01 October 2016

This morning when we woke at 5am we found a large group of wild elephants with some of our Ex Orphans among them waiting for the water. We opened the tap and all of them walked to the water trough to drink. Yatta and her baby Yetu were among them. The orphans came out after their milk and started feasting on lucerne. Some of the Ex Orphans with wild bulls came to join them.Boromoko and Laragai started scratching their bellies on the rocks.Wendi later came in with Mulika and Galana with their babies in a group and joined them too.The orphans left to the bush leaving behind the Ex Orphans and the wild group. The Ex Orphans stayed in the stockade area for long time, until noon. At the mud bath the orphans walked in to the waterhole after their milk and started playing. After a short time they were frightened away by a group of wild bulls who came running to the water trough to drink water. Laragai, Garzi, Bongo, Narok, Boromoko and Sirimon went back to the mudbath and continued playing in it. Two of the wild bulls entered the mudbath and started playing. Sirimon started scratching his belly in different angles on the visitor cement seat.The group start walking into the bush with Boromoko and Sokotei tossing soil chunks in the air. Barsilinga later led the group back home for the evening milk. It is very hot and dry in the area and the wild elephants in the area are struggling to find things to eat. Back in the stockade,we had Mutara’s group who came to visit and say hi to their fellow friends.

02 October 2016

Makireti, Kilabasi, Kasigau, Chaimu and Kilaguni arrived at the stockade early before the orphans were let out. At last it appears that Chaimu has reunited with Kilaguni in Makireti’s group. The two had parted ways few months ago with each joining a different group. Chaimu had joined Olare’s group but now she has come back to join Kilaguni in Makireti’s group. Shortly after the orphans were let out, Yatta and Mulika’s groups arrived and shared lucerne with the orphans. Narok spent some time babysitting Gawa before Laragai came to take over from her. Ololoo had a strength testing exercise with Vuria and shortly after winning the exercise attempted to climb on him. Gawa spent sometime playing with Wiva who has become the youngest nanny as Narok stood close by supervising the two calves. The group parted ways with the orphans heading west while the Ex Orphans headed south west from the stockade. The two groups met later again at mud bath. The weather was chilly and Bongo the water boy was the only one that participated in wallowing. In the afternoon the orphans settled to browse in theKanziku area while the Ex Orphans headed towards Imenti area. Siangiki came across a suitable rock that she used to scratch her buttocks on and later the same rock was used by Enkikwe to scratch his belly.

03 October 2016

It was a quiet morning as the orphans strolled nonchalantly out from the stockades. Led by Siangiki, the orphans settled for lucerne without competition from any outsider. Boromoko settled close to Kithaka as Orwa took sometime to scratch his belly on nearby rocks. Laragai, who likes privacy, took her share of lucerne and walked a distance away from the others where she settled to browse without any disturbance. Shortly later, Laragai and Barsilinga walked to the water trough where they settled for a drink. Out in the bush, Olsekki settled to browse with Kithaka and Barsilinga as Boromoko settled to browse with Laragai. Lemoyian took a break from feeding and had a strength testing exercise with Bongo but ended up losing the game. Sokotei played Bomani and shortly later, Boromoko led the first group to the mud bath while Olsekki led the second as Vuria led the third one. Fourteen wild bulls attended mud bath with the orphans and a while later, the Ex Orphans joined in. The orphans withdrew from mud bathing and headed for soil dusting before returning back to the browsing field. Teleki lagged behind and had a brief encounter with Orok from whom he learned some pushing tactics. Bongo played with Vuria while Bomani played Lemoyian. In the afternoon, Lemoyian settled to feed with Garzi as Shukuru soil dusted.

04 October 2016

The orphans settled for lucerne soon after leaving the stockade. Shortly later, the Ex Orphans showed up and joined the juniors. Gawa was welcomed by Olsekki and Laragai while Wiva had fun with Bomani. A while later, Laragai moved to play with Wiva but met resistance from Yetu who tried to block her from playing with Wiva. Teleki spent some time playing with Ololoo while Orwa and a wild elephant walked to the water through to help themselves with water. At the browsing field, Lemoyian settled to browse with Narok while Boromoko browsed with Sirimon. As the temperatures skyrocketed, Sirimon and Boromoko opted to relax under a tree waiting for mud bath time where they would go to cool off. At mud bath time, the orphans were joined by ten wild bulls and when the orphans had enough of wallowing, Narok led the way back to the browsing field. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the Imenti area. Vuria played with Bongo while Lemoyian settled for a pushing game with Bomani. Later Bomani settled to browse with Barsilinga and in the evening, Barsilinga engaged Garzi in a light pushing game.

