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Feature Article: Saving Baby Karen

Orphaned Bushbuck Karen

Duma Duke

My dear Friends,

As usual I talk to you during the onset of the rains when nature renews itself in our neighborhood. This year has brought delay, not just in the onset of the rains.

As you are all no doubt aware the beginning of 2008 in Kenya was nothing for any decent Cheetah (or other) to write home about, indeed humans around here are still ashamed of what has taken place that left such a nasty mark on the history of this otherwise exceptional country. There are in fauna related literature a number of fables with lessons on the consequences of such primeval ('animalistic') behavior. Even amongst the media, members accused each other of a "feeding frenzy" over reporting the events, something otherwise only witnessed amongst sharks or the like.

While still baffled that such behavior in humans is always likened to the animal world when we all know that man is the biggest predator of us all, I am at least happy to report that all is peaceful at last. For once no beast was to blame, and faced with their own vulnerable mortality, humans borrowed another leaf from the animal world. They realized the truth of the wisdom of taking only what one needs to survive from nature, and suddenly there is room for all.

Conflict like the one Kenyans have recently been exposed to often bring out the heroes, the leaders among the masses.

Lillie (Juliane Poster) arrived bearing gifts

One of the first visitors back to Kenya was our loyal supporter 'Lilli,' Juliane Polster who braved a crowded customs hall at Nairobi Airport to clear twelve boxes of "Goodies" she had collected to give away to young Kenyan students that visit the Conservancy.

Lilli is still here, visiting us every day and delighting in spending her vacation mingling with the children, making their first acquaintance with the wild animals a special unforgettable experience for them and for herself.

Today once again we are treated to nature's unique entertainment as rain clouds part to a dramatic curtain opening onto Mount Kenya's peaks dipped in the orange and lilac pinks of the setting sun reflected in the freshly deposited snow. In a few hours the snow has melted, leaving behind the visibly shrinking glaciers, silent evidence of rapidly advancing climate change. Mount Kenya and the Aberdares are vital to Kenya's survival as a food basket in the region. Her streams are feeding the forests and plains that harbor a safe heaven for our unequalled wildlife.

With your help this unique ecosystem can be saved for ever. By supporting the work of the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, you will help focus attention on Mount Kenya's flagship species, the magnificent and rare mountain bongo antelope. At present the Conservancy holds 54 of these animals in various stages of readiness for their return to their ancestral mountain forest. If we can safely return the bongo, their mountain habitat so vital to all species and most of all man, will be saved for future generations.

Your donation is only a click away.

Your pledge will make a difference to so many animals here whose lives and return to the wild depend on your generosity.

Yours most devoted,

Chaircat
The Mount Kenya
Animal Orphanage

As Told by our Animal Orphanage Keepers

On the Second of September (2002) one of the workers at Mr. Hunt's house was frightened by a strange noise, coming from the surrounding bush. He was frightened and wondered if it could be a large snake making such a cry. The next day, hearing the cry again, he reported to Peter the Manager. Peter sent his little boy Lorian to go with the game scout Kingori to investigate.

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Following the sound they wondered what animal this could be. Ten year old Lorian had no fear and went straight through the bush towards the sound. And there she was, a little frightened bundle of red fur all curled up and with her ears flat and eyes closed so as to hide.

Gently Lorian tried to lift her to her feet. Now he realized this minute creature was a baby buck. Lorian remembered what he had learned at the Orphanage. He lifted her gently letting her "hide" her head. They returned to the orphanage with the baby, sending a quick Radio message to Peter.

Meanwhile Peter rushed to the scene and found what he had suspected. Some distance away, the grisly remains of the Mother Bushbuck. There were the tell tale signs of a struggle and the footprints of a leopard.

How the baby escaped is a miracle that nature plays over and over again.

Sensing danger the mother buck would have let out a sharp whistle, an instant command for the young to drop out of sight and stay hidden and quiet and wait for her call of release. Only then the mother would have taken flight, so as to lead the carnivore as far away from her baby as she could, before facing her killer for whom she was no match.

Such is nature. The young, instinctively stayed silent, waiting for the mother's call that never came.

