Apollo

Apollo’s April 2022 Update

In May 2020, the Rhinos adopted Apollo, an orphaned wild rhino in Kenya, Africa. Here’s his story! You can also read his story on the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s website.

 

Apollo’s Rescue

It all began with a routine aerial patrol together with the SWT’s Canine Unit, landing and checking out old poachers’ hideouts. They were patrolling difficult-to-access water spring sites along the Yatta Plateau as well, looking for any sign of poaching activity, when pilot Andy Payne received an emergency call from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). The Senior Warden of Tsavo West National Park requested that the helicopter urgently assist in rescuing a young rhino calf which had just been spotted standing beside its dead mother by Tsavo Trust Super Cub pilot Nick Trent. The young calf needed to be rescued by ground teams before it was disturbed and fled too far from its mother. The Veterinary Unit would also be called upon to access the carcass and determine the cause of death.

KWS and Tsavo Trust had assembled four ground teams on site near Ndawe in the IPZ (Intensive Protection Zone) of Tsavo West National Park, home to a number of free ranging black rhino, coordinated by Nick Trent. Once the helicopter arrived on site, the ground crews moved in to surround the calf, but their movement was detected early by the alert calf who immediately took off in the opposite direction, giving them the slip. At this point the helicopter dropped in to try and turn the rhino who was running away from the rangers, however he would not be deterred and continued running completely unfazed be the low level blocking tactics of the SWT helicopter. To make matters worse, strong gusting winds tumbling over a line of hills was making for extremely challenging flying especially whilst following an animal at tree top height.

For a short time, both aerial and ground teams lost sight of the galloping calf as he simply vanished under the dense undergrowth. The next twenty minutes was spent searching the bush with everyone becoming increasingly concerned for his fate, before finally locating him once again. That desperate search to locate the rhino calf seemed like an eternity and everyone was extremely relieved to finally set eyes on him once again. The super cub was directing the ranger teams towards the helicopter shadowing the rhino but the men were struggling to keep up due to the challenging terrain. Several gallant attempts were made by the fittest rangers to tackle the calf, but none of them could hold onto him and all attempts failed.

Daylight was fast running out and we knew that it would be unlikely that the baby would survive the night due to predation, and if miraculously he did, finding him again would be close to impossible given how thick the vegetation was. It had reached crunch time; it was to be now or never. The ground teams by now were far from sight with the rhino was still galloping on, so a last ditch emergency effort unfolded. With Nick in the Super Cub circling high keeping eyes on the rhino, Andy in the helicopter landed in the only tiny clearing available and dropped Ben, SWT Canine handler, and Bakari, KWS Company Commander, who were both committed to making the final attempt at capture. The helicopter lifted and was quickly guided back onto the rhino by the Super Cub.

The calf was thankfully running parallel to Ben and Bakari’s position. Seconds later, Ben spotted him and after a lengthy sprint he pulled off a spectacular tackle, holding onto the rhino calf’s midriff as he was dragged several metres through the bush before the calf was brought under control when Bakari arrived and added some reinforcements.

Extreme conditions asked for extreme out of the box quick thinking as despite running miles, rhinos, even when just six months old, pack a serious punch and have incredible strength. Ben removed his shirt to cover the calf’s eyes to help calm him down, then removed his socks to place in the calf’s ears to help with the stress levels and finally removed his belt to restrain the rhinos legs. Bakari and Ben were with the rhino for roughly ten minutes before the ground teams caught up with them in order to help, still directed by the overhead aircraft. Andy returned to the open clearing to land once again and the challenging task ahead was to now move this feisty six month old rhino calf to where the helicopter was, some 500 meters away. Restraining a six month old rhino is no easy task, but the men involved in this rescue rose to the occasion because it took a herculean effort to pull off this rescue, before all hope was lost. They carried the rhino through the bush to the waiting SWT helicopter, and then loaded him with two rangers and Ben in the back seats holding onto their feisty passenger as if their life depended on it. Night was falling by this time, but there remained a rosy glow on the horizon.

Angela had been liaising with KWS authorities in the meantime and was given permission for the rhino to be flown to SWT’s stables at Kaluku. Taking off with just enough light on the horizon, the helicopter with its unusual cargo made the short 15 minute flight back to base with three men and a rhino in the back using all their strength to keep him restrained. They were immensely relieved to offload the calf at 7.15pm into the care of the waiting SWT Keepers and ground crews. He was then driven the short distance to his stable and first given a number of injections including a tranquilizer because by now his stress levels were extreme. He did begin to calm down and very soon was suckling on a bottle of rehydration fluids which he certainly needed after the huge distances he had run.

It was a restless night for all concerned, but incredibly by morning he was feeding on his milk bottle, although he was still quite feisty and suckles were soon interrupted by a charge at the shin, so the Keepers had to be on their toes. With the help of a broom they were able to rub his tummy which had the desired effect and he very quickly calmed down and within two days his Keepers were able to share his stable with him. We have positioned our three most experienced rhino Keepers with him, men who have raised many black rhinos over the years, so that he is in the best possible care. On the third day he was ready to take his first walk outside of his stable to a specially created mud bath just for him. He allowed his Keepers to plaster the mud onto him and then enjoyed his dust bath afterwards, and in no time he was trailing his Keepers on lengthy walks. He has developed a very sweet little idiosyncrasy of hoisting his mattress into a tent shape and resting under it, sometimes sleeping under the mattress. He is not the only rhino we have seen do this, Maalim used to as well. It provides him comfort and a sense of security, and it probably feels likes the protective form of his Mum shadowing him.

KWS Veterinary officer Dr. Poghon, who is seconded to the SWT-funded Tsavo Veterinary Unit, went to the site to further inspect the cause of death of the calf’s mother and confirmed that his mother, a well know female called Amoy who was part of Tsavo West National Park free release population of black rhino, had died of Anthrax.

Rescuing this six month old baby rhino was only made possible due to a fantastic effort between KWS, SWT and Tsavo Trust with Ben and Bakari’s brave actions undoubtedly saving the day. We have called Amoy’s little calf Apollo, and already Apollo has learnt the ropes and grown familiar with his new environment at Kaluku, thankfully not very far from where he was born, so everything around him remains importantly familiar.


Apollo the Black Rhino, One Month and On
Oct, 30, 2019

Thankfully an aerial patrol spotted the calf and dead Mum from the air and sounded the alarm, with enough daylight left to mount a rescue. Rhino calves are extremely

vulnerable to predators and left alone and overnight at just a few months old would spell almost certain death. It was a challenging rescue for sure, involving many different teams explained in Apollo’s profile story, but eventually he was restrained and flown to Kaluku where he lives today.

A month on, Apollo has settled well into his new home and is very happy. He begins his days early, emerging from his stable at six in the morning to mill around close to home after enjoying his morning milk feed. He occupies himself while his Keepers have their morning tea and chapati’s brought to them before preparing for the day ahead. The Keepers look to vary each day, visiting different areas to ensure Apollo’s territory is constantly expanding, all the while having lots of exercise and play while doing so.

