Lola – our latest baby baboon
Three weeks ago our baby baboon numbers increased again, when Marlin, Bonnie, Clyde and Gus were joined by the very pretty, Lola. We estimate that Lola is 6 months old, so is approximately the same age as Bonnie. This week Lola has come into contact with the senior babies for the first time during the walks, and has adapted surprisingly well considering when she first saw them she screamed the place down. She seems particularly at ease with Sarafina, who loves to groom her.If you would like to adopt Lola, please email donationsnaankuse@iway.na
Ombeli & Sh
akira – Our beautiful leopard cubs
akira – Our beautiful leopard cubsEarly December saw the arrival of our tiny young leopard cubs, Shakira & Ombeli . When they first arrived at N/a’an ku se the cubs were extremely underweight and malnourished. The cubs had been removed from their mother by a farmer who had captured her in the belief that she was a problem animal. They were approximately 8 weeks old, however, had no fur, just masses of excessive pink skin.
Since their arrival, Shakira & Ombeli have thrived, and gone from strength to strength. The leopards love their daily walk with our volunteers every afternoon, climbing trees in their natural environment and are already practising their stalking skills. We hope to release the cubs back to the wild when they are strong enough but urgently need to build them a large camp to house them in the meantime.
If you would like to adopt Shakira or Ombeli, make a donation towards their camp or get involved with fundraising we would love to hear from you. Email donationsnaankuse@iway.na
Since their arrival, Shakira & Ombeli have thrived, and gone from strength to strength. The leopards love their daily walk with our volunteers every afternoon, climbing trees in their natural environment and are already practising their stalking skills. We hope to release the cubs back to the wild when they are strong enough but urgently need to build them a large camp to house them in the meantime.If you would like to adopt Shakira or Ombeli, make a donation towards their camp or get involved with fundraising we would love to hear from you. Email donationsnaankuse@iway.na
Ba
by Kudu Baby Kudu came to the farm after she was found abandoned in a field. She was only a couple of weeks old when she came to us in January, so required regular bottle feeding. She has developed into quite a character, and roams freely around the volunteer area during the day. We did, however, have to fit her with a tracking collar, as one day she decided to explore the rest of the farm. Search parties were unable to locate her, but after 18 hours, Kudu found her own way back, and at 7am was found waiting at the main volunteer gate!
Pumba – Our comical baby Warthog
Our semi-tame little warthog, Pumba, has really made himself at home on the farm. He came to us as an orphan, but has now been adopted by Babe, Fritzie and the piglets. All six spend every day together, roaming about the volunteer area, getting up to mischief. If you’re really lucky Pumba will come up to you, roll over and wait for you to scratch his belly! Thankfully all of our tortoises have now been released (except the babies), as Pumba had a particular passion for flipping them onto their shells!
Our semi-tame little warthog, Pumba, has really made himself at home on the farm. He came to us as an orphan, but has now been adopted by Babe, Fritzie and the piglets. All six spend every day together, roaming about the volunteer area, getting up to mischief. If you’re really lucky Pumba will come up to you, roll over and wait for you to scratch his belly! Thankfully all of our tortoises have now been released (except the babies), as Pumba had a particular passion for flipping them onto their shells!M
iss Anderson A.K.A. DonkeyDonkey continues to be one of the biggest characters at N/a’an ku se. She spends a small part of her day with her friend Kudu, but the majority of her time is taken up chasing volunteers and staff and looking for attention (and trouble!)
G
eorge & Violet – The Meerkats
Frankie & Stein have been joined by 2 more meerkats recently. Firstly came the arrival of George back in December, who was accepted by Frankie & Stein almost immediately. The two males and female became a formidable team in no time, and were always in some kind of trouble. Then two weeks ago, Violet, who originally lived in the bushman village with our other meerkats but has not been seen for some time, was discovered quite emaciated and missing two thirds of her tail. She had obviously been pushed out of the group at some point. Her tail (or stump!) has now healed, and she has now been introduced to our the current trio based at volunteers. We are pleased to say that the introduction has gone very well, and we are hoping to release all 4 together in the very near future.
eorge & Violet – The MeerkatsFrankie & Stein have been joined by 2 more meerkats recently. Firstly came the arrival of George back in December, who was accepted by Frankie & Stein almost immediately. The two males and female became a formidable team in no time, and were always in some kind of trouble. Then two weeks ago, Violet, who originally lived in the bushman village with our other meerkats but has not been seen for some time, was discovered quite emaciated and missing two thirds of her tail. She had obviously been pushed out of the group at some point. Her tail (or stump!) has now healed, and she has now been introduced to our the current trio based at volunteers. We are pleased to say that the introduction has gone very well, and we are hoping to release all 4 together in the very near future.
