As we reach the peak of the dry season here in Tsavo, many ex-orphans have extended their continued residence back ‘home.’ Kenia, Kihari, Arruba, Araba, Suswa, Mudanda, Ndoria, and Panda were mainstays around the stockades this month, showing up most mornings for supplemental feedings and hangouts with the dependent herd. We are happy to support them through this difficult time, particularly as they are quite new to independent life.
As the sky lightened, the Keepers opened the gates of the stockades and the orphans pottered down the path to the feeding area. Pika Pika and her adopted baby Busara walked side by side from the range cubes trough towards the pile of lucerne on the bottom terrace. On her way, Pika Pika paused to scratch her backside on some large rocks as Busara greeted Mbegu with a rumble and a trunk hug. The mini matriarch was standing close to Dabida, Kilulu and Ashanti. Nearby, gentle Ndotto and newbie Losoito continued scooping up pellets from the feeding trough.
Ex-orphans Kenia, Kihari, Arruba, Araba, Suswa, Mudanda, Ndoria and Panda arrived at the stockades later than normal this morning. They found that the dairy cubes and lucerne were almost finished and that Lemeki and Thamana had started making their way out to the browsing fields. As the rest of the herd meandered after them, their independent friends remained behind outside the stockades. Kenia, Araba, Mudanda and Panda stood staring at the pellet store until the Keepers filled up the trough for the visitors.
In the afternoon, the orphans ambled down Msinga Hill for another milk feed and a visit to the baobab tree mud wallow. They spread out around the pool to play. Losoito enjoyed an energetic dust bath, hosing herself all over with soothing soil, as Thamana trunk touched Juni who was lying down. Soon, Thamana wandered away to play with best friend Emoli. Pika Pika challenged Ngilai to a wrestling match under the baobab and the two friends also enjoyed a dust bath, digging into the ground with their tusks. As the sun sank in the sky, the herd headed out for a final browse on their way back to the stockades.
This morning, the ex-orphans arrived as the current orphans emerged from their stockades. The two groups mingled together at the feeding trough and in the lucerne area, standing close to each other and greeting friends. Sagala was trunk hugging Thamana as they wandered over to the water trough. Murit and Ngilai were enjoying an early morning sparring match. Busara was hanging out with Kenderi and Ashanti – when Hildana strode over to join the group, nanny Pika Pika followed to prevent any rough and tumble and protect Busara.
Soon, led by Tagwa, Tamiyoi and Juni, the herd headed out for their daily browse, stopping off to enjoy the supplementary lucerne left out in the bush by the Keepers before wandering up Msinga Hill. In the afternoon, the orphans walked down the hill for a milk feed and a quick mud wallow in the sunshine and then returned to the bush. Today, their priority was browsing, not playing.
Current and former orphans enjoyed breakfast together again on a bright sunny morning. Ndotto was the first to amble from the lucerne area to the water trough followed closely by Godoma and her adopted baby Baraka. Murit stood on his own by the big rock at the stockade entrance and then challenged Emoli to a wrestling match. With browsing on his mind, Emoli strode past Murit and caught up with Tamiyoi and Lemeki, who were heading out to the bush. Murit was left standing alone until he was joined by Lasayen who rubbed his rump vigorously on the rock as Ngilai scooped up every pellet left in the trough.
The orphans spent much of the day browsing on the slopes of Msinga Hill before returning to the stockades for the afternoon milk feed and a mud wallow. On a hot afternoon, they were joined by Kenia’s herd in the pool, where they had a great time wallowing together. Some paddled as others rolled next to each other in the cooling water. Later on, the two herds wandered out to the place where the Keepers had left their lucerne treat. The dependent orphans spent some time there before heading back to the safety of the stockades for the night as their independent friends disappeared into the surrounding bush.
As current and former orphans stood belly to belly around the pile of lucerne in the early morning, latecomer Suswa wandered up the path and into the area outside the stockades. She drank deeply from the water trough before greeting many of her close friends. Ex-orphan Panda was sparring with Ndotto just outside the entrance to the stockades. After a noisy contest of clashing heads and twisting bodies, Ndotto wandered off, leaving Panda posing next to the rocks along the fence line. Recent rescue Losoito toddled away from the water trough to join her new friends in the lucerne area.
