At last, our pair of Rock Hyrax, "Rex" and "Regina" has started a family.
It came as a total surprise. I had noticed that Regina was not out and about as much and Rex seemed to spend more time on his favorite rock, sunning.
She certainly didn't 'show.' When I did see her she took less time feeding and sunning, but she looked well, so I didn't know what to make of it.
Then suddenly, one day while I was waiting for her to appear, I saw a tiny and shiny little black button nose peaking out from one of the rocky crevices. Soon there were other tell-tale noses popping up.
Melissa Agagliate, aged 15 rescued this baby Grey Duiker from some little boys who were on their way to "sell" it. She sat up all night with the frightened little fawn until it calmed and drank some milk from her bottle. The next day she brought it to our Orphanage. She named it Robin after her older brother who drove her here.
Thanks to Melissa's efforts, the little duiker is now safe. He will be raised and introduced to our duiker family for eventual release back to the wild when he is fully grown.
During his time at the Orphanage he will be instrumental in teaching Children respect for all creatures. Thank you Melissa and Robin, well done!
Dr. Mark Davis
for his continued efforts and support
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After a few more days the most adorable tiny little furry balls jumped all over the rocks. Counting proved difficult as they only appeared very briefly and never together. We guessed and took bets. One of the keepers won, there were six.
Now, less shy, they romp all day, playing peek-a-boo in their rocky home. Mom sits proudly watching her brood.
We hope to establish the offspring in another rocky home, without fences.
The Rock Hyrax is the gregarious cousin of the shy tree Hyrax indigenous to this area. Unlike the Tree Hyrax, they are not keen climbers and prefer the rocks warmed by the sun that give them safe shelter from predators, day and night.
We hope for our 6 new arrivals to be roaming free right here, as good ambassadors, drawing attention to the other orphan animals yet to be rehabilitated.
Dr. Richard Estes, in his book "Safari Companion" writes:
Hyrax are survivors of an ancient group of near-ungulates that lumps together such strange bedfellows as elephants, aardvarks and Dugongs.
Gaspar the spot-nosed guenon Monkey is glad to be "home" in his own area here at the Orphanage.
His hand has healed well.
The terrible ordeal over, the animal has reverted to his usually calm and friendly nature.
Often, he will show us the hand as if he were quite proud of it. He has begun using it, indicating that he is now pain free.