Farm Updates
T
he rabbit move
Our rabbits have recently been relocated to a new temporary home, whilst their new permanent patch is under construction. With a lot of hard work from volunteers and staff, Mowgli’s old camp was renovated into a cosy enclosure for the bunnies. It wasn’t an easy task as the camp had to made meerkat proof as they were initially able to climb into the camp through the fence, and we’ve discovered recently that meerkats are not particularly friendly towards our floppy eared friends! We now need to keep a close eye on the rabbits following their recent escapade when they decided to burrow out and have a late evening wander in the pouring rain!
he rabbit moveOur rabbits have recently been relocated to a new temporary home, whilst their new permanent patch is under construction. With a lot of hard work from volunteers and staff, Mowgli’s old camp was renovated into a cosy enclosure for the bunnies. It wasn’t an easy task as the camp had to made meerkat proof as they were initially able to climb into the camp through the fence, and we’ve discovered recently that meerkats are not particularly friendly towards our floppy eared friends! We now need to keep a close eye on the rabbits following their recent escapade when they decided to burrow out and have a late evening wander in the pouring rain!
The Great Baboon Escape
Recently the senior baby baboons, led by Sarafina, have discovered ways to escape the confines of their camp at night. Chasing baboons around is the dark is no easy feat, and was made more difficult by the fact that every time they were caught and put back, they escaped again!! We think they just want to have a sociable evening with the volunteers! Repairs and additional electric fencing are currently being added to prevent future crazy nights.
Recently the senior baby baboons, led by Sarafina, have discovered ways to escape the confines of their camp at night. Chasing baboons around is the dark is no easy feat, and was made more difficult by the fact that every time they were caught and put back, they escaped again!! We think they just want to have a sociable evening with the volunteers! Repairs and additional electric fencing are currently being added to prevent future crazy nights.
Da
ncing Ostriches
ncing OstrichesThe farm’s four young ostriches are growing very quickly and are now 6 feet tall. They are also a lot less shy around people, and can be very inquisitive at times. They are very entertaining to watch, as they spend a considerable amount of time chasing each other around, and dancing in circles. At times they will dance around so much, that they have been known to fall over from dizziness!!
Sam
ira’s ShenanigansLately Samira has been a lot more adventurous when going out for her daily walks. For quite a while, she would usually just do a lap of the house and then return to her camp. Recently however, she has decided that she would like to explore the farm a bit more. Twice in one week she visited the two lions, Aiko, Kiki & Aisha, and even Keanu & Timbila. One of these walks lasted for an epic 6 hours, leaving everyone exhausted. During her mammoth walk, she had also managed to get to the volunteer area, which was not good news for all of the animal residents of the area, as they had to all be put back into their enclosures for their safety. Samira has had a rest from her daily walks since, as she became very stressed out seeing the other large carnivores.
Caraca
l Walks Return
Our daily volunteer caracal walks have recommenced in the past couple of months as they now have their own tracking collars. Currently Cleo and Medusa go for a walk with Johannes and some of the volunteers each morning. We hope that one day Yoda and Godiva will be able to join in but at present, Yoda is not tame enough and Godiva will not tolerate the tracking collar.
l Walks ReturnOur daily volunteer caracal walks have recommenced in the past couple of months as they now have their own tracking collars. Currently Cleo and Medusa go for a walk with Johannes and some of the volunteers each morning. We hope that one day Yoda and Godiva will be able to join in but at present, Yoda is not tame enough and Godiva will not tolerate the tracking collar.
Beau
tiful Lily
Lily, our baby steenbok, who was brought to us in November with a broken back, has recovered magnificently. She has recently moved from the grass area beside the old volunteer accommodation to the chicken pen, which is now the place to be. We moved her as she seemed quite lonely, but in the chicken pen she seems incredibly content wandering around with the various other animal species. She sleeps in there together with Sylvie, Donkey, Kudu, Mavis, Benjie, Mini, Pumba and the pigs at night.
tiful LilyLily, our baby steenbok, who was brought to us in November with a broken back, has recovered magnificently. She has recently moved from the grass area beside the old volunteer accommodation to the chicken pen, which is now the place to be. We moved her as she seemed quite lonely, but in the chicken pen she seems incredibly content wandering around with the various other animal species. She sleeps in there together with Sylvie, Donkey, Kudu, Mavis, Benjie, Mini, Pumba and the pigs at night.
