April began with a visit from some old friends. As the dependent herd was drinking outside the stockades, ex-orphans Mudanda, Lentili, Mbirikani, Arruba, and Rorogoi wandered in. They were accompanied by Suswa, who has been experimenting with her independence and spending nights out with her older friends.
Soon after sunrise, the orphan elephants plodded out of the stockades to drink their bottles of milk and line up at the feeding trough to eat range cubes. On a bright clear morning, mini matriarchs Tamiyoi, Tagwa and Sagala then led the herd out to browse in the surrounding bush on the slopes of Msinga Hill.
Later in the morning, the orphans ran down the slope towards the baobab tree water hole in groups for more milk and a wallow. The thirstier younger ones were at the front of each group with their comparatively sedate older friends following along behind. Bottles gulped down, the boisterous little ones – with Kilulu and Ashanti out in front - sprinted down to the water hole for a cooling wallow. Sensible Godoma and Tagwa drank deeply from the water trough and lay down on the edge of the wallow, enjoying the soothing mud. Curious Juni pottered over to see what they were up to and affectionate Kenderi then joined them, standing as close as she could and rubbing her big body against Godoma.
Swimming and chilling time over, the herd set out for a final wander in the bush before bed.
Full of energy, the orphans charged out of their stockades to the milk feeding area this morning. Baraka was running around the corner as fast as his little legs would carry him but was overtaken by equally small Busara who trumpeted in triumph as she ran past her friend. She was not allowing anyone to get close to her bottle!
As the babies were drinking, former orphans Mudanda, Lentili, Mbirikani, Arruba, and Rorogoi wandered in for some supplementary lucerne pellets. They were accompanied by Suswa, who has been spending nights out with her older friends. The two groups – current and former – converged peacefully along and around the feeding trough. Some ate range cubes as others hung around on the terraces.
As the temperature rose, the orphan elephants wandered out to browse around Msinga Hill. The ex-orphans remained outside the stockades for a short while before returning to the bush. Later in the afternoon, the orphans visited the baobab tree water hole. As they headed out again – excepting Sagala and Busara, who stood quietly in the shade of a large acacia tree – the ex-orphans wandered in to take their place.
This morning, the first group of Voi kids - Dabida, Kenderi, Itinyi, Epiya and Seri – pottered out of their rooms to drink their milk and enjoy trunkfuls of range cubes at the feeding trough. The second group - Busara, Baraka, Ushindi, Ashanti and Kilulu – followed along behind. As this group approached the Keepers, who were standing with bottles raised ready to feed, cheeky Itinyi did an about-turn. She scooted around and made a beeline for the bottle allocated to Ushindi. The potential victim of her greed protested with a scream, the Keepers intervened, clicking their fingers at the miscreant, and peace was restored.
The herd set off to browse in the bush, returning in the afternoon for more milk near the baobab water hole. Water baby Pika Pika was the first to plunge into the mud bath - followed closely by Embu, Murit, Tamiyoi, Tagwa and Mbegu. Flush with new confidence, Kilulu popped in a few minutes later, leaving her small friends watching from the sidelines. Swimming over for another day, Murit and Kenderi had a lovely roll around on the red earth pile before setting off to catch up with the herd browsing in the bush.
Current and former orphans met up again this morning outside the stockades to hang out on the terraces and browse on range cubes and lucerne grass. It was a peaceful feeding session characterized by sharing, not squabbling. Out in the field, big sister Mbegu browsed close to little Busara (with Pika Pika sidling up as close as she could) as Godoma looked after Baraka nearby.
Later in the day, there were some wonderful showers of rain. The orphans were excited by the newly wet world – many had an impromptu mud rub in the wet soil as Itinyi and Epiya rolled around on the ground, rubbing their bodies together and waving their trunks wildly in the air. Splayed on the ground, Ndotto started sparring with upright friend Murit, somehow managing to hold his own despite his supine position. An enthusiastic Lasayen trundled over to join them, bringing the game to an end by climbing on top of Ndotto. The disgruntled young bull stood up and wandered off to browse with the herd.