Most of the action takes place early in the day and late in the afternoons; the times when the temperature is cooler and the energy levels are high! Midday, in the biting heat, the team tend to rest up in the shade, either on the shaded banks of a dry river bed or under the wide reaching branches of an acacia tortillas tree, or perhaps in the giant shadow of a baobab, allowing Apollo to have a rest. While on their wanders in the bush Apollo is constantly computing the areas he visits and having visited them once he never forgets them. The team like to explore the many river beds in the area and sometimes head down onto the generous beaches on the Athi River; with its soft banks of sand fringed by giant tamarind tress, doum palms and river acacias, it is an ideal playground for long gallops or just rolling around in the cool soft sand. This spectacle never ceases to awaken the lazy hippos who pop their heads up to watch proceedings.

Apollo loves his daily excisions and certainly forces his Keepers to have a good helping of daily aerobic activity, so they are certainly fit because keeping up with his escapades is no easy task! With Apollo galloping at ones heels, one is mindful of his breaking system and just how effective it will be! The sand and mud baths are relished at all times of day, and tummy rubs never fail to lull him into a blissful stupor but never are the mud baths more necessary than in the heat of the day when the sun scorches in hot Tsavo – a lavish coat of red earth mud packed onto his skin not only helps keep him cool but also helps protect him from any irritating insects, and helps keep his skin condition soft and supple. These tactile times with his Keeper’s rubbing his tummy, head, ears and little stub of a horn are savoured at any time of day however.

We always have two Keepers on duty with Apollo because they tend to walk quite far afield, and most days encounter a number of wild animals along the way, varying from elephants, to the tiny dik-dik. His milk feeds are brought to him where ever he is in the bush and between milk feeds his diet is complemented by lavish amounts of greens, much of which he browses on himself, but tasty bits are collected by the Keepers and shared with him too. They are familiar with his favourite shrubs and always make sure he

althy bunches are by his side even when he is recumbent and resting. He loves to sleep at their feet, comforted by their close proximity, and takes many naps throughout the day. In the evening he circles back to his stable where he finds his much loved mattress. The love affair with the mattress is still very much evident as he hoists it up and over him before settling down on a soft bed of hay for the night with his mattress covering his head!


Apollo’s love of Life and Water

Jan. 13, 2020

We have been blessed with some incredible rainfall across the Tsavo region in recent months. The rains began way back in early October, and unbelievably here we are, well into a new year and new decade, and the rain is still falling! The rivers are full to the brim, and even lazy sand luggas are dry no more. Luckily, the rains are punctuated by some brilliantly sunny days in between, which helps the land spring to life. The wilderness positively pulsates from all the breeding, building, and buzzing that this season brings.

No one is happier about his rainy circumstances than Apollo. His present home is close to two rivers: The Athi, which is a permanent river, and the Mtito River, which is a picturesque rocky lugga. The Mtito River flows only when rains fall further towards the Chyulu Hills, sweeping the lugga clean and leaving behind deep, clear pools of fresh water.

Both rivers are a veritable playground for little Apollo. He loves to clamber up the steep embankments and loll on the cool white sand while he gets rubs from his Keepers. He trots happily along the beach and takes little sips from the still pools along the lugga. All the scents around these watering spots are of great interest to Apollo, as he is very much a creature driven by scent, so he spends hours exploring and investigating them — all while making sure his own territory is clearly marked.

When the heavens open, this just serves as a cue for Apollo to become friskier than ever. He leaps and spins and charges around, slipping and sliding, hoisting red muddy piles with his little snub horn cheekily perched atop his nose. Beneath the sheltering arms of the giant baobabs or flat-topped acacia tortilis trees, the Keepers stay dry and watch their little charge having the time of his life. Any efforts to coax him back to his stable during a downpour are in vain: It’s the wet conditions that really spur him on, and when he has bursts of exuberance, Apollo listens to nobody!

Rhinos are solitary creatures by nature, and Apollo is very comfortable keeping his own company. He does love to have his Keepers by his side, as he knows where the tummy rubs and warm milk bottles come from, and he is quick to run to them if ever he gets startled. However, he could certainly have playmates if he desired them as Kaluku, where we are currently raising the little rhino, is the Trust’s field headquarters and home to several other orphans. Baby buffalo Ivia is very keen to befriend him, but this is a rather one-sided affair, as Apollo responds to all Ivia’s invitations to play by charging at him with his rather robust head!

Indeed, Apollo has grown rapidly in the four months since we rescued him. He is in peak condition, possibly even bordering on chubby! This is hardly surprising, given that he still savours his bottles of milk and has a bounty of greens second to none this season. He’s beginning to look less and less like a baby, and more like a pint-sized version of an adult rhino.

Apollo’s bedtime routine is always the same. Once he’s in for the night, he promptly hoist his mattress over his back like a little wearable tent. When that is firmly in place and fitted to his liking, he wanders around his cosy wooden stable and samples the greens that have been cut for him. With this little ritual completed, he flops into the soft hay — under the mattress tent all the while — to enjoy a well-deserved sleep. The comforting presence of his Keeper sleeping on the bunk above him completes this blissful picture.


Apollo’s May 2020 Update

Simply put, Apollo is in paradise. The rain storms continued to sweep across Tsavo in the month of April, leaving a profusion of vegetation in their wake. Our little rhino can usually be found with an ipomoea creeper trailing from his mouth; the white flowers blanket every shrub and Apollo manages to munch through huge quantities of them. It’s almost as if he knows that this delicacy will wither the moment the rains abate, and is determined to enjoy every mouthful possible.

The rains have filled the rivers to bursting point, submerging Apollo’s favoured beaches and leaving the sand luggas susceptible to floods, so much of April was spent away from the raging waters. The rains also bring a most unwelcome arrival, in the form of biting tetse flies, which can make life most unpleasant even for our thick-skinned fellow — not to mention the Keepers who care for him! Every precaution is taken, however, and Apollo is used to their buzzing presence.

A pride of three lions lingered in the area during the early part of the month, which meant that Apollo and his entourage had to take extra care when out and about. The Keepers shepherded Apollo to open ground, so when his bouts of exuberance kicked in, they could keep up with him at all times. He lost his sparring partners Cheza and Ivia, as both baby buffalo were moved to our Voi Reintegration Unit earlier in the month, but Apollo has no shortage of potential playmates: These days, the orphaned kudus and Oka the oryx have taken to shadowing the little rhino. While he shows little interest in them, they seem to enjoy spending time with him and the Keepers.

The mud bath remains a highlight of Apollo’s day. After thoroughly coating himself in the cool red earth, he settles down for a snooze. When it dries on his skin, the mud also creates an effective barrier against the biting flies. While Apollo has the mud bath to look forward to twice a day, he also finds time for plenty of impromptu wallows, flopping enthusiastically into any pools of water that he comes across in his travels. Safe to say, he is certainly a water baby.

As a creature of routine, Apollo knows exactly when it’s time to call it a day, and happily plods into his night stockade at 5:00 PM. His little bedtime ritual remains the same: He hoists his mattress over him like a tent and then quietly settles down to sleep. Now, his milk feeds only take place during the day, so when he wakes up for a midnight snack, he is content to polish off the freshly cut greens in his stable. Our boy is certainly growing up, but he still remains very much a baby!

See See Apollo’s paradise of white flowers and pampered mud baths in the video below.


 

Apollo’s June 2020 Update

Apollo continues to run the show at our Kaluku Field HQ. While the vegetation is still thick and green, the rains have abated and hot days are beginning to dry the landscape. Now that the Athi River has calmed down, he is once again cruising to his usual beat. After sprinting, strolling, and rolling his way along the washed white beaches, he continues his explorations through the thick bush and down sandy luggas shaded by acacia and tamarind trees. While he is very much still milk-dependent, Apollo has a hearty appetite for greens, and has perfected the art of walking and browsing.