Soon, the dependent orphans set out for their daily bush walk, spreading over Msinga Hill to browse while walking in the direction of the baobab tree water hole. In the afternoon, the Keepers sent them down in small groups for more milk and some time at the mud wallow. No one was keen on swimming today. Instead, they stood around the pool or clustered on the pile of earth to hose themselves with dry soil. Mbegu was looking after Losoito, standing close to her small friend as they drank from the water trough. As the day became cooler, the herd headed back out to browse on whatever green foliage they could find and also on supplementary lucerne.
This morning, the dependent orphans were on their own for a time before the ex-orphans wandered in to join them in the area outside the stockades. Ngilai and Murit continued their daily sparring match as members of the two groups greeted friends and settled down to eat together. Soon, the herd set out to browse all over Msinga Hill. Pika Pika and little Busara browsed happily at the foot of the hill. Today, Murit and Lemeki were also not keen to climb the hill.
In the afternoon, the orphans downed their bottles of milk and paddled on to the wallow. Many plunged into the muddy pool for a swim and a cool down. Ngilai was one of the first to roll around in the water and he was soon joined by Kilulu, Tamiyoi, Lasayen and Godoma. When Ngilai and Kilulu clambered out, Lasayen and Godoma stayed behind to continue sparring and playing in the pool. Nearby, Pika Pika and Tagwa were splashing around happily together.
After swimming, it was time for massages and dust baths! Ndotto scratched his sides and backside on the creamy peacock tree as Pika Pika did her best to peel bark off the baobab using her tiny tusks. Many of the herd stood around on the pile of earth, squirting dust along their backs. Ndotto trunk hugged Godoma as he rolled around on the ground. Murit and Pika Pika stood so close that they were splashing each other with soil.
Before dawn, the Keepers made up bottles of milk and distributed range cubes and lucerne, watched by the herd of ex-orphans who had padded up to the stockades while it was still dark. Before they had filled the feeding trough, impatient Panda snuck off to the lucerne area. Minutes later, the resident orphans emerged from their stockades and padded down the path. They emptied their bottles and joined their older friends at the trough. Everyone was hungry this morning and thus there was some pushing and shoving for space.
As the sun rose in the sky, Tamiyoi led the herd out to browse. Murit was left standing on the terraces but soon caught up with the others. The elephants settled in the open grasslands, browsing in the direction of the baobab tree water trough. In the afternoon, the orphans trundled down the slope for their usual milk feed and then carried on to the mud wallow. After a quick dip to cool down, they headed back out to browse. Many were in playful moods as they ambled back to the stockades. Ngilai and Murit enjoyed a prolonged wrestling match as Lasayen dug a hole with his small tusks, hoping to find delicious roots. As evening approached, Lemeki headed for home followed by the whole herd.
The sky was clear as the orphans wandered out of their stockades and down the path for breakfast. They downed their bottles and lined up at the feeding trough to eat range cubes. Ndotto and Lemeki were drinking from the water trough as Kenderi patiently stood behind them, awaiting her turn. Ngilai was enjoying an early morning paddle and splash in the mud wallow before joining Murit, Losoito and Itinyi for a dust bath. The four elephants quietly sucked up trunkfuls of dry soil with which to sprinkle their bodies. Losoito stayed at the earth pile when Ngilai and Itinyi padded away to the lucerne area and Murit moved off to browse on the acacia branches, standing tall as he stretched up his trunk. A few minutes later, he paused to trunk hug Losoito as she wandered past on her way to the terraces and then challenged Lasayen to a sparring match.
The ex-orphans were late again this morning. Some time after dawn, Kenia’s herd sprinted up the path to the stockades, having spent the night wandering far and wide looking for green browse. They settled down at the feeding trough and in the lucerne area as their younger friends prepared to head out to the bush. The herd set off with their Keepers, leaving Lasayen enjoying a dust bath and the ex-orphans hanging out on the terraces.
In the early morning after breakfast, the orphans headed out to browse, settling on the slopes of Msinga Hill and wandering in the direction of the baobab tree water hole. In the afternoon, the Keepers gathered the orphans into small groups and shepherded them down the slope for another milk feed and a visit to the mud wallow. Ashanti, Busara, Hildana, Itinyi and Emoli were in the first group. The orphans padded on to the wallow where they enjoyed a quick swim, with Mbegu and Godoma competing for their favourite spot in the pool, before ambling back out to browse on more supplementary lucerne.
