July began with a rude awakening, courtesy of Choka and Taabu. The boys woke up before dawn and, rather than let everyone else sleep peacefully, they started rumbling noisily from their respective stockades. Their conversation roused everyone from their slumber, and it wasn’t long before most of the Nursery herd was shoving their gates and rumbling excitedly. When the Keepers opened their doors, Tingai, Rafiki, Mukutan, and Weka burst out and began chasing each other, full of energy.
Choka and Taabu were awake before dawn this morning, rumbling to each other from their stockades as they finished off leftover greens. They were being so noisy that they woke up the rest of the herd. Some of their friends joined in with the action, shoving their gates and rumbling excitedly. When the Keepers opened the doors, the elephants immediately trundled out. Tingai, Rafiki, Mukutan and Weka began chasing each other around the stockades as others cavorted in the bush. The ‘blanket babies’ thought about joining in but did not, instead gravitating towards Sileita and Kerrio.
This morning, Maxwell was entertaining his usual guests. The warthogs trotted into his enclosure soon after dawn, hoping to join the rhino for breakfast. They make for rather rude guests as they don’t wait for an invitation and tuck right in, greedily helping themselves to the tastiest greens. Maxwell turned to them, as if he could not quite believe their brazenness – but he prefers the thorny acacia anyway.
Kitich was a cheerful chap today — and, in contrast to recent days, a quiet one! Usually, as he runs down to the mud bath for a milk feed, he trumpets loudly and indignantly. On arrival, he insists on drinking on his own and pushes away anyone who comes too close. Today, he was a model elephant! He plodded silently down the path, stood close to his friends as he drank his milk and then popped over to the mud bath. In he got, for a happy roll-around and a swim with a couple of friends — although not many attended, as it was a cloudy afternoon. Finally, he climbed out to play the pushing and mounting game with Kerrio.
As Kitich was relaxing in the muddy water, Mokogodo was trotting along the cordon, greeting the visitors. Today, she even nipped beneath the rope to mingle until a Keeper whisked her back where, undeterred, she frolicked around in circles, waving her trunk with her tiny tail aloft.
As the sky began to lighten, the Keepers gave the orphans their early-morning bottles of milk. Doors opened, the older elephants wandered out – the blanket babies remained indoors as it was a cold July morning. Sileita led the herd out to browse in a forest that may no longer have any standing water but is still quite green. No matter how hard they tried, Sileita refused to let a few boisterous bulls disrupt her morning peace. Taabu and Tingai decided to stage their wrestling match inches from where Sileita stood, going as far as to back into the very bush where she was browsing. Many girls would trumpet irately or run from the scene, but placid Sileita just shifted a bit and let them carry on their way while she continued her day. It is incredible how elephants in such close proximity can be on such different wavelengths. Towards the end, Taabu raised his trunk in victory, and then Tingai employed some dirty tail-grabbing tactics. Taabu may have won the match, but Tingai wasn’t beaten yet.
A few hours later, the first group of younger orphans headed down the path to the mud bath. Age-mates Muridjo and Shujaa love testing each other’s strength, playing a variety of games every day. Today, little Shujaa finished his bottle and ambled over to the pile of earth next to the wallow. He lay down and rolled around on the top of the soil, waggling his legs and trunk in the air. Seeing an opportunity, Muridjo trotted over to her best friend, clambered on top of him and began massaging her belly against his back. He rolled around as she rubbed against him until, eventually, he stood up and a session of the pushing game ensued. The other elephants stood around quietly, picking up pieces of lucerne or drinking from the water trough. Soon, the first group headed back out to the forest and the second group took their place at the mud bath.
In the afternoon, the orphans wandered far afield in search of fresh green browse.
This morning, the herd spread out to browse in the forest with Kerrio and Sileita staying close to the younger ones who were wearing their blue blankets. When Rafiki and Mukutan became agitated, darting around and trumpeting in alarm, the Keepers walked over to investigate. The cause soon became clear. A few steps away from Taroha and Mokogodo stood two wild rhinos. They were watching the small blue-blanket-clad orphans moving through the bush. As Rafiki and Mukutan continued to kick up a commotion, the rhinos turned around and disappeared into the forest. The young bulls had been protecting the babies!
Raha and her Keeper wander out from the stockades on their own in the mornings, following a different path that leads to the mud bath. She is a chatty little girl who entertains the Keepers with her constant conversation, consisting of the daintiest of squeaks. Today, she arrived at the mud bath a few minutes before the orphans, toddling about and then rolling around on the pile of earth.
In the afternoon, the orphans ambled around in the forest, not going as far as yesterday. They browsed and then they played and then they browsed some more. Sweet Latika and mischievous Mukutan were playing the pushing game. Nearby, Mzinga was engrossed in rubbing the underside of her trunk along the ground while lying on her belly.
Ahmed may be one of the oldest girls in the herd, but she is still one of the shyest. Rescued when she was already two, she is wary of human beings and elephants alike. She is, however, intrigued by early-morning mugs of tea in the forest. This morning, she sidled up to a Keeper as he sipped his tea and stood quietly next to him. A tea party with a Keeper is becoming a regular part of her day! A skittish orphan, she likes to do her own thing and reacts defensively when startled. When gentle Kamili made the mistake of getting too close today, Ahmed gave her an unwarranted shove before running off into the forest.
Later in the morning, the orphans were shepherded down to the mud bath for another milk feed. No one was tempted to swim on an overcast cool day. Instead, they stood around quietly, eating greens and drinking from the water trough. Some stood with backsides leaning against each other as others trunk touched between mouthfuls.