05 October 2016

Kilaguni, Chaimu, Naisula, Murka and Kitirua were among the wild elephants that had visited the stockade early in the morning to drink water. Soon after the orphans were let out, the junior Ex Orphans joined them for lucerne. Vuria engaged Kitirua in a pushing game while Murka played with Barsilinga. Later, Barsilinga settled to scratch his buttocks as Orwa played with Kitirua and later played with Naisula. On the way to the browsing field, Orwa engaged Kilaguni in a strength testing exercise which he lost minutes later. Lemoyian settled to browse with Bomani while Garzi settled to browse with Vuria. Later, Lemoyian and Bomani took a break from feeding to engage in a strength testing exercise that ended in a draw. Their game attracted Orwa and Barsilingawho stopped feeding and had a pushing game, and Orwa emerged as the winner. Boromoko led the first group to the mud bath where they were joined by ten wild bulls. Garzi stood at the edge of the mud bath watching the mud bathing skills displayed by a wild bull who was enjoying a cool-off in the mud. Boromoko had a light strength testing exercise with Teleki while Laragai and Narok headed for soil dusting. Later, Barsilinga tried to initiate a game with Garzi but Garzi wasn't in the mood and so he just turned away and left. In the evening, Mulika and Yatta’s groups came for water at the stockade;Galana and her small group didn't show up today.

06 October 2016

One Tusker and his wild friends were drinking water at the stockade water trough when the orphans were let out this morning. A short while later, Galana and her small group arrived and headed straight to drink water. Then Olare and her group arrived. Sokotei was in a charging mood and ran around trumpeting, a game that also attracted Lemoyian’s attention. In the browsing field it was all quiet as the orphans concentrated mostly on browsing. Boromoko led the first group to the mud bath while Olsekki led the second one. At mud bath time, the orphans were joined by Madiba, Zurura, Buchuma and Taita. Lemoyian and Teleki wallowed for a long time as Sirimon and Shukuru left for soil dusting. Sokotei and Bomani had a brief strength testing exercise while Kithaka engaged Orwa in a pushing game. Kithaka surrendered and moved to play with Lemoyian. Their game was cut short by Laragai who intervened by pushing Kithaka away. Kithaka tried to defend himself but the no-nonsense Laragai didn’t give him the chance, driving him away at high speed. Kithaka moved to bully Boromoko but Laragai was alert and so ran to rescue Boromoko from the hands of Kithaka. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the upper Kalovoto area. In the evening Makireti and Olare’s groups showed up at the stockade and joined six wild bulls that were drinking water at the stockade water trough.

07 October 2016

Ex Orphans Tomboi and Zurura with Hatari in the company of six other wild bulls were still taking water at the stockade water trough when the orphans were let out in the morning. Tomboi and Zurura abandoned their wild friends and joined the juniors for lucerne. Laragai took her share and moved a distance away where she continued to feed as she enjoyed scratching her belly on a nearby rock. At the browsing field, the orphans were joined by Makireti, Kasigau and Kilabasi. Orwa engaged Kasigau in a strength testing exercise but lost the game. Shortly later, Orwa moved to play with Vuria, a game that went on for quite sometime. Hatari, Zurura and Tomboi arrived at mud bath moments before the orphans. Two bulls arrived at mud bath shortly after the orphans and headed straight to drink water. Laragai gathered up the courage and walked over to the two bulls and joined them to drink water. Zurura joined some of the orphans in wallowing as Kithaka briefly engaged Garzi in a strength testing exercise. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area and concentrated on browsing without any major observation.

08 October 2016

Soon after leaving the stockade, the orphans were joined by the Ex Orphans and wild elephants. During the lucerne feeding time, it was every elephant for itself as the big Ex Orphans took piles of lucerne and tucked them in between their tusks and trunks. Kithaka was clever as when he got his pile of lucerne, he went into the stockade and settled there to enjoy his share without being disturbed. Narok spent sometime babysitting Gawa as Galana concentrated on the lucerne she had tucked between her trunk and tusks. Gawa tried to stretch her trunk to get some lucerne from her mother’s mouth, but Galana wouldn't let her. At the browsing field, Boromoko settled to browse with Sokotei while Kithaka settled to feed with Garzi. At mud bath time, the orphans were joined by twenty five wild bulls. Laragai tried to join them like the previous day but this time she had no chance as she was pushed away. Kithaka and Barsilinga spent sometime enjoying a pushing game as Shukuru, Narok, Bomani and Sirimon participated in a soil dusting exercise. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse at Imenti area and in the evening, Naisula, Murka and Kitirua reported for water at the stockade water trough.