This morning outside the stockades, nine-year-old Mbegu was surrounded by Epiya, Ashanti, Busara and Hildana. They stood so close, leaning against and trunk touching her. With the protection of the mini matriarch, the babies were at no risk of being pushed around by the older bulls. After finishing the lucerne and range cubes, the orphan elephants headed out to the foothills of Msinga Hill for a long day of browsing.
On a hot afternoon, the orphans wallowed together in the mud bath, rolling over and against each other. Emoli clambered out to lie down and dust himself in a small hollow that exactly fitted his body. He was followed by Lasayen who lay down in the same hollow for a soil bath. Third in line was Sagala who rubbed her body for ages in the shallow hole as Lasayen stood by and watched. Little Ashanti was standing quietly nearby, hoping it would be her turn soon. But Sagala was not moving anywhere - and so Ashanti wandered off to the big pile of red soil. Next up was Tagwa with little Juni in tow – Tagwa touched Sagala with her trunk, asking for her turn in the hollow but to avail. Today was not her day for sharing!
Later in the evening, the Keepers received a report of an abandoned male elephant found in Mwatate Sisal Estate Sanctuary. They rescued the three-year-old elephant and brought the probable drought victim to the Voi stockades. He was thin and weak with swollen hind legs, stomach and chin.
The orphan herd set out early this morning. It was a day for browsing and playing rather than hanging around the stockades. They settled around the foot of Msinga Hill, all focused on filling their tummies. A few hours later, Lasayen took a break, inviting Kenderi, Thamana and Ashanti to join him for some soil bathing in a small hole. The four orphans hosed themselves with red earth before rubbing their bellies and sides vigorously. Feeling left out, Ngilai rolled around in a nearby hollow but, no matter how extravagantly he rolled, his four friends paid no attention. Nearby, Mbegu played on her own in another trench. The game started by Lasayen had caught on as many of the orphans wriggled around on the dry red ground. Covered in soil, they clambered up to head off after the rest of the herd to the water hole.
Bottles emptied, the orphans either had a quick dip or stood quietly around the mud bath before heading out for a final browse. Unable to find green branches on the dried-out bushes, Kilulu and Mbegu began digging out roots with their trunks. Kilulu stored a large root on his head as he foraged for more delicious roots to eat. Returning to the stockades in the evening, Tamiyoi went straight to the stable of the orphan rescued last night. The caring elephant greeted the new boy, who has been named Sembe.
On a cooler morning with thick cloud covering the sun, the orphan elephants meandered out of their stockades to join former orphan Kenia and her mini herd at the range cubes and lucerne grass feeding areas. Tamiyoi and Sagala later led the herd out to browse in the surrounding bush. They all remained close together, except for Ushindi and Seri, who kept wandering away from their friends to browse by themselves. Newbie Itinyi plodded around after Ngilai – browsing close to his hero and occasionally rubbing his head affectionately on Ngilai’s backside. The older elephant was gentle and kind to his young friend.
After the afternoon milk feeding, the orphan elephants gathered around the water trough to drink. Pika Pika was in the mood for showing off – she carefully stepped onto the edge of the water trough with her front feet, standing tall in a most impressive pose. Meanwhile, many of the others were rolling around in the mud bath or lying relaxing on the edge. Emoli was having an especially vigorous swim until he was interrupted by Pika Pika. The little princess paddled in, clambered onto his stomach, and stayed there, waving her trunk happily. A sweet-natured bull, Emoli lay quietly, making no attempt to push her off.
The swimming was followed by lots of dusting and an early evening wander before bed.
Bottles emptied, the resident orphans joined some former orphans at the range cubes feeding area. They ate contentedly, standing close to each other at the trough. This morning, Kihari would not allow any of the Voi kids to feed next to her, except for little Ashanti. The older elephant gently touched her trunk as Ashanti knelt down to eat using her mouth (as she is not able to scoop up pellets with her shortened trunk). Afterwards they gathered in small groups on the terraces – some stood quietly as others played. Big bull Ndotto tried several times to mount ex-orphan Arruba but she firmly rebuffed him, moving off and trumpeting her displeasure. (The Keepers are hoping that Arruba is pregnant, as she recently mated with Laikipia.)