It was a perfect afternoon for dust bathing. Muridjo, Mzinga, Sileita and Nyambeni found a dry spot in the forest with a thick blanket of red soil. Remaining close together, they carefully sucked up trunkfuls of soil and hosed them on their backs. A small red cloud of soil hovered above the four elephants. The smallest ones are learning fast from mini matriarch Sileita. When Kerrio strolled over to see the babies, Sileita wandered off to spend time with Taabu. The two friends found a twisty tree to explore with their trunks - being rewarded with tasty green leaves.
It was another chilly morning as the orphans began their day. Most were quiet as they went about their morning routines, stealing greens from each other and greeting one another as they emerged from their stables and stockades. Once in the forest, the whole herd stayed huddled together as they browsed. Huddling is a great way to stay warm.
When Kitiak, one of the oldest bulls in the Nursery, first arrived, he was a reserved chap. As he has grown in strength and recovered from his trauma, he has become an assertive bull. This morning, he headed down the slope to the mud bath in the second group of orphans. Instead of accepting a bottle held up by a Keeper, he grabbed the bottle that Muridjo was drinking. The younger orphan ran away and the Keepers told off Kitiak with stern whistles. This big bull is ready for graduation!
In the afternoon, the herd ambled around in the forest, browsing and playing. Nyambeni was having fun massaging her little trunk against the trunk of a tree and then exploring the hollows and dents of the tree with the tip. Nearby, Muridjo and Shujaa were playing as Sileita stood close by, keeping a caring eye on them. Muridjo was down on her belly, waving her head happily, as Shujaa pottered around her, lying his trunk on her back and then darting away and back. On the fringes of this action, older orphans Rafiki, Tingai and Sholumai browsed peacefully.
This morning, as usual, the little ones toddled out of their stables first, having the stockade area all to themselves for a short time as the Keepers opened the doors of the older orphans’ rooms. Mzinga and Shujaa were orphaned within a few months of each other. Much like any siblings of about the same age, they treat bickering as a competitive sport. This morning, Shujaa – ever the pesky brother – was really teasing Mzinga, pushing her around and refusing to give up. However, Shujaa didn’t realise that Kerrio was watching. Once she realised this spat was becoming a real quarrel, the mini matriarch came over and broke up the pair. Shujaa, who knew he was the guilty party, prudently scampered away and made himself scarce.
After a wander in the forest, the orphans padded down the slope in groups to the mud bath for another milk feed. Ahmed gulped down her two bottles and then stood at a distance from the herd. As she drank quietly, loud trumpeting heralded the arrival of Loldaiga. He brayed at ear-splitting volume as he ran towards a Keeper holding a bottle, behaving as if he had been deprived of milk for several days, rather than just three hours. He downed his bottles, calmed down and ambled off to browse on lucerne.
After enjoying his milk, Taabu was in a playful mood. Unusually, Choka rebuffed his advances and so he set his sights on Kitiak. Challenging the older, shyer elephant to a game, Taabu clambered atop of Kitiak’s back, whereupon Kitiak wriggled out and ran away. He wanted to be left in peace. Not taking no for an answer, Taabu chased him around and around the mud bath as the others stood idly by. Eventually, he got the message and the two bulls settled down to browse together.
It was another quiet morning in the forest as the orphans browsed peacefully in sight of each other. The Keepers kept close eyes on their little charges as they wandered. Individual orphans sidled up to greet their human carers, extending a trunk in greeting, enjoying a pat and a small massage, and then ambling back to continue eating. Mini matriarchs Sileita and Kerrio were also looking after the babies, keeping them close and fussing over them. Sileita was glued to Mokogodo this morning as Kerrio watched over Mzinga while she stood on tiptoe to explore indents on a tree trunk.
Mushuru is a recent addition to the herd, rescued after she was found alone with a spear wound. It has taken time for the young girl to trust either another elephant or a human being. But she is recovering from her ordeal and beginning to feel at ease. At the mud bath this morning, she gulped down her bottle and then demanded another. She plodded around all the Keepers, asking for more until there was no milk left. Asserting her demands is an encouraging sign. Meanwhile, Elerai and Weka were having a spat that descended into a quarrel on the other side of the mud bath. The Keepers separated the two orphans, pointing sternly at them. They were surprised to see reserved Elerai take on feisty Weka, but not as surprised as Weka herself!
For their mid-morning milk feed, the younger orphans visit the mud bath first followed by the older ones. Despite being little, Muridjo was moved to the second group several weeks ago because she was pushing around the babies. Since then, she has been a model of good behaviour – calm, well-mannered and obedient. Thoughtful Sileita watches over her in the big group, making sure that the naughty boys leave her alone.
The weather may be too cold for swimming but not for dusting. In the afternoon, the orphans huddled together in the forest for a whole-herd-dust. Little ones in the middle, big ones on the outside, they scooped up dry soil and covered their bodies all over. A cloud of red soil could be seen hovering over the herd.
It was another quiet morning in the forest as the orphans browsed peacefully in sight of each other. The Keepers kept close eyes on their little charges as they wandered. Individual orphans sidled up to greet their human carers, extending a trunk in greeting, enjoying a pat and a small massage, and then ambling back to continue eating. Mini matriarchs Sileita and Kerrio were also looking after the babies, keeping them close and fussing over them. Sileita was glued to Mokogodo this morning as Kerrio watched over Mzinga while she stood on tiptoe to explore indents on a tree trunk.
