Russ&Suzie

Trip Log
2008-02-25 16:50:22 (UTC)

in the shadow of Mt Kenya on the equator

WE traveled this morning 3 hours on a nice road to Ol
Pejeta Conservatory (otherwise known as Sweetwaters) not a
private reserve for managing native animals with the big
five of rhino (two kinds, black and white), buffalo, lion,
elephant and giraffe in it. I believe there's another
too, but don't recall at the moment. Saw a giraffe drink
just minutes ago; a laborious procedure that has to be doe
with caution given the predators who might take advantage
of the vulnerable posture. (Leopard not giraffe = 5th of
thebig five -- just remembered)

We are on the equator at just under 6000 feet elevation.
This is Ol Pejeta Conservatory also known as Sweetwaters.
90,000 acres for wildlife conservation. Private not for
profit (not a national park). A Goodall-inspired sanctuary
for abandoned chimps are on-site. Will see them tomorrow.

We're in a tent with an electrified fence surrounding the
compound so as to keep us from the wildlife as well as
them from us. Numerous birds, warthogs, not mention of
vervet monkeys from the information available to us to
this point. WE realized that Mt. Kenya sends up its sharp
point directly out our tent view. But most of the time
clouds obscure it. Tomorrow will allow good photos.

This once was a huge cattle ranch operation and purebred
Bowan cattle are still bred as a money-making part of
their operation, hoping to make this a self-sustaining
sanctuary. These resemble Brahma cattle with the dorsal
hump. Didn't see that part of the operation.




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