Only the next day, when it could no longer survive on its own and growing too weak to fend off danger did the little fawn call out.

Lucky little fawn. Once in the Orphanage our experienced keepers took over. She did not take long to learn to drink from a bottle. Overcome by loneliness and need she quickly made friends with the hand that fed her.

A few days later a family from Nairobi came to visit the Orphanage. A little girl and her brother fell in love with the baby fawn and they spent most of the afternoon with her and returned the following morning. Sensing trust in each other the two young creatures, one human and one animal made friends giving the orphan the confidence to live in her new environment. That is how the fawn became "Karen," named after the little girl, and her famous name sake Karen Blixen, authoress of "Out Of Africa," who also wrote of a young bushbuck she befriended.

Our fawn Karen displays instinctive behavior as she licks the tortoise. Her choice of friend however, proves her lack of "learned behaviour."

In the wild, her mother would have prevented (taught) her from making such an "unsuitable" friend. In contrast, the young Bongo Antelopes born at the Ranch and raised normally by their mothers recognized the bushbuck as their "cousin," signified by their intense interest in the new baby.

- I.H.

Update 2008

That was in 2002. Now, 6 years later Karen is still a frequent visitor to the orphanage where she was raised after her rescue. She produced a number of offspring, all conceived in the wild but born, by Karen's own choice... in the safety of the Orphanage where she herself reared them.

Karen is free to come and go as she chooses. It makes us very proud grandparents indeed when she, time after time, returns to present her latest offspring.

Two of them have decided to make the orphanage where they were born, their home, at least for now: A beautiful young female calf and her older handsome brother. They are often joined by their mother Karen who continues to 'disppear' in search of the amorous attentions of the wild bushbuck nearby.

Seeing the happy trio here free and close-up is a treat for everyone: Bushbuck are uncommon in zoos, and shy by nature, they are rarely seen in the wild.

Captured !!

This is the killer that made Karen an orphan

It was a real menace - on a deadly rampage at the Ranch for several months. We lost numerous young antelope and many precious llama babies to this wily leopard's predation.

Traps were set, but the animal seemed much too smart to be drawn. Then finally it happened. She made a fatal error of judgment and went into one of the hidden, baited lures.

A young and beautiful female leopard.

We then called the Kenya Wildlife Service, which responded immediately, sending in an experienced, capable squad of Rangers to deal with the still dangerous animal. In due course, they transported her to Meru National Park where she was released back into the wild, well out of harm's way from any human retribution for her natural predatory lifestyle.

She is now free in a beautiful environment, protected for life.

Some facts about the Bushbuck
(TRAGELAPHUS SCIPTUS)

A midsize colorful antelope that occurs all over (Sub Saharan) Africa, but is seldom seen, shy hiding from predators in dense bush or forests, near water

Females and fawns are reddish to brown with stripes and spots arranged in more artistic designs in West Africa (Harnessed Antelope). The male only has horns and becomes a dark brown as he ages.

Bushbuck are active mainly at night, when they eat leaves and soft grass, but also flowers and fruits from trees that have been raided by monkeys.

The bushbuck has been observed to be the only solitary non-territorial Antelope in Africa. After a gestation period of more than 6 months, a single young is dropped (up to twice a year) and usually near the rainy season to ensure a good food supply. The fawn stays hidden for several months, but will remain with the mother at least 6 months or much longer.

Social behavior includes grooming, licking, and nose to nose contact.

For me, "Leo," the famous MGM Lion has always been synonymous with the most awe-inspiring sound of the wild that is until I realized: "Leo" was born in captivity...

Many years later and thousand of miles away, we have left a cloudy Nairobi behind us following the footsteps of Leo's ancestors. In less than an hour, the vast expanse of one of the world's most famous game reserves appears below us – we are in the heart of the Maasai Mara.

It is hard to imagine that this sweeping grassland is a mere 200 kilometers away from Kenya's buzzing capital. During the next 3 days, our keen and hugely knowledgeable driver will cover with us hundreds of kilometers of Africa's untamed beauty.

