Progress with the Fence
Fence completion for the larger enclosure is set for the end of this month. It looks like we have a long way to go but the posts are going in. Stringing the wires will only take a few days. One major hurdle will be removing all large wildlife from this area. We currently have close to 100 buffaloes, two black rhinos and a lioness with cubs living within the area. We intend to leave all plains game within the enclosure.
A profile of the man behind the fencing – Festus Baithibua – has been one of Ol Pejeta’s loyal and long serving employees for 25 years! He is the manager responsible for over 200km of fence across and around the Conservancy. This is not a small department, with every 7km being monitored, maintained and physically checked on a daily basis.
Meeting Max
Max, our hand-reared 5 year old white rhino bull, met the girls through the electric fence this week. He was on one of his daily strolls when he came across the enclosure. Fortunately it was the girls turn in the paddock. Najin hardly reacted, taking a casual look and then unperturbed, continuing on with her grazing. Fatu, however, was much more aware and curious – both animals stopped and stared at each other until simultaneously running in the opposite directions. The curiosity showed from Fatu was great to see and as Max poses no threat, it can only be a good thing that the girls have seen other white rhino.
Suni at His Best
As the rains have continued to fall over the last few weeks the grass has become thicker than ever and grazing from all the animals has increased. None has shown improvement more than our younger of the two males, Suni. Since the rains came he has enjoyed the bushy area in the enclosure and it is where he is at his most relaxed. He has made his own wallow and happily spends hours there.
A Royal Visitor
On Friday, March 12th, Ol Pejeta was honoured to be included in Japan’s Crown Prince Naruhito’s busy schedule on his official visit to Kenya. In amongst a mass of photographers and entourage, the Prince arrived to see a very relaxed Baraka, our blind black rhino at the Morani Centre. He was then keen to see our newest arrivals at the nearby bomas. He was introduced to Fatu &,,amp, Najin and was eager to take his own photos and feed them their morning apples and carrots. The girls remained calm and relaxed even in front of our honourable guest.
