RED CARPET ROXY’S “RED ALERT” OF THE WEEK-MARCH 8, 2010

Here are the latest updates on Olare, the orphaned elephant that I am fostering at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya. Click here to see how you can foster an orphaned elephant or rhinoceros in Kenya.

Suguta seems to have been overtaken by Olare in terms of Leadership. Whereas previously it was always Suguta who was taking care of the small babies, Tano, Mutara and Shukuru, but now Olare seems to have taken over this role, although she concentrates on the smallest, Shukuru, lavishing more attention on her than the others. Suguta also loves Shukuru most, but Olare is possessive of the baby and does not want to share, which has generated some friction between the two older females.
2/9/2010	In the absence of Suguta, Olare and Nchan, little Mutara wants to take on the mothering role of Shukuru, touching the little one all over with her trunk. This was the case today when the older elephants were ahead of Shukuru en route to the mudbath venue.
2/3/2010	Olare shares a stockade with mischievous Sabachi, and she finds him something of a pain, because he wants to mount onto her and play-fight, something she resists. It usually ends up with Olare pushing him to the ground, especially at feeding times when he tried to hijack her share. However, separate the two doesn’t work either! Sabachi bellows all night and upsets all the other babies, including Olare, so the status quo remains.
1/31/2010	Temperatures were high when all the orphans came for a Private Viewing Booking at 3 p.m., and all wanted immediately to get into the mud wallow to cool off, including the small babies. The Keepers had a difficult time trying to retrain them, and in the end had to give up. All then had a marvelous time in the mudbath, Olare watchful over Mutara while Suguta also kept a close eye on the three small babies, Tano, Mutara and Shukuru. Mutara with Sammy Mutara with Shukuru
1/30/2010	Dida led the older group out to the bush today where Tumaren and Kimana teamed up to take on Kilaguni, but were defeated, which made Kilaguni very proud. Olare taught Shukuru, Tano and Mutara the usual rolling game and Suguta and her stockade-mate Tumaren charged some baby warthogs, chasing them far into the bush before returning looking very pleased with themselves, their trunks in the air and ears outspread. As usual, out in the bush, the orphans were divided into two groups, the older group and the babies. At the mudbath even Mawenzi enjoyed soil dusting, and indication that she is feeling better now. Shukuru entertained the guests by running up and down the cordon four times, and later on, during a Private viewing session Mawenzi partook of the mudbath, although she didn’t go in completely. However, all the others wallowed and dusted joyfully. Tumaren with little Tano Kudup playing with Mutara Sabachi