For now, we are en route to our temporary home advertised as "tented camp" near a seasonal river where our only neighbors are hippos submerged some feet below the surface. Our hosts are the Maasai whose land is held in trust as a national reserve from which the local community is receiving a direct benefit. To treat wildlife as a valuable renewable resource is a new idea to these people who, although proud of their hunting skills, have nevertheless always lived in harmony with their surroundings.

Our tents appear briefly in the distance but blend into the landscape perfectly. Our luxury temporary home in the bush is a far cry from most people's basic concept of a camp, yet it is easy to imagine the entire accommodations fit for 10 safari-hungry visitors leaving very little trace of its existence when removed.

The driver's trained eyes spot a family of cheetahs hidden behind a nearby bush. We watch in silence as the braver ones visibly familiar with the warmth of the engine settle on the bonnet of our Landcruiser. Our cameras balanced unsteadily on top of its roof, we are assured by our Maasai guide that it is past their feeding time..

There is no better way to understand the Maasai way of living than to learn it here, from these people who have never left the Mara's boundaries. We feel vulnerable yet safe in our temporary home away from home. Unlike the larger tourist camps nearby here there is no fence to separate or protect us from the surrounding wilderness.

It is nevertheless a surreal experience to eat fillet steak under the starriest of skies served by a half-naked warrior dressed in his traditional Maasai robe. He senses my amazement and I see the twinkle in his eyes when he confesses to wearing American boxer shorts.

An hour later, chilly by now - shooting stars appear closer and seemingly never ending. The powerful searchlight of our car focuses on a bush ahead of us and it seems to come to life – bushbabies, their reflective eyes briefly giving away their presence.

Earlier, we heard the trumpeting voice of the elephants crossing the river near the camp entrance. Now, in bed, we are reminded once again that very little remains between us and the largest mammal on earth and our imagination plays tricks on us. The sights and sounds of an African night – the Maasai whose spear caught the light of our torch is standing guard motionless.

It's July, the time of the Great Migration, one of nature's true wonders. Throughout the month, troops of wildebeest, zebras, and antelopes assemble on the open grassland of the Mara in search of dry weather grazing.

From an escarpment near the camp we see the procession gather un-orchestrated at first, until on our last day when we see the troops form a single line. Soon now, one animal will take the lead to march towards the one major challenge along their journey – crossing the Mara River.

Crocodiles barely visible lie in wait for their prey between the tree trunks along the riverbed. The leader's diving into the stream signals the rest to follow. In October, the route will take the herd back into the Serengeti where the circle of life begins again – time for a new generation.

At noon and not far from the frantic race: safari chairs under the shade of a tall tree – a picnic straight from "Out of Africa" brings the sounds of Mozart played on an ancient gramophone to our minds.

No safari is complete without an alfresco evening meal under a lonely umbrella acacia. From our hill, we watch the Maasai bring home their cattle while the sun sets over their land in the most surprising colors of purple and orange.

Our safari has taken us on an incredible journey to the home of Kenya's most famous inhabitants: eland, impala, gazelles, warthogs, cheetahs, zebras and of course the "Big 5" once the ultimate prize for trophy hunters – elephants, rhinos, buffalos leopards, – and lions...

From the darkness of the Mara plains we hear a lion roar – a sound much deeper than imagined. This is the true call of the wild, a call that "Leo," the MGM Lion never heard.

Our Bongo Rehabilitation Project, which began in 1967 is now ready for the beginning of phase two: the actual release of our captive bred bongo back to the wilds of their ancestral home on Mount Kenya.

The first selected group from our bongo herd has now been "in training" to become wild again for over one year. Training entailed teaching the captive born animals a healthy fear of their natural enemies which of course includes man.

But first they had to brave a controlled wilderness area here at the Conservancy where they encountered dense forest undergrowth and steeply sloping terrain as would be their later habitat. Slowly artificial foods and water were withdrawn; they learned to eat wild shrubs and drink from the river. As they became more self sufficient every encounter with man was made unpleasant. To-date, we are happy to report that their natural instincts have taken over and these animals that you could once stroke are now hiding from our scouts, just what they need to do to survive in their new wilderness home.