It’s always incredible how effectively tiny, biting insects can hassle an animal as big as a rhino. Tsetse flies were particularly persistent in their assaults, and their sharp proboscis were able to penetrate Apollo’s thick skin and caused him a lot of grief. His Keepers developed an ingenious makeshift fly swat, made from wild sage branches, which banished any pests that buzzed in his direction. Each swat filled the air with the intoxicating scent of the wild sage, which seemed helpful as well! On top of that, Apollo enjoyed extra lavish mud baths, protecting his skin with a thick layer of dried mud to ward off his tiny aggressors.

Lots of wild elephants passed through the area this month, which complicated Apollo’s jaunts into the bush. Thankfully, our little rhino is extremely alert, so he would realise their presence and give the Keepers plenty of time to change course. These elephants have lots of babies in tow, and share many of Apollo’s favourite haunts, notably the mud bath. Because they largely wallow under the cover of darkness, he can still monopolise it during the day. Apollo doesn’t seem to mind sharing it; in fact, the elephants have made the mud bath far more substantial in size and depth, which seems to be to his liking!

Rhinos are full of little idiosyncrasies, and we have noticed that Apollo is very particular about his Keepers. While a group of men have been caring for him from the very beginning, there are only a select few whom Apollo is prepared to listen to. He is very dismissive towards those who aren’t among his chosen few, and often ignores their instructions entirely. This is certainly a trait among black rhinos; time and again, we’ve seen orphans in our care pick their favourites.

He may be growing up fast, but Apollo remains a very playful baby. In fact, our Keepers have quite an intense workout regimen just by running after him! The expansive Kaluku airstrip is an ideal place for him to burn off some energy, and with Apollo hot on your heels, he can definitely encourage a blistering pace. He has his quiet moments too, and a quick way to Apollo’s heart is to be proactive during mud bath sessions. He loves to be plied with mud and cool water, and lays there in a trance as the Keepers’ rub his back and tummy. This is, however, the calm before the storm, and as soon as these sessions in the mud bath are over, he is positively exploding with energy. For a good twenty minutes he charges around, huffing and puffing, and spinning and galloping through bushes. These little bursts of activity are over as quickly as they began, and it’s never long before he flops to the ground to sleep. His midday naps often take place under Apollo’s favourite baobab tree. We have built a seat for the Keepers to rest in the shade as well — and these moments of relaxation are well-deserved, after keeping pace with Apollo all day! After a few rubs to the tummy, the little rhino slips into a blissful stupor and the Keepers can enjoy a quiet lunch, which is brought out to them. They have a radio on-hand at all times, so food and milk finds them wherever they need it.

At the end of the day, Apollo and his team amble home. He knows exactly which stable is his and is always eager to settle down for the night. He still hoists his mattress over his back, like a little tent, before going to sleep. Given his growing size, he’s quickly outgrowing this little habit and it now perches rather precariously over his generous girth, but that doesn’t seem to bother him!

Thank you so much for your continued support of Apollo and the orphans, which enables us to provide for all their wants and needs. Do look out for our full monthly update on the Orphans’ Project, which I will be sending later today.


Apollo’s July 2020 Update

Our boy is getting more burly by the day. He is mostly mellow, munching his way through the undergrowth, but every now and then he is overcome with energy. During these times he charges about, and while it’s all in good fun, he cuts quite a fearsome sight as he barrels forward at a flat-out gallop! Everyone keeps a respectable distance when he is in these moods, ready to dodge any sudden bursts. He has many friends and fans among the staff here at Kaluku, our field headquarters, but they choose to admire him from a safe distance, aware that his playful bursts can happen at any time    

Kaluku, like all of Tsavo, is drying out. Gone are the white ipomoea creepers with their wide, sun-facing flowers. The landscape has reverted to its more familiar state of dusty, muted hues, and all the abundant greenery of the past few months is quickly becoming a distant memory. Thankfully, rhinos are able to feast on much of this rather unappetising vegetation, their formidable molars making quick work of tough succulents and thorny branches, so Apollo continues feasting to his heart’s content. He remains very much milk-dependent, but we have noticed an uptick in the amount of vegetation he consumes between feeds.

One perk of the onset of the dry season is that the dreaded tsetse flies have all but vanished. However, this month brought in new, much larger guests: A number of elephant herds swept through the area, eager to enjoy the remaining ipomoea creepers before they withered completely. They know the area is safe, so many chose to hang around throughout the month. Apollo and his entourage bumped into a number of elephants and their tottering babies, but they took no chances and gave them a wide berth. Our little rhino remains absolutely fascinated by these oversized visitors and always stares at them wide-eyed with wonder.

Apollo’s favourite time of day remains the mud bath. He flops down on the ground, inviting the Keepers to lather his body in cool mud, before sprinkling him with a dusting of red earth. This ritual has an immediate calming effect on Apollo, and he goes into a blissful stupor. However, these moments are always short-lived, because immediately afterwards he leaps to his feet with a new lease on life. In the wake of these sessions, everyone must be on their guard, because this is when he has a real spring in his step!

Apollo cuts an impressive figure now, but he is still very much a baby — as we are reminded when he bleats for his bottle or squeaks loudly when a Keeper pops out of sight for a moment. After a full day, he saunters home just before 5.00pm. His bedtime remains unchanged; at last light, he hoists the mattress over his back and sleeps in a cosy little cocoon. This is when the Keepers can enjoy a cup of tea, play some darts, and have their evening meal fresh from the canteen before turning in for the night. One Keeper always bunks up with Apollo, sleeping in a bed perched high in his stockade, to make sure he has everything he needs throughout the night. And then, it is lights out for everyone, as the little rhino’s deep breathing joins the chorus of other nocturnal sounds.

Thank you so much for your continued support of Apollo and the orphans, which enables us to provide for all their wants and needs.


Apollo’s August 2020 Update

One glance at Apollo and his expanding girth, and it’s immediately evident that our boy is growing up fast. We can also tell through his mannerisms, which continue to evolve. He is getting bolder and more confident, hurtling further afield during his daily bursts of energy. Although he does always circle back to his Keepers, these independent escapades show how comfortable he is with his territory at Kaluku. He is also expanding his palette, sampling different greens and all in all, becoming more experimental with his browsing sessions.

Apollo likes to run the show. His mornings are all about play and exploring, while he prefers to spend his afternoons in repose. As the sun begins to sink in the sky, he has just two things on his mind: his bedroom and his evening milk bottle. If his Keepers choose a route that Apollo feels might delay this part of proceedings, he simply bypasses them and heads home on his own!

The resident population of guinea fowl has increased tenfold this year, and as a result, Kaluku is positively aflutter with fast growing chicks. chicks. Apollo loves to spend time in their midst, oblivious to their shrill chirps. He is a rhino who enjoys the company of other creatures; he often mingles with the other orphans at Kaluku, including Oka the oryx and our many kudus who live close to home. However, he does have his limits. When a newly born wild waterbuck leapt up from the nearby undergrowth, Apollo bolted with a chorus of huffs and snorts. It took a long time before the Keepers were able to locate him and calm his frazzled nerves.

