Harry could hear his heart echoing through his head, thumping out a quickening beat in his ear drums. Indeed that was the only sound he could hear. The camera wasn’t picking up an image of anything, just a blanket of green.
Then suddenly, the unmistakable sound of gunfire. He thought he picked out a few flashes but the sky was instantly full of birds, rising up from the trees, startled and scared by the noise beneath them.
The gunfire wasn’t continuous but many of the bursts were prolonged. Were the poachers firing on the herd or at the rangers or had Kilifi and the squad from KWS been lying in wait for them and caught them off guard?
“I can’t stand not knowing what’s going on down there. Oh Ana; Meru, Mara and the family, how hard can a person pray that something will work out right?”
“I lost my faith in prayer a long time ago Harry. What will be will be.”
The gunfire continued for around another five minutes and then there was silence, so intense in itself because they could hear nothing other than the squawking of the birds and the morning wind coming up the slope.
“Harry your battery warning is blinking red, for goodness sake get it back before it falls out of the sky.”
There was no argument, they couldn’t influence what had happened anyway. He flew it back low over the trees, thinking to himself that if power died it might be caught in the branches and suffer little or no damage. Somehow though, it managed to limp back to its launching site.
“Now we just have to be patient Harry. I’m certainly not trying Kilifi’s phone. One ring at some crucial point and it might give away his position. Be practical, get the battery on charge, take a big breath and wait for a call.”
But there was no call and no gunfire either, or even the distant trumpeting of elephants. It was as if nothing had happened.
“What has gone on down there?” Harry was pacing backwards and forwards, his hand over his eyes in the morning sunlight trying vainly to get some clue. And then, breaking the silence once again, the sound of gunshots, shorter bursts and fewer of them. They seemed more distant but it was so difficult to tell. He checked the charger once again but the sun was only just beginning to get to work on the solar panels, the drone was well and truly grounded; they had no eye in the sky to relieve their anxiety and tension.
“Harry please stop pacing, it doesn’t help, in fact it probably does the reverse. Come here and sit on this rock next to me.
And then they both heard it, unmistakably the distant sound of the Land Rover. “Listen to the engine beat. It’s not constant. It’s down there somewhere on a non-existent track, that’s why the revs are coming and going.”
“Agreed Harry, it has to be them. I suggest we focus on the area where we last saw it. I’m sure they will retrace their steps.”
They kept scanning the tree canopy but saw nothing. Then it was there, like a sprinter out of the blocks, bursting from the trees. Bucking and lurching over the rocky surface, there was no doubt it was their Land Rover, even at this distance the distinctive camouflaged markings that they had seen both from the plane and from camera images under the bridge the night before were clearly visible.
“Try Jim on the phone. I don’t know what he can do but you never know.”
He answered immediately and Ana gave him the most precise picture she could of what had happened in the last hour or so.
“He’s going to try the Inspector again. Our only hope is that they have some vehicle out on that road beyond the Uwingoni boundary. Kilifi and the rangers are on foot down there so there is nothing more they can do. We only have to hope that they and the elephants are safe.”
But there was no news from below and no amount of deep breathing or pacing made the situation any easier. Thoughts of breakfast or even coffee were long gone. Even if they could scramble down the steep sides into the trees it was a huge area and trying to find the salt lick without Kilifi would prove extremely difficult if not impossible.
In the distance the Land Rover had made it to the dirt road and its course was still clearly visible as the dust cloud marked its passage back up the hill.
The phone rang, Kilifi’s name blinking reassuringly in the screen.
“Is everyone alright?” Ana blurted out before she even knew for sure that she was speaking to Kilifi. His unhurried voice instantly proved a comfort. Harry watched her smile turn to a frown, followed by some serious nodding.
“And what do you all feel about the young elephant? OK that sounds positive and the ranger?” Despite the seriousness of the situation she couldn’t help smiling. “Right so we will come back up the escarpment track to where the Land Cruiser is and see if there is anything we can do to help. See you soon.”
Harry was fidgeting impatiently. “So what’s the story?”
“Well they managed to get themselves between the elephants and the poachers so the herd is fine except for one of the two-year-old males who was hit by a stray bullet from the poachers. They have already called for a KWS vet but it is a leg wound so he should recover. One of the poachers was killed and another is wounded and in captivity. Unfortunately two of them made it back to the Land Rover. They followed them for a while but had to move slowly in the woods as it’s too easy with so much cover around to be ambushed.”
“Something in your chat with Kilifi made you smile.”
“You know what he’s like; he has a way of telling things sometimes even when situations are serious. One of the rangers is a Maasai and a bullet nicked him in the ear. You know how they often have large traditional holes in their ear lobes, well that is exactly where he was hit and that is what he found funny. However, it was seriously close for comfort!”
“That will be a good fireside tale for years to come. Let’s just leave the camp as it is for the moment and head back up the track and see how we might be able to help.