During the bongo's eventual move to the rugged mountain wilderness they will be fitted with radio transmitters. Ron Surratt, Chairman of the Bongo SSP and executive officer of the International Bongo Foundation helped design a satellite transmitter which will allow our research team to follow their progress via Google Earth.

Never before has a release of mountain antelope back to their natural habitat been attempted... We hope that much will be learned from this first effort to pave the way for the future.

We now have 54 of these rare antelope in our breeding herds at the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy. Annual releases are planned to take place each year in cooperation with the Kenya Wildlife Service. It is hoped that 200 to 300 bongos will form a sustainable wild population on Mount Kenya.

We dedicate our work with bongo to the memory of our friend and partner William Holden, who started this project with us in 1967.

Déja vu all over again? This 4-some were all born recently at the Conservancy within weeks of one another. Here they are seen guarded by a "nanny," a female "teenager" bongo, while the mothers gain time to relax and feed further away. The young will be friends for life and care will be taken that in the course of their eventual release back to the wild they will not be separated.

Counting Toes

This little charmer is awaiting your support and will gladly carry your name in gratitude....

Earmarked for later rehabilitation to the wild to join another group of these beautiful and exceedingly rare monkeys.

New Sister for "Chewy"

During the 2008 rainy season many new animals were born at the conservancy. But this little new Orphan recovered by our wildlife officer beats them all.

He's thriving under Peter Fundi's care and he's called "Chucky two" (of course!)

Chucky II is named in honor and with many thanks to our loyal supporter Chuck Simmons who once again has blessed the animals with a meaningful and generous donation!

And since we are on the subject of clowns: Here's another recent arrival:

"Miss Piggy," as she is fondly known, was found motherless by the Caldwells not far from their farm at the tender age of a few days. The farmer's wife took in the cute little bundle and only three months later confessed that her garden was no longer her own. Miss Piggy had taken over!

Her not-so professional gardening skills proved disasterous to some of the Caldwells rare and excellent tropical plants grown there, resulting in an eviction order from the household.

Now Ms. Piggy has met her match in "Speedy" the giant aldabra tortoise resident at the orphanage for many years. Its an odd couple, but the wise old tortoise delights in Ms Piggy's attentions and manages to sufficiently distract her from any further "gardening duties"!

The last bushpig raised at the Animal Orphanage lived to over 25 years old.

During that time several attemps at her rehabilitation to the forest were made, alas unsuccesssful. Each time she returned finding her way home after some days.

In the end, permanent retirement at the orphanage was granted and Casey finally died there peacefully of old age.

Two years ago, just as we were saying 'Kwaheri' (good bye) to Susan, our popular first Public Relations Person, a charming young Lady appeared in my office applying for employment at the Conservancy.

It was a somewhat unusual interview. Jane's short professional background was not specifically what we were looking for.

Jane with daughters Derna and Ashley, and loyal supporter Lilli at the Orphanage

As a girl of 16 Jane had visited the Conservancy on a student program for our local high school. After graduation she attended a secretarial course, but never lost sight of her goal to one day work with the animals she had fallen in love with during that first visit to the animal orphanage.

It was her dream come true when she heard of an opening that would bring her closer to the place that had impressed her so much.

Jane became fascinated by the idea how she could help to animals. During the course of our first meeting she proceeded to convince us that we must 'please give her a chance to show what she can do.'

Although it was not entirely clear in my mind what exactly she could do, the fact that she had managed to raise our interest was sufficient proof of her winning personality. If everyone else would like her as much at first contact, if anything, she would make a great ambassador for our cause.

So why not give her that chance, I thought.

That was two years ago. With much drive and determination Jane has mastered some of the required professional skills, but more importantly her charm and enthusiasm are catching. Every afternoon, come rain or shine she swaps the computer for the orphanage where she spends time showing around our visitors and proudly introduces them to all the animals she has grown to love.

But there's another side to Jane: She's "Mom" to 2 charming little girls: Derna aged 8 and Ashley aged 3. Both girls love to visit Mom at work and we love to have them around.

In her own words:

"I love to meet new people every day and let them know about the importance of our conservation work here. I feel privileged to share the ups and downs of the animals at the Orphanage and the people that care for them. Together they have all become my extended family. Any donation however small will help the animals and Make My Day."

