Above:Karanja the black rhino – his skeleton next to a model of a white rhino – copyright Rupi Mangat
Pubished 17 November 2018
In keeping with his celebrity status, Karanja the black rhino charmed important dignitaries that included the ambassadors to Kenya from Italy, Ethiopia and Algeria, researchers, curious guests and all to his opening day on 31 October 2018 at the Nairobi National Museum.
Above: The Wildlife Foundation Centre at Naretunoi Conservancy, Kitengela
Copyright Rupi Mangat
Published: 10 November 2018
“We have everything here,” says Moses Parmisa of The Wildlife Foundation. “If you had spent the night here you would have heard the lions and the hyenas.”
We’re chatting over a cuppa tea and cakes at The Wildlife Foundation Centre on a lawn dotted with wooden sculptures collected from different parts of Africa. On arrival we’ve been met by Impi the two-year-old female antelope whose mother was killed by a predator. The foal was found on the grounds and now thinks she’s a ‘people’.
Continue reading “Naretunoi Conservancy Neighbours Nairobi National Park”
Meeting the Apex Hunter in Ngong Road Forest Sanctuary
Above: African crowned eagle at nest Ngong Road Forest Sanctuary copyright Washington Wachira
Published: 3 November 2018
“Listen,” said Fleur Ng’weno of Nature Kenya.
A piercing shrill drifted through the trees in the forest.
“It’s the African crowned eagle.”
It was what we were hoping for but like any creature on the wild, nothing is guaranteed.
Quietly we walked along the path and there in the tall croton tree, was perched Africa’s mightiest raptor by its nest.
An OMG moment!
Here we were at the Ngong Race Course that is in Ngong Road Forest Sanctuary, in one of the busiest part of a city of four million people – and in its midst we’re in a natural forest that’s home to some of the rarest creatures including the Jackson tree snake.
Urban Crowns
I’ve borrowed the title from a short film by Washington Wachira, a young ornithologist studying the African crowned eagle.
Published: Saturday magazine, Nation newspaper 24 March 2018
Above: Hippos ashore. Copyright Rupi Mangat
The papyrus ruffles in the evening breeze. It is an amazing plant. Ancient Egyptians used it to make their scrolls that today show their ancient past. In terms of eco-services, the papyrus is home to wildlife like fish, birds and hippos. The green plant also stabilizes water levels and moderates temperatures around lakes and rivers. Yet today there’s less than 10 per cent around Lake Naivasha.
Published: Saturday Magazine, Nation newspaper 17 March 2018
Above: The Palace in Gedi Copyright Rupi Mangat
In the eventide, a skein of white wings glide over the blue of Watamu Bay to settle on the huge jagged Hemingway rock. Curious, l zoom in on the birds that appear as dots with the naked eye, l get my shots and send them to the birders.
Moonlion Safaris 