Now that it is quite a bit colder, Apollo has adapted his mud bath routine accordingly. Now, he avoids the water and focuses on dusting. The Keepers spoil him in this regard, creating a shallow mud wallow where he can coat his skin without getting too chilly. True to form, once he is lathered up in dust, he erupts from the earth in high spirits. This is the time to keep your distance, as the burly little tank is a ball of energy, galloping back and forth with gusto for a good 20 minutes. After he has spun himself into exhaustion, he settles under the baobab tree. The Keepers give him a tummy rub, which sends him into a blissful stupor, and he usually takes a long nap in the shade.

Sunup to sundown, Apollo’s Keepers are always by his side. These daily adventures are vital, allowing Apollo to hone his instincts and learn the ways of the wild so that one day, when he is big enough to fend for himself, he can look to lead a totally independent life. For orphaned rhinos, this is a lengthy process. Raising a baby rhino is one thing, but reintegration is a formidable challenge. This is the opposite of elephants, who are difficult to raise but easy to reintegrate, thanks to their exceptionally social nature. Rhinos, which are largely solitary creatures, take longer to accept newcomers. However, we have successfully reintegrated a number of orphaned rhinos, and we know that the slow-but-steady approach works well. Apollo will remain in our care for some time to come, but every day marks a bit of progress in his ultimate reintegration journey.

Thank you so much for your continued support of Apollo and the orphans, which enables us to provide for all their wants and needs.


Apollo’s September 2020 Update

For Apollo, the theme of this month was chasing. He has developed a passion for pursuing squirrels and birds, especially the guinea fowl whose numbers have blossomed thanks to this year’s extended rainy season. He has found that charging into their midst creates quite a stir, which delights the young rhino, and he makes it a daily occurrence. He also loves to playfully chase around the five orphaned lesser kudu we are also raising at Kaluku, as well as Oka the oryx, who has grown into a very majestic creature, but her saber-like horns don’t daunt Apollo, and she too is roped into chasing games!

Tsavo is hot and dry right now, so with the exception of his chasing games, Apollo’s days are dominated by leisurely mud baths followed by dusting, before a long siesta under the shade of the baobab tree. He sleeps for up to two hours, while his Keepers also enjoy a well-deserved break and eat their lunch. When he is ready to move on to the next activity, Apollo lets out his characteristic snorts, and then leads his little band to a new browsing area.

Apollo must have a built-in clock, because he begins wandering in the direction of the stockades at exactly 16:30 every afternoon. Without any coaxing, he makes a beeline for his stable and settles down for the evening. We have removed the middle partition, doubling the size of his stable to accommodate our growing boy. One thing he has not yet outgrown is his mattress: He still insists on hoisting it over his back, before turning in for the night!


Apollo’s October 2020 Update

Our little Apollo is no longer so little! September 21st marked his first rescueversary — a date all involved will always remember. It began with a routine aerial patrol, taking our Canine Unit to investigate old poachers’ hideouts. Their day took a rather dramatic turn when they received reports of an orphaned rhino in Tsavo West National Park, who was standing beside his dead mother. A truly spectacular operation unfolded over the course of several hours, involving two aircraft, several teams, and unfaltering determination to bring the calf to safety. Apollo was only six months old at the time of his rescue, but he still packed a serious punch. It took all the strength of three full-grown men to keep him safely restrained during the 15-minute flight to our Kaluku Field HQ.

Now, Apollo is 19 months old and blossoming into a very handsome rhino. It has been searingly hot in Tsavo this month, so he has been enjoying the slower pace of life this dry season brings. He makes the most of the cool mornings, refreshed from a good night’s sleep and eager to charge around the Kaluku compound. Once the temperatures begin to rise, he makes a beeline for his favorite mud bath — a spot that is also frequented by wild elephants, though never at the same time. This might be Apollo’s preferred time of day. He basks in the cool water, wriggling around as his Keepers apply a protective coat of red mud all over his body, before flopping down in the soft red earth pile for a generous dusting.

After a leisurely wallow, Apollo spends the hottest hours of the day in repose under the shade of the tamarind trees. This is also when the Keepers eat their lunch, which is brought out for them to enjoy along the banks of the Mtito lugga. This tranquil lunch time scene is usually complemented by resident hornbills who have learnt to swoop in to benefit from rice handouts. They hop about, jumping over Apollo, who despite their brazenness remains oblivious so deep is his sleep.

The lull in activity wraps up as the temperature dips to a more comfortable level, at which point Apollo perks right up and does the rounds browsing, before later indulging in a late afternoon burst of energy. Some days, he runs along the luggas, kicking up white sand with every step. Other days, he delights in chasing the guinea fowl that hang around the stockade compound. Whatever strikes his fancy, he plays until bed time. Then, always on time, he escorts his Keepers to his stable, where he takes his fill of water before slurping down an evening bottle of milk. With plenty of cut browse hung in his bedroom he can continue snacking before settling himself under his mattress (this remains his nighttime ritual!) and drifting off to sleep.

 


Apollo’s November 2020 Update

Ask anyone at our Kaluku Field HQ about baby Apollo, and their response will probably be the same: He’s not such a baby anymore! In fact, when you see him barreling around the compound, he has all the brawn and burliness we associate with adult rhinos. While Apollo has many years until he reaches maturity, one glance at him and you can see a projection of the formidable rhino he will be when fully grown.

At just 20 months old, however, Apollo is still very young. Lest we forget this fact, he offers up constant reminders: rushing back to his Keepers if a mysterious noise startles him, snuggling under his little tent each night, or squeaking loudly for his milk feeds. Indeed, the Keepers start their day accompanied by a symphony of squeaks coming from Apollo’s stable. Once he wakes up and hears the team preparing morning milk bottles for the orphans, he can’t resist chiming in to make sure he isn’t forgotten — not that he ever has been!

After slurping down his bottles, Apollo heads out into the bush surrounding our Kaluku compound. Some days, his Keepers choose the route; others, he leads the way. He has developed a fun morning ritual, swinging through our Field Operation Manager’s lawn, where the orphaned antelope like to graze. Fuelled by his milk and energised by the crisp morning air, Apollo is usually feeling particularly feisty at this point. He burns off steam by running around the lawn as fast as his legs will carry him, engaging the kudus, oryx or eland in a chasing game, if they are up for it.

Whether his explorations take him down the sandy lugga or through the bush, Apollo always ends up at the same place around 11 o’clock: the mud bath. This is where he finds his bliss, striking all sorts of poses until he is fully slathered in mud. Knowing that he is quite tuckered out by this time, the Keepers often encourage Apollo to take a nap. They murmur, “Lala Apollo, lala!” (“lala” is the Swahili word for sleep) and, as if he’s in a trance, the little rhino sinks to the ground and shuts his eyes. This is followed by a more extended snooze under the shade of the nearby baobab tree, while his Keepers enjoy their lunch.

This same lullaby also helps Apollo settle down for the night, although he rarely needs much encouragement. At the end of another exciting day, he is usually tired out by the time he returns home. He finds a spotless stable awaiting him, full of freshly cut greens to munch on. After a warm bottle of milk, Apollo seeks out the mattress in the corner and, as he has done since day one, hoists it over himself like a little tent. This is our sign that Apollo is ready to “lala,” no doubt dreaming of the adventures that await him the next day.