Soon, the herd set out to browse on the hill before trotting down for more milk and an afternoon wallow. They wandered down in groups of three or four with one older orphan accompanying each group of young ones. The nannies lumbered in quietly, keeping up with the sprinting little ones with ease. After gulping their bottles, the chubby babies paddled on to the water hole enthusiastically. Godoma and Mbegu found a perfect-sized shallow hole in which to dust their bodies. They lay down and rolled over and over. Seri found a smaller hole to play in for a few minutes before dashing off to run around in circles.
Former orphan Kenia and her mini herd were outside the stockades again this morning. The orphans greeted them as they joined the visitors in the range cubes feeding area. The nannies were feeling protective at the trough – Godoma and Mbegu created a Baraka and Busara sandwich – standing on either side of the little elephants and preventing friends such as Ushindi from getting close.
As the sun rose in the clear sky, the orphans headed out to the bush, browsing on the eastern side of Msinga Hill. In the mood for fun, Ndotto lay down invitingly on the ground at the foot of the hill, waving his trunk as he rolled around. He was hoping to entice Kenderi, Kilulu and Dabida to play with him. His three friends sauntered past him without a backward glance and sprinted down the hill to the line of Keepers waiting with their delicious afternoon milk bottles. Friendly Lemeki was the first to plunge into the mud bath. Usually, she prefers to hang around the Keepers but, today, she was a water baby. As she swam around sedately, Pika Pika and Murit splashed and sparred with each other nearby. They entwined their trunks and clashed their little tusks as they wriggled around in the water. Wallow over, the herd meandered off for a final browse.
On another clear morning, the orphans trundled out of their stockades to greet each other and enjoy their bottles of milk. Finishing her bottle first, Busara nipped round to the range cubes feeding area on the lower side of the terrace. She wanted to enjoy eating in peace for a few minutes before her older friends arrived. With a crowd of hungry elephants, some pushing and shoving is inevitable. Mini matriarch Mbegu quickly followed her and led her little friend to the lucerne grass area ahead of the herd. The orphans soon set out to browse in the surrounding bush for a few hours.
After the afternoon milk feed, small groups of orphans carried on down the hill to the water trough and the mud bath. As Emoli was drinking water with his friends, Ndotto strolled over to play with his friend. He clambered up onto Emoli’s back, clasping him with his forelegs as he rumbled quietly. Busara, Baraka and Epiya paddled away speedily to the other side of the wallow – they were not running the risk of the large bull trying to play mount them! On a hot afternoon, many elephants frolicked together in the mud bath, paddling and splashing and submerging their bodies in the cooling water. After their dip, Sagala and Murit took it in turns to scratch their rumps against the big baobab tree before catching up with the herd.
Tummies filled, the orphan elephants trailed out to the browsing areas behind Tamiyoi and Tagwa. They browsed and then played and then settled back to browsing. Lasayen did his best to impress Pika Pika by lying down and showing off. She stood close by, but could not be bothered to respond to his advances. Nearby, Ngilai was browsing with his favorite babies, Itinyi and Epiya, who love hanging out with the big steady bull.
On another hot Voi afternoon, almost all the orphans plodded into the wallow for a cool down or a swim. After a prolonged splash in the mud bath, Pika Pika popped out and had a second dip in the water trough. Mbegu whisked off her special Busara for an exclusive soil bath in a shallow hole away from the herd. Feeling left out, Godoma insisted on clambering into the same hole. She rolled around in the dust so much that the other two were forced out. They stood by, watching her antics.
Later in the day, the orphans returned to the stockades. Tamiyoi settled down on the terraces to scratch her body on the big rock as Kilulu and Lemeki watched and waited patiently for their turn. As the light faded, the orphans wandered into their stockades for the night.
The morning was sunny but cool and fresh – the ground was damp following wonderful showers of rain on the previous evening. Early in the day, resident and visiting orphans from Kenia’s herd mingled in the lucerne feeding area and on the terraces. Sagala and Akina were eating range cubes while standing close together and trunk touching, as were Mbegu and Busara. Before long, Tagwa led the orphan herd out to browse in the foothills of Msinga Hill. They followed her in small groups, ambling along contentedly and nibbling on branches as they went. The dependent orphans settled in open areas around the hill as their independent friends headed off in a different direction.