Olare and Ndii were engaged in a pushing game when the three small babies were let out of their Night Stables to join the older group in the yard. Olare immediately abandoned the game and ran to greet them. They all rumbled with excitement as soon as they saw Olare who then lay down so that they could enjoy climbing over her. After the 9 a.m. feed, the two groups separated, the older orphans heading out to browse along the western side of the Park whilst the youngsters, headed by Suguta took the opposite direction. At the mudbath, the orphans enjoyed playing with the football in the pool. Even Melia, who normally is not in the team, took part today while Mawenzi soil dusted in between watching the football game. Chaimu and Nchan charged the warthogs who turned up for a wallow. The Keepers had a difficult time to prevent baby Mutara from jumping into the mudbath who might have been injured since Sabachi and Kilaguni play rough. Meanwhile Shukuru joined Mawenzi at the dustbath, so all the visitors enjoyed an action-packed hour! Melia behind the others Melia in the forest Mawenzi
1/28/2010	Out in the bush Kilaguni and Kimana began a pushing game but Tumaren ran to separate the two, head butting Kilaguni and backing up Kimana to chase him off. At mudbath the two groups who usually come in separately for their milk, all enjoyed the mudbath, except Mawenzi who, of late, has been “dull” but who is looking a little better after taking her new medication, She rolled in the loose red earth, closely overseen by Olare and Melia. Ndii, Kalama, Nchan and Chaimu are good foot-ballers, kicking and chasing after the ball in the water while Kilaguni and Dida went to greet the visitors along the line of the cordon. After the mudbath, the orphans resumed feeding out in the bush, one group led by Dida and the other by Suguta while the small milk only babies remained with the Keepers. Mawenzi with Emanuel Dida having milk Ndii having milk
1/25/2010	Again, all the orphans met up in the Stockade Compound for morning greetings and a little fun before being led out into the bush by their Keepers. Olare, who is demonstrating that she can be a very competent Matriarch, is very mindful of Mawenzi who has always looked up to Melia, and been allowed to suckle Melia’s ears whilst out in the field. However, today when Mawenzi tried to take some greens from Melia’s mouth, Melia knocked her down, and she fell, screaming. All the Keepers ran to help her, but Olare was there before them ;to help Mawenzi back onto her feet before charging Melia to punish her. Melia then ran behind Dida and the other orphans to hide and Olare knew that she could not then punish Melia, but instead returned to keep Mawenzi company for the remainder of the day. Melia on the left with Olare Mawenzi having milk Kimana
1/24/2010	All the orphans met outside their Night Quarters, especially Mutara, Tano and Shukuru, because Olare, who is always very fond of the small babies, paid them special attention. As soon as they were together, she began teaching them the rolling game, lying down on the ground so that the little ones could climb on her, jumping up and falling down! Sabachi noticed this game and came rushing over, swinging his trunk happily in anticipation, because whenever any of the elephants is lying down, Sabachi enjoys trying to mount onto them. However, Olare shares a stockade with Sabachi, so she knows his tricks well. Gently, she pushed the babies aside, and stood up with her ears out to charge Sabachi who instantly changed direction, pretending to charge an unseen intruder instead! Olare then resumed the game, but kept a close eye on Sabachi. When the Keepers called the orphans, they all filed out into the bush, Shukuru and Mutara closely following the Keepers who were in front leading the herd. Once out in the field, the older orphans began browsing, while the little ones remained close to the Keepers. Kudup having fun at the mudbath Mutara having a soil bath Chaimu on the left on Kilaguni
1/23/2010	Today, at 4 p.m., Olare proved that she has the potential of being a very caring Matriarch. A lorry load of new, soft red soil was brought for the orphans, and all were having fun, lying in it, and rolling around. Olare stopped to stand beside the very small babies in order to protect them from the bigger boys. When Shukuru rolled down the slope in amongst the older elephants, Olare escorted her, and the other small babies, to a different patch, and only then began enjoying herself, certain now that the small ones were separated from the attentions of the boys. Shukuru with Hassan Kalama loving Suguta Kimana on the left with Olare

Every Friday, all the orphans have coconut oil rubbed over their bodies, which they seem to enjoy, some even lying down and lifting up their legs so that the oil can be rubbed on their bellies. Olare used to hate “oiling day” but now accepts it. Olare with Emanuel Maalim with Abdi
1/20/2010	Chaimu, who has had to have her eyes treated daily, has become very scared of close contact with the Keepers, obviously fearing that more ointment will be put into her eyes. Today, when a Keeper touched her, she ran away screaming. Previously, it was Olare who was scared of the Keepers, but now she looks for fingers to suck, and is very friendly towards all humans. Chaimu Chaimu on the left with Sabachi
1/19/2010	Today, as the older orphans led by Dida were heading for their 9 a.m. milk feed, Dida stopped suddenly, spread out her ears, trumpeted and charged into the bush. All the Keepers ran to see what had disturbed her, only to find a large male warthog with huge tusks. Olare, Sabachi and Kimana joined Dida, who then stopped, and allow the other three to continue the chase. This is the only time that Dida has displayed a Matriarchal role since Kenia was transferred to Voi. Dida with Emanuel Kimana with Amos Sabachi on the right greets Olare
1/5/2010	At the beginning of each day Kilaguni looks for Kibo and the two engage one another in a strength testing match. Meanwhile Kimana and Sabachi also enjoy pushing games, while Tumaren and Olare chase one another around the stables for fun, until the Keepers called the orphans to order, since it was time to head out. There was more at the mudbath because both Turkwel and Kalama had an altercation over their respective milk ration. Kilaguni in the forest Turkwel playing in the mud
1/2/2010	As soon as the small babies were let out of their Night Stables, Mutara ran to join the older elephant group, attaching herself again to Olare. Kilaguni and Kibo were bent on trying to mount onto her, but Olare protected her from these two exuberant little boys, who were keen to establish their authority. Kibo leans against Mutara Kilaguni playing in the mud

The Nursery orphans spent New Year’s day all together, and Suguta established herself as a very able Matriarch of them all. She kept on fondling the small babies – namely Tano, Mutara, Chaffa and Shukuru. Olare was in second place, also wanting the four tiny babies close, but Suguta was too possessive to allow that until Mutara managed to detach herself from Suguta, and remained close to Olare. Meanwhile Dida, Ndii, and Tumaren were not competitors for the role of Matriarch to the smaller elephants.

Suguta with little Tano

Olare