Meet the Birds
Gollum
Gollum, the first of our vultures, Gollum came from Kwenia, near Lake Magadi. Gollum was taken off his cliff ledge as a chick by a Verreaux’s Eagle. Fortunately, he was dropped but broke his wing during a hard landing. Rescued by Simon and a BBC film crew that happened to be there, Gollum is now a very grumpy old bird with a tendency to charge. He is bottom of the pile in the paddock.
Ahmed
Ahmed arrived 6 months ago from the Carnelly’s Campsite in Naivasha. He’s blind in one eye and very small for his age. He was found swimming to shore, having flopped into the lake on what was probably his first flight off the cliffs at Hell’s Gate. Due to his eye (probably happened whilst in the nest) and his small stature, we will not release him, even though he can fly now. He’s managed to bully his way into second-in-command, compensating for his small stature
Yusef
Yusef was rescued from the Mara 2 years ago with a broken right wing, which we saved in surgery but he hasn’t restored flight. He’s a sub-adult and a very friendly, curious bird. He’s a good friend of Horace and the Marabou
Horace
Horace, a Lappet Faced Vulture, was poisoned on Soysambu as a juvenile, he recovered but injured his wing in the process and now cannot extend it. He’s just moulted into his adult plumage and is the boss of the paddock. He’s very friendly and likes a head scratch, but also enjoys ripping gloves to pieces. Shoelaces are amongst his favourite foods