After Sambu was killed Toki found himself confused and directionless. We decided then to break our own rules and to reintroduce a degree of human contact for his own wellbeing. He continued to spend the nights out in the wilds, though for the first few weeks after losing his brother, he had the constant companionship from one of his guardians, primarily Stephen Nangunye whose devotion and care for Toki is unparalleled. Simon and Marguerite, in the meantime had to go to the UK to complete the film they had been making with the brothers over the past two years, and to prepare other projects. They were, however, in constant touch with Stephen, Ian and Jane via text, a wonderful communication life-line to his progress and dilemmas.
After a few weeks of close contact, it was decieded that, once again, observations of Toki should be made from a distance and that human contact should be kept to a minimum. This was put into place and all was well. For the best part of six months he lived wild and free in Lewa, making all his own kills and going wherever he chose. This included, from time to time, him deciding to leave the Conservancy and enter into farming country.
Though he never approached other people during these “outings” we all felt that the risk to his welfare (and livestock) was too great and that he should be encouraged to return to the Conservancy. His rapport with Stephen made this possible. Stephen running, calling like a cheetah, followed by a well-grown male cat through smallholdings and past goat herds must have been a curious sight!
In October 2004 everything changed. As many of you will know, Toki was attacked and almost killed by the coalition of three male cheetahs that wander the Conservancy. It was only thanks to Stephen’ sensitivity and quick thinking that Toki survived at all. Still, he was very badly injured and many felt that he might never run again.
But through the amazing care and determination of Stephen, Ian and Jane and Belinda Low, he pulled through and although it took some time, he was fully recovered before the years was over.
Toki has more than recovered from his ordeal, he has blossomed. We always feared that he would remain slight and frail from his difficult start in life, and that the attack would only exacerbate this. Instead Toki is a powerful cheetah, thigh muscles that were ravaged by cutting teeth are now strong and solid, back and shoulders flexible and full of grace.
But there was one major change. It was now undeniable that if he is left to his own devices he will be sought out once again by the three males, and quite probably killed. So a new programme was been implemented. Each day he was shadowed by Stephen or another guardian, and each evening we tried to encourage him into an enclosure for his own safety. If he wandered outside the Conservancy a team was scrambled, including air support with a tracking device, to locate and recover him as soon as possible.
After some time this proved to be a too much of a risky environment for Toki and we found a haven for him at the neighbouring Ol Donyo Ranch. Owned by Bryn Llewellyn, Ol Donyo is a wheat and sheep farm, but Bryn had created a small wildlife enclosure of 800 acres. In the enclosure there were no other predator and a few of antelopes for Toki to feast on. We still had to feed him time to time, when he could not find any prey in the enclosure.
But he could not stay there forever and on December the 12th 2005 Toki was moved to Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
Ol Pejeta has stepped into the breach, offering Toki a home that promises to be secure, bountiful, and with the promise of encounters! Of course he will have to face the same risks faced by any wild cheetah in time, but with the watchful care of the staff on the Conservancy will give him the best possible chance of a long and happy life.
Stephen is of course there with him to ensure his well-being and safety. So far he is doing very well. |
