Mzee has re-entered Owen and Cleo's enclosure after being given a clean bill of health.Mzee was transported in our customized tortoise carrier.

After Mzee was brought back Cleo spent alot of time with him. At first Mzee was really scared and was 'running' away but as we watched, Cleo treated him with the same curious behaviour as Owen. She was licking his foot, nibbling it to make him move, and standing behind him and resting her head on his shell. At first Mzee was terrified, but then he just sat there and seemed to realise that she wasn't going to hurt him.

Cleo's behaviour is very strange. Is she just exploring her new room mate? Or, does she think he's a hippo too as Owen did? What is it about Mzee that he attracts such interesting behaviour? How come she doesn't behave this way towards the other tortoise in the enclosure?

Owen seems to understand her now andis managing his relationship with her well. She follows him and he keeps a healthydistance, being smaller and faster he can always stay ahead, just keeping an eye on her when she comes too close.

Hello bloggers,

I am sorry for the delay with the blog this week. We have had a network problem which has persisted the whole week. Because of this I am unable to load any photos for this blog. I am sorry for those of you who were looking forward to the photos. However, we still have some news on our favourite threesome!

Last week we launched the stamp of Owen and Mzee. The Managing Director for the Kenya Postal Corporation and the Chairman for Bamburi Cement (of which Lafarge Eco Systems is a subsidiary) were also present. Lots of people form all walks of life showed up for the event; schoolchildren, digntaries, staff and community members. We also took the opportuntiy to mark Owen's birthday; Owen turns 3 this year.  He still has some catching up to do to Mzee, though, who is 132! The stamp is worth Kshs 25 and is now in circulation throughout the country.

Meanwhile, Owen and Cleo are beginning to settle into their new home and get used to each other. Cleo tends to still chase Owen around but not as much as before. To help Owen out, we created 4 small passageways through the barrier fence that divides their enclosure. We noticed that Cleo was also beginning to bite at Mzee's feet, much like Owen does when he wants Mzee to hurry up! But because Cleo's teeth are much bigger than Owen's, the bites had a bigger impact on Mzee and we were concerned for his safety. So we put Mzee on the other side of the enclosure where Cleo cannot reach him to give him a chance to recover and move around in peace. Currently on one side of the enclosure is Mzee and on the other side is Cleo. The passages in the fence allow Owen to be able to move between both sides of the enclosure when he wants to. Cleo canot follow him to the other side as the passage is too small for her. These passageways allow Owen the opportunity to escape Cleo when she is chasing him and also to choose whom he wants to spend time with. So far the set-up is working well. Although Cleo chases Owen, he still spends most of his time on Cleo's side!

I have also been watching Owen, Cleo and Mzee at night. At night is when hippos are most active, and this is certainly true for Owen and Cleo. I have noticed that Cleo and Owen already have their preferred spots to hang out in the enclosure. Also it is interesting to see that Owen still eats a similar diet to Mzee; he prefers to browse on leaves and branches and does not graze much. He also eats mainly on his side of the enclosure with Mzee.

 I want to take this opportunity to wish all our bloggers a very Merry Christmas and a propserous New Year. I hope that the new year brings joy and blessings and I hope for us that it also brings another special friendship to report to you - Owen and Cleo!

Hello everyone. Thank you for all the wonderful and really encouraging comments. Owen, Cleo and Mzee are doing great! Yesterday we managed to close in Owen on his side of the enclosure with Mzee. Cleo had chased Owen around the enclosure so it was best to seperate them just in case it gets violent. This will allow Owen to get used to his enclosure, with Mzee, as well as Cleo. In turn Cleo will get used to seeing Owen and Mzee. 

Mzee was translocated on the same day as Owen but using totally different means. First of all, we laid a piece of canvas on the ground and lured Mzee onto it using bananas. This canvas is a detachable part of the tortoise carrier.

mmmmmmmmmmmmhhhh! Bananas! 

Once he got on the canvas, we looped a strong rope through the eyelets at the edges of the canvas. This rope was then tied to each corner of the carrier. By doing so, the tortoise is lifted about half a meter off the ground. The rope is tightly fastened to prevent the tortoises from swinging from side to side during translocation.

The carrier is basically a metallic rectangular frame with fastening hooks at each top corner whereby the rope attached to the canvas is tied. This carrier also has tires which are used for locomotion.

 Mzee Being fastened onto the carrier

Where are you?

Owen hidden, covered in reeds

Watch me tail wag cleo!

HACKED By Crazy_r00t

Hello everyone. this is yet another memorable entry. yesterday evening, i went to Owen and Mzee's enclosure just to check on them as usual. there was a group of children there who were really excited about seeing Owen as he was out on land with Mzee and Toto. Shortly after, Owen left Mzee and Toto and went into the water. we all stood there for a while watching Owen when he unexpectedly vocalized. At first the sound he made was nothing i have heard before, but the second time he vocalized, it was definately a honk! In relation to this, hippos in the wild sometimes vocalize once they return to the water from land so as to announce their presence in the water.

Cleo is still veryhappy in her new enclosure. she has been playing with her new log a lot and is still moving around the enclosure exploring. below is a picture of Cleo with her new log.

As soon as we opened the door to her box, Cleo soon came out. She wobbled a bit, probably because of all the movement, before she finally got her balance. Cleo took a long look behind her and soon after she was weaving through the grass, exploring her new home. She made her way well into the enclosure and soon she got into the water. It was a beautiful sight to behold!

Cleo coming out of her box in her new enclosure

Where am I? Cleo takes a good long look at her new home.

Cleo walks towards the water

In the water, Cleo moved from one end of the pond to the other, obviously enjoying herself. It was a wonderful relief for all of us seeing Cleo safe and happy in her new enclosure. I am very happy for her because she loves it!

Cleo exploring the water.

I stayed with Cleo for the rest of the day and night observing her in her new environment. She seemed to really enjoy herself as she moved around continuously.

Cleo and I look at each other.