After browsing for a couple of hours, Emoli lay down on the ground to rub his body against the damp soil and wriggle around, inviting his friends to join him. Murit gladly took up the offer, clambering on top of Emoli and wrestling with his supine buddy. Tagwa lay down nearby, showing off to Epiya who was standing close by and watching her quietly.
As usual, food was the orphans’ priority when they trundled out of their bedrooms. After eating their fill of milk, lucerne and range cubes, some stood around peacefully as others played energetically. Murit, Lasayen, Emoli, Ndotto and Ngilai challenged each other to a series of sparring matches, clashing tusks and waving trunks as they twisted around. As the games became noisier and more boisterous, mini matriarch Tagwa shepherded her small charges - Kenderi, Seri and Dabida – to a quiet corner at a distance from the bulls’ antics.
Soon, the herd set out to browse in the surrounding bush before ambling down the hill for their mid-morning milk feed. Bottles emptied, they paddled on down to the mud bath but it was too cold for swimming today – for everyone except the water baby! Pika Pika plunged in for a solitary dip as her friends drank from the water trough and meandered off to play soil dusting games. Suddenly realizing that she had been left behind, the little girl popped out of the water and sprinted off after them, legs working quickly and tail aloft. Finding kind Mbegu relaxing in a shallow bunker, Pika Pika clambered up and lay down on the comforting mound of her nanny’s stomach.
It was a sad day for the Keepers and the herd. In the morning, recent rescue Sembe collapsed in his stable, suffering from a swollen belly and legs. A KWS vet examined him and put up a drip – the little elephant seemed better in the afternoon and was standing up in his stable. Sadly, he collapsed again during the night and, despite being given another drip, died a few hours later.
On a cool cloudy morning following showers of rain in the night, the elephants set out to wander in the surrounding bush soon after emerging from their stockades. Having had no time to play on the terraces, Ngilai and Emoli started sparring soon after arriving on the western side of Msinga Hill. They clashed heads and tusks as they pushed against each other. The rest of the herd ignored their game – they were busy browsing on delicious new shoots of green grass and leaves.
In the afternoon, the orphans visited the wallow after gulping down their bottles of milk but it was too cold for swimming. As they wandered out for a final browse, it started to rain softly. Excited by the welcome rain, the orphans stopped browsing and lay down on the wet ground. They rolled around happily, rubbing their bodies in the lovely soothing mud. Mischievous Emoli tried unsuccessfully to climb on top of Lemeki – much to her relief, he kept sliding off her wet back! She strolled away to join Thamana and Tamiyoi and the three friends settled down to scratch their backsides on a large rock. Soon, a bunch of happy orphans covered in mud meandered back to spend the night in the stockades.
Early in the day, current and former orphans shared range cubes and lucerne together outside the stockades. Not feeling playful on another cool morning, the dependent herd soon set out to browse in the surrounding bush. They left behind ex-orphans Kenia, Panda, Mudanda, Arruba, and Suswa who were engrossed in finishing off every last range cube. As they wandered out, Godoma and Tagwa made a stopover at the fence line. They stood quietly for a few minutes and then carefully stretched their trunks up and over the line to pluck some fresh green browse from bushes on the other side. Snack enjoyed, they trundled off to catch up with their friends.
The orphan elephants spread out around the foot of Msinga Hill in small groups to feast on the delicious green grass shooting up everywhere following the recent rainfall. Later in the morning, they ambled down in groups to drink their bottles of milk and enjoy a wallow in the mud bath. Several orphans enjoyed a dip today as the rest stood around on the edges. Emerging from the water, Ndotto rolled around and around on the pile of red earth, as Juni stood nearby watching her friend enjoy his soil bath. Mbegu, her adopted charge Busara, and Pika Pika soon joined him on the pile to dust their bodies with the soothing soil. Ashanti lay down in a shallow hole to cover her body in soil but bolted off, tail aloft and ears flared, when sparring big boys Emoli and Ngilai drifted towards her.