Mushuru is a recent addition to the herd, rescued after she was found alone with a spear wound. It has taken time for the young girl to trust either another elephant or a human being. But she is recovering from her ordeal and beginning to feel at ease. At the mud bath this morning, she gulped down her bottle and then demanded another. She plodded around all the Keepers, asking for more until there was no milk left. Asserting her demands is an encouraging sign. Meanwhile, Elerai and Weka were having a spat that descended into a quarrel on the other side of the mud bath. The Keepers separated the two orphans, pointing sternly at them. They were surprised to see reserved Elerai take on feisty Weka, but not as surprised as Weka herself!
For their mid-morning milk feed, the younger orphans visit the mud bath first followed by the older ones. Despite being little, Muridjo was moved to the second group several weeks ago because she was pushing around the babies. Since then, she has been a model of good behaviour – calm, well-mannered and obedient. Thoughtful Sileita watches over her in the big group, making sure that the naughty boys leave her alone.
The weather may be too cold for swimming but not for dusting. In the afternoon, the orphans huddled together in the forest for a whole-herd-dust. Little ones in the middle, big ones on the outside, they scooped up dry soil and covered their bodies all over. A cloud of red soil could be seen hovering over the herd.
Today, there was a wonderful encounter between Raha, the little rhino, and Nyambeni, the little elephant. Nyambeni was the first orphan to arrive at the mud bath for her mid-morning milk feed. As she gulped down her bottle, Raha was being led away from the area by her Keepers, having completed her daily lap of honour in front of the visitors. Spotting her disappearing backside, Nyambeni paddled over to say hello. Raha reacted by charging. Nyambeni side-stepped and stretched out her trunk. Raha ran at her again, head-butting Nyambeni. The elephant stretched out her trunk again, refusing to be flustered, and this time the rhino allowed a slight touch. They stood next to each other for a moment. Then, Raha waddled all the way round Nyambeni, smelling her new friend. Nyambeni flapped her ears slightly and touched the rhino once more as little Raha was led away by her Keeper.
Ignoring this encounter, the other orphans emptied their bottles and spread out around the wallow. Muridjo was drinking from the water bucket and, following her lead, Taroha had a little drink as well. He has learned to suck up water through his trunk although it does take him a long time to drink a small amount. Meanwhile, Sileita was drinking from the muddy pool as there was no room at the bucket.
Soon, the herd headed out for a wander deep in the forest before returning to the safety of the stockades for the night. The Keepers led the orphans into their stockades with the help of yet another bottle of milk and closed the doors. As the elephants settled in their rooms, a cheeky trunk squeezed its way through a gap in the wall of Taabu’s stockade. Choka sucked up water from the trough outside his room and then had fun swishing his trunk and splashing water all over the place.
For the first time in weeks, the sun shone all day today! As the sun rose into a clear sky, the orphans pottered out to the forest with minimal encouragement from their Keepers. They spread out to browse – today, there was no need to stand in a huddle.
Later in the morning, the first group of orphans trundled down the slope to the mud bath. Bottles emptied, they made a beeline for the wallow. Mzinga was the first one to plunge into the water but was followed by the whole group - Kerrio, Kamili, Latika, Mageno, Kitich, Shujaa, Nyambeni, Mokogodo and Taroha! Some paddled and splashed as others rolled around and swam. After his swim, Mageno lay on the edge of the wallow, waving his trunk in the air as he massaged his body against the soil. Clambering out first, little Mokogodo padded over to the heap of soil, lay down and rolled around with legs and trunk flailing. Not wanting to miss out on the fun, best buddy Taroha and budding nannies Nyambeni and Mzinga popped over to join her – soon everyone was dust bathing!
The second group, consisting of Ahmed, Choka, Elerai, Kitiak, Loldaiga, Mukutan, Muridjo, Mushuru, Muwingu, Rafiki, Sholumai, Sileita, Taabu, Tingai and Weka, followed a similar pattern of wallowing and dust bathing. No one was interested in eating greens today!
Reinvigorated by sunshine and swimming, the orphans spent most of the afternoon in the forest. They wandered far afield, filling their bellies and then playing and then eating some more. Patient Kerrio lay down on her side so that Mageno could use her as a climbing frame as Shujaa rubbed his rump against a shrub that was exactly the right height.
As the sky lightened, the Keepers opened the orphans’ doors. Sweet blanket babies came out first, followed by rowdy toddlers. Most ambled around greeting the Keepers and their friends, but not Choka and Taabu. They began wrestling against each other as they emerged from their stockades and kept up the contest until they reached the forest. This morning’s contest was unusually noisy as the two best friends tested each other’s strength in a quest for dominance. Out in the bush, Rafiki did his best to join in, but three was a crowd today and he succeeded only in bringing the game to an end.
Later in the morning, the herd headed down to the mud bath. After finishing their bottles of milk, several orphans wandered over to the cordon to greet the visitors. Mageno, Latika, Nyambeni, Kerrio, Taroha and Mokogodo toddled along confidently, allowing people to touch their heads and backs. Tiny Mokogodo is always full of confidence. After greeting the visitors, she popped over to the water trough for a drink. As she was sucking the water into her trunk, Nyambeni and Shujaa walked over to drink from the same trough. Despite being significantly smaller (at only five months of age), she would not let them share ‘her’ trough. The tiny elephant pushed the two away! Somewhat bemused by her behaviour, Nyambeni and Shujaa gave up and ambled over to another trough.
On a second sunny afternoon, it was Maxwell’s turn for a swim. He plodded into his muddy pool and rolled around playfully. The water cooled him down and protects his skin from the sun and insect bites.
Early in the morning, the orphans padded calmly out of their rooms. In contrast to most mornings, no one was showing off or playing games today. Some of the blanket babies have become big sisters! Mzinga and Nyambeni emerged from their stables in full fuss mode, eager to look after their little charges and lavishing Taroha and Mokogodo in a flurry of trunk hugs. The herd headed out to browse, staying close together on an overcast morning.