Later in the day, the herd was in a playful mood as they browsed around the foot of Msinga Hill. Ndotto was standing on his own with his back foot on a rock when Mbegu wandered over to see him. She greeted her gentle friend, he trunk hugged her and they stood close together for a time.
Nearby, Sagala was fussing over Lemeki, Godoma was massaging her body against a rock and Emoli was doing his best to mount Thamana. He darted away from him and challenged Murit to a sparring match, leaving Emoli with Lemeki. Ngilai and Lasayen were playing on the slopes of the hill, pushing and clambering on each other, as Godoma lay down for a relaxing rest. Soon, Ngilai was sparring with Pika Pika watched by Tamiyoi and Ushindi, who were standing with their trunks entwined, and also Mbegu, who was looking after Busara. A few minutes later, tireless Ngilai was wrestling with Murit and Ndotto was stretching up tall and then rolling around on the ground.
Current and former orphans gathered outside the stockades in the early morning to share dairy cubes and lucerne. As they picked up branches of lucerne, Lemeki stood next to the pile of earth, waiting to head out to the bush. Ndotto was sparring with ex-orphan Panda as Pika Pika, Baraka, Dabida and Kilulu stood side by side on the terraces. Soon Tamiyoi wandered over to join Lemeki and the two friends led the herd out to browse on the northern slopes of Msinga Hill. Several of the older members of the herd climbed all the way to the top in search of green browse.
In the afternoon, the orphans meandered back to the stockades for another milk feed. Afterwards, they spread out on the terraces. Epiya massaged her rump on the famous rock and Juni rubbed hers against the terrace wall as nanny Godoma fussed over Busara. Sagala also enjoyed a massage before a quick splash in the mud wallow followed by a dust bath on the pile of earth with Mbegu. Ndotto clambered into the wallow to cool down and then caught up with the herd as they meandered out to find their afternoon lucerne treat. They roamed quite far before returning to the safety of the stockades for the night.
This morning, the orphans were full of energy, heading out to browse around Msinga Hill as soon as they had finished eating dairy cubes and lucerne. In contrast to recent days, the ex-orphans did not arrive until after the herd had left. The Keepers brought out more lucerne - the hungry visitors ate every piece and then ambled back out to the bush.
Later in the morning, a water bowser was sent out to refill the trough and wallow next to the baobab tree. On arrival, the driver found a baby zebra trapped in the trough. The wild animal had probably climbed in to drink and been unable to get out. Immediately, the Keepers came to the rescue. They helped the little zebra out of the trough and reunited her with her family who were waiting close by.
The remainder of the day was uneventful. The orphans visited the mud wallow in the afternoon before ambling back to the stockades in the early evening.
On another sunny morning, the orphans pottered out of their rooms and round the corner to the feeding area where, as usual, the group of former orphans were waiting for them. They settled down together to fill their tummies with range cubes and lucerne. Ndotto challenged ex-orphan Panda to an early morning wrestling match but was snubbed in favour of some tasty lucerne. Pika Pika was with Busara, fussing over her adopted baby and touching her at every opportunity. Kilulu, Hildana and Ushindi stood close by. Some time later, Tamiyoi led the orphans out to browse on Msinga Hill. As the older orphans climbed up the hill, mini matriarch Mbegu remained at the bottom, surrounded by the motley bunch of younger orphans.
In the afternoon, the orphans ambled back to the stockades, rather than to the baobab tree mud wallow, for another milk feed. Afterwards, they spread out on the terraces. Ngilai scratched his backside on the two trees and stretched his trunk over the fence to browse on acacia branches as Godoma posed on the nearby terraces. Minutes later, the two friends were wrestling energetically with each other and it was Lasayen’s turn to strike a pose. Meanwhile, Murit was doing his best to pluck branches from the trees on the other side of the fence. As the sun dipped in the sky, the orphans headed out for another wander and more supplementary lucerne.