To say it was a busy morning would have been an understatement. Normal radio usage was resumed. It was now far too complicated to use mobiles. And if there was someone from Uwingoni in league with the poachers the story of the night was already out there, it had to be.
Ollie was coming in with supplies that morning and it had been agreed that two extra KWS personnel, including a vet would fly with him. They were stretched as usual with an ongoing situation in Tsavo East, so hitching a flight up was the fastest way for them to get to Uwingoni.
The poacher, with a bandaged arm, was brought up to the track by Kilifi and one of the rangers. Despite his wound he wore handcuffs but said nothing as he sat surly faced by the side of the track waiting to be taken away.
“As you can see,” said Kilifi, almost spitting the words out, “He’s not from round here. And neither was his boss. I would recognise that Somali’s dragging footprint anywhere. But we’ll get him and this piece of dung will be helping us.” As the large KWS corporal dragged him to his feet the scowl had been replaced by eyes that darted fearfully from side to side as if expecting help to miraculously appear.
Unfortunately the police hadn’t been able to get a vehicle on the road but Inspector Mwitu was on his way and according to the chit chat on the radio had some interesting news.
By the end of the day the young elephant had been darted, the bullet successfully removed and the wound cleaned. The vet was optimistic that all would be well. When he came round from the drug he headed off into the bush a little unsteadily with one of the large females who had been waiting for him at a cautious distance. Motherly bonds in elephants were unbelievably strong.
Harry and Ana packed their camp up. There was no point in flying drones with the changed situation. It was the general feeling that these particular poachers would not be back for a while.
As Jim said, perhaps this gave them a bit of a breathing space and an opportunity to go on the offensive for a change.
Chapter Fourteen
There was a real sense of optimism at the meeting. Everyone in the Reserve knew about the success of the previous morning’s KWS operation and even the g
uys who worked in the kitchens had smiles on their faces. It wasn’t just that their jobs depended on the wildlife being safe, everyone had come to love this remote little corner of the country and they were proud and protective about what they did.
Sergeant Odika was at one end of the table in deep conversation with Jim and it was he who stood up to speak first. “Good morning everyone. It is good to be back at Uwingoni, especially after the events of yesterday. I flew up early this morning to collect our wonderful vet George Okello whose services are always in great demand. But I bring good news too. It has been agreed that our small squad of rangers can remain stationed here for at least another two months.”
There was spontaneous applause from everyone present. They were all aware how special this decision was.
“Thank you. I can also say it has been a pleasure to work with you. I would especially like to thank Kilifi. If there was a Tracker of the Year award I think we all know who would get it.” Applause again, there wasn’t a person there who didn’t know how remarkable his talents were. “Now I know Inspector Mwitu has an update for you too.”
“Thank you, Sergeant. Firstly apologies that we weren’t able to help as much as we would have liked recently. We have a small number of old Land Rovers out here and our mechanics do an amazing job just keeping them driveable. Sadly even then we simply don’t have enough fuel to use them as much as we would like. Despite what you read in the papers about the Kenyan police, and of course there are bad apples, there are many dedicated officers too, who want to make a difference.”
The Inspector shuffled some papers on the table. “I would just like to say a big thank you to Harry and Ana. If I ever doubted technology, I’ve certainly had my mind changed. The photograph the drone took of the vehicle we know to have been used in this raid has given us the sort of proof we need to convince our superiors to let us take action. We have done a number plate licence check and it belongs to the Prosperity Dam Company.”
You could hear the intake of breath from the room. Although there had been mistrust concerning Prosperity, this was the first confirmation of their involvement.
“Of course the crucial question is who up at the dam is actually involved and how do they fit in with Al-Shabaab and the Somalis? We have several theories but forgive me if I don’t share them with you just at the moment. Our biggest problem, which sadly will come as no surprise, is that a company as rich as Cheng Pang has many friends in high places so we can’t just go marching in there just yet. I have already spoken to my Superintendent and I know it has continued up the chain to the Assistant Commissioner of Police. The chances are that he will have to speak to a minister in the government and so it goes on. I do think there is far more drive to get rid of corruption. As you know there were some major arrests of both Chinese and Kenyan individuals accused of pocketing huge sums from the from the Nairobi Mombasa railway project so I am not without hope but my hands, sadly, are tied for the moment.”
They all knew what an honest policeman he was and that there was little point in asking him questions he would be unable to answer.
“Many thanks both of you,” said Jim. “We so appreciate the dedication of you and your men. I feel confident that good will triumph in the end. Let’s all get back to running this wonderful Reserve and doing all we can to protect the remarkable animals within its borders.”
Neither Harry nor Ana were as optimistic and upbeat as they would have liked.
They sat down on her veranda and poured out two cups of strong, black coffee from a thermos. Hands cupped round the mugs and taking in the aroma, each waited for the other to say speak first.
“What do you think the chances are of Inspector Mwitu being able to gain access to Prosperity? You have far more experience of life than me.”
