Still at the elephant orphanage

Hello,

After we watched the babies eat we saw them and their keepers head off into the trees for their afternoon. This was all well coordinated as the preteens came charging out of the forest from a slightly different spot. These thirteen kids knew the routine and they did not want to delay any feeding. They were definitely bigger and more confident. No one in this crowd had on a blanket for warmth. We had been told we could pet them if they came close enough, but that did not happen for me. We were warned not to get down as they see that as a submissive move and they might attack. The keepers and the other elephants were jostled around a bit by some of the more aggressive.

In the distance we could see the yellow baboons in the trees and at some point they headed into the feeding area. The animals in this park are not caged for the most part. The baboons and warthogs would not hurt us, but we were warned not to try to touch them, especially the warthogs since they would not like that. The baboons could be pests, as they liked to grab any available food. So if we had lunch with us we should guard it.

There are teenage elephants in the park. We did not see them because they are preparing to be re-introduced to the wild; consequently they no longer spend time around humans other than the keepers who are also withdrawing.

It seems that this trip just keeps giving us sights not commonly seen. The last animal that was presented to us was a premature baby rhino. Premature births in the wild are very rare. Most probably die very soon after birth. This guy had been found and brought here because there was no other place that could deal with him. He is wearing a blanket because all mammal mothers provide a lot of heat for their babies. The baby moved around the perimeter so we could touch his rather dry skin. What a special treat!

As we walked out we saw a mature rhino behind a strong fence. The guide invited us to come over and get a closer look. Maybe not as good as seeing it out on safari, but certainly this was much closer.

Not bad variety for an hour visit to the elephant orphanage.

And to think, Stephen waited patiently in the car because he had already been there once.

Paula