Apollo loves his games of chase with the antelopes  


Apollo’s January 2021 Update

Apollo is beginning to look every inch a magnificent rhino, with his armour-like hide and formidable front horn. In fact, one needs to remind oneself that he is just 22 months old! He is still a juvenile by the standards of any large mammal, but especially a rhino: After all, this is a species that can live up to 35+ years, and males don’t reach sexual maturity until they are as old as ten. In other words, our journey with Apollo is only beginning.

Like a typical juvenile, he has been developing a bit of an attitude. He is growing increasingly independent and can be very stubborn when the mood strikes him. One night this month, he staged another nocturnal rebellion, flatly refusing to return to his stable until nearly midnight. His Keepers know that when he is feeling this way, it is best to stand aside and wait until his petulant mood passes.

While he is making a big show of his growing independence, Apollo remains very hooked on his Keepers. When he hears them approaching his stable in the morning, he begins squeaking in delight. This convivial mood continues throughout the day, as he happily plods after — or, depending on his energy level, runs ahead of — his Keepers from activity to activity. Apollo definitely prefers to have his regular crew around him, and acts aloof towards any strangers who enter his orbit.

Watch: Apollo’s private spa sessions sometimes include a feathered neighbour

Apollo doesn’t spend too much time fraternizing with the other orphans at our Kaluku Field HQ, for the simple reason that rhinos are solitary by nature and happiest in their own company. However, before he heads out into the bush each morning, he usually meanders up to the lawn to see what the antelopes and other rescued orphans are up to. During his afternoon mud bath, Bristle the orphaned ostrich sometimes joins him from a safe distance. It is a remarkable sight to see these two prehistoric-looking creatures enjoying the sun and mud together!

Rukinga and Bristle, two of the eclectic group of orphans at Kaluku with Apollo Rhinos are creatures of habit. It is unsurprising, then, that Apollo is very attached to his daily routine. This begins with his morning bottle of milk and continues throughout the afternoon as he explores the Tsavo ecosystem. Saturated by all the recent rains, the area remains a lush playground for our little rhino. He is learning the lay of the land, discovering the best plants to eat and even getting the hang of mud bathing without the assistance of his Keepers, however, he certainly doesn’t mind them doing all the work.

As the sun sets, Apollo trots right home — unless, of course, he is in one of his obstinate moods! Most nights, however, he makes a beeline for his stable. After polishing off his milk, he samples the fresh cut greens that have been set out for him, before burrowing underneath his beloved mattress. He is a very sound sleeper, and as soon as he shuts his eyes, our little rhino is blissfully oblivious to the rest of the world.


Apollo’s February 2021 Update

Black rhinos have two horns, which continue to grow throughout their life. The size and shape of the horns vary by individual, but typically, males have thicker horns, while females have longer and thinner ones. (Interestingly, the same generalization applies to male and female elephants and their tusks). When we rescued Apollo as a six-month-old calf, his horns were little more than stubs. Now, on the cusp of his second birthday, he is growing into a rather formidable fellow, with impressive horns and an equally impressive stature. Of course, Apollo has lots of growing left to do, but it is easy to forget that when looking upon him!

It has been very warm and dry in Tsavo, which sends all the wildlife into a bit of a stupor. Apollo is no exception, and he spent much of the month cooling off in the mud bath. It is quite a sight to see this ritual unfold. He makes a beeline for it after his mid-morning milk bottle, knowing exactly what’s in store. The Keepers find him reclined in the mud, waiting expectantly for them. As soon as they begin to coat his body in mud, he falls into a total trance, moving only to proffer his tummy and back and sturdy legs for their spa treatment. While Apollo is more than capable of coating himself at this point, he enjoys the indulgence all the same.

After spending some time in a muddy, blissful daze, Apollo leaps back to his feet and hustles off to the next activity. In these moments, everyone must be on their guard, because he is positively exploding with energy. For a good half hour, he gallops through the bush, spinning on his heels to circle back towards the Keepers before sprinting off again. He loves when they run after him, leaving everyone huffing and puffing by the end of the activity.

Black rhinos are built for browsing rather than grazing. This is evidenced by their hooked upper lip, which is purpose-made for plucking leaves. Apollo has become an expert in this respect, efficiently snacking on the tasty vegetation he finds in his daily travels. These usually take him down the sandy beaches along the Athi River, then through sandy luggas shaded by acacia and tamarind trees. While he remains very much still milk-dependent, Apollo has a very hearty appetite for greens and can’t resist stopping to snack every few steps.

For Apollo, every day is a mix of new discoveries and beloved routines. By 5 o’clock, he is ready to call it a night and trots back to the Kaluku compound. By this point, Bristle the ostrich, Rukinga and Tunga the oryxes, Susu the eland, and Mkubwa the buffalo are also preparing for bed. Everyone is brought into their cozy stables while the Keepers prepare their evening milk bottles. Apollo is by far the most impatient in this respect, and pokes his head over his stable door, squeaking loudly lest the Keepers forget how eager he is to be fed! This is one of our many reminders that, while Apollo increasingly looks and behaves like a big rhino, he is still very much a baby.


Apollo’s March 2021 Update

This was a very notable month for Apollo, as he decided it was time to make some changes in his nighttime setup. For his first year and a half in our care, our little rhino loved his cozy stable. In fact, he habitually made his accommodations even cozier by pitching his mattress over him like a tent!. That all changed in March — and he made his wishes very clear. Apollo began banging on his stable door most nights, protesting his sleeping arrangements and causing quite a ruckus in the process.

Of course, we took Apollo’s requests to heart and quickly arranged a new bedroom. He was moved into one of the open stockades, which offers the space he so clearly desires. This stockade is still within our compound, with a roof overhead to shield him from the elements and surrounded by an electric fence to protect him from lions at night.

Normally, rhinos don’t take well to change, as they are all about their familiar territory. However, we prepared for the move by transferring his dung into his new stockade. In the wild, rhinos establish their territory through dung middens, and urinals, so this enabled Apollo to feel comfortable and he embraced his new accommodation from the outset and seemed much happier. Because he is still very much a baby, a Keeper continues to bunk up with him at night. When his Keeper is not with him, he leaves behind his dust jacket, and this familiar scent soothes the little rhino.

The beginning of March was absolutely scorching, so all of Apollo’s action took place in the cooler mornings and evenings. During the day, his Keepers would escort him to the Mtito lugga, where he could bask in the shade of the acacia and tamarind trees, or rest in the soft river sand.

Over the course of the month, several wild encounters kept everyone on their toes. They came across elephants on a near-daily basis, but all parties know to keep their distance. One afternoon, Apollo insisted on charging a small pack of wild dogs and then shot off after them. We immediately scrambled a plane to locate the wayward rhino and, much to the pilot’s relief, Apollo was immediately spotted, ambling back down a path towards his waiting Keepers. Another day, a buffalo spooked the entire group. Apollo again took off, but soon returned of his own accord. He always knows exactly where he is going and where his Keepers are standing.

Apollo is the only rhino among an eclectic group of orphans at our Kaluku HQ, including elephants, buffalo, eland, kudu, oryx, ostrich, and even a squirrel! There are also some resident wildlife who have become rather tame, including a herd of zebras who established their home on the airstrip. Apollo enjoys walking with them on the airstrip, or checking in on the wild impalas and waterbucks who are equally comfortable in his presence. Like all rhinos, however, Apollo is most content with his own company.