09 October 2016

Only one wild elephant was drinking water at the stockade water trough when the orphans were let out in the morning. After feeding on lucerne, Orwa and Shukuru led their friends to the water trough where they armed themselves with enough water to see them through the entire morning. At the browsing field, Shukuru settled to browse with Bongo while Lemoyian took sometime off from feeding to play with Bomani. Enkikwe and Teleki had a brief chat using their trunks. When the temperature soared, Boromoko and Sirimon took a break from feeding and relaxed under a tree until mud bathing time. At mud bath time, Laragai got angry with Barsilinga and pushed him from behind. Barsilinga tried to run for safety towards Narok but Narok also turned against him and pushed him away. Barsilinga was now being tossed like a ball until the keepers intervened by cautioning the two girls to stop bullying him. The orphans were joined by a wild bull to drink water and shortly later the bull walked down to join Boromoko in mud bathing. Shortly before returning back to the browsing field, Kithaka and Barsilinga had a pushing game that lasted for just a short time. Kithaka then moved on to play with Bomani and later Lemoyian. Garzi played with Bongo but ended up losing the game. On the way back to the browsing field, Lemoyian engaged Bomani in a pushing game which came to an end when Narok intervened by separating them from fighting. In the afternoon, the temperature was still high and the orphans converged under a baobab tree before resuming browsing later when it was cooler.

10 October 2016

Fourteen wild elephants and the Ex Orphans were at the stockade compound early in the morning. When the orphans were let out, the former orphans joined them for lucerne. Orwa picked his share of lucerne then carried it far away where no one would try and take it from him. Gawa was very playful and Boromoko had the opportunity to play with her. At the browsing field, the sun was hot and the orphans had a quiet morning as they only concentrated on browsing up to mud bath time when Boromoko led the first group to the mud bath, where eight wild elephants were busy drinking water. Soon after drinking milk, the orphans joined the wild bulls to drink water too and later all wallowed together. After mud bath, Bomani engaged Lemoyian in a pushing game and later played with Garzi. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the lower Kalovoto area. In the evening the Ex Orphans and wild elephants, totaling 82 in number, reported for water at the stockade and left shortly after dark.

11 October 2016

It was a quiet morning as the orphans left the stockade and settled for lucerne. Shortly later, the Ex Orphans arrived and joined the juniors for lucerne. Gawa spend some time playing with Boromoko and later walked to play with Narok. Out in the bush Olsekki settled to browse with Orwa while Lemoyian settled to browse with Laragai. The orphans browsed calmly up to mud bath time when Boromoko led the first group to the mud bath while Olsekki led the second one. Five bulls were present at mud bath and shortly later they were joined by six more wild bulls. The orphans participated fully in the wallowing exercise with the exception of Orwa who boycotted the water. Soon after mud bath, Barsilinga engaged Garzi in a pushing game while Sokotei played with Bomani. Orwa played Boromoko as Shukuru headed for soil dusting. Shukuru emerged as best model of the day after dusting herself with red and brown soil making her look as if she was wearing the best outfit ever. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse on the western slopes of Ithumba Hill. Garzi and Enkikwe rested under the same tree and later when the temperatures dropped to a favourable level, they resumed browsing.

12 October 2016

Olare and Makireti’s groups arrived at the stockade compound early before dawn. Missing in Olare’s group were Naisula, Kitirua and Murka. At six o'clock in the morning, the juniors were let out and joined the junior Ex Orphans. The groups shared the lucerne together and later parted ways. The sky was clear and the day ahead looked like it was going to be a hot one. The orphans settled to browse in Kone area and as the day progressed the orphans browsed under trees due to the high temperature. Bomani settled to feed with Boromoko while Siangiki settled to browse with Enkikwe. At mud bath time, twelve bulls were present and one of the teenager bulls tried to block our orphans from accessing the water, making the orphans wait until the bulls had enough. To kill their boredom as they waited for bulls to finish, Barsilinga and Orwa engaged each other in a pushing game. Their game came to an abrupt end when Vuria intervened and pushed Barsilinga away. Barsilinga walked to Teleki and tried to engage him in a strength testing exercise but ended up losing to Teleki. Barsilinga then walked to tackle Garzi and the game ended in a draw. In the afternoon the orphans settled to browse in the lower Kalovoto area. Barsilinga came across a fallen tree that he used to scratch his belly on while Lemoyian and Boromoko shared shade under the same tree as the temperature continued to skyrocket. In the evening Laragai concentrated on uprooting roots of trees that she really enjoyed feeding on.