Small groups of excited orphans trundled out of their rooms at the dawn of another day. They drank their milk before mingling at the feeding trough and in the lucerne area with the ex-orphans who wandered in just before dawn. Newbie Losoito was enjoying an early morning dust bath while Pika Pika was rolling around in the wallow. Lemeki soon joined Losoito on the pile of earth and Mbegu and Godoma plunged into the pool with Pika Pika. Best friends Emoli and Thamana were hanging out together on the terraces.
When it was time to head out, mini matriarch Mbegu checked on all the orphans and then followed along at the end of the line. Many of the elephants spread out over Msinga Hill but Mbegu remained at the bottom, fussing over the youngest members of the herd and responding to requests.
Several hours later, the herd padded down the slope in small groups for another milk feed and a swim in the mud wallow. It was a hot day and many went straight for the water, standing on the edge and hosing themselves off or lying down in the middle of the pool. Sagala and Thamana rolled over and around each other as Godoma, Lasayen and Tamiyoi wallowed on the edge. After cooling off, Pika Pika massaged her body against the creamy peacock tree and Ndotto covered his body with soothing soil before catching up with the herd as they headed back out to the bush.
It was a beautiful day in Tsavo because it drizzled with rain! The Keepers were hopeful that the shower might be a sign of more rain to come. Also excited by the rain, current and former orphans were full of playful energy in the early morning outside the stockades.
Ex-orphan Kihari challenged Murit to wrestle as he strolled past on his way to the lucerne area – he accepted happily and the two young bulls had a great time clashing heads and pushing each other around. Ashanti meandered all over the terraces and then settled down to massage herself against the rock next to Thamana who was also enjoying a body rub. Nearby, Sagala and Juni were massaging themselves against the big rock next to the stockade entrance. Ex-orphan Panda wandered all over the place until she finally found the friend she was looking for: Ndotto. The two friends entwined their trunks at the start of a lengthy wrestling match. Ex-orphan Mudanda was with Lemeki atop a pile of earth. The orphans rolled around on the ground, stretching their bodies out, and then stood up to splash themselves with soil. Kihari was posing on the terraces until Godoma began playing with her.
Eventually, the Keepers gathered their charges together and the herd ambled out for a peaceful browse in the surrounding bush.
As the sun rose over the horizon, the current orphans ambled out of their stockades and the former orphans wandered in from Msinga Hill where they had spent the night. Busara was soon sandwiched between nannies Pika Pika and Mbegu at the feeding trough. When Mbegu walked away to join the others in the lucerne area, Pika Pika sidled up even closer to Busara. Meanwhile, Tagwa was strolling along the terrace wall looking for Juni who was eating lucerne with Sagala and Tamiyoi.
Soon, Lemeki led the way out to the browsing fields followed by good friends Thamana and Emoli. Murit and Lasayen enjoyed a brief bout of wrestling before heading off after the herd. A few minutes later, Murit stopped to wait for Epiya who had been left behind next to the terrace wall. He rumbled and she toddled towards him.
In the afternoon, the orphans padded down for their usual milk feed and wallow at the baobab tree pool. Pika Pika had the wallow all to herself for a few minutes before many of the others plunged in after her. Tamiyoi was content to dig holes with her little tusks on the edge of the wallow as Tagwa and Juni paddled next to a submerged Sagala. Clambering out of the water, Thamana massaged his rump on the baobab tree before rolling around on the ground with legs flailing. When Tagwa popped over to trunk hug the young bull, she left little Juni looking disgruntled. Bathing over, the orphans headed back out to browse on a pile of delicious lucerne on their way back to the stockades.
This morning, the orphans had the feeding area to themselves for a short time before their ex-orphan friends arrived for breakfast. Caring Mbegu stood next to little Ashanti at the feeding trough, ensuring that feisty young bulls like Thamana, Hildana and Kenderi did not bother her. She stood quietly, scooping up cubes slowly with her damaged trunk. The orphans were in no hurry to head out this morning, being content to wander between the trough and the lucerne area and all over the terraces.
Finally, Godoma led the herd out to their usual browsing fields. The elephants spread out on the slopes of Msinga Hill, wandering in the direction of the open grasslands near the water hole. In the afternoon, the Keepers whistled to their charges, gathering them together for another milk feed. Ngilai, Pika Pika, Lasayen and Sagala were the last to arrive as they had to come all the way down from the summit of the hill.
