We have very exciting news to share this week! Last Saturday, on the 20th of March, Sudan finally got his chance to go out and rejoin Najin and Fatu in their current 400 by 400 meter enclosure.
As reported last week, the three animals had been given as much contact as possible through the fences. We observed them carefully and were encouraged by their friendly encounters. We thought it was time for them to re-unite and resocialize in preparation for their release in about two weeks. Najin, Sudan and Fatu had been altogether in their old home at Dvur Kralove but not for several months, and never in Africa!
In the morning, the girls were released as normal into their bigger boma. They settled to graze and just a few moments later, we opened the door for Sudan, who eagerly ran towards them! It was quite an intimidating moment for all of us, but Najin completely held her ground with a very calm and enthusiastic Fatu by her side. After some initial growling and huffing and minor clashes between Najin and Sudan, the animals settled and seemed back to normal. It didn’t take long before the three of them were grazing just a few feet from each other, keen to be reunited.
We completely expected there would be a few initial small conflicts but we are delighted to see how well the three have settled and how not only comfortable they are with one another but clearly love to spend time together grazing and being in each other’s presence.
Suni is also thriving. Our current routine is for Sudan, Najin and Fatu to have three days out together, and for Suni to have the entire day out every third day. He hasn’t been at all nervous of going out after Sudan has been out with the girls. He is a completely changed animal. A month ago he was very nervous to step out of his boma for too long, but he now enjoys his time outside and is very reluctant to come back in. It’s great to see such a change in him.