Towards the end of the month, huge clouds began to build. Amidst the searing temperatures, all the wilting wildlife and humans alike prayed for rain. Happily, our wishes were granted when the clouds finally broke and rain drenched the land. Overnight, Apollo grew a pep in his step, and rounded out March dancing in the puddles and wiggling in the mud.

 

Watch: Apollo fraternising with some of Kaluku’s other orphans

 


Apollo’s April 2021 Update

Apollo celebrated his second birthday last month, and while he is still very much a baby, he looks anything but: His features have become distinctly more rhino-like, giving him a rather formidable appearance, and he now dwarfs all the other residents at our Kaluku Field HQ.

While Apollo is filling out, he is also maturing emotionally. Small signs indicate this every day, things only his Keepers would notice. Other signs make a more obvious statement. For instance, Apollo suddenly decided that he was ready for a different nighttime setup. He began to treat his cozy stable — which he had always loved so much — with great contempt, banging loudly on the door at night.

It was clear that he was ready for an upgrade — and it was equally clear that no one else would get a wink of sleep until we fulfilled his wishes! We quickly moved him into an open stockade that sits within the protected compound. Apollo spent much of the month settling into his new “big boy bedroom.” He is giddy about his new accommodation. The Keepers have gone above and beyond to make it a special space for him, ensuring it has everything the little rhino needs to feel safe and secure. Before he settles down for the night, Apollo often circles from corner to corner, happily shuffling piles of hay with his stubby horn, and inspecting his middens.

Watch: Apollo’s mud bath ritual and baobab explorations

Out and about in Kaluku, there are always plenty of adventures to be had — even if the hot weather left everyone feeling quite lethargic in April! Apollo is quite happy to structure his daily explorations in pursuit of refreshment, seeking out water holes and sandy luggas. Of course, he always spends time at the mud bath, enjoying a leisurely wallow in the afternoon heat. He may be growing up, but Apollo is still very happy to let his Keepers lend a helping hand during mud bath time. He flops down in the wet earth, wiggling gleefully as the Keepers coat him in mud from head to toe.

Apollo embarked on two solo excursions this month, giving his Keepers the slip, which can easily happen with the dense vegetation around Kaluku thanks to the abundant rain. Search parties were hastily arranged, but we needn’t have worried: Each time, the wayward rhino sauntered back a short while later, completely oblivious to the drama he had caused. These incidents remind us Apollo is becoming increasingly independent and are also a testament to his knowledge of the area; he always knows how to get home, familiar with his territory. This will become increasingly important as he advances in his reintegration journey.

Of course, Apollo’s reintegration journey will continue to unfold over the coming months and years. For now, our little boy remains entirely reliant on our care. He still squeaks with delight when he hears his milk bottle being prepared, or affectionately slings his enormous head over his Keepers’ shoulders in a rhino version of a hug.

 

 

 


Apollo’s May 2021 Update

All is very well in Apollo’s world. As you know, he celebrated his second birthday in March, and while the milestone was lost on him, we all continue to marvel at how far he has come.

Apollo was rescued when he was just six months old, so the majority of his life has been spent in our care. We will continue to be there for him until he is ready to reclaim his place in the wild, providing guidance and support every step of the way.

However, that day is still a long way off. For now, Apollo remains completely hooked on his Keepers. If there was any doubt in the matter, the chorus of happy squeaks he emits when he hears them approaching confirms the fact: Apollo views his Keepers not as humans, but as family. Of course, this level of trust does not extend to all people. Apollo is very standoffish towards any other two-legged visitors who enter his orbit, which is exactly how it should be.

It is still very hot and dry in this corner of Tsavo, so Apollo has been a little more sedate. During cooler months, he enthusiastically zips around Kaluku, but at the moment, he is all about browsing and conserving energy. This downshift in activity works well for the Keepers, too, as it is far too hot to be chasing after a lively young rhino!

Instead, Apollo spends leisurely hours in the mud bath, swathing his body in the cool earth. His Keepers always indulge him with the full spa treatment, slathering him with shovelfuls of mud from head to toe. Apollo goes into a delighted trance during this routine, moving only to free up a new corner of skin to be coated. During a few mud baths, he was very distracted by the presence of some nearby baboons. Even after they disappeared from sight, he knew they were in the area and kept leaping to his feet to catch their scent in the air.

It takes some orphans longer than others to settle down for the night, but Apollo always goes to bed right away. He loves his new “big boy” stockade — but he doesn’t make much use of all the space it affords! Rhinos are creatures of habit, so Apollo immediately established a sleeping area within his stockade. Sometimes he spends a few minutes munching on the pile of freshly cut greens, but usually he eagerly makes a beeline for his designated “bed.” Now that he’s outgrown his mattress phase, he lays down sideways on the soft earth, lulled to sleep by the nocturnal chirps and trills of Tsavo.

 


Apollo’s May 2021 Update

This month, Kaluku was abuzz with activity. Nearly every single night, wild elephants converged outside the stockade compound, which naturally created a flurry of excitement among the orphans. Most mornings Apollo was on a mission to catch a glimpse of these elusive creatures. First thing, he would follow their footprints deep into the bush, rather dictating the routes for the day: He has an impressive sense of scent and is very adept at tracking. Some days, the Keepers even struggled to keep up with his dogged pursuit of the elephants!

Because it has gotten cooler, Apollo’s energy levels are up. When the mood strikes him, he can run quite fast and derives great enjoyment from galloping around his Keepers. If it was particularly chilly, he would forgo the mud bath altogether. In these instances, a light dusting was all he desired. Some evenings, he was reluctant to return to his stockade. This stubborn streak presented a challenge for his Keepers, who had to pull out all the stops to coax him home for bedtime.

Apollo has mellowed out a lot in recent months. He went through a brief hot-headed phase, but now he is much calmer. He loves his Keepers and is very affectionate towards them. It is very dry at the moment, so the Keepers are focused on helping Apollo find ample browse. This is a full time job for such a big boy, and days are spent searching out patches of his favourite vegetation.

While he has yet to spot his elusive nighttime elephant visitors, Apollo was treated to plenty of wildlife encounters this month. Impala, waterbuck, buffalo, and a tame zebra herd frequently crossed his path. He is never too bothered by these encounters, as he is far more focused on his own activities.

 


Apollo’s September 2021 Update

We are in the thick of the dry season here in Tsavo, which means Kaluku is host to a bevy of wild visitors. One evening, a mother elephant and her newborn baby strode across our airtstrip, mere metres away from where our airwing team were working in the hangars. We never take the trust these creatures have in us for granted; not so long ago, it was extremely rare to glimpse wild elephants in the area, let alone to have such a close encounter.

Apollo is delighted to have so many wild visitors sharing his stomping grounds. Even if he isn’t always there to witness their presence first-hand, he spends hours investigating their scents. When he does encounter elephants, he is extremely curious. Sometimes, in all his enthusiasm, he even scares them away!

Winter is wrapping up in the southern hemisphere, which means the days are much warmer now. For this reason, Apollo has been enjoying extended mud baths. He could easily spend all day wallowing, but the Keepers have to encourage him on to the next activity, as the orphaned elephants need their turn in the mud bath. His disappointment at being ushered out of the mud is short-lived, as he is always quickly distracted by some game or other. After these watery jaunts in the sun, he is always bursting with energy, which he expels by dashing around and leaping into the air.