The orphans strolled out of their bedrooms on a bright clear morning. After a brief snack of lucerne and pellets, Godoma led Baraka, Tagwa, Tamiyoi, Sagala and Lemeki out to the browsing fields, leaving their hungry friends behind to finish off the supplementary food. Soon the others set off to join Godoma and friends in the open grasslands surrounding Msinga Hill. The herd browsed for a time before making their way to the mud bath for more milk and a wallow.
Later in the afternoon, a young female elephant was sighted in the Losoito area of Tsavo West National Park by an SWT pilot on patrol. The wild calf was walking along behind a large bull. It was clear that she had lost her herd and found refuge with the bull; this refuge could only, however, be temporary as she was too young to survive without milk.
A decision was made that the baby had to be rescued. As the location was some two hours’ drive from the Voi stockades, a veterinary unit already in the area (to treat another wild elephant) with the support of the Ziwani desnaring team and the pilot on patrol carried out the rescue and drove the orphan to the Voi stockades. As a result of browsing on too much fresh grass (after losing her mother and being unable to suckle), the little girl had a severely bloated stomach. She was treated and settled in a stable for the night.
After the morning milk feed, the motley crew of orphans wandered out to browse in the bush. Lasayen and Murit remained outside the stockades for some time, standing close together and entwining their trunks and touching each other’s backs, almost as if they were courting. They soon caught up with their friends who were scattered all over Msinga Hill. Slowly and carefully, Lasayen and Ndotto maneuvered their way almost to the peak of the hill, savoring the delicious fresh green browse.
Later in the afternoon, the Keepers whistled to their charges to gather in groups to head down for a milk feed and a mud bath. All were obedient except for Lasayen and Ndotto – they were enjoying browsing at the top of the hill so much that not even milk could tempt them down! Eventually, they clambered down with full bellies to join the herd.
As the orphans meandered back to the stockades in the early evening, Ndotto challenged Mbegu to a wrestling match. (They are two of the oldest and most respected orphans in the herd.) Kenderi and Busara were quite alarmed to see their nanny and friend twisting around with a big bull. Wanting to protect her, they bravely approached Ndotto and stretched out their little trunks in an effort to interrupt the contest. They need not have worried as Ndotto is a gentle giant.
In the early morning as the orphans plodded out of their bedrooms, the Keepers noticed that Ndotto’s trunk was swollen. For the third time, he had sucked a stone up his trunk – it was stuck firmly halfway up and the bull was clearly in pain. The vet team arrived to remove the stone. Watched by the herd, they injected the bull with a tranquillizer. As the drug took effect and he tottered over, caring Mbegu charged towards the vet and his team. She was looking out for her friend! Reassured by the Keepers, she backed away and the medics quickly removed the offending object. Ndotto clambered back up onto his big feet as Godoma, Sagala, Tagwa, Lasayen and Murit surrounded him, rumbling and touching him affectionately.
Ere long, the herd calmed down and set out to browse close to the stockades on the southern side of the hill – they did go far today as Ndotto was recovering from the tranquillizer. In contrast to normal days, the orphans were given their milk at the stockades today (for the sake of the patient) before meandering out for a final browse before bed.
The orphan rescued two days is well but remains in her stable as she settles into her new life. Her name is Losoito.
The orphan elephants set out briskly to browse this morning, full of energy after filling their bellies with milk, lucerne grass and range cubes. They ambled up and down Msinga Hill for a few hours – most spent the time foraging for food but a few were in a playful mood. Emoli challenged his new friend Thamana to a sparring match. Plucky little Thamana – who is two years younger and smaller – accepted the challenge and clashed heads enthusiastically with the older bull. Lasayen asked Ngilai to play with him – the two eight-year-olds tussled with other happily even though Lasayen was standing up and Ngilai was squatting on his bottom.
