World Elephant Day

Yesterday 8/8/2014 I was in Nkoteiya Conservancy in Samburu County. I met with this man who was mad about a group of elephants. I asked him what the issue was. He tells me there is a group of three elephants that have been visiting his boma this week. He tells me you know we love elephants and we have been living with them all our lives. I ask him so what is different with these three? He goes further and asks me if I remember the huge tree near his boma. I confirm that yes I do know the huge acacia tree that we have held several barazas under. I loved that tree with its great shade. That tree has saved us from the scorching Samburu sun many times.

 '' Our great Acacia tree is down!’’  

''These three elephants on Wednesday night came with an intent!! I tried to scare them away with my dog and my flash light but I was not successful’’

''One particular elephant was adamant! He pushed the huge Acacia tree with its behind and was successful’’

By then I was smiling ‘’ you said he used its behind?’’

''Yes you know this particular elephant has a huge behind’’ he was also laughing by now

He then kept silent for a whole two minutes and then said, ‘’these elephants belong to us, what can we do but to accept both the good and the not so good from them, they are just like our children!!’’

I will use an African saying that says, ‘’ If you like the zebra you have to accept its black stripes as much as its whites’’ Same with the Elephant we will have to learn to live with the good side and not so good side (human wildlife conflict). 

Have a conflict free........ Playful World Elephant day!!!