While he is growing up quickly, Apollo still needs the creature comforts of a young orphan. His stockade remains his happy place, perhaps because it always contains the promise of a warm bottle of milk and copious piles of lucerne and pellets.

Rhinos are solitary by nature, and Apollo is no exception. However, he does thrive off his Keepers’ company. Because of his upbringing at our Kaluku Field HQ, he is used to being surrounded by all manner of creatures. We were reminded of this one afternoon, when a mob of mongooses scampered in to feast on a handout. The ground was suddenly teeming with tiny mammals, but Apollo barely blinked an eye and continued to sedately chew on his vegetation!

 


Apollo’s October 2021 Update

Rhinos are creatures of habit. 24 hours with Apollo will remind you of this fact: He likes to anchor his days with very specific morning and evening routines — and he is loath to deviate from them! Early in the morning, right after he’s finished his milk bottles, he has a long drink at the water tap by the stockades. There are plenty of places to get cold, fresh water around Kaluku, but Apollo insists upon this particular location.

Before going home in the evening, Apollo stops by the small pond near our Field Operations Manager’s house. Because of the ongoing dry conditions, lots of wildlife visit this pond, including impalas, kudus, bushbucks, zebras, and even hippos. Apollo enjoys sniffing around, almost as if to verify that he is happy with the visitors. Before continuing on to his stockade, he scratches his tummy on a particular rock next to the pond. This actually creates a bit of a plumbing issue, as without fail, he dislodges the ball valve that controls the flow of water into the pond!

Rhinos have notoriously poor eyesight and instead rely on their keen sense of smell and acute hearing. Because of all the wild visitors filtering through, Apollo is presented with an olfactory feast every day. He seems particularly interested in examining fresh elephant dung and their tracks. The Keepers are always impressed by how far he can follow their scent, sending everyone on quite a hike through the bush as he doggedly sniffs the herd’s tracks.

Much to the relief of his Keepers, Apollo seems to be over his hotheaded stage. However, he still gets periodic bursts of energy that send him hurtling in all directions. One of his favourite places to let off steam is the airstrip. If he’s feeling rambunctious, he targets the herds of zebras or antelope who are sedately browsing there. It makes for quite a sight: the little rhino chasing a rather bemused group of creatures across the runway, leaving a cloud of red dust in his wake!


Apollo’s November 2021 Update

As we shared last month, rhinos are creatures of habit. Apollo loves his rituals. His days begin early, just as the sun rises in the sky. After slurping down his breakfast milk bottle, the young rhino takes a lap or two around his stockade. While the elephant orphans tend to dash from activity to activity, Apollo prefers to do things at a meandering pace. For this reason, the Keepers always let him out of his bedroom last, so he can take a leisurely stroll around the compound before heading out into the bush with his Keepers.

Apollo spends the morning browsing, up until his 11am mud bath and milk feed. He has an extremely accurate internal clock: Ten minutes before the hour, he makes his way over to the mud bath area, where he patiently waits for his bottles to arrive. After filling his belly with milk, he has a long drink of cold water. He likes when the Keepers turn the hose into a water fountain, so he can drink directly from the spout.

Watch: Mornings with Apollo

From there, Apollo happily flops down on the red earth. Using the hose, the Keepers create lots of fresh, cool mud, which they slather over every inch of the rhino’s leathery skin. Sometimes, Apollo has to be coaxed to relax. There are always lots of interesting sights, sounds, and smells to digest, which distract Apollo to no end. The scent of a passing elephant herd or the chatter of baboons will cause him to leap to his feet, ears pricked and muscles tense. One creature who causes him no concern is Bristle, the orphaned ostrich. While the bird gives him a wide berth, he often joins Apollo at the mud bath and pecks around while the rhino wallows.

After the mud bath, Apollo heads to the nearby baobab tree for a rest. As a young baby, this was his turf. Now that he’s older, his exploring range has expanded, but he still loves to nap under the tree’s giant branches. The Keepers gather Apollo’s favourite branches beneath the baobab, which offers further enticement for him to spend the heat of the afternoon resting in the shade.

While Apollo is growing up fast, he remains very much a baby in his Keepers’ eyes. He paddles after them devotedly, nudging them with his horn or squeaking when he wants something. His Keepers report that, despite the heat and difficult dry season, Apollo is enjoying life immensely and seems very happy.

 

 

 


Apollo’s December 2021 Update

Parents often dread the “terrible twos”. Well, if you ask Apollo’s Keepers, the same might apply for rhinos! By and large, our two-year-old boy is still very sweet and docile, but sometimes he behaves in ways that leave everyone shaking their heads.

Apollo pulled a disappearing act twice this month. Nothing precipitated these unwanted games of hide-and-seek; it seems that he just wanted to make himself scarce! Of course, great drama ensued as everyone rushed to locate the wayward rhino. Both times, thankfully, he had not gone far at all. For his part, Apollo seemed completely unconcerned about the panic he had caused, and paddled placidly back to his Keepers.

 

Watch: Morning milk feed & Midday mud bath with Apollo

 

The newly luscious conditions are the perfect accessory to Apollo’s disappearing acts. The rains arrived towards the end of the month, transforming the barren landscape into a verdant paradise. This is wonderful news for all the area’s wildlife, but it does make things harder for the Keepers: Amidst the thick greenery, Apollo can disappear without a trace in an instant, despite his increasingly hulking size!

 

Apollo is always accompanied by his long-suffering Keepers. As he has gotten older (again, we reminisce on the “terrible twos”), he has made it clear that he appreciates a bit of space. Supervised independence is an important step in a rhino’s reintegration journey. While they always keep an eye on him, the Keepers maintain more of a distance now, allowing Apollo to feel some autonomy as he explores.

With the onset of the rains, Apollo has mud baths on tap. He can be found slipping and sliding on the road verges and splashing in any fresh puddles he encounters on his daily rounds. While his established mud bath remains a favourite haunt, he now has plenty more options to choose from.

The dry season was extremely challenging for all manner of creatures, but Apollo never skipped a beat. Thanks to plenty of supplementary feed, he remained in tip top condition. Our two-year-old might give his Keepers some grief, but he is blossoming into a very impressive young rhino.

 


Apollo’s January 2022 Update

On the back of a long, challenging dry season, we have rescued a variety of orphaned wildlife. Our Kaluku herd has expanded to include several elephants, two kudus, a hartebeest, oryx, eland, ostrich, impala, bush baby, squirrel, buffalo, warthog, giraffe, and, of course, Apollo the rhino.
For elephants, who are very social creatures, each new arrival is cause for great excitement. Rhinos are territorial by nature, so Apollo is not quite as intrigued. While he has no issue with most of the menagerie, the addition of Twiggy the giraffe was a step too far in his estimation. She arrived at Kaluku in early December, after she was found walking alone among a herd of zebras. Apollo has been less than welcoming, snorting grumpily whenever he catches a glimpse of the giraffe from his stockade.
Watch: Apollo’s morning milk feed and hartebeest encounters!
Fortunately, we are able to coordinate movements so Apollo can avoid any unwanted encounters. Twiggy leaves her stockade first, heading off into the bush with her Keepers. Apollo and his team then go in another direction. Kaluku’s daily comings and goings are turning into a beautifully choreographed routine, all for the benefit of our surly rhino!
Aside from his leggy rival, Apollo is having a marvellous time. Kaluku received a lot of rain in December, transforming the landscape into an oasis. Around every corner, he finds tasty greenery and sparkling pools. Dry patches of earth metamorphosed into terrific mud slicks, offering endless wallowing opportunities. The Mtito River, which had been reduced to quite a dull trickle, is once again rushing at full force.
These conditions have put a spring in everyone’s step — and our young rhino is no exception. Rhinos are related to the horse family, and like his equine cousins, Apollo feels his oats keenly. He has taken to dashing around Kaluku at breakneck speeds, giving his Keepers a very thorough workout in the process!