Bottles emptied, the orphans padded on to the mud bath for a wallow. Most paddled into the pool to cool down, although Ngilai and Seri stayed at the water trough and Mbegu was content to stand underneath the baobab tree. Meanwhile, Ndotto was rolling around making enormous splashes in his favourite spot in the wallow.
As usual, dependent and independent orphans clustered together either at the feeding trough or the lucerne area in the early morning, with the visitors having arrived just before dawn. Unable to make up his mind, Ngilai wandered with a heap of lucerne balanced on his head from the lucerne area to the trough. He browsed on both cubes and lucerne before heading back to replenish his store. This morning, nanny Pika Pika was looking after little Busara and Mbegu was browsing on lucerne with Dabida, Ashanti, Akina and Losoito. Nearby, Ndotto and ex-orphan Panda were wrestling.
As the day grew warmer, the herd ambled out to the bush in a straggly line headed by Lemeki, Tamiyoi, Emoli, Thamana, Godoma and Baraka. The orphans settled on the slopes of Msinga Hill, browsing towards the open plains. After the milk feed in the afternoon, the orphans paddled on down to the mud wallow.
Godoma and Mbegu were squabbling over a special splashing spot on the edge of the wallow until Baraka toddled in to join them. As soon as the younger elephant arrived, they calmed down and stood quietly with Baraka sandwiched between them. Soon, Godoma walked off to massage herself against the creamy peacock tree as Lasayen did his best to peel the bark off the baobab tree next to the wallow. Ndotto stood in his favourite spot in the water while Mbegu enjoyed a back rub against the peacock tree.
As the sun rose over the horizon, a herd of excited orphans clamoured for their morning milk feed. One rumble from Hildana led to a series of echoing demands. As usual, Hildana was determined to be the first out of his shared stockade and thus stood touching the gate. The Keepers do not encourage this naughty behaviour and often make him wait for his milk, in an effort to improve his manners.
Immediately after the orphans had emptied their bottles and filled their tummies with range cubes, they headed out to the eastern side of Msinga Hill, making their way over several large boulders on the way. Several hours later, the orphans walked down the hill to the mud wallow next to the baobab tree.
After drinking from the trough, Lasayen paddled out to the middle of the wallow and stood there on his own, making large splashes with his forelegs as he submerged most of his trunk in the water. Ndotto was happily splashing thick mud on the edge as Murit scratched himself against the creamy peacock tree and Lasayen against the baobab tree. Some minutes later, Pika Pika had a brief swim followed by a thorough roll around on the pile of earth. Ndotto stood calmly next to her, surveying the scene. When the herd meandered out to find the pile of delicious lucerne, Lasayen remained behind to enjoy a solitary dust bath.
For the first time this month, Kenia’s herd did not visit the stockades this morning. The dependent orphans enjoyed a calm breakfast. For once, there was no pressure on them to share their space and behave respectfully to their elders. Ngilai and Murit were playing the pushing game, clanking their tusks as they rammed their foreheads together.
Meanwhile, naughty Pika Pika sneakily opened the tap at the bottom of the drinking trough, draining the water into the mud wallow. When a Keeper told her off with a pointed finger and a sharp remark, she threw a toddler tantrum and trotted off into the bush. Concerned, Mbegu and Godoma sprinted after her to find out what was wrong and calm her down. Before long, the rest of the herd headed out after the three elephants for their morning browse in the bush.
After walking on the slopes of Msinga Hill for several hours, the orphans paddled down in small groups to a line of Keepers waiting with bottles held aloft. They gulped down their bottles and continued on to the baobab tree water hole. As it was a sunny afternoon, many popped into the water for a roll around and a wallow, waving their trunks in excitement. The group swim was followed by a shared dust bath. The herd of refreshed elephants then wandered off for a final browse on their way back to the safety of the stockades for the night.
The orphans padded out of their pens at first light and down the path to the feeding area. Ashanti, Kilulu, Dabida and Itinyi lined up belly to belly at the feeding trough, bookended by responsible nannies Mbegu and Sagala, as Ngilai strolled straight past the range cubes trough to the lucerne area.