Jane is happy to keep in touch with all our friends and supporters. Your email can reach her at:

Time Will Tell

Sunrise on the Equator – the beginning of a brand new day filled with adventures yet to be experienced.

On the Equator, the sun rises and sets with twelve hour intervals. All year round, 6am and 6pm you can almost set your watch by it – 12 hours of daylight, 12 hours of dark. (You knew that from school of course)... All year round folks, no late summer nights or winter gloom.

Come to think about it, it does make a lot of sense to call the hour when the sun is finally fully visible even over the highest peaks of Kilimanjaro, when the day here truly begins, the first hour in the morning.

After lunch of course the "asubuhi" becomes "jioni" = afternoon

Thru the day you keep counting until you get to 12 (jioni), which is the last hour of daylight.

By seven pm of course the sun has already set, it is dark on the equator, and so this becomes the first hour of night:

Saa Moja (Usiku) = Hour One of Night

What then of midnight, you wonder? This is where you revert to reading your watch upside down so to speak. 12 becomes 6 and since it is dark:

Saa Sita (Usiku) = Hour Six of Night (The Bewitching Hour!)

So now you get the hang of it, just read the opposite on your watch, observe if it is light or dark, and bingo, you can tell the time the way East Africans do.

Of course you have to be able to count to 12, in Kiswahili that is, about time you learnt that anyway:

Now, having learnt all that and double checked the opposites on your watch, what guarantee is there that you'll make that date with your new African friend on time?

Well here's your excuse: blame "African time," which, in these parts is accepted humorous license to give or take an hour. Or better yet:, if you are a linguist you could impress by quoting a Swahili proverb:

"Kila jambo na wakati wake" = there is an opportune time for everything

In a country abundant with natural produce, in particular the rich farmland around Mount Kenya, it is only inherent that Kenyans are avid food lovers. Whilst new and innovative dishes veer towards a fusion of flavors from around the world, Kenya's traditional fare forms the foundation for every cook worth his salt.

Join us on an imaginary safari to a traditional Mount Kenya village as we walk past small huts built in a circle around the centre of the Boma facing a roaring fire. It's time for our "Iruga" (Feast) – karibu!

Get ready for your Mount Kenya "Iruga" (Feast)

And most important: Kenya's signature Beer aptly named TUSKER (an award winning lager made from real hops grown in Kenya) you can find it in specialty stores.

Preparation: Kachumbari and the Mukimo can be made a day ahead and kept cool overnight.

• Remove seeds of chilli peppers
• Finely chop al ingredients
• Place tomatoes, onions, chilli, capsicum and coriander into a bowl and mix well
• Add lime/lemon juice and olive oil and toss all in ingredients thoroughly
• Season to taste and cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes until all vegetables are soft and blended.
• Keep cool overnight

• Pre-boil all ingredients
• Fry the Pumpkin leaves (or spinach) (or better use frozen spinach)
• Now mash all the ingredients and pound them for a considerable amount of time or until your arms are sore and the mixture is smooth and green. That's how they do it.

I find it easier to throw all the cooked ingredients into a processor and mash. Lastly, add the sour cream. Have a sip of cool Tusker and it's done in a whiff. Season to taste.

• Prepare meat portions and marinate overnight. For the marinade use:
  • 2 cups full fat yogurt, heavily seasoned with tumeric, cinnamon, cumin crushed garlic and some chili powder.
  • Insert meats and chicken separately and cover with the peel of paw paw. (You can chop up the fruit and add it to the Kachumbari for a truly tropical flavor later)
• Remove meat from marinade and drip dry ...ready for the barbeque (discard the marinade).

Make sure everyone has plenty of cool Tusker to enjoy while they wait.
The aroma of the spices will make for big appetites and thirst.
All you need to do is warm up the Mukimo (in the microwave) and keep it warm near the barbeque, ditto with the Kachumbari.
Don your Chefs Apron and cook up a storm on the barbeque. You will have the most tender Nyama Choma (meat) ever, promise!

Karibu chakula – furahieni!
Enjoy your feast!