to give Sudan, Suni and the girls their first night out in the African bush.
The girls were first. Equipped with warm clothes, a sleeping bag and night vision scope, Berry White headed to the bomas to spend this special night with Najin and Fatu. The door to their bomas was left open all night in case they wanted to return to the safety of the small enclosure, but by morning they showed no signs of wanting to come in.
With the success of this first night for the girls, Sudan’s turn was next and Suni the night after that. Like the girls, Sudan spent the night roaming the bush marking his territory and enjoying the freedom and peace the night brings. On Wednesday, April 14th, during Suni’s night out, he was observed exploring new territory down in the thick bush towards the bottom of the paddock, his confidence in the open area is clear to see. Berry and the Ol Pejeta rhino keepers watched with joy as all four were safe and secure, thriving during their evenings out.
Brave Boy Suni
On Thursday, April 15th, after his night out, it was also time for Suni to be reunited with Najin and Fatu since they were last together in Dvur Kralove Zoo. At 8am the girls were let out into the larger camp and happily trotted off to graze near the top of the enclosure. The boma doors were opened a few moments later, and Suni tentatively stepped out.
The girls caught scent of Suni first and Fatu was keen to see him. Suni’s approach to the girls was much gentler than Sudan’s. However, his sheer size and bulk is an intimidating presence putting Najin on instant defence mode. She roared, letting him know she would not be messed with. Suni responded by bouncing and twisting with excitement and enthusiasm. This didn’t necessarily help put Najin at ease but it did not take long before the girls realised he was shy and slightly nervous and did not pose a threat. After several hours observing each other, Suni’s curiosity got the better of him and he occasionally built up the courage to wonder slowly over to the girls only to trot off again as he came close. Over the course of the day, Najin and Fatu started actively pursuing Suni in a very non threatening way, they seemed very accommodating to his sensitive nature – Fatu in particular was just interested in seeing her old friend.
April 20, 2010
The Final Translocations
Since our last update, we had one more day of translocation on the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, on the 10th of April. The day started early, with the aircraft going up first to spot the elusive mum and calf that had evaded us the previous day. It was a tense time for the team as the calf, named Atan, is only 3 weeks old. It was essential the capture and release went smoothly. The mother, Arimiet was darted first. The team followed her until the drugs took effect, and Atan was darted quickly after and taken into the transport box. After dehorning Arimiet, the short journey to the new enclosure went without incident and the mother and baby were released together into their new home. They were closely monitored and have been sighted every day since.
After the morning capture, we moved the last southern white male from Ol Pejeta to Lewa. The male was released on Lewa without incident just after dark. This completed our translocation objectives.
The Ol Pejeta Conservancy now has a new community of southern white rhinos together in the new enclosure ready for the northern whites’ arrival. The area now holds four female southern whites – Dali, Arimiet, Mojo all of which were translocated from within Ol Pejeta and Tauwa – the young female from Lewa. There are also two young male calves, Jomo and Atan.
Nights Out for the Northern Whites
After the translocation was completed, the team decided it was time to give Sudan, Suni and the girls their first night out in the African bush.
The girls were first. Equipped with warm clothes, a sleeping bag and night vision scope, Berry White headed to the bomas to spend this special night with Najin and Fatu. The door to their bomas was left open all night in case they wanted to return to the safety of the small enclosure, but by morning they showed no signs of wanting to come in.
With the success of this first night for the girls, Sudan’s turn was next and Suni the night after that. Like the girls, Sudan spent the night roaming the bush marking his territory and enjoying the freedom and peace the night brings. On Wednesday, April 14th, during Suni’s night out, he was observed exploring new territory down in the thick bush towards the bottom of the paddock, his confidence in the open area is clear to see. Berry and the Ol Pejeta rhino keepers watched with joy as all four were safe and secure, thriving during their evenings out.
Brave Boy Suni
On Thursday, April 15th, after his night out, it was also time for Suni to be reunited with Najin and Fatu since they were last together in Dvur Kralove Zoo. At 8am the girls were let out into the larger camp and happily trotted off to graze near the top of the enclosure. The boma doors were opened a few moments later, and Suni tentatively stepped out.
The girls caught scent of Suni first and Fatu was keen to see him. Suni’s approach to the girls was much gentler than Sudan’s. However, his sheer size and bulk is an intimidating presence putting Najin on instant defence mode. She roared, letting him know she would not be messed with. Suni responded by bouncing and twisting with excitement and enthusiasm. This didn’t necessarily help put Najin at ease but it did not take long before the girls realised he was shy and slightly nervous and did not pose a threat. After several hours observing each other, Suni’s curiosity got the better of him and he occasionally built up the courage to wonder slowly over to the girls only to trot off again as he came close. Over the course of the day, Najin and Fatu started actively pursuing Suni in a very non threatening way, they seemed very accommodating to his sensitive nature – Fatu in particular was just interested in seeing her old friend.