Following their absence yesterday, today the ex-orphans were back. They arrived promptly for breakfast and were especially hungry after yesterday’s adventures. Ex-orphan Panda challenged Ndotto to a wrestling match while Rorogoi, Suswa and Kihari ate pellets from the trough and Kenia, Araba, Arruba and Mudanda clustered around the pile of lucerne with many of the dependent orphans. When Ndotto attempted to play with ex-orphan Kihari, a jealous Panda refused to let Ndotto move away from her. When he resisted her efforts, the three elephants sparred together for a time before Kihari strolled away to climb up the terraces and strike a pose at the top.
Bellies filled, the orphans headed out for their daily bush walk led by Tamiyoi, Lemeki, Emoli, Godoma and Baraka. Kenia’s herd set out in a different direction – the former orphans always do as they please, occasionally opting to browse with the current orphans but more often heading off on their own.
On yet another clear morning, the orphans had the area outside the stockades to themselves for a few minutes before the ex-orphans strolled in to join them. The older group behave well most of the time but sometimes shove their younger friends for no good reason. Whenever they are around, caring Mbegu is at her most alert, keeping a close eye on the youngest orphans and ensuring that they are not harassed.
This morning, as usual, Pika Pika and little Busara were feeding on lucerne together as Emoli and Thamana played several exuberant rounds of the pushing game. As the sun rose in the sky, the orphans headed out, spreading over Msinga Hill in search of green browse.
In the afternoon, the orphans returned to the stockades for another milk feed. A few paddled in the mud wallow but most chose to dust and massage themselves instead. As Ngilai stood relaxing in the water, Pika Pika rubbed her rump against the large rock, Thamana scratched his backside and sides against the terrace wall, and Emoli drank deeply from the water trough. Nearby, little Seri was rubbing her belly against a smaller rock and big bull Ngilai was using the two trees. As the orphans ambled out into the bush for their afternoon lucerne treat, Emoli paused to massage his body on the rock before catching up with the herd.
In contrast to most days, it was cool this morning and Kenia’s herd did not visit. The milk-dependent orphans downed their bottles and plodded over to join the older group of Mbegu, Ngilai, Murit, Godoma, Sagala and Lasayen who no longer have milk. Murit stretched up tall to browse on tasty acacia branches over the fence as Lasayen stood peacefully between the two trees and Losoito, who is growing in confidence, pottered around on the terraces by herself.
The herd headed out in a cluster rather than an extended line to browse in the bush. Pika Pika, with little Busara toddling along behind her, climbed all the way up Msinga Hill. The pair were soon joined Ngilai, Sagala, Kilulu, and Epiya. Mbegu remained at the foot, looking after several young elephants including Ashanti and Hildana.
In the afternoon, the dependent orphans trundled down the slope in groups to Keepers waiting with bottles held aloft and on to the mud wallow. Mbegu rolled around on the edge, trunk and legs waving in the air, before ambling over to the baobab tree for a thorough body rub. Ndotto was not keen to get wet today, choosing instead to wander around the edge, showering himself with trunkfuls of soothing dust. Pika Pika, Lemeki and Ngilai plunged into the water for a quick swim followed by a dust bath. Lemeki rolled around on the ground as the others hosed their bodies. Ngilai then ambled away for a light-hearted sparring session with little Itinyi, who was delighted at the attention. The Keepers whistled and the orphans obediently set off for their afternoon lucerne treat on the way back to the stockades.
The sun rose over the horizon into a clear sky this morning as the orphans padded out of their stockades and spread out in the feeding area and on the terraces. Lemeki and Epiya scooped up range cubes as big boys Ngilai and Murit browsed on acacia branches over the fence and Thamana scratched his backside on the large rock while orphans padded past to the lucerne area. Tagwa, Lemeki and Akina walked side by side to the area as Ngilai and Murit entwined trunks and enjoyed another contest of strength on the pile of earth.
Before long, the herd headed out to browse on the slopes of Msinga Hill and in the open grasslands beyond, scouring the dry land for edible leaves and branches. In the afternoon, as usual, the orphans gathered together for another milk feed and some time around the mud wallow. Juni, Sagala, and Mbegu squabbled over one particular splashing spot on the edge of the wallow. When they wandered away to hang out under the creamy peacock tree, Tamiyoi moved into the splashing spot where she had a great time rolling around and performing a series of elephant stretches. Soon, following a wallow in the pool, Godoma was massaging herself against the peacock tree and Lasayen against the baobab. The herd headed out to browse once again with Lasayen lagging behind after his extended dust bath.
