Rose and Julius left a member of the orphanage staff to watch over the young ostriches.
“I’d like your advice, Mama Rose, on the rehabilitation of the four orphaned jackals we’ve been caring for,” said Julius. “They’re at least eight months old now and are ready to be reintroduced into the wild.”
Rose and Julius left the central orphanage area, which housed the smaller animals and the monkeys, and moved into an area that was divided into paddocks for those animals that needed room to move around, such as the pair of resident leopards. Rose spotted Samwell ahead of them and they joined him and Craig at the jackal pen.
“Everything all right?” asked Craig.
Rose stood next to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Yes, the ostriches are very sweet, and they’re scuttling around exploring their new home.”
She spotted two jackals curled up under the shade of a small, rough-leafed shepherd tree.
Craig enquired, “Julius, what’s the story with these jackals?”
Julius leaned against the post and rail fence and watched the slumbering animals. “They’ve been with us for over seven months. There are four of them, one male and three females, and they are all black-backed jackals, which we believe are from the same litter. They were found abandoned next to their den, on the edge of Borana Conservancy, close to a village. Although nobody admitted it, we suspect someone in the village killed their mother, thinking she was praying on livestock.”
Craig tapped his thigh. “But I thought they only scavenged in villages, or chased after rats and mice.”
Julius turned but continued leaning against the fence. “That is correct, Bwana Hardie, but unfortunately some of these villagers are ignorant and blame animals for stealing their sheep when it is more likely to be a neighbour.”
He sniffed. “Two askaris from Borana watched the pups and den overnight hoping their mother would return. But when she didn’t, the manager asked if we could rear them until they were ready to be reintegrated into the wild.”
He stepped towards Rose. “That time has come, Mama. How do you suggest we release them safely into the conservancy?”
Rose rubbed her hands together whilst she thought. “You and your team have done a sterling job raising them. But it won’t be easy releasing them back into the wild, as jackals are very territorial. Have you spoken to the management team at Borana about a suitable location?”
Julius nodded. “They’ve been watching an empty den near the newly constructed Aureus Lodge. They think the building work scared away the pair who occupied it and they haven’t returned. I would like to see it, but I don’t have the transport.”
Craig tapped Rose’s leg. “Isn’t that where Marina is working? Perhaps she can organise a vehicle for Julius.”
Rose looked down at him and responded, “Or if Thabiti is visiting the lodge, he could take him.”
Julius clapped his hands together. “Thank you for your suggestions, Bwana. Mama Rose, will you accompany me?”
She looked at Craig and hesitated.
“Of course, she will,” Craig declared and he smiled widely.
Rose was delighted that Craig was so positive and enthusiastic. It appeared that their outing to the orphanage had been a success.
Julius and Samwell assisted Craig into the car. Rose drove back to Nanyuki through a small, nameless village, which had sprung up around a bend in the road. She spotted a figure clothed in black, with a bouncing ponytail of blonde hair, emerge from a track in front of them.
“Is that Chloe?” asked Craig. “Does she just like running or is she training for the Lewa Marathon?”
“Oh, I think she’s doing the marathon. Let’s ask her.”
Rose slowed down as they drove alongside Chloe, who looked across and did a double take. She reduced her pace to a walk and waited for them, with her hands on her hips and her chest heaving as she caught her breath.
Rose leant over Craig and wound down the window. “Have you been running up the mountain?” she called.
“Hi, I didn’t recognise the car. Yes, Thabiti and I found some tracks a couple of weeks ago, which I’ve been exploring. It’s given me a great hill workout.” She peered into the vehicle. “Where have you all been?”
“To the animal orphanage,” Craig explained. “Rose has a couple of new patients.”
Chloe bit her lip and looked at the ground.
Rose waited.
“Can we meet up for a chat later? At our usual place. Say half eleven?” Chloe looked at Rose and then quickly averted her eyes to stare down the road.
Rose had noted dark circles under Chloe’s eyes and her pleading expression. “Of course,” she replied, “As long as I’m back by lunch. Is that OK with you?” She rested a hand on Craig’s thigh.
“Don’t worry about me. I think I’ll have a rest after this morning’s outing,” Craig responded.
They watched Chloe’s lithe athletic figure cross the road and bound down a track towards Nanyuki.