Mzinga was in a mischievous mood today. As usual, the first group ran down the path for their mid-morning milk feed. After finishing their bottles, some greeted the visitors as others browsed on greens. Meanwhile, Mzinga was on a milk mission! She popped over to the wheelbarrow to either pinch an extra bottle or lap up any milk dripping out. When the Keepers whistled at her to go away, she obeyed, pretending to be browsing, only to pop back again as soon as their backs were turned. This happened several times, and the situation ended up as a game with the Keepers.
The second group took the first group’s places at the mud bath, drank their milk and settled down to browse or play. Muridjo was in the mood for showing off. She waddled over to the large pile of soil and squatted on top of it with back legs splayed and forelegs and trunk waving dramatically. Her next move was even more impressive – she attempted an (unsuccessful) elephant headstand on the soil and then slid down the pile on her tummy.
Soon, the orphans wandered back out to the bush. Later in the afternoon, Kitich and Latika spent time playing a gentle affectionate game. As they stood close together, Latika trunk hugged chubby Kitich, placing her trunk on his back and then under his mouth. He touched her back with his trunk and then Latika lay down and Kitich waggled his trunk all over his head. Kitich is a gentle boy. Although his best friend is Mageno, he welcomes younger orphans like Nyambeni, Mzinga, Latika, Muridjo, Mokogodo, Taroha and Kerrio when they approach him.
When the orphans settled out in the field early this morning, it was lovely to see how attached Latika has become to newbies Mokogodo and Taroha. The maternal instincts of this sweet orphan with the short trunk are emerging – after close to two years of nurturing by the Keepers, Latika is becoming a mini matriarch. The Keepers predict that Mokogodo may be her adopted baby of choice. Today, Latika spent hours with her little friend, standing close and regularly trunk hugging her and keeping the boisterous boys away. She was also looking after Taroha, Mokogodo’s very best friend.
After the mid-morning milk feed, as many orphans were busy feeding on greens next to the mud wallow, naughty Shujaa was chasing around after Mzinga, doing his very best to play mount her. Muridjo came to her rescue, sprinting over and pushing the little bull off Mzinga’s back. He stalked off in a sulk. Shujaa is not quite as polite as he was when he first arrived! He is going through a phase of play mounting girls like Mzinga, Nyambeni, Muridjo and Kerrio whenever he comes across one of them lying down for a relaxing dust bath. Nearby, Latika and Mukutan were having a lovely dust bath together, rumbling as they rolled around and bumped up against each other.
In the early afternoon, there was an unnecessary elephant panic! As Loldaiga, Mushuru, Weka and Muwingu were hanging out together, a group of male impalas sprinted past them. The impalas were chasing each other and had no interest in the elephants. A massive over-reaction ensued. Loldaiga and friends scampered into and around some bushes, trumpeting loudly in alarm. Then they ran for the safety of the herd with tails aloft and ears flared. Inevitably, their panic infected the rest of the orphans and soon the whole herd was charging back to the stockades, kicking up clouds of dust and flattening small bushes. It took the Keepers some time to restore calm. Loldaiga, Mushuru and Muwingu are skittish orphans who are frightened of the tiniest creatures.
Tiny Mokogodo and little Taroha are the favourites! Many of the older girls are jostling to be their nannies. This morning out in the forest, the two small orphans were enjoying a guard of honour provided by Latika, Weka, Sileita, Kerrio, Muridjo, Mzinga and Nyambeni. All the females were competing to be the best nanny as they walked along shoulder-to-shoulder with the babies, trunk touching them at every opportunity. When Sileita ambled off to browse with some older friends, a face-off ensued involving Latika, Weka and Kerrio over who should lead the two tinies. Latika won the challenge, scaring off the other two with her tusks.
Down at the mud bath this morning, the older orphans were not being kind to the younger ones. In response to their rough behaviour, the Keepers gave Elerai, Rafiki, Sholumai, Tingai and Taabu the punishment of a time out! As occurs in wild elephant families and in human families, the misbehaving children were removed from the group to another place and deprived of attention. In this case, they were taken a short distance away from the mud bath so that they would stop bothering Shujaa, Mageno and Loldaiga.
Raha is making wonderful progress. After a difficult few months while her rectum healed that involved several surgeries, the little rhino is eating solids and producing healthy stools. Her favourite food is lucerne – she is to be found nibbling on the grass at every opportunity. The Keepers are increasingly optimistic about her chances of a future wild life, just like any other black rhino.
The orphans emerged from their stockades at dawn to greet each other and get ready to head out to the forest. As Sileita led the orphans out into the bush, cheeky Mushuru and Loldaiga were darting in and out of all the stockades on the hunt for leftover lucerne pellets. The Keepers halted their search for delicious snacks and shepherded them out to join the herd. The orphans spread out to browse with the older females fussing over the little ones. Ahmed dug up a tasty tuber from under a shrub and was about to eat it when Taabu accosted her and did his best to snatch it from her. When she refused to give it to him, he played a clever trick on her. Turning his back, he pretended to have given up his fight for the tuber. She relaxed and picked up the last large piece of tuber with her trunk, whereupon Taabu whisked round, grabbed it with his trunk from her trunk, darted away and hid behind a thicket. Ahmed could not spot him and wandered off to find something else to eat.
Kerrio is often either to be found browsing on her own or with the blanket babies. A sensitive girl, she is reluctant to get close to the older orphans as she hates being bumped into or treated roughly. In contrast, Loldaiga prefers to be at the heart of the herd, not quite participating in the orphans’ hijinks but simply enjoying their presence. The Keepers often find this shy little chap sandwiched between the smaller elephants.
