The Chaircat’s Blog

Another beautiful day here at Mount Kenya and another delightful surprise: Barely two weeks after the grand entrance of Bongo baby No. 50, here now is No. 51!! He was born to “Wasi-wasi” which, losely translated means crazy (as in nervous). That is indeed the reason why I don’t yet have a decent picture of the cute little baby antelope, I didn’t dare risk Wasi -wasi to disembowel me with her horns. Bongo, normally quite calm and shy can also be very dangerous. Wasi-wasi especially is quite capable to stand there like a tame animal one moment and attack the next if she were to perceive danger for her young. It is this quality that will ultimately insure their survival in the wild we hope.

In any case congratulations are due: Wasi-wasi presented us with a beautiful little male. Here’s your chance to name and adopt!! Just contact us.

Meanwhile the new baby and mother have joined Hamsini and her mother in the suni sanctuary. We are sure the two little ones will become buddies for life, - a life that will eventually see them roaming free in the wilderness of Mount Kenya.

While there is still unrest in some pockets of the nation we are happy to report none of this is taking place anywhere near us. I have yet to meet a single Kenyan that is not horrified by past events. Everyone we know is united in the resolve that peace should prevail at any cost. Kenyans are concerned what the world must think of them. They want you to know that in the majority they are the most friendly, jolly and tolerant people you have met, not the rowdies engaged in senseless battles that do not have anyone’s support . A yearning for peace to return to this land is what is now uniting Kenyans from all over. There is much hope and confidence in the air. Watch this space for updates.

I got up early this morning, awakened by bird song. I jumped out of bed thinking it must be late. But when I looked outside it was still dark. And yet, the birds were up.

And then I saw it, the full moon illuminating the western sky, descending slowly toward the edge of the ranch.

I grabbed the camera and rushed off in the car, out into the bush still hidden by the night.

Striped and white zebra mingling with reedbuck, bushbuck and eland antelope in my view briefly as I come up on the plain, there is that magnificent moon again, lower now.

In the east the sky takes on color as it gets lighter by the minute and the mountain stands watch as the moon sinks below the trees racing the life giving sun still hidden by the eastern slopes of Mount Kenya.

The bush is still dark and I am alone and I am not afraid.

A herd of buffalo slowly makes its way down to the dam to drink, standing out now against the violet sky.

I don’t know what today will bring, what you will read in the papers about Kenya or what images they will show on TV. And I hope that you will not believe everything because: here I am alone in the African bush and I am not afraid.

This much I know: The people of Kenya stand united for peace and whatever stands in their way they will overcome.

Tomorrow there will be another splendid moon and another and another conquering the darkest nights.

The moon is very low now slipping through the clouds, striped, hiding, losing to the life-giving sun.

We will be watching over the animals and the nature around us to preserve for a better future, another moon, another reason for the birds to sing their wake-up songs early, celebrating the dawn of another beautiful day in Africa.

Thank you for your concerns.

Your support means so much to every peace-loving Kenyan and to all of us here.

Our slightly delayed New Years gift:

A healthy male baby bongo finally made his grand entry.

The arrival of ‘Hamsini‘ marks the 50th Mountain Bongo to join the herd at the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, earmarked for re-introduction to the wild.

We expected the birth to take place around the first of January. but as it were, world attention was focused on less joyous incidents in Kenya.

It was almost as though the mother bongo was waiting for calm amd peace to return to give her own big event the importance it deserves.

So today we introduce to you:

Hamsini, (which means ‘fifty’ in Kiswahili ) born last night, January 12, 2008.

Delivery was difficult as the little bongo had overstayed its normally expected gestation period, he had continued to grow in the safety of his mother’s womb.

With our team watching her closely the mother bongo finally managed the birth with a little of our help which she accepted calmly, gratefully.

After a good night’s quiet and uninterrupted rest for mother and young, both are fine this morning. Hamsini was observed having a first drink from “Mom”.

Mother and young can be seen in the animal orphanage’s suni sanctuary, where they will stay to be pampered for a little while before rejoining the herd.

(You can adopt Hamsini as your own sponsored member of this herd of rare mountain bongo) ….. Just add one or more zeros to his number….

(A donation of $500.00 and up will benefit the herd and bring us closer to the goal of re-populating Mount Kenya with this rare and exquisite species of antelope)

First I must report that in our neck of the woods peace prevails.

It is reassuring to know that all our staff and keepers without fail have shown their commitment to look after the animals in our care come what may.

Yesterday the Kenyan President called a press conference in order to explain that his first concern is that of the safety of all of Kenya’s citizens.
“We are all Kenyans” he said.

He explained to the press that security must be restored before any marches or mass meetings can take place in the name of peace. Once citizens are assured safety to go about their daily business he promised to address demands for further talks. He advised those with complaints to seek justice in the courts.

Meanwhile, fanned by international attention battles in the slums continue and it is unclear exactly what is happening there. There are many good Kenyan poor families that are forced to live on the edges of those slums and risk becoming innocent victims of those that emerge with grisly intent. Some pay the ultimate price caught in the middle of unsettled disputes and frustrations brought on by a desperate few.

We are confident that peace will return soon to this beautiful land Kenyans proudly call “God’s country.”

All of us here at the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy are safe.
We are united in our vote for “pro life” for all gods creatures.
By our actions we hope to demonstrate the sincerity of all Kenyans committed to peace.
We thank you for your support. It means a lot at this difficult time to have you as our friends.

Karibu means welcome in Ki-swahili (you knew that of course)

After some trying days for Kenyans following the Dec 27 elections here, all seems to be quieting down with the dawn of a New Year.

At the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, where the interests of our wildlife are paramount we have felt none of the clashes and unrest that have rocked some parts of Kenya.

The men and women that work here looking after the animals and the land are culturally as diverse as the animals are different. We are proud to report that we are all still the best of friends here, men, women, beast and all!

This is what the animals have taught us: In order to survive each creature has to have his or her rightful place and space that allows for respect for one to another.

Sometimes this proves a little complicated…

but, as was the case with Brandy in the tub, a little diplomacy helped put her firmly back in her place.

Often quarters get a little crowded, but team spirit prevails even if we have to double up

There are those that always find reason to shout

and others are just plain pigs

Which makes the rest of us roar with laughter.

Here’s wishing you all a happy New Year blessed with peace and love for all God’s creatures.

Greetings from all the folks and beast at the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy.