Life on the Farm

Ostriches on the loose

Our four dancing ostriches have been the centre of much entertainment over the last couple of months, running manically around the farm and showing off their best dance moves. They have become more and more confident and aren’t afraid of approaching people anymore. Therefore, we decided it was time for them to regain their independence and released them to roam freely in the wider reserve. 


Now we often see three of the ostriches walking up and down the border fence, looking for the way out. The silly ostriches think it’s a larger chicken pen where they used to spend their nights and are looking for the gate! One of the ostriches can’t quite tear himself away from us and keeps coming back to the farm to see us all.

Samira’s new camp

Our beautiful cheetah, Samira, has been on the move this week as she has had a new and very large enclosure built for her next to the volunteer’s area on the farm. She seems to be enjoying life in her new enclosure, exploring her new space and freedom. And she clearly seems to relish the constant company as she’s always near the fence ready and waiting for people to visit her. And now she’s right next to the volunteers’ rooms they can visit her as and when they like and give her all the fuss and attention she loves.

Express Donkey Cart

Our Donkey cart, the ‘Sarah Stapleton Express’ is now up and running! Built by the Bushmen and painted by volunteers, our cart is all ready to go, thanks to our sponsor Sarah Stapleton. We have brought in a group of donkeys who we are training to lead the cart, which will carry our volunteers, supervised by Bushman worker Soloman, around the border fence each day.

It is important that the border fence is checked for holes or any damage that may have been caused by animals overnight and that repairs are made immediately. So we’ve introduced the Donkey cart as an economical and environmentally friendly way of circulating the border to carry out this work.

Wild Horses

Marlice has brought her wild horses onto the farm and they now reside in the kraal near the big baboon camp. The horses are steadily being trained so that people can ride them and we hope one day that volunteers will be able to ride the horses regularly as part of a daily activity. Caramella, Dominantis and Rubain are taken out most days and gradually becoming used to people and seem to enjoy their walks around the felt.

Shakira and Ombeli

Our gorgeous little leopard cubs are growing so quickly we won’t be able to call them little for long. They’re starting to be just bit of a handful at feeding time, especially the male, Ombeli.  He gobbles down his portion and then tries to take Shakira’s too.

Both are becoming very proficient tree-climbers, though Ombeli is not always a good judge of whether or not a branch will hold his weight. As the bigger of the two cubs, he falls, shakes himself, and races up the tree again. To keep these young cubs entertained and to encourage their development of climbing skills, we have built them two climbing frames and platforms in their camp which they seem to love – every day there are seen sitting on top of one of the platforms or using them to shade from the hot African sun.


 

We’re currently fundraising to build them a permanent camp here at N/a’an ku sê, as it’s unlikely they’ll be able to be released back into the wild after their poor start in life. If you or anyone you know would like to donate towards the camp, please email donationsnaankuse@iway.na.

Sheep will be sheep

After much deliberation and painful separation (well for Dara anyway), we decided that it was about time Mini, Toto, Mavis and Benjie followed their true sheep (and goat) instincts and joined the rest of the sheep and goats on the other side of the farm. They have now left the comforts of their nightly chicken pen and are experiencing life as a real farm animal. At least the volunteers can now eat their lunch in peace without having to fend off intruding noses!

The farm wouldn’t be the same without some kind of sheep or goat to look after though, and just last month, little Eddie the lamb joined us. Born to one of our flock, he was rejected by his mother, so Dara, our resident mother to all lost lambs and goats, has taken him under her wings. He spends his days with Lilly and the bunnies in the rabbit pen and each evening he’s wrapped up warm in Dara’s house.

Meerkats on the move
The best-laid plans ... when you’re dealing with meerkats - it’s wise to be flexible! The move to their new quarters took place successfully and they were happy about being big meerkats and FREE. But then they decided to be really free and Stein and George have gone off to do their own thing! They are still sighted regularly as the new colony is quite near the waterhole where the leopard cubs go for their daily walk, and food is taken to them every couple of days.
  

Frank and Violet often return to the farm though. One day recently Frank decided that the grass outside the kitchen is his, and tail held straight up, he took a fast run at the geese who were peacefully sleeping there. With a great squawking, they fled. Half an hour later, he did the same to the four peacocks.   

 

In loving Memory

The farm at N/a’an ku sê has experienced some sadness over recent months as a few of our favourite furry friends have passed away.
 

Schoonie, our one-eyed mouse-hunting Jack Russell, adored by each and every volunteer who met her, sadly died a couple of weeks ago. Unfortunately, Schoonie was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Stood behind Donkey, she was accidently hit as Donkey stepped back. Schoonie, one of the most beloved animals at N/a’an ku sê, will be sorely missed by us all here.

Our unique, crazy little springhare, JJ, couldn't survive a fierce hailstorm that descended upon us and sadly died of hypothermia the following day.

Whitetail, one of the cheetah cubs living with Lucky who joined us last year, tragically passed away last month. Whitetail had the unusual habit of licking the sand in his camp, which we have deduced become poisoned after the rain washed the soil and sand down from another area where insect repellent had been laid. We had been assured it was harmless to humans and animals so are devastated at this tragedy.

Our three month old baby Kudu was taken to the vets after she suffered debilitating symptoms from a head injury, and unfortunately died on the journey.

We are devastated at the loss of these special animals and know how much they meant to the people who loved them. They will forever remain in all of our hearts.