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BIG STEP FOR THE GIRLS
Big Step for the Girls
February 3, 2010
On Wednesday, February 3rd, the two female northern white rhinos – Najin and Fatu – took their first step into the 400 x 400 meter fenced enclosure on the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. This really was their “first taste of Africa!” Until today, they were kept within the confines of their holding pen, with limited daily access to a 50 x 50 meter fence training area. We would have loved to see these animals out a lot quicker but it has been necessary that all four of them had sufficient time to adapt to their new surroundings and learn to respect the electric fence.
All of us observing Fatu and Najin today, realised, with great delight, that we are dealing with two complete different animals to those that stepped out their boxes a mere month and a half ago. The single biggest change has been in the behaviour of Najin’s daughter, Fatu. Until today, she was always nervous and a bit on edge and never really put big distances between herself and her mother.
Her behaviour in the larger enclosure has assured us that we are on the road to success. Both females went straight for the grazing areas and then quickly took a long mud bath. Although you would expect these animals to rest up in the shade through the mid-day heat, both were continuously exploring what will become home for the next month and a half, before they are put into the even larger and final breeding areas.
The two males – Sudan and Suni – will both get access to this area over the coming days. We will start with Sudan, hopefully getting him out on Thursday, the 4th of February. Suni, who is more nervous than Sudan, will be last to have access. But all animals will eventually have daily excursions to the larger area.
This success today left no doubt in our minds, that everyone supporting this project is doing the right thing and that moving the animals from the Czech Republic was the right decision to make.
The girls took their first step out of the enclosure today. This included mud baths and a lot of exploring
February 3, 2010
On Wednesday, February 3rd, the two female northern white rhinos – Najin and Fatu – took their first step into the 400 x 400 meter fenced enclosure on the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. This really was their “first taste of Africa!” Until today, they were kept within the confines of their holding pen, with limited daily access to a 50 x 50 meter fence training area. We would have loved to see these animals out a lot quicker but it has been necessary that all four of them had sufficient time to adapt to their new surroundings and learn to respect the electric fence.
All of us observing Fatu and Najin today, realised, with great delight, that we are dealing with two complete different animals to those that stepped out their boxes a mere month and a half ago. The single biggest change has been in the behaviour of Najin’s daughter, Fatu. Until today, she was always nervous and a bit on edge and never really put big distances between herself and her mother.
Her behaviour in the larger enclosure has assured us that we are on the road to success. Both females went straight for the grazing areas and then quickly took a long mud bath. Although you would expect these animals to rest up in the shade through the mid-day heat, both were continuously exploring what will become home for the next month and a half, before they are put into the even larger and final breeding areas.
The two males – Sudan and Suni – will both get access to this area over the coming days. We will start with Sudan, hopefully getting him out on Thursday, the 4th of February. Suni, who is more nervous than Sudan, will be last to have access. But all animals will eventually have daily excursions to the larger area.
This success today left no doubt in our minds, that everyone supporting this project is doing the right thing and that moving the animals from the Czech Republic was the right decision to make.
The girls took their first step out of the enclosure today. This included mud baths and a lot of exploring