In the afternoon, Kitiak, Choka, Sholumai, Muwingu and Mushuru trundled down the path to the mud bath together for yet another bottle of milk. As they ran, Choka did a strange thing. He came to a halt and blocked Kitiak’s path past him, while allowing the other three to continue. He intentionally held him hostage until Kitiak yelled out to the Keepers for help. Kitiak is an older boy but still submissive to younger boys like Choka.
Several orphans were peeking or extending trunks through the gaps in their stable walls as the Keepers walked around opening doors this morning – they were too keen to get going with their day. They padded out quickly to the forest and settled down to browse. Tingai was taking charge of the older bulls. When Taabu gave Kitiak an unwarranted shove, Tingai got involved and saw him off. Shy Kitiak (who tends to avoid games) then played several sessions of pushing and play mounting with Choka. Meanwhile, Taabu challenged Tingai to a wrestling contest and the two bulls clashed heads happily until Rafiki tried to join the game. Three is not the best number for a contest and so Taabu and Tingai darted away to browse, leaving Rafiki on his own.
On a cool overcast morning, the herd had a peaceful time at the mud bath, standing quietly in small groups as they browsed on lucerne or drank from the water troughs.
In the afternoon, several were feeling playful. When Kerrio saw Mageno lying down on her side for a dust rub, she decided first to rest her rump on her friend’s back and then to lie down next to her for an elephant cuddle. As they lay against each other, Nyambeni and Mzinga ambled along, standing behind the two slightly older orphans and laying little trunks along their backs. Next to join the love-in was Muridjo who stroked the others with her trunk. As Nyambeni and Muridjo wandered away together, Mzinga climbed on top of the prostate pair that was Kerrio and Mageno!
Today was Talek’s first proper day with her new family. Talek was rescued a few weeks ago and has been adjusting to her new world in a stockade before joining the herd. After losing her mother, it took her a few days to accept either a bottle or the presence of a Keeper. Soon after her first bottle, she began to trust the Keepers. After that she became attached quickly.
Early in the morning, a Keeper led the newbie out to meet the orphans in the forest. As usual, the herd welcomed the new addition with rumbles and touches as they crowded around her. She coped remarkably well but kept touching the Keeper for reassurance. Kerrio, Latika, Weka and Taabu were especially kind, guiding her around and telling off Nyambeni and Shujaa for behaving roughly. Budding matriarchs Kerrio and Latika sandwiched the little elephant between them and kept her close all morning. As Talek relaxed, the Keeper moved away, leaving her in the care of the two older girls.
Kerrio was equally impressive at the mud bath later in the morning. Shujaa and Taroha were browsing peacefully next to each other until Shujaa decided to practise some dominant bull behaviour (even though he is only one!). He pushed Taroha over, causing the younger orphan to trumpet. Kerrio promptly sprinted over. She saw off naughty Shujaa and laid her trunk on Taroha to calm and reassure him. Her touch worked its magic – a few minutes later, Taroha was browsing happily next to best friend Mokogodo.
In the mornings, Shujaa and the other small orphans are often let out of their stables first and have full run of the place for a short time before the older ones emerge. This morning, as they waited for the rest of the herd to emerge, Shujaa wandered around with a side-swagger and then browsed using his special ‘downward elephant’ style. The blanket babies’ reign was short-lived — a few minutes later, the older orphans pottered out and the Keepers led the herd out to the forest.
Having been reluctant to leave his room, Taroha dawdled along at the end of the line. As he was left behind, Mzinga, Nyambeni, Muridjo and Mokogodo adjusted their pace too, falling behind to stay with Taroha. They fussed around him, doing their best to chivvy him along. When their small shoves and waving trunks were unsuccessful, Nyambeni sprinted off to join the herd, leaving Mzinga, Muridjo, Mokogodo and Taroha walking so slowly that they were almost at a standstill. One Keeper stayed back with the mini herd.
When they finally caught up with the big boys and girls, Latika and Kerrio lavished love on Taroha and Mokogodo, behaving as if they had not seen them for days rather than minutes. They did their sandwiching trick again, squeezing the two between them so they moved almost as one unit. Latika was not quite so loving, however, when it came to the mid-morning milk feed. She deliberately moved away from them to drink her bottle, ensuring no risk of sharing.
On a sunny afternoon, the herd wandered deep into the woods looking for green browse. Good friends Muridjo and Kitich spent a peaceful two hours hanging out together.
Talek loves the Keepers! She is to be found glued to one of them at every opportunity, waving her tiny trunk in greeting and then standing so close that she is touching one of her carers. This morning in the forest, the herd was continuing to welcome the newbie. If anyone except for Kerrio approached her, however, she darted over to a Keeper for reassurance.
Kamili is doing her own thing at the moment and is reluctant to play with the older elephants. At the mud bath this afternoon, she emptied her bottle of milk and then chose to browse at a short distance from the others. Meanwhile, Shujaa, Mzinga and Muridjo were playing pushing and mounting games. They pushed heads and then clambered all over each other.
Soon, the orphans headed back out to the forest for a final wander. As the grass and small plants dry out, the elephants are having to look upwards for green browse. Mukutan and Taabu were browsing together today, standing under trees and reaching their trunks up high in search of food. Tingai and Ahmed were also together, standing close and entwining their trunks. Nearby, Mageno and Nyambeni were following their lead, trunk touching as they browsed. When it was time to return to the stockades, the Keepers whistled to their charges, gathered them in groups and sent them back in for more milk before bed.
