Well-Spotted

 

Appropriately enough President Uhuru Kenyatta announced the lifting of the existing lockdown in Kenya on Labour Day, 1st May, which will enable people from all over Kenya to travel freely. Previously travel had been restricted between Nairobi - and four surrounding counties - and the rest of the country. This effectively forced the lodges to close and made it difficult for staff at Loisaba and Elewana Collection to travel to and from their work.

The other good news is that it has rained at Loisaba for the first time in two months. This will be a relief to the people relying on the Ewaso River for water, along with the animals who are reliant upon the grass, shrubs and trees. We should see many of the migrating animals returning to the conservancy as a result. 

In the temporary absence of the Wildlife Guides, the staff have helped to record many of the animals that have been wandering around the Conservancy. 

Credit: Fisher Kiagu

Credit: Fisher Kiagu

Credit: Simon Lelaki

This little chap was hoping to upgrade his accommodation at one of the village bomas.

Credit: Ambrose Letoluai

Meanwhile, researchers and rare visitors came across some equally rare animals. This black - melanistic - leopard was photographed at the outer reaches of the Conservancy.

Credit: Tom Hartley - accompanied by guide Mohamed Iribo

For the very first time ever, Desert Warthogs were spotted at Loisaba by researchers Yvonne de Jong and Tom Butynski during their visit earlier in the year. Not much is known about these animals as until 1991 only one species of warthog (the Common Warthog shown left) was recognised. In fact the Desert Warthog differs noticeably from the Common Warthog in that its warts are hook-shaped rather than cone-shaped and the ears are bent back at the tip rather than erect (see right).

Photo credit: © Yvonne de Jong & Tom Butynski

And finally, at the end of April, one of the collared elephants was found to have a problem with her collar which was hanging too low around her neck. In a coordinated operation between our rangers, The Kenyan Wildlife Service and vets from the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, she was tranquilised so that the collar could be safely removed. Everything went well and she returned to her herd as soon as she had woken up.