13 October 2016

Ten wild bulls were taking water at the stockade water trough early before the orphans were let out. Laragai was becoming impatient and wanted to leave the stockade and she tried to alert the keepers by knocking the gate using a stick. When the orphans were let out, one of the wild bulls joined them to feed on lucerne. The bull that visits the stockade on a regular basis was adamant to stay when he was told by the keepers to leave. The bull even trumpeted trying to scare the keepers away. Shortly later, a wild herd followed by our Ex Orphans reported for water at the stockade. The dependent orphans, led by Shukuru, didn’t wait to be pushed around by their seniors and so left for browsing. At mud bath time the orphans were joined by Rapsu and two wild bulls. Olsekki stood at the edge of the mud bath and tried stepping on Boromoko who was enjoying a cooling mud bath. Garzi stood close to a wild bull watching how hewas conducting his mud bath, perhaps wondering if one day he would become like him. Teleki engaged Vuria in a pushing game and later moved on to acquire more pushing skills from Rapsu. Later, Teleki practiced what he had learnt from Rapsu on Bongo. In the afternoon, Garzi engaged Boromoko in a pushing game that saw Boromoko surrender and moved on to browse. In the evening Barsilinga and Garzi settled to browse together and later engaged one another in a pushing game that ended in a draw.

14 October 2016

Ex Orphans Tomboi, Naisula, Murka and Kitirua joined the juniors early in the morning for the lucerne. Murka, Naisula and Kitirua happen to belong to Olare’s group and Murka appears to have the intention of forming her own group. On the way to the browsing field, Garzi and Kithaka had a misunderstanding that they settled through a pushing game. Enkikwe came across a nice rock that he used to scratch his buttocks on while Teleki engaged Murka in a pushing game. At eleven o'clock in the morning, Murka and her group escorted the juniors to the mud bath where six bulls were already in attendance. After mud bath, Barsilinga ran into trouble with Laragai when he failed to give her way. The tough no-nonsense girl pushed Barsilinga out of the way. Kithaka, who was close by, raised concern over how Laragai had treated his friend Barsilinga. Laragai didn't like Kithaka’s complaints either and so silenced him by pushing him away. The rest of the orphans settled for soil dusting. Bongo the water boy was the last one to leave mud bath and briefly joined the bulls to drink water before heading to join his friends. Teleki took an advantage of Vuriawho was lying down and climbed on him. When Vuria was up on his feet he questioned Teleki why he climbed on him without his permission. What followed was a pushing game with Vuria intending to teach Teleki a lesson, but the game ended in a draw. Later Bongo tackled Teleki, a game that didn't last for long as Teleki opted to surrender. In the evening, thirty bulls reported for water at the stockade water trough.

15 October 2016

It was a busy morning with one hundred and twenty elephants visiting the stockade! It was fully flooded with elephants; Ex Orphans and wild elephants together. It was so difficult for the orphans to enjoy their morning lucerne due to presence of so many others. What was given to them was quickly and roughly taken away by their seniors and the orphans were left with no other option than to head out to the browsing field to avoid being tossed around like balls by their seniors. By ten o'clock in the morning, the elephants had consumed thirty thousand litres of water, thus setting a new record of water consumed in the morning! At mud bath time, the sun was really hot making all the orphans want to participate in wallowing. Sirimon took advantage of Boromoko lying down and stepped forward to climb on him. Garzi nearly got stuck when he used the wrong way to get in to the mud bath. Bomani and Narok came close to Garzi and encouraged him to try and pull himself from the mud and at last he managed to pull himself out; so turned and used the right entry point! A while later the atmosphere was tense when wild elephants arrived and abruptly headed for a mud bath where the orphans were still enjoying. The wild elephants sealed the two entry and exit points while trying to splash water behind their ears. This confused the orphans as they appeared to be trapped with nowhere to go. The orphans screamed as they tried to climb the high walls of mud bath but they couldn't manage, thus worsening the situation. One of the bulls trumpeted making the orphans more nervous. At last the orphans managed to get out and headed straight to the browsing field. In the afternoon, Olsekki settled to browse close to Siangiki, Sokotei browsed with Laragai while Barsilinga settled to browse with Teleki as Enkikwe came across a nice rock that he used to scratch his buttocks on.

16 October 2016

It was a quiet morning as the orphans left the stockade and settled for lucerne. Only one wild bull was drinking water at the stockade water trough and a buffalo could be seen at distance away; some difference compared to yesterday! The orphans enjoyed their lucerne without any disturbance a part from a tiny bird that was picking some insects from the ground and which Kithaka kept chasing away using his trunk. Bomani spent sometime scratching his buttocks on a nearby rock and shortly later Shukuru led the way to the browsing field. Galana and a small group of Ex Orphans arrived minutes later after the orphans had left. Her group included Naserian, Loijuk, Ololoo, Orok, Makena, Ithumbah, Kenze and Lualeni. At the browsing field, Sokotei started the day’s activities by participating in a soil dusting exercise as the rest of his group concentrated on browsing. Later, Kithaka and Bomani had a strength testing exercise that didn't last for long. At mud bath time, eleven wild bulls were present. Barsilinga engaged Garzi in a pushing game while Laragai decided to scratch her buttocks against Vuria who was having a game of rolling on the ground. Bomani engaged Lemoyian in a pushing game and later it was Bongo tackling Vuria. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area where Bomani threatened to push Sokotei, but Sokotei stood his ground, which made Bomani think otherwise and turn away!