On a crisp clear morning, the orphans padded out of their stockades and got ready to head out to the forest. They followed the Keepers in a cluster and then spread out as the day became warmer. Although Ahmed and Mushuru are both still shy, they are forging friendships with the Keepers. This morning, Ahmed was intrigued again by a cup of tea and Mushuru extended his trunk in greeting.
Later in the morning, the orphans headed down to the mud bath in their two groups. As usual, Taroha and Mokogodo arrived together, drank their milk next to each other, and browsed together. They are almost always found within a trunk’s distance of each other. Today, however, Mokogodo was full of mischief. First, she rolled around on the pile of earth, then she tried to mount Kerrio (an impossible feat, as she is so tiny) and finally she darted up and down the cordon, rumbling and greeting the visitors. When a Keeper whistled to her, she ignored him and pushed under the rope. He shepherded the confident little girl back to play with her friends.
When the herd returned to the wallow in the afternoon, several were in playful moods. Latika and Mukutan were having fun together – Mukutan massaged his belly against the ground and then Latika leant against her friend and then the two rolled around together. Meanwhile, Muridjo was frolicking on her own around the mud bath.
In the evening, Muwingu and Kitich enjoyed a wrestling match in the forest, entwining their trunks and trumpeting in excitement. They began on their pads but, when Muwingu lowered her head, Kitch gave her an enormous body hug and they ended up lying on the ground. Sileita was having a peaceful time looking after Nyambeni and Mzinga.
This morning, the orphans remained in a huddle when they reached a clearing in the forest. As the day became warmer, they spread out to browse. Older males such as Rafiki, Tingai, Kitiak and Choka wandered on their own while older females such as Sileita, Kerrio and Latika stood protectively around the babies.
Talek is the newest baby but she was not with the mini matriarchs and the blanket brigade. She was with a Keeper, standing as close as she possibly could and sucking on his trouser leg with her tiny trunk. When he walked a short distance away, she followed. Eventually she felt brave enough to spend a short time with gentle Kerrio, who laid her trunk along the newbie’s back, understanding that she needed reassurance. Kerrio also made sure that orphans like Weka, Muridjo, Nyambeni and Mukutan who might be tempted to give the baby a push were kept far away.
Where has the old reserved Tingai gone? In his place is a playful, confident young bull. In the forest in the afternoon, Tingai and Kitiak were playing wrestling and pushing games. The evenly matched boys had a great time until Tingai pushed a bit too hard and Kitiak whisked around and charged towards his friend, ears flared and trunk raised. Immediately, Taabu got involved, striding between Tingai and Kitiak and preventing a serious quarrel. As he diffused the situation, little Mokogodo decided that her help was also needed. She toddled over and gave Kitiak her hardest possible push. Having no impact whatsoever on the bull, she bounced off his wall of a body and fell over. This time it was Sileita to the rescue – she whisked the baby away and peace was restored.
The blanket babies padded out of their stockades this morning before their older friends. They enjoyed a brief reign over the compound, drinking from troughs and playing gentle versions of the pushing game before the big girls and boys emerged. Soon, Sileita led the herd out to browse in the forest. Latika was once again glued to Taroha and Mokogodo – today she was the filling and the two babies the sandwich!
Raha continues to do a lap of honour every morning at the mud bath. She was feeling particularly perky today. As she toddled along the line near the visitors, she decided to pop under it to suckle someone’s trousers. When her Keeper intercepted this move, she sped up and trotted off along the line like an extremely small Shetland pony. Coming to a stop at the pile of earth, she lay down for her daily dust bath (which she loves). Her Keeper shovelled soil onto her body as she rolled around. When it was time for her to leave as the first group of elephants were about to arrive, she staged a small rebellion, refusing to get onto her feet from her prostrate position. It took quite a bit of persuasion to persuade her to leave.
Unusually for July, it was a hot afternoon. It was lovely to see the orphans plunging into the mud wallow. Some paddled as others rubbed their bodies against the edges or completely submerged themselves. Muwingu started by paddling but was soon rolling around in the water, waving her trunk happily. Mukutan was also enjoying an energetic dip.
This morning, the orphans were in playful moods out in the forest. After browsing for a short time, several games began. Kitiak and Choka were playing the pushing game – they entwined their trunks and locked their faces together before breaking off, twisting round and starting all over again. Mukutan, Mageno and Loldaiga were also having fun – clambering on top of each other and rolling around as they trumpeted with delight. Sensible Rafiki watched on from the sidelines.
Meanwhile, mini matriarchs Kerrio and Latika were jostling for position, with aspiring mini matriarch Nyambeni also getting involved. They all want to look after Taroha and Mokogodo. Usually, they manage to share the nannying duties, but today, Kerrio and Latika went as far as to push each other away from the two little ones. When Nyambeni put her trunk along Taroha’s back, she was then pushed away by both nannies. Taroha and Mokogodo continued to browse happily, enjoying all the attention.
Later in the morning, the first group of orphans – Latika, Kerrio, Kamili, Mzinga, Mageno, Kitich, Shujaa, Nyambeni, Mokogodo, Taroha and Talek — trundled down to the mud bath. Mokogodo was first down the path today followed by Kerrio and Nyambeni. Bottled emptied, they settled down to browse on lucerne or drink from the trough or play. Best friends Taroha and Mokogodo headed for the pile of earth. They lay on the top and rolled down and then climbed on top of each other. Mzinga wandered over to join in the game. Soon, the younger ones returned to the forest and the older ones took their place around the wallow.
This morning, Shujaa was playing one of his favourite games – chasing warthogs! As the pigs nibbled grass near him in a clearing in the forest, he suddenly ran at them. They darted away in different directions, he ran after one and then another and then a third. He got nowhere near them but had great fun. Everyone settled down to browse for a few minutes and then the game began again. As usual, best friends Taabu and Choka were playing the pushing game nearby.