In the afternoon, they returned to the stockades for a milk feed and a mud bath. After their swim, Baraka had fun rolling around on the dust mound, squirting himself with his little trunk as he flapped his ears in excitement, and Epiya scratched her head vigorously on Lasayen’s bottom! The patient boy did not seem to mind at all – perhaps he enjoyed the attention! Meanwhile, Juni and Tagwa were itching their backsides against two trees, standing next to each other as they wiggled almost to the same beat, and Tamiyoi was rubbing her body against the wall of the terrace.
Elephant massages over, the herd wandered off for a peaceful early evening browse.
Waking up in playful moods, the orphans trotted out of their stockades at dawn for a breakfast of milk and range cubes. As soon as he finished eating, Lasayen started rolling around extravagantly on the ground, waving his trunk as he invited his friends to join him. Tagwa got stuck into another session of scratching, choosing the big rock near the pellet feeding area today. She did not just itch her backside but took the time to rub every part of her body against the rock. Nearby, Murit had a quick scratch on a terrace wall and then enjoyed a sparring match with his friend Emoli. They pushed and pulled each other all over the terraces as the others sensibly moved out of the big boys’ way.
Heading out to browse, the orphans settled to the east of the hill where the ground was carpeted with bright green grass. Murit and Lasayen were keen to do their own thing today – they left the herd to browse by themselves on a rocky area at the foot of the hill. The big bulls hung out together until it was time to gather at the water hole in the afternoon.
On a hot afternoon, there was lots of swimming and splashing and frolicking in the water. Feeling refreshed, sweet Lemeki plodded onto the pile of red earth for a lovely dusting. So did her friend Tamiyoi. Mbegu was in such a frisky mood that she lay down on the ground to play, leaving little Busara in the care of Pika Pika.
On a cool cloudy morning, Juni, Akina and Ashanti paddled as fast as they could out of their stockades and darted round the corner in a line to the feeding area. They could not wait for their bottles of milk. Itinyi, Epiya, Dabida, Seri and Ushindi were in close pursuit, rumbling happily as they ran. Bottles gulped, the orphans filled their tummies with lucerne and pellets before heading out as a herd on their daily bush walk.
On the northern side of Msinga Hill overlooking the baobab tree water hole, the orphans browsed quietly in groups on the open grasslands. Big boy Ndotto allowed Hildana and Kilulu to hang out with him - Itinyi and Epiya tailed Ngilai and Murit wherever they went. It was a day for hero worshipping! After browsing time came playtime. Thamana lay down to wriggle by himself on the ground – caring Tamiyoi stood close by, just in case a mischievous orphan tried to climb on top of the young boy.
In the afternoon, the orphans meandered down the hill for their milk and then on to the mud wallow. They drank from the water trough but no one got wet in the mud bath. On a day that was too cold for swimming, they headed back out in friendship groups for a wander in the wilderness.
The orphans were in a playful mood on a bright sunny morning. They scooped up the pellets and grass and then started sparring. Ndotto and Murit played a noisy session of the pushing game on and around the earth mound until Ndotto abandoned Murit to challenge Lasayen to a rowdy wrestling match. Lasayen competed for a few minutes, pulled back to strut around, posing to his audience with his trunk and tail aloft, and then resumed the contest. Nearby, Ngilai and Emoli were also playing the pushing game watched by Tagwa who was looking after little Juni next to the feeding trough.
Out in the bush, Tamiyoi bestowed special attention on Seri, whisking away her little friend to a secluded rocky area at the foot of Msinga Hill. Seri was thrilled by the attention from the older girl! Two hours later, Ndotto and Ngilai could not resist another session of sparring. They included Pika Pika in their game, which got a little out of hand when Ndotto tried to climb onto her back. Pika Pika was not tolerating this behavior and pranced off to join the girls.
Later in the afternoon, the herd cantered down the hill for bottles of milk in groups of three or four. The little butter beans obediently trundled on to the water hole but several bigger orphans did their best to pinch an extra bottle of milk. On a warm afternoon, some drank from the trough and others had a brief mud bath before setting out for a final wander.