17 October 2016

It was another peaceful and quiet morning as the orphans strolled nonchalantly out from the stockades and settled for their lucerne without competition from any outsiders. Out in the bush Bongo and Vuria had a strength testing exercise while Orwa tested his strength by trying to push down a tree. The tree he had selected couldn't be bent and so Orwa gave up and resumed browsing. Barsilinga tried to invite Laragai to a pushing game but Laragai wasn't bothered as she continued browsing, ignoring Barsilinga as if he didn't exist. Olsekki engaged Enkikwe in a pushing game that ended in a draw. At mud bath time eight bulls were in attendance and were very peaceful and gentle as they allowed the orphans to share water with them. In the afternoon the sun was still hot and the orphans converged under a tree until the temperature dropped and they went back to browsing.

18 October 2016

Twenty five wild bulls were drinking water at the stockade water trough while Galana, Wendi and their babies were relaxing just outside the stockade. Soon the orphans joined them and they had lucerne together. Gawa was playful and teased the orphans as she ran around them. Kithaka didn't like Gawa's kind of game and he threatened to push her when she came close to him. Gawa noticed Kithaka’s hostility and so turned and headed to stand close to Narok. At the browsing field the orphans were joined by Mutara and her group and they browsed together up to mud bath time when the group escorted the dependent orphans to the mud bath. Twenty one wild bulls joined them there too. Lemoyian and Bomani had a strength testing exercise that ended when Orwa intervened and pushed the two boys away. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse at lower Kalovoto area but they spent sometime relaxing under trees due to the high temperatures.

19 October 2016

Lualeni, Ololoo, Chyulu and Chaimu were at the stockade compound early before the orphans were let out. When the gates opened for the juniors to come out, Lualeni made a quick inspection of stockade but there was nothing left for her to eat. She went out and joined the juniors to feed on lucerne instead. Shortly later, the rest of the Ex Orphans showed up. Wiva spent some time playing with Narok and later settled to scratch her buttocks on nearby rocks. Kenze spotted four wild dogs passing several metres away and decided to charge at them. The four wild dogs ran for their safety rather than be trampled by an elephant! Lemoyian walked to the water trough were he enjoyed drinking water while watching a friendly pushing match between Tomboi and Buchuma. Orwa had a brief strength testing exercise with Turkwel before heading to the browsing field. The sky was clear and this was an indication of a hot day a head. The orphans concentrated mostly on browsing up to mud bath time when Boromoko led the first group to the mud bath while Olsekki led the second group. It was a quiet mud bath as the orphans had a break from the usual visits from other elephants and they really enjoyed every moment as they walked freely to all corners of the mud bath, without feeling intimidated by their seniors! Sirimon played with Boromoko while Orwa had a lengthy strength testing exercise with Barsilinga. Their game only came to an end when Barsilinga couldn't take it anymore and decided to surrender. Barsilinga then walked to a nearby tree and tried to push it down, trying to build up his strength. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse on the western side of the Ithumba Hill. Kithaka and Barsilinga shared food from the same tree while Olsekki, Siangiki and Enkikwe settled to browse together.

20 October 2016

Fifteen wild bulls were drinking water at the stockade water trough when the orphans left the stockade and settled for lucerne. The orphans had a quiet morning and soon after finishing lucerne, Laragai led the way to the browsing field. Boromoko settled to feed close to Garzi and from time to time, Boromoko could be seen putting his trunk in Garzi's mouth. Lemoyian, Narok and Bomani spent time browsing together while Sokotei and Olsekki shared food from the same shrub. Enkikwe and Siangiki dug roots of the same shrub that they enjoyed feeding on. At mud bath time, the juniors were joined by twenty wild bulls. Though the sun was hot, the orphans didn't feel like going into the mud due to the presence of wild bulls since some of them were not very friendly towards the young ones. In the afternoon, the orphans converged under a tree as they continuously flapped their ears. They resumed browsing only after the temperature dropped to a more favourable level.

21 October 2016

The stockade compound was flooded by nearly eighty elephants early in the morning. The orphans left the stockade but had difficulties maneuvering through the exit gate since some of the wild elephants had crowded close around it and the rest were busy drinking water. Orwa, who loves challenging his seniors, engaged Murka in a strength testing exercise. Orwa lost the game to Murka then proceeded to play with Kitirua. Garzi attempted to play with Chemi Chemi but the game ended even before it even started properly as Chemi Chemi gave Garzi a knock out push. Kithaka kept himself busy by scratching on a nearby rock as Orwa abandoned playing with Kitirua and went to play with Meibei. Narok tried to play with Ololoo but she was overpowered and thereafter moved to babysit Wiva. Shortly later, Wiva saw her mum Wendi scratching and so went to imitate her. Orwa lost to Meibei and went to try his luck with Olare. The day was a hot one and at the browsing field, the orphans browsed looking forward to mud bath time when they would get into the mud to cool off. At mud bath, the orphans were joined by twelve wild bulls that also came for a refreshing dip. Later on Murka, Naisula and Kitirua showed up and joined the juniors. After mud bath, Garzi had a standoff with Kitirua but moments later he surrendered and walked away. In the afternoon, Olsekki played with Siangiki as Bomani dueled with Lemoyian.

