On the first day of October our team were busy monitoring a large aggregation of elephants and we got to observe some interesting elephant behaviour. These two bull elephants were having a bit of a standoff and they appeared to be using the small ravine as a “barrier” between them while they stood on opposite sides sending threatening signals to one another. This behaviour is referred to as the ‘parallel walk’ and bull elephants engage one another in this manner to assert dominance. Usually there are two versions of this behaviour and in this case it was the less serious, with more playful undertones. Boys will be boys but we are happy to say that they made up as friends again later!
After a considerable amount of rain the area was full of content wildlife, including happy baby elephants playing together among the protective throng of their family. These tiny giants were moving from one loving trunk caress to another and it was so wonderfully heartwarming to witness the enormous affection each of the adults had to give them. This is exactly how we believe wild and free elephants should look and it is our mission to secure a future where elephants in the Mara ecosystem can live as they should by simply being elephants.
Later in the month our team celebrated Mashujaa Day, a day to honour amazing conservation heroes both here at home and around the world.
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The rangers were monitoring an aggregation of elephants on the 24th while on a routine patrol one afternoon and these two bulls stayed behind when the rest of the herd moved into a nearby hill. Minutes later both bulls decided to lay down for a nap right next to us, completely unperturbed. Soon after it started to rain but this didn’t seem to bother them, if anything both elephants appeared to be enjoying the gentle shower. The bulls were very aware of us watching quietly from the vehicle but they felt comfortable enough to have a siesta, displaying profound trust towards us. Though it is not a common sight, adult elephants do take naps on the ground just like calves but only when they feel it is safe enough to do so. We have shared stories before of elephants sleeping in our presence and each time it is always a wonderful scene to be a part of. The elephants in this area are pretty familiar with our team; they recognize our smells, voices and vehicles from many years of working here and spending time with them. It is greatly due to this that we have the privilege of witnessing such special glimpses into fascinating elephant society. We waited in silence so as not to disturb the sleepy elephants and after resting soundly for quite a while the two young bulls got up, first one and then the other, before later rejoining the herd elephants.
What makes elephant matriarchs so amazing? The reasons are of course vast and immeasurable. Perhaps one of the most remarkable however is that a matriarch takes her role very seriously, often dedicating her entire life to protecting and caring for her family at all costs. We watched as this herd of elephants, one of the families we have known the longest, walked calmly past us yesterday evening. Bringing up the rear was none other than Eseseri, the matriarch. She is often the last elephant while the herd is on the move because she is busy ensuring that every single one of her family members are safe and accounted for. She is a large female in her fifties with a lifetime of experience navigating the unique Mara landscape and we have had the privilege of spending many countless hours in her presence. Eseseri truly epitomizes the importance of an elephant matriarch. Most of all, Eseseri is known to our team as a wonderful mother, a wise leader and an all around walking treasure among elephants.
On the path of giants….. this photo of a group of bull elephants was taken while we were on a patrol in 2015 in the middle of a severe drought and these majestic males were on their way to water. Each of them calmly walked past as the rangers observed them quietly, to ensure that they could have a peaceful drink undisturbed by nearby human activity. In this photo are Tepesi, Subat, Murran, Ilariak, Osupat and bringing up the rear in this scene is Oloropile, all magnificent bulls whom we have known for many years and vital role models to younger males among the Mara elephants.
During the first week of November in what was perhaps the most challenging operation we’ve had to date of helping an elephant in desperate need, we managed to save this young calf through an amazing concentrated effort between our team and the Mara SWT /KWS vet team. The Elephant Aware rangers had been dilligently monitoring this four year old elephant calf since we discovered that he had a snare around his front left foreleg a few days ago. Due to difficult circumstance he could not receive life saving treatement until today. Aside from the calf’s fragile state, horrific injury and the impossible terrain, our collective teams faced another formidable obstacle; his mother and their herd. The calf chose to be in a small ravine surrounded by very thick vegetation in order to soothe his agonized foot in the cool water and he was darted with expert precision by Dr. Limo. A few minutes later he succumbed to the anaesthesia, meaning we had to act fast. It was impossible to approach the calf at that point as he was surrounded by 10 angry elephants who had gone into a frantic frenzy, not knowing what had happened to their suddenly unconscious relative.
Fear for the calf’s safety set in and all of us started making as much noise as possible to drive the elephants far enough away so that the vet team could run in to check on the calf. The mother would not budge and fearlessly stood her ground in an act of unbelievable maternal instinct. Luckily our persistent racket persuaded her to give the vet room to tend to the calf. Helicopter assistance arrived shortly after to keep the herd at bay thanks to MEP. Dr. Limo was finally able to remove the thick snare which was so tightly bound around the elephant’s leg that it had cut deep into this poor calf’s flesh and after cleaning the wound thoroughly, pain relieving antibiotics were applied. Once revived, the little elephant managed to get back onto his feet and to our amazement, clamberd up the steep bank before reuniting with his overjoyed family. All in all the operation was life-risking and incredibly challenging but we were enormously grateful for the positive outcome. Thank you to the Mara Mobile Vet Unit for their fantastic work. It was our collective hope that this calf would fully heal with time.
It was with very heavy hearts which we discovered that the elephant calf we had all been working hard to save, who was treated for a serious snare injury a while ago, sadly did not make it and died on the night of the 22nd of November. All indications were that he succumbed to his horrific injury, despite everyone’s best efforts to rescue him. The rangers had been watching over this calf continuously everyday for over two weeks right up until the evening before he died as it was impossible to keep up with him in the darkness. It was not at all the outcome we worked so tirelessly to achieve and our team is deeply heartbroken by this enormously tragic loss. Considering the unimaginable suffering this calf endured, we hope he is at least at peace now. It is a powerful reminder of the very real plight elephants face as a species and is all the more reason why they need all of our help in securing a kinder future for elephants.
As part of their routine patrols the rangers are always keeping a watchful eye out for poacher’s snares. The effectiveness of the work we do greatly revolves around our close collaboration with neighbouring communities and maintaining an active network of information. These rangers are from this area and therefore have an essential relationship with their fellow Maasai, assisting enormously in our team’s daily conservation efforts.
These beautifully adorned Maasai ladies are members of the Oloilale Women’s Group we support from our neighbouring community. They are proud women who continue to adhere to their unique culture and all the while are leading voices for conservation in their society, thanks to our close collaboration. This is something we have always strived for as we believe that the traditional Maasai culture plays a vital role towards protecting their own natural heritage and goes hand in hand with the conservation of wildlife. We strongly believe that community empowerment and leadership in conservation is pivotal in any successful conservation model which is why partnering with community landowners has significant importance in our approach. This photo was taken after a fun social gathering with our team to catch up with friends and discuss new micro projects within the group in November.
For us and many in conservation, 2019 has been a year of highs and lows for wildlife. Throughout the year our team at Elephant Aware have carried on with our daily work to protect wildlife, secure wild habitat and benefit communities living alongside some of the planet’s most incredible creatures like elephants with heartfelt dedication and tireless fortitude.
Truly effective conservation work must surely be reflected in the form of a steady population of wildlife and the functioning ecosystem on which they depend for survival. All in all our team’s achievements this year in conjunction with our partners leave us optimistic in continuing our important efforts with the invaluable support of many around the world. Together with fellow conservationists, it is our hope to continue making a positive difference in ensuring that species such as elephants have a future in places such as the Maasai Mara ecosystem. Ultimately conservation requires a united approach to be successful and this goes far beyond those on the ground, encompassing caring individuals all around the globe. Thank you for supporting Elephant Aware!