Led by Tagwa, Juni and Sagala, the orphans set out soon after dawn, spreading out in the lowlands of Msinga Hill on an overcast morning. Later in the morning, the Keepers whistled them into groups of three or four. They trundled down the hill in their groups, starting in a line and then branching out as they approached the Keepers standing with bottles aloft. Ex-orphans Mudanda and Panda were browsing in nearby bushes but did not react as the little ones ran past them. Tagwa and Pika Pika did their best to cajole a bonus bottle out of the Keepers but to no avail. They were pointed on to the mud wallow as the next group trotted in for their bottles.
The herd settled down around the baobab tree mud wallow, mingling with a few wild elephants that arrived at the same time. The wild visitors drank from the trough and then gathered around a large tree for a soothing scratch. Ignoring them, Ngilai rubbed his trunk and pushed his tusks against the baobab. Sagala wandered among the wild ones. As the orphans meandered back out into the bush, Sagala nudged a wild calf, doing her maternal best to tempt the baby away. Its mother reacted, trumpeting her displeasure and charging at Sagala who ran towards the Keepers looking for refuge. Warning delivered, the wild elephant came to a halt, scooped up her baby and flounced away.
Mudanda and Panda ambled away with the wild herd as the orphan herd wandered off in a different direction, browsing for a time before heading back to the stockades.
A few large and rather a lot of small elephants wandered out of their stockades this morning. After drinking their milk, they gathered in the open area to eat lucerne and pellets before heading out into the bush. They browsed slowly, the older males in small groups and the older females with entourages of babies, savoring the shoots of lush green grass. Mbegu was in a playful mood again, lying down in a shallow trench. A mini fan club comprising Dabida, Busara and Baraka stood close by admiring her rolling prowess. Seri, who likes hanging out with older elephants, chose to stay close to Ndotto for most of the day.
In the afternoon, the orphans drank milk from their bottles and water from the trough but were not tempted to swim. They stood quietly, enjoying the cooling drizzle of rain before wandering back out to the bush.
Recent rescue Losoito is eating well and becoming stronger. This morning she was given some deworming medicine which she tolerated well. She is getting used to the Keepers and becoming less timid every day.
Once again, this morning was playtime! The showers of rain were invigorating the orphans. Ngilai sauntered around while somehow twisting his back legs and then performed an elephant version of the down dog yoga position. Close by the water trough, Ndotto and Lasayen played the pushing game, tusks clashing and trunks waving wildly. Pika Pika and Sagala enjoyed an early morning mud wallow until their peace was disturbed by Ngilai and Emoli wrestling noisily next to them in the water. Oblivious of all the action, Godoma scratched her bottom on the special rock. Bringing the games to an end, Tamiyoi and Mbegu trumpeted that it was time for browsing. Cheerfully, the orphans gathered together and headed out for their daily bush walk.
Later in the morning, the elephants trundled down the hill for bottles of milk and a wallow in the mud bath. After a quick swim, the herd wandered out again, leaving only Pika Pika in the water. As she lay there relaxing, former orphan Panda arrived and joined her in the mud bath. The two girls had a happy dip together, entwining their trunks, and then drank from the water trough side by side. Panda wandered away as Pika Pika paddled off to join the herd.
On a cool morning following some light rain in the night, the orphans wandered out of their stockades to drink milk and eat supplementary cubes. Mbegu, Pika Pika and Busara stood next to each other at the feeding trough. Pika Pika was in a petulant mood this morning, trying to take pellets from Mbegu’s mouth like a small baby rather than picking up her own. Mbegu told her off gently as a surprised Busara watched with interest.
The herd set out to browse in the surrounding bush. They visited several large puddles and pans of rainwater dotted all over the fresh green landscape. Many of the Voi kids enjoyed a paddle and a couple of the older elephants lay down in the water pans. Soon, more rain began to fall. Keepers and orphans alike found shelter under the canopies of acacia trees.
After the afternoon milk feed, the orphans trundled on in groups to the mud bath. As they stood around the water hole, Mbegu wandered away to wallow in a pool of rainwater. She rumbled to her friends to join her and some of the younger orphans toddled over to be with the mini matriarch. For the remainder of the day, the herd enjoyed browsing on the freshly wet grass.