Apollo’s February 2022 Update

Rhinos are a study in contrasts. They are known for being a solitary species, fiercely territorial and prone to fighting. On the other hand, they are also some of the sweetest, most loving creatures we have ever raised. Our quirky boy Apollo certainly fits that description. He is now quite a formidable creature, with his tank-like appearance and strength to match. True to nature, he prefers to do his own thing during the day — accompanied by his Keepers, of course.

In many ways, however, Apollo is the star of our eclectic Kaluku herd. He has such a lovely spirit, and as a result, the other orphans flock to him. At mud bath, it is common to find Apollo reclining in a slick puddle surrounded by Scooter the warthog, Kwale the hartebeest, Susu the eland, Mkubwa the buffalo, or Bristle the ostrich. Sometimes, just one or two of these little friends turn up; other times, Apollo is treated to the full committee!

Twiggy, an orphaned giraffe rescued in December, is the one creature who Apollo remains distinctly unimpressed about. The Keepers on giraffe and rhino duty always coordinate movements, so as to avoid unwanted encounters in the bush. However, they are inevitably aware of each other’s presence back at home. Whenever Apollo catches a glimpse of Twiggy’s little head poking above the stockade, he expresses his disapproval with a grumpy huff.

We suspect that Apollo’s issue with Twiggy stems from being territorial — not over his patch, but over his Keepers! He could be napping or busily browsing in the far corner of his stockade, but he stands at attention the moment a Keeper approaches Twiggy’s room. If it is one of his favourite Keepers, he begins to squeak plaintively, as if entreating them to remember that he is their special baby!

It was during one of these bedtime protests that we witnessed the sweetest scene unfold. A Keeper was feeding Twiggy, which caused Apollo to squeak in jealousy. Scooter and her sidekick Kwale trotted over to his stockade gate and, one at a time, softly touched noses with the rhino. It was as if they wanted to remind him that he was still a beloved member of their herd, but that it was okay to share the love with Twiggy, too! Of course, Scooter led the exercise. It was remarkable to see the little warthog, snout to horn with the hulking rhino.

Otherwise, it was a month of fun and games for Apollo. It is very, very hot in Tsavo at the moment, but still teeming with browse from the rains. As long as he spends the hottest part of the afternoon in repose under the baobab tree, Apollo has plenty of energy to explore far and wide for the rest of the day.

 

Watch: Apollo’s adventures and animal encounters in Kaluku


Apollo’s March 2022 Update

Apollo celebrated his third birthday this month. He is growing into a big, strong boy, looking every inch an impressive rhino. The famous black rhino trait of stubbornness is also coming out in full force — Apollo certainly has a will of his own. He does exactly what he wants, when he wants. While he is very aloof towards most people, Apollo remains devoted to his Keepers. Although his iron will sometimes verges into petulance, he respects his Keepers and (usually!) defers to their authority.

Because of the searing temperatures, Apollo is lazy during the heat of the day. However, he springs into action during the early mornings and late evenings, when the mercury dips. He enjoys peak relaxation during his mid-morning mud bath, where he falls into a blissful stupor. It is quite a mission to get him to move along, so the elephants can have their turn in the mud! Rhinos love rituals, and on his way back to his stockade, Apollo always stops at one special rock for a scratch.

True to his species, Apollo is also becoming increasingly territorial. He confronts interlopers of any kind. When a member of our team drives by in a Polaris, he starts huffing and stomping angrily — he is spurred on by the sight and sound of the all-terrain vehicles. He also gets particularly interested in the scent of wild buffaloes and elephants, and takes it upon himself to chase after them. While the Keepers appreciate how protective he is of them, they could do without mad dashes through the bush! While he doesn’t like wild visitors, Apollo is very fond of Mkubwa the orphaned buffalo, and he tolerates the orphaned elephants.

 


Apollo’s April 2022 Update

Most adolescents go through a rebellious stage, and Apollo is no different. Some days, totally unprovoked, he goes dashing through the bush. He can run quite fast when he sets his mind to it, and more than once, it has taken a search party to track down our wayward rhino. Funnily, he shows no hesitation about following his Keepers home when they finally catch up with him. Clapping hands and an encouraging, ‘C’mon, Apollo!’ is all it takes to get him to change direction and follow them home.

 While Apollo prefers to do his own thing, he is very curious. In fact, we think he is a bit of a busybody. He goes to the mud bath first, then is ushered down to the big baobab tree so the elephants can have their turn. Very often, however, the Keepers on elephant duty catch a glimpse of his perked ears poking above the underbrush: Ever so quietly, he sneaks back to observe the elephants wallowing!

However, Apollo has no shortage of friends. The varied members of our orphan herd — Kwale the hartebeest, Susu the eland, Mkubwa the buffalo — link up with him just before mud bath and then spend several hours in his company. While Apollo rests under the big baobab, he often has a napping partner. Rukinga, an orphaned oryx who is now largely living wild, appears on the dot, as if it was a pre-arranged date! While Apollo sleeps beneath the big branches, Rukinga settles down a short distance away. Between Apollo’s increasingly hulking horn and Rukinga’s sceptre-like set, they make for quite a formidable team, even in repose.


Apollo’s June 2022 Update

When it’s warm, the Keepers struggle to convince Apollo to leave the mud bath. Now that it’s chilly, however, he refuses to get anywhere near it. He still enjoys his dust baths, but anything involving mud or water is a no-go for our young rhino. Because it is very dry in Tsavo, we are supplementing Apollo’s diet with lucerne pellets. However, he refuses to eat this unless his Keepers have moisturised it with water. This is quite an unusual demand, as all other orphans eat theirs dry. But then again, rhinos are known for their quirks!

A semi-wild female buffalo recently joined the Kaluku crowd. She is slightly older than Mkubwa and gets along with all the orphans, particularly Apollo. They have become preferred playmates, as Susu, Mkubwa, Kwale, Scooter and the others watch on.


Apollo’s July 2022 Update

This month wasn’t without drama — and predictably, it all centered around Apollo. A huge wild bull elephant has taken up residence around Kaluku. While he certainly commands respect, Apollo is not afraid of him and would happily seize any opportunity to challenge

him. The KWS rangers assigned to the protection of Apollo have a real challenge on their hands, chasing off the bull in a delicate way that doesn’t also set Apollo on the run.

Apollo has expanded his patch and is spending a lot of time down at the river. He has discovered the mud bath we created for two neonate orphaned elephants who are being raised close to Angela’s house. Apollo quickly commandeered it as his own, so he stops there for a morning wallow, before heading to the regular mud bath in the afternoon. With all this travelling to and fro, his Keepers are building a worthwhile sweat and keeping very fit!