The games continued at the mud bath later in the morning. Unusually, Choka was playing with Rafiki who is older than him but less confident. When he pushed hard against Rafiki’s front legs, his opponent was taken by surprise and fell over. Immediately, two other orphans reacted. Kind Ahmed came to Rafiki’s rescue, extending her trunk and almost helping him to his feet. Cheerful Taabu ran over to check on Choka. Taabu is kind to the whole herd, large and small, despite being one of the strongest and most playful bulls.
The sun came out in the afternoon and the orphans cooled off in the mud wallow. Elerai and Mushuru paddled in the pool, hosing water down their backs, as Mukutan lay down and rolled around.
Generally, Maxwell’s mornings are very sociable. In his large enclosure, he entertains warthogs, baboons, birds and monkeys, generously sharing his lucerne and pellets with visitors. Most days, he is welcoming and does not chase any visitor away – so long as they behave. This morning, when a male baboon attacked a baby monkey, Maxwell sprang into action. He charged the baboon with his head down and chased him away. Peace restored, the rhino trundled over to his mud bath for a cool down. As Max rolled around, a warthog popped into the muddy water to keep him company.
Later in the morning, the first group of orphans padded down the path to the mud bath for another milk feed. Mzinga was in a mischievous mood. After finishing her bottle, she pottered over to browse on greens, looking at her most sweet and innocent. Every time the Keepers’ backs were turned, she darted to the wheelbarrow in the hope of pinching an extra bottle of milk. They told her off with pointed fingers and she went back to browsing. After several unsuccessful attempts, Mzinga drowned her disappointment in the mud bath. She rolled around in the water, out of reach of the Keepers.
Soon, the first group headed back out to the forest and the second group took their place. Many of the older elephants played in the water today as others lay on the edges. Mukutan and Mushuru were playing pushing and mounting games in the wallow. After the games were over, Mushuru squatted on the edge with his rump in the water, his legs out and his trunk whirling around in circles.
In contrast to recent days, today was a lovely sunny day. As a result, there was lots of splashing around and swimming in the mud bath. Almost all of the second group of older orphans got wet this morning, even Elerai! Usually, Elerai prefers to observe rather than play but today was different. He finished his bottle and headed straight to the mud bath to join his friends. He rolled around and played the mounting game with Mushuru, Rafiki, Kamili and Sholumai. Elerai is becoming one of the gang of naughty boys and girls who do not always do as they are told. When Kitiak tried to join in the fun, Elerai had the confidence to stand up to one of the biggest bulls in the Nursery, something he would not have dared to do a few months ago.
Although their training has been suspended until conditions improve, Ahmed, Rafiki and Kitiak have not forgotten about the truck and its delicious contents. Today, the three orphans attempted to sneak off to the vehicle, hoping to find extra bottles of milk and snacks of sugar cane and range cubes.
Kerrio was at her most maternal in the forest this afternoon. She and Mzinga stood leaning against each other with trunks entwined in the sunshine. Half an hour later she was hanging out with Nyambeni and then with Talek. She stood over the newbie, laying her trunk over the little one’s head and making sure none of the naughty orphans came anywhere near the baby.
When the herd settled to browse in the forest this morning, mini matriarchs Sileita, Kerrio and Latika stayed close to blanket babies Nyambeni, Mzinga, Muridjo, Shujaa, Taroha, Mokogodo and Talek. The three females surrounded the cluster of babies in the early morning. As the day became warmer, the orphans spread out in a clearing. Chief mini matriarch Sileita continued to watch over her charges, especially Talek, but she was not close enough to prevent naughty Weka dashing over and pushing Talek. Sileita not only saw her off but also chased after Weka to discipline her. Weka ran to a Keeper for safety but Sileita followed, punishing her with a push before returning to stand close to Talek.
Loldaiga chose to spend time with a Keeper this afternoon. In unusual behaviour for this shy orphan, Loldaiga greeted and then trailed along after a Keeper in the forest. When good friends Mageno and Kitich challenged him to a pushing game, he was distracted for a time but soon returned to the Keepers, following one or other of them closely. Muwingu tends to hang out with orphans rather than Keepers. Today, she also chose to be with a Keeper, approaching him at the mud bath with her trunk extended and then standing close to him for a time.
Later in the afternoon, it was dusting time. Several orphans lay down together on a patch of dry red soil, massaging their bodies against the earth or occasionally each other. Kerrio and Kamili stood together to suck the soil into their trunks before hosing it along their backs. Nearby, accompanied by her Keeper, Raha was also enjoying a relaxing lie down in the forest.
In the forest this morning, Muridjo was in a playful mood. She likes to play with anyone, no matter their age or size. On occasion, she does not realise her strength and so can be rough with the tiny babies. This morning, she was playing a chasing and pushing game with Nyambeni and then with Mageno. In her exuberance, she knocked over Taroha by accident as she careered past him. Kerrio helped the little boy to his feet and stood close while he calmed down. After being moved from the first group by the Keepers a month ago, Muridjo has remained in the second older group of elephants arriving at the mud bath for the mid-morning milk feed. Here, she is kept in line by Sileita, Ahmed, Tingai, Elerai and Rafiki, and is a model of good behaviour.
In the afternoon, the elephants returned to the mud bath. Mushuru and Ahmed chose to drink from the muddy wallow rather than the drinking troughs. Nearby, Sileita, Latika and Mukutan were spending time together. Mukutan lay relaxing on the ground as the two girls stood next to him. When he then decided to clamber on to the visitors’ platform for fun, the Keepers brought him back with whistles and pointed fingers.