The orphans were keen to head out at first light this morning, finding delicious green grass and shoots more appealing than range cubes. As they wandered around Msinga Hill with their Keepers, a wild herd was browsing in some nearby bushes. The two groups chose to remain at a distance from the other – except for Lasayen who strolled over to hang out with the wild elephants. They welcomed the young bull, touching him with their trunks and allowing him to stand close.
Soon it was time for another milk feed and a visit to the mud bath. When the Keepers called the orphans together, Lasayen ignored them and wandered off in the opposite direction with the wild herd. The rest of the herd carried on as normal to the wallow without their friend. No one went swimming on an overcast afternoon.
As dusk approached, Lasayen strolled back into the stockades with two unexpected visitors. To the Keepers’ surprise and joy, he was with Ndoria and Araba! The two ex-orphans have been living in the wild for well over a year without visiting their human-elephant family. The Keepers welcomed them, wondering how far they had travelled to return home, and gave them range cubes and lucerne. As Ndoria was looking thin, they also gave him some deworming medicine. Rumbling their welcome, the orphans clustered around the visitors. They stayed for a time before strolling away after dark.
Amid showers of rain, the orphans emerged from their stockades to find former orphan Panda standing under a tree. They gathered around her at the feeding trough to eat range cubes and then spread out over the terraces. Some were eating lucerne as others played or stood around in groups. Big bull Ndotto challenged Panda to play the pushing game with him. He did his best in the contest, keen to maintain his dignity and the respect of the herd as he tussled with the older, stronger elephant. Both trumpeted loudly as the Voi kids watched on with awe. Disinterested in the action, Tamiyoi ambled away to a little corner where she lay down and rubbed her body happily in the moist soil. Kilulu came over, standing quietly next to her as she rolled around.
Five more former orphans soon sauntered in - Arruba, Kenia and Mudanda followed by Ndoria and Araba. They made a beeline for the trough, scooping up every range cube that they could find. When the dependent elephants set out for their daily bush walk, their independent friends stayed behind, savoring the supplementary pellets and lucerne. Out in the bush, the orphans drank and paddled in the many pools of rainwater.
On a cool overcast morning, the orphans plodded out of their stockades and gathered in the milk feeding area. On her way there, Tamiyoi stopped outside Losoito’s room. She stretched her trunk though the bars on the door to greet the little girl and check that she was well. Losoito rumbled back to the older female and the two orphans touched trunks. Reassured, Tamiyoi continued on to join the herd at the feeding trough. Losoito is settling in well, eating lots of lucerne grass and grewia branches, and the Keepers are hoping to introduce her properly to the herd quite soon.
The herd soon headed out to Msinga Hill, except for Ngilai and Thamana who were sparring with each other. Although it was not a serious contest (as Ngilai is much older), Thamana was thrilled to play with the gentle bull. Before long, they set off to join the herd. Out in the bush, babies Baraka and Busara were surrounded by their nannies - Mbegu, Godoma, Sagala, and Tagwa. The big girls kept trunk touching their happy little charges. Later in the day, the orphans visited the baobab tree water hole as usual, drinking but not swimming on a blustery afternoon.
The elephants were in a playful mood again this morning, chasing each other and rolling on the ground after drinking their milk and eating range cubes and lucerne. Little Ashanti was happily hanging out again with big sister Sagala who kept touching her shortened trunk gently as if to reassure the younger elephant. Their peaceful time was interrupted by Ndotto who sauntered up and climbed on top of Sagala. Mbegu soon arrived to shepherd away a concerned Ashanti.
The orphan elephants set out to browse on all the fresh green shoots and grass in the surrounding bush. After filling her belly, Godoma lay spreadeagled on the ground, inviting babies Baraka, Busara and Ashanti to play with her. As the little ones considered the invitation, Mbegu wandered over and lay down as close as she could to Godoma. She was feeling left out! Wisely, the three babies declined the offer and instead stood by watching the two big girls rolling around and rubbing up against each other.
After the afternoon milk feed and wallow, the orphans clustered around the mud bath with the older ones encircling the younger ones. Some rubbed undersides of trunks against trees as others laid trunks along friends’ backs. Soon the Keepers whistled to their charges, gathering them together for a final wander before bed.