Rain, glorious rain!

We are overjoyed that the April rains have finally arrived.

The elephants were out on their everyday wilderness walk when the rains finally broke. The smell of rain has to be one of the best smells in the world. When the soil has been baked for so long and the first rains hitting the parched landscape, the moisture activates so many micro organisms in the soil that break down and release in to the air. They call it “Petrichor” - such a beautiful word! While thee air was heavy with it, but our hearts were much, much lighter!

The dry luggas have turned into running rivers - a sight we have not seen for years!

Our “boda-boda” (colloquial word for motorbike) drivers who transport the goat milk from the Milk Mamas to the sanctuary every morning, are facing the challenge of running rivers, head on! Nothing can stop them getting milk to the ellies.

Did you know that elephants can anticipate rain long before it arrives?

While we have been relying on weather forecasts or the sight of dark clouds to predict rain, elephants have a much more sophisticated approach when it comes to rain... they can sense an approaching storm from up to 150 miles off.

Scientists believe that elephants' ability to detect rain is rooted in their incredible hearing skills. Elephants can hear sounds at very low frequencies, even those below the human range of hearing. These low-frequency sounds are produced by thunderstorms, whether it's the rumble of thunder or the sound of rain hitting the Earth.

While researchers are still trying to understand exactly what elements of the oncoming rain elephants are detecting, it's clear that they are attuned to some signature component of the storm. From their incredible ability to anticipate rain to their complex social structures and communication skills, we're constantly amazed by them.