01 April 1999

On the lst Ndume and Edo arrived early at the Stockade and were with Malaika's group until the evening.

02 April 1999

On the 2nd Ndume and Edo joined Malaika's group, but lagged behind in the evening.

03 April 1999

On the 3rd they met Malaika's group at Lion Hill and spent the morning with her, but when Malaika took her family to the mudbath, Edo and Ndume went independently down to the river.

04 April 1999

On the 4th and 5th Edo and Ndume were with Malaika's group all day and on the 6th they persuaded Malaika to come with them, leaving the babies in Emily's care. However Malaika returned alone to the Stockades in the evening to join her adopted family.

05 April 1999

On the 4th and 5th Edo and Ndume were with Malaika's group all day and on the 6th they persuaded Malaika to come with them, leaving the babies in Emily's care. However Malaika returned alone to the Stockades in the evening to join her adopted family.

06 April 1999

On the 4th and 5th Edo and Ndume were with Malaika's group all day and on the 6th they persuaded Malaika to come with them, leaving the babies in Emily's care. However Malaika returned alone to the Stockades in the evening to join her adopted family.

07 April 1999

On the 7th Malaika met up with Edo and Ndume out in the bush. They were joined at 2 p.m. by Lissa and her family, baby Lara included who spent the rest of the day with them. Edo and Ndume remained behind with Lissa when Malaika took her family back to the Stockades in the evening.

08 April 1999

The day of the 8th was spent uneventfully at the river and on the 9th Malaika and the babies met Lissa's group near the Education Centre. They were all together for the mudbath and then Lissa and her family left. In the evening Edo and Ndume lagged behind.

09 April 1999

On the 9th Malaika and the babies met Lissa's group near the Education Centre. They were all together for the mudbath and then Lissa and her family left. In the evening Edo and Ndume lagged behind.

12 April 1999

On the 12th Malaika and family met up with a very large herd down at the river, amongst whom was Edo. They remained with this herd playing and enjoying themselves until 4 p.m. when Edo and Malaika made their way slowly back to the Stockades.

13 April 1999

On the 13th the orphans met Ndume and a large group of wild elephants at 12.30 p.m. down at the river and spent 2 hours with them.

14 April 1999

On the 14th met up with Ndume on the East side of Mazinga Hill. Together they ambled down to the river, meeting many other wild groups en route, one amongst whom were Lissa, her baby and Mpenzi. Malaika decided to remain behind with Lissa's group, and the babies were taken back to the Stockades without her.

15 April 1999

The next day (15th) Lissa's group and Edo were at the Stockades to leave with Malaika's group and spent the day together until 5.30 p.m. when Lissa, Edo and Lissa's group separated.

16 April 1999

On the 16th Malaika met Lissa's group at 1 p.m. and spent the rest of the day together, until time to return to the Stockade. Edo came back with Malaika.

17 April 1999

17.4.99 Malaika met up with Edo and Ndume at 4.45 p.m. and they all returned to the Stockades together. At 4.15 p.m. a new calf was flown in from the Aberdares, having been estimated to be over 1 year in age. In fact, she was only about 6 months, and as such, still milk dependent. Because the young bulls, Imenti, Lewa and Uaso wanted to jump on her, she as kept in the Stockade so that she could be tamed and settled. She was called "Mweiga".

18 April 1999

On the 18th, the orphans met up with Ndume and Edo in amongst a large wild group.

19 April 1999

On the 19th Edo and Ndume again returned to the Stockade with Malaika and were there the next morning, spending the whole of the day with Malaika's group.

23 April 1999

On the 23rd only Ndume met up with Malaika but on the 24th both were with Malaika the entire day.

27 April 1999

On the 28th the orphans had no contact with wild herds,. But on the 27th both Edo and Ndume were in attendance.

30 April 1999

On the 30th Malaika led the orphans into the fenced area and wanted the new baby all to herself, refusing to allow Emily and Aitong access to the calf. Mrs. Sheldrick happened to be visiting Voi and decided to separate Malaika and the young boys from Emily, Aitong and the new baby"Mweiga", so that Emily and Aitong could comfort the newcomer and remain near the Stockades with her since she needed 3 hourly feeding on milk. Malaika could then accompany the young bulls out into the bush. Malaika wanted the baby all to herself, refusing to give Emily and Aitong access to her, which made the young bulls very jealous. She was not happy about the new situation, walking along the fenceline all day, but by the evening she seemed to understand. The new baby, "Mweiga", is very bonded to the Keepers and eager to wallow in the mud, because it is very hot at this time of the year. A small mudbath was made near the Stockades, and Emily and Aitong are taking their duties very seriously.