As usual, the milk-dependent orphans emerged from their two stockades first, followed by the older orphans from the largest stockade. The orphans greeted each other in the lucerne area, rumbling and trunk touching their friends.
Lemeki and Thamana led the orphans out to browse on the slopes of Msinga Hill. Pika Pika and Busara walked side by side in the middle of the line of elephants - Mbegu, Ashanti and Dabida meandered along after the herd.
They wandered and played for several hours — with Emoli pestering Thamana to ramp up the play at regular intervals — before heading down the slope to the mud bath for another milk feed and a wallow.
On a dry but cloudy day, no one was keen on swimming. Instead, they walked back out to the bush, searching the arid landscape for any foliage. There is less browse for the orphans this month in the absence of rain. Thus they depend more on the supplementary lucerne and range cubes. As has been the case every other day, they enjoyed an afternoon treat of lucerne on their way back to the stockades.
On a sunny morning, the orphans stood outside the stockades, scooping pellets and lucerne into their mouths and flapping their ears occasionally. Mbegu was fussing over Ashanti, Kilulu, Epiya and Dabida as they browsed on lucerne. Pika Pika was trunk hugging Busara and Godoma was with Baraka. Emoli and Thamana were chasing each other round the water trough, trunks waving in excitement, as Lemeki stood quite still on the pile of earth. Ngilai challenged Murit to a sparring match and Lasayen soon joined in the fun, meaning that Ngilai took both bulls at once in a noisy game.
Soon, Tamiyoi and Lemeki led the herd out to browse on the dry and rocky Msinga Hill. As always, they wandered for several hours before padding down to the mud wallow. Mbegu, Sagala and Juni squabbled over a splashing spot on the edge as Pika Pika, Godoma and Ngilai wallowed happily in the middle of the pool. Sagala decided it was time for a massage against the baobab tree. Ngilai followed her lead a few minutes later and then it was Lasayen’s turn. As Pika Pika continued to frolic in the water, Ndotto ambled over to paddle and splash in his special spot. The gentle bull stayed back for a dust bath when the rest of the herd left the wallow in the direction of the stockades.
This morning, current and former orphans did not overlap as the herd headed out to browse in the bush before the visitors ambled up the path to the stockades for breakfast. The Keepers refilled the feeding trough and brought out a second pile of lucerne and Kenia, Kihari, Arruba, Araba, Suswa, Mudanda, Ndoria and Panda settled down to fill their bellies.
Several hours later, the orphans ran down in groups for their afternoon milk feed and visit to the mud wallow. Soon the water was full of elephants waving their trunks and splashing their friends on a hot afternoon. Swimming was followed by dusting. Godoma, Tagwa and Ashanti had a great time lying down and rolling around next to each other on the pile of earth, covering every part of their bodies with red soil. Sagala and Mbegu were less playful, choosing instead to lie on their sides and occasionally squirt soil along their backs. Once the whole herd had finished dust bathing, they wandered back to the stockades, stopping along the way to enjoy yet more lucerne.
The orphans were full of energy this morning, sprinting out of their stockades and down the path to join the ex-orphans who stood contentedly under the two trees. The Keepers brought out the food and the two herds lined up at the feeding trough or clustered around the lucerne. After eating, it was time for playing. As Kenia, Araba, Suswa and Kihari drank from the water trough, ex-orphan Panda enjoyed several rounds of sparring with Ndotto. Epiya, Dabida, Kilulu and Ashanti were chasing each other under the watchful eyes of Tagwa and Tamiyoi.
As the sun rose in the sky, the herds headed out in different directions – the dependent orphans went, as always, towards Msinga Hill but Kenia’s herd ambled off towards the Voi River. The older orphans travel further afield in search of browse. This morning, Itinyi was hanging out with big boys Ndotto, Ngilai, Murit and Lasayen. As usual, the herd visited the baobab tree mud wallow in the afternoon and then browsed on supplementary lucerne on their way back to the safety of the stockades for the night.