22 October 2016

Kilaguni, Ishanga and Chaimu were the only visitors in the morning. The three junior Ex Orphans joined the juniors to feed on lucerne but remained in the stockade compound when the babies left for browsing. In the browsing field, Orwa engaged Barsilinga in a pushing game that ended when Barsilinga surrendered. Sokotei had a strength testing exercise with Lemoyian but it was cut short by Bomani when he came and pushed Lemoyian away. Garzi concentrated on uprooting roots of a certain shrub using his feet. At mud bath time Boromoko led Sirimon and Sokotei in the first group. After drinking their milk, Sirimon stood some distance away sucking on his own trunk while the keepers kept themselves busy by chatting while waiting for the second group. Sirimon turned and realized that the keepers were not paying attention to him so he grabbed a bottle full of milk and walked away happily while emptying its contents. The second group arrived and it was only then that the keepers realized that a bottle of milk was missing and wondered if it had developed wings! They looked around and saw Sirimon happily holding the bottle as he headed to the water. Before they could get to him, all the milk had gone and Sirimon dropped the bottle and ran away. It was all quiet at mud bath without any wild elephants and the orphans freely moved to every corner of mud bath with Laragai, Bongo, Vuria, Teleki, Shukuru, Lemoyian, Kithaka and Garzi participating fully in wallowing while the rest walked up to water trough to drink water. In evening Yatta and Mulika groups showed up at the stockade in the company of six wild elephants.

23 October 2016

Twelve bulls and a handful of Yatta and Mulika’s groups were present at the stockade in the morning. Wendi and Galana were not among them. The orphans had a hard time as they competed with their seniors for lucerne. Orwa briefly engaged Meibei in a pushing game that ended soon when Orwa surrendered. Laragai, Lemoyian and Barsilinga settled to browse together while Siangiki settled to browse with her friend Enkikwe. On the way to the mud bath, the juniors were joined by Olare and Mutara’s groups. Soon after the juniors had their milk, Vuria engaged Chemi Chemi to a pushing game. Vuria lost the game to Chemi Chemi as Lemoyian played with Kithaka. Garzi tried to challenge Melia but was surprisingly pushed out of the way by Melia. Orwa had a contest with Kibo and later he moved to play with Sities while Kibo invited Narok for a friendly pushing game. Barsilinga had an itchy foot and decided to scratch it on a tree stump but was pushed away by Tumaren who was passing by. Barsilinga was irritated by Tumaren's unnecessary action but there was nothing he could do about it, but just hope that a day would come when will be strong enough to handle the boisterous girl!

24 October 2016

Wendi, Galana, Nasalot, Loijuk, Challa, babies Wiva and Gawa, Naserian, Sidai, Kenze, Lenana, Lualeni, Ololoo, Meibei, Chyulu and several wild elephants were at the stockade compound in the morning. Soon when the orphans were let out, Narok headed straight to Gawa while Laragai walked to Wiva. Shortly later, the two babies abandoned them and walked back to their mothers. Garzi engaged Bomani into a pushing game that he lost. Thereafter, Garzi walked to Kenze and requested him to spare his time so as to train him on how to handle the big boys. Kenze accepted and engaged Garzi in a brief training exercise that was done in the form of a pushing game. Narok saw a wild elephant stretching it's trunk up to pluck some leaves off the acacia tree and she walked up to try and stretch her trunk to reach the leaves too. Narok couldn't even reach half way up and was disappointed, but walked away hoping that one day she would be tall enough to reach the highest branches. Out in the park the orphans were joined by Makireti, Kasigau and Kilibasi. The three junior former orphans later escorted the babies to the mud bath where they were joined by Mutara’s group and six wild elephants. Garzi invited Mutara to a pushing game thinking that the skills he had acquired in the morning from Kenze would help him win. It wasn't the case as Garzi lost the game miserably to Mutara. What Garzi had forgotten in his calculations was that strength matters a lot in a pushing game. Kithaka engaged Lemoyian in a pushing game but their game was cut short by Kasigau who intervened by pushing the two boys away. In the evening, Yatta and Mulika’s groups arrived at the stockade and left shortly after dark when they made sure that they had drunk enough water.