“Of course that’s the question in my head too and I don’t have an obvious answer,” she sighed. “There are certainly good people in this government and I know they will worry about the huge amounts of money Kenya will owe to China in one way or another. However, the sums involved are so vast, just skimming a bit off the top can change people’s financial security for ever and so buy their support.”
“You know that if things don’t work out I thought we might be able to do something.” He saw the disbelief in her face. “I am sure Michael who showed us round would be able to help, perhaps he can speak to his uncle. He would probably be horrified to know what was really going on in his business up there.”
She looked across the table at him and took a slow breath. “Harry what I have learnt in life is that there are very few people you can truly trust and when you get it wrong the results can be life changing, literally. We are up against some of the most ruthless people imaginable. They have no boundaries or decency or common values with the rest of us. Please promise me you will not head off on some madcap scheme on your own.”
Harry couldn’t look her in the eye. He knew in his heart that’s exactly what he would try to do. He didn’t want to give her assurances or promises that he might break. “You’re probably right. Let’s just keep our fingers crossed for the Inspector. Look I’ve got to dash. Catch up with you at lunch I expect.” Pushing his chair back he was striding back up the path before she had a chance to say anything more.
The pattern of life in Uwingoni soon eased back into its familiar routine. The number of tourists was on the increase which was great news all round. The KWS rangers carried out patrols, including some night time ones in areas they considered most at risk. However, nothing remarkable came of them and there was no indication of the poachers returning.
One morning when Harry was out with some visitors from the UK before breakfast they came across Mara and her family. They were all at one of the smaller waterholes, lined up at the water’s edge. The larger ones started drinking first with the smaller ones in amongst their feet. He spotted Meru straight away, the end of his trunk turning darker as he dipped it in the water. As he brought it up to his mouth probably half of it ended back where it had started. You could sense the happiness in them all. He had come to realise that they genuinely enjoyed playing just for the sheer fun of it rather than as some sort of learning process, like so many animals.
It was heart-warming to see that the young male who had been wounded by the bullet seemed to be moving surprisingly easily and was joining in with the others as they gently pushed and shoved each other. One of them made her way completely into the water and was simply kicking her rear legs backwards and forwards, splashing the other in the process. She then sat down in the shallows, scooping grey mud from the bottom up in her trunk and splattering it on her head and back.
Interestingly the visitors were so engrossed in the scene too that nobody asked questions and although there was a great deal of camera clicking to begin with, even that slowed right down as everyone enjoyed the simple pleasure of just sitting and watching.
Other animals had joined them, a small group of Grant’s gazelles, their pink tongues and gentle lapping in complete contrast to their bigger neighbours. A pair of warthogs appeared on the far side. Interestingly they didn’t get down on their front knees but waded a few feet out into the water. It was a remarkable thing Harry thought that when elephants were drinking other animals felt safer and more inclined to come down to the water. Kilifi had told him that he thought their presence made the others feel safe and that even lions tended to stay away.
Gradually when they had all had their fill they headed off in various directions to get on with their day. Harry too turned the Land Cruiser back towards the waiting breakfast at camp as the visitors in the rear excitedly chatted about their first game drive.
He would have joined in but was unusually quiet and, if he was honest with himself, had been for over a week, a week in which there had been no news from Inspector Mwitu. He couldn’t get the situation out of his mind and it was beginning to gnaw away at him. The poachers and the thought that they would get away with this, and be able to continue seemed to be his last thou
ght at night and his first in the morning. He had arranged to see Jim later in the day, not that he was really expecting anything to happen. But he knew he really needed to talk to someone and he understood that Ana was fed up listening to moans about it, even though he knew she agreed in principle with what he felt.
When he got to Jim’s office, somewhat fortified by eggs and bacon, he found him in deep conversation with Mike but he was waved in anyway. Harry took a couple of files off one of the chairs by the desk putting them as neatly as he could on the floor.
It was strange he thought that he seemed to come across Mike so rarely.
Jim looked across at him with a slight twinkle in his eye, “Now before you get going, I’ve got a pretty good idea why you want to chat so hear me out before you start. I’ve asked Mike in too, for reasons that will become obvious in a minute.”
Jim twirled an old Bic biro round in his hand but as always his gaze was steady and direct. “The Inspector and I are just as disappointed as you that no decision has yet been made about searching the Prosperity Dam property. Officially his hands are tied but of course he wants to get these bastards just as much as us. So I thought we might try to use Mr Pang’s relationship with Mike to see whether we can pay another visit.”
Mike sat bolt upright, the colour seeming to drain somewhat from his cheeks.
Harry could hardly believe what he was hearing. “If it was anyone other than you telling me this I would think they were winding me up!”
“Well Harry life is a learning experience for us all. You are a different person in so many ways to the young man who arrived on a flight from London, looking for, I can’t think of the words, perhaps purpose and meaning in life. I was someone totally set in my ways who, if I’m honest, didn’t want to change and I just hoped that somehow the problems we are facing would magically disappear somewhere else.”
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