The Keepers prepared bottles of milk just before dawn this morning as the orphans rumbled to each other and occasionally pushed against their gates. Hildana, Ashanti, Kilulu, Kenderi, Juni, and Akina were the first group to sprint out of their stockade and down the path. Cheeky Ashanti gulped down two bottles and then did her best to pinch an extra bottle from Kilulu. Bottles emptied, the orphans spread out in the feeding area, mingling with the ex-orphans who were waiting under the trees for their breakfast.
As the day became warmer, the orphans headed out to browse on the slopes of Msinga Hill. Ngilai, Godoma, Sagala and Pika Pika clambered to the top of the hill as the rest of the herd remained at the bottom. In the early afternoon, the Keepers gathered the orphans into groups and shepherded them down to the mud wallow.
Almost the whole herd went swimming today. Ndotto paddled along the edge of the pool as Godoma, Mbegu and Lasayen tussled for the splashing spot. Tagwa trunk hugged Sagala as they lay submerged in the water and then Lemeki rubbed her body against Tagwa’s before rolling around exuberantly. Ngilai and Murit enjoyed a water sparring match next to her watched by several younger orphans from the sidelines.
Soon, all the elephants except for Godoma climbed out, leaving her trumpeting in excitement in the middle of the wallow. Lemeki and Ngilai had a baobab tree massage as Emoli and friends rolled around on the pile of earth. Refreshed by their baths, the orphans wandered back out to browse.
This morning was cool and cloudy – the orphans were subdued, lining up quietly at the feeding trough and standing in a huddle around the lucerne. As the day warmed up, the orphans became livelier. Ngilai challenged Lasayen and Murit, who were standing on the pile of earth, to wrestle with him. The three bulls had a great time, twisting around and trumpeting as they clanked tusks and rammed foreheads. Tamiyoi, Tagwa and Lemeki hung out on the terraces for a time before ambling over to cover themselves with dust once the bulls had finished their contest. Ngilai walked off to browse on the acacia trees over the fence and then returned to play a gentle version of the sparring game with Lemeki. When the herd left the stockades for their daily bush walk, Ndotto remained behind for a time as he was busy rubbing his foot against a rock.
Soon after the herd had wandered out, the ex-orphans took their place in the feeding area, standing patiently while the Keepers brought out another pile of lucerne. They ate every piece and then disappeared into the bush.
At last, it rained properly this morning! As the orphans were hanging out on the terraces or the pile of earth, it began to drizzle. Lemeki was enjoying an early morning dust bath and Ngilai and Murit, as usual, were sparring with each other. Ashanti, Dabida and Kenderi were standing in a little group entwining their trunks. When the drizzle turned into a downpour, the orphans became excited. Some began chasing each other around as many lay down and rolled around on the pile of earth, rumbling and waving their trunks. Soon, a herd of wet and muddy orphans set out in a straggly line to browse on Msinga Hill.
In the afternoon, they returned to the stockades for a milk feed. Afterwards, it was time for muddy play! Tagwa, Sagala, Tamiyoi, Murit, Ngilai, Emoli, Pika Pika, Epiya, Dabida, Kilulu, Ashanti, Busara, Baraka and Losoito took it in turns to roll around in the mud and rub against each other. No one was swimming today, as almost everyone was playing in the mud — that is, except for Godoma, who was posing on the terrace wall, and Ngilai and Murit, who were having yet another wrestling match.
It was a wonderfully cool morning after yesterday’s rain. The elephants emerged from their stockades in exuberant moods, sprinted along the path and settled down with the ex-orphans at the trough and around the lucerne. After breakfast, Ndotto and ex-orphan Arruba chased each other on the terraces as Pika Pika played with Juni on the dust pile.
Tamiyoi and Losoito led the herd out to the browsing fields with Ndotto, Murit and mini matriarch Mbegu bringing up the rear. Little Losoito followed Ndotto for a while. The orphans wandered all over the hill for several hours and then the Keepers shepherded them down to the baobab tree mud wallow. Ngilai was the first to paddle in and submerge himself in the water. He was soon followed by Pika Pika, Mbegu and Tamiyoi as Ashanti rolled onto her back in the mud along the edge. Nearby, Ndotto was walking slowly around the wallow as Godoma performed a series of elephant stretches. Tamiyoi took a nap on the red soil. Bathing and dusting over, the herd headed out to the bush for an early evening browse.