25 October 2016

Olare and her group reported to the stockade compound in the dead of the night and opted to sleep just outside the stockade. Missing from the group were Naisula, Murka and Kitirua who still appear to be separating from Olare’s group. At six o'clock in the morning the orphans were let out and joined up with those in Olare’s group who were present. Shortly later, Mulika and Yatta’s groups arrived. Wiva spent some time playing with Bomani while Kalama had a misunderstanding with Vuria and they opted to settle their differences through a pushing game. Chemi Chemi played with Meibai as Ololoo settled to play with Orwa. Narok kept rotating her babysitting duty between Wiva and Gawa. Later Gawa and Wiva had a light pushing game. In the browsing field, Boromoko came across a shrub that he liked so much and since he couldn't manage to pull it up using his trunk, he went down on his knees and used his mouth to cut it. At eleven o'clock in the morning, Barsilinga led the way to the browsing field. At mud bath, the orphans enjoyed every moment since there weren’t any outsiders to cut short their fun. Garzi played with Lemoyian while still in the water as Boromoko splashed water using his trunk in an expression of happiness. Barsilinga played with Vuria as Bomani played with Olsekki. Soon after the orphans had enough fun at mud bath, Shukuru rumbled informing her friends that it was time to leave. In the evening, Yatta and Mulika’s group passed by the stockade compound as they headed east. Later on, Chaimu, Kilaguni and Ishanga in the company of Olare’s group reported to the stockade compound and left back into the park shortly after dark.

26 October 2016

The Ex Orphans reported at the stockade compound early before the juniors were let out this morning. As they waited for lucerne, Wiva kept herself busy by rolling on Yetu who had lain down to play. When the gates opened for the juniors to come out, Garzi met with Kenze again and briefly had a light pushing game. His aim was only to acquire skills that he would be able to use whilst tackling the other bulls. Due to the competition for lucerne, Kithaka took his share and ran back to the stockade where he enjoyed feeding on his pieces without being disturbed. Wiva moved to play with Narok and later engaged Olsekki in a light pushing game. Bomani and Laragai kept a close watch over Gawa who was really enjoying rolling on the ground, and tried to help her back on her feet when they thought she was having difficulty getting up. Gawa then passed close to Bongo who doesn't care much about babies and he pushed Gawa away. Later on Gawa encountered Kithaka as well and he moved her out his way by lightly pushing her. Garzi spent some time playing with Meibei, a game that he lost to the older and stronger girl. Ololoo played with Orwa and when Orwa surrendered, Ololoo attempted to climb on him. At mud bath time, the juniors were joined by one wild bull that was fairly hostile towards them. The bull tried to deny them drinking water and later charged at them while they were wallowing. The orphans moved to the furthest corner of the mud bath and later walked up to drink water before the bull came back to water trough. When the bull walked up to water trough, the orphans dispersed since they had drunk enough water and did not want to be pushed by the big bull! Barsilinga played with Lemoyian while Laragai moved to have a soil dusting exercise. As the orphans prepared to exit the mud bath area, Madiba and Buchuma showed up. Shortly later, Mutara and Makireti’s groups reported for mud bath too. Back out in the bush, Teleki played with Barsilinga while Bomani played with Olsekki, a game that ended soon when Bomani attempted to climb on Olsekki.

27 October 2016

Murka, Naisula and Kitirua, who have separated from Olare’s group it seems, were at the stockade compound early in the morning. It was a cloudy and cold morning has we received some showers early before dawn. The three junior Ex Orphans joined the orphans to feed on lucerne and since it had been a while since they had last tasted it, the three kept pushing the orphans away so as to have most of the lucerne. After feeding on lucerne, Murka, Kitirua and Naisula escorted the orphans to the browsing field. The orphans browsed calmly throughout the entire morning and at mud bath time Laragai and Lemoyian gave four warthogs a hard time by denying them the access to the water. The warthogs surrendered but came back when the orphans had returned back to the browsing field. Barsilinga and Narok spent some time in a strength testing exercise while Kithaka engaged Lemoyian in a pushing game. The afternoon was quiet as the orphans browsed calmly throughout the remaining part of the day without any major events.

