We have suffered an abnormally hot week on the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, which was thankfully broken by three days of unexpected rain. Rain is not usual this time of year in Kenya, and we would not expect rainfall until the beginning of April. But it could not have come at a better time. There was enough to bring back a flush of green across the whole Conservancy, settling the dust in and around the bomas.
Rhino Update
Following the girl’s big day out last week, the next of the northern white’s given access to the larger enclosure was Sudan. Sudan took to exploring immediately and headed straight for the long grass grazing area.
He was very curious to see the zebras and giraffes peering at him from the other side of the fence. He was eager to scrape his feet and spray, marking his territory. Similar to the girls, he loved spending time in the thicker bush towards the back of the enclosure. There were a few excitable moments, where he picked up paced and ran around energetically.
As we expected, Suni, was shyer than the others. On his third outing his curiosity got the better of him and he went beyond the boundaries of the original paddock. He is most happy and relaxed when he is in the security of the thick bush and when he can see the other male, Sudan, in his boma.
Berry White has been kept company at the bomas this week by Journalists for Priroda Afrika Wildlife Magazine from the Czech Republic. The BBC crew was also back shooting a follow-up to Last Chance to Survive series. We hope to welcome them back for the final release in March.
Fencing
We have broken ground on the final phase of fencing for what will ultimately become the rhinos’ breeding area. This area has incorporated the best of all three types of vegetation that we have on the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. We aim to finish the fence by the 20th of March. And we hope that, the fact that our last rhino calf born on the Conservancy was born in that area, will bring a good omen to our northern white rhinos!