As dusk approached, the Keepers gathered the orphans in small groups and sent them back to the stockades. In the first group were Shujaa, Nyambeni, Mzinga, Mokogodo and Taroha. Shujaa led the group round the corner and down the path to the stockades where more Keepers were waiting with bottles aloft. Shujaa drank down his milk and then attempted to wander off for a last browse of the day. Given the choice, this calm boy will often pick eating over playing. A Keeper intercepted him and shepherded him into his stable for the night.
Kerrio is developing into a wonderful mini matriarch. She has made it her responsibility to protect and look after the little ones, no matter the situation or time of day. If one of the blanket babies complains or calls out, she will be there. Last night, Mokogodo did not sleep well. In the middle of the night, she started yelling, pushing at her door and then extending her trunk through gaps in the walls of her stable. Concluding that she had had a bad dream, her Keeper spent a long time calming her down. Eventually he succeeded, and the little elephant lay down and went back to sleep. Meanwhile, a few doors down, Kerrio was trying to get out of her stockade. She had heard Mokogodo crying out and was fighting to get to her. Her Keeper reassured Kerrio and she too went back to sleep.
At first light, Kerrio darted out of her room and down to Mokogodo’s stable. As she rumbled to the baby, a small trunk appeared over the stable door. Mokogodo was so excited to see Kerrio – she popped out, ran around in happy circles (with Kerrio chasing after her) and then played a sort of pushing game with her special nanny.
Sileita, Latika and Kerrio, who are the three current mini matriarchs, share looking after the blanket babies most of the time. Occasionally, however, they do not. At present, Kerrio appears to be the favourite nanny of Mzinga, Nyambeni, Taroha, Mokogodo, Talek and Shujaa — much to the irritation of Sileita and Latika! This afternoon, they ganged up against her. Kerrio was lying down on the ground in the forest, allowing the babies to clamber all over her. Sileita and Latika ambled up to the gaggle of orphans and deliberately pushed each little baby away from Kerrio. Sileita ushered the six babies away as Latika prevented Kerrio from following.
The orphans padded out of their stockades and headed out to the forest, led by Ahmed and Rafiki on a crisp clear morning. As they walked along in small groups or on their own, the herd encountered four buffaloes on the path. Ahmed was the first to react – she made herself as big as she could by flaring her ears and ran towards the buffaloes. They remained exactly where they were. Rafiki tried next – he also stood tall and charged toward the perceived intruders. The buffaloes stood still and stared at the elephants. Then, Mukutan stepped up – he walked to the front of the herd and trumpeted loudly. His outburst galvanised the herd and, seconds later, over ten elephants charged at the buffaloes, trumpeting in a chorus. This worked. The buffaloes lumbered away in different directions into the surrounding bush. Some very excited orphans then celebrated their victory by darting around in circles in and out of bushes with trunks and tails aloft.
Tingai used to be a reserved bull but no longer. Today, he asserted himself on several occasions – first, he pushed Rafiki over in the forest and then he tried to snatch his bottle at the mud bath. Rafiki is his age-mate and friend but also a rival. Tingai seems determined to claim his role as the dominant bull. Later in the morning, he used his tusks to pin Sholumai against a tree and pushed Kitiak into the mud bath. Kitiak is also an age-mate and thus a possible threat. The Keepers felt sorry for the three elephants as they had all been browsing peacefully and had not deserved the rough treatment.
On a warm sunny day, many orphans enjoyed a paddle or a wallow. In the morning, Muridjo and Mushuru led the second group of older orphans into the mud bath. The two friends rolled around together and then lay relaxing on the edge, as others took their places in the water. In the afternoon, Nyambeni and Mzinga were the first to pad into the pool and submerge their bodies. They were followed by water babies Kerrio, Muwingu and Loldaiga. The mud bath stayed full of playful elephants until it was time for the Keepers to shepherd them back to the forest.
This morning, the younger ones emerged first from their stables and had the area all to themselves for a short time. As soon as her door was open, Mzinga trundled down to meet Mokogodo. They greeted each other with their trunks and toddled up together to see Maxwell. The rhino was enjoying a good scratch, rubbing the side of his body against the gate, but stopped when his two friends arrived. He stood there happily as they stretched their trunks through the bars on the gate and touched him all over his head and his tummy. This sweet interaction continued until Weka arrived to take the elephants to the forest.
Kamili is continuing to choose the fringes rather than the midst of the herd but she has acquired two companions. Today, Loldaiga and Muwingu followed her wherever she went. After drinking her milk this morning at the mud bath, Kamili ambled off to the bush, rather than staying at the mud bath. Loldaiga and Muwingu toddled after her. This afternoon at the mud bath, as many orphans swam, Kamili ambled off to the bush, once again with Loldaiga and Muwingu in her wake.
Shujaa was the star of the mud bath today! The Keepers had deposited a large pile of loose soil for dusting next to the wallow. Many of the smaller orphans were having a great time climbing up the heap and sliding down it as they rolled over each other. Shujaa had a quick dip in the pool, popped out and chased Mzinga around, and then threw himself on the soil. Meanwhile, Mokogodo was rolling from the top down to the bottom. The second group of orphans were also in playful moods. Taabu, Sholumai, Mushuru, Weka, Choka and Muridjo tumbled around in the water together and then played wrestling games and rolled around while soil dusting.
In the early evening, the orphans returned to the stockades in small groups. Nyambeni, Mzinga, Mokogodo and Kerrio raced home in the first group. Nyambeni won the race by several lengths, leaving the others behind in her dust.