28 October 2016

Yatta, Mulika and Olare’s groups in the company of twenty wild elephants, showed up at the stockade compound early before dawn. The wild elephants settled for water while the Ex Orphans stood outside waiting to join the juniors. The orphans had their milk and thereafter joined the Ex Orphans in the compound. Kalama picked a fight with Orwa, a game that went on for quite some time until Orwa, although he likes playing with his seniors, surrendered. Orwa never stays idle when the seniors are around though and he walked over to Meibei and started engaging him in a pushing game, which Meibei didn't object to. Wiva was very playful today and played with Bomani and later rolled on Yetu who had lain down on the ground to play. Narok engaged Kibo in a pushing game but ended up losing to Kibo. Orwa was overpowered by Meibei and walked to try his luck on Kibo. Their game went on for quite some time until the keepers intervened by telling Orwa that it was time to head for browsing. Orwa wasn’t happy with this and he protested for some time; during his tantrum at having to finish his game and move out he trumpeted and charged while knocking down small bushes. This drew the attention of his friends who came back to find out what was happening. His friends managed to calm him down and thereafter they all walked to the browsing field. Barsilinga settled to browse with Narok while the rest of the group scattered all over in search of better vegetation. At mud bath time it was all quiet with no wild elephants showing up. Lemoyian engaged Bomani in a play fight as Garzi stood close by acting as the referee. Garzi intervened when he saw that the game was taking too long to come to an end. He got into their midst and separated the two boys. Barsilinga tried to engage Orwa in a pushing game but Orwa was uninterested; but after sometime he changed his mind and tackled Barsilinga. Shukuru, Sokotei, Boromoko and Kithaka settled for soil dusting before heading back to the browsing field. In the evening Kithaka and Narok had a misunderstanding which they solved with a play fight, while ten bulls reported for water at the stockade water trough.

29 October 2016

The sky was clear in the morning as the orphans strolled nonchalantly out from the stockades and settled for lucerne. Four bulls were drinking water at the stockade water trough and shortly later, a wild bull emerged from the south east, and without even requesting for permission he joined the orphans to feed on their lucerne as if he was part of the group. Lemoyian, who was feeding close to Boromoko, pushed Boromoko and confiscated the lucerne he was feeding on. Boromoko was obviously not happy about this but since there was nothing he could do he just moved away from him. Three buffaloes and a calf showed up for water at the stockade water hole and left immediately after quenching their thirsty. When the orphans were through with lucerne, Laragai led the way to the water trough where the orphans armed themselves with enough water. Out in the bush Enkikwe played with Sokotei while Barsilinga had a lone game of rolling on the ground. Orwa engaged Boromoko in a light strength testing game as Vuria played with Bongo. At mud bath time, the orphans were joined by four gentle and nice wild bulls that allowed them to share the water without any problems. In the afternoon the sun was still hot and Shukuru, Garzi and Kithaka opted to relax under a tree until the temperature dropped to a favorable level.

30 October 2016

Murka, Naisula and Kithaka who still seem to have seceded from Olare’s group were at the stockade compound early in the morning. When the orphans had their morning milk, they left their stockades and joined the three junior Ex Orphans. Together they settled for lucerne and soon after feeding, Narok engaged Kitirua in a strength testing exercise while Orwa played with Murka. Murka and her group escorted the orphans to the browsing field. On the way, Boromoko came across a fallen tree that he used to scratch his neck on while Orwa enjoyed a game of rolling on the ground. The sun was really hot and the orphans tried as much as they could to feed under the trees with shade. At eleven o'clock in the morning, Murka and her group accompanied the juniors to the mud bath. Given the high temperature, all the orphans participated in wallowing in the mud. Teleki emerged as the star of the day as he remained in the water longer than the rest. Even Bongo the water boy had enough of wallowing and left Teleki still wallowing in the mud. Barsilinga engaged Garzi in a pushing game that ended in a draw, and later moved to challenge Laragai. Laragai never entertains any nonsense and pushed Barsilinga out of the way and walked to a nearby acacia tree that she used to scratch her belly on. In the afternoon, the sun was still hot and the orphans took a break from feeding to converge under a tree to cool off. When the temperature dropped to a favourable level, the orphans came out from hiding and resumed to browse.

31 October 2016

Thirty wild elephants were drinking water at the stockade water troughs when the orphans were let out. The orphans settled for their lucerne and were soon joined by a wild female with her two daughters and a bull that kept on trumpeting so as to scare the keepers away. When the lucerne was finished, Orwa walked to the water trough where he joined a wild bull to drink water. Orwa walked to play with a four year old wild elephant. As their play fight was in progress, a sister to Orwa's play mate intervened and pushed Orwa away which was a way of defending her sibling since she saw Orwa determined to win. Orwa surrendered and ran away. In the browsing field, Garzi rolled on the ground while Bomani engaged Olsekki in a strength testing exercise. Bongo played with Vuria and later Vuria attempted to climb on Bongo. Orwa tackled Barsilinga, a game that ended quite soon after Barsilinga surrendered. At mud bath time, only one bull showed up and soon after drinking water he moved several meters away and started feeding on an acacia tree. Lemoyian and Garzi participated in a soil dusting exercise soon after wallowing while Kithaka charged at a monkey that was passing a few meters away. The orphans stopped briefly on their way to the browsing field to have a chat with a wild bull. The wild bull was polite and allowed the orphans to surround him. He broke an acacia branch for them which the orphans happily feasted on. Later, the orphans bid the wild bull goodbye and headed to Kanziku area where they settled to browse.