Melia scratching her trunk
Daily updates
April 6th
Kilaguni, Melia and Suguta enjoyed dusting themselves with drying but moist soil whilst the rest of the Juniors concentrated on browsing. At the milk venue Tumaren and Suguta held their own bottles and fed themselves, returning the empty bottles to a nearby Keeper! The mudbath was brief since the orphans had been wallowing wherever opportunity allowed during the day.
Suguta feeding
April 7th
It was a cool morning. Kilaguni and Sabachi enjoyed some rain water that was lying in a hollow rock, after which Ithumbah led the group to the slopes of Ithumba Hill. Suguta rumbled to convey that it was time to head for the milk and mudbath venue, Melia taking the lead today.
Sabachi feeding
Kilaguni and Sabachi playing
April 8th
The morning was warmer. Out in the field Kilaguni, Sabachi and Chaimu decided to split from the rest of the Juniors and browse some way off on their own. At 11 a.m. the Keepers called for Chaimu to bring her group back, which she did within 5 minutes, running with her ears raised, followed by Kilaguni and Sabachi. At the mudbath Chaimu enjoyed lying on top of Kilaguni, something he didn’t object to.
Chaimu browsing
Orphans drinking water
April 9th
The orphans left after their usual scratching activity. At 9 a.m. an Ex Orphan group comprised of Kinna, Loijuk, Kenze, Makena, Orok, Taita, Mulika and Selengai visited the Stockades for water and having quenched their thirst, again left. Out in the field Sabachi and Kilaguni had a disagreement over the best shade tree, settled by the intervention of Suguta who took over the shade for herself! Since the day turned hot, all enjoyed an active mudbath after which they sheltered under shade before resuming browsing.
Makena
Kinna
April 14th
The orphans had an enjoyable morning browsing and after the mudbath Tumaren, Kilaguni and Chaimu had a wonderful dustbath. Later in the afternoon a rain shower prompted the orphans to enjoy themselves in the moist soil until it was time to head back home.
Kilaguni rolling on the ground
Evening mudbath
April 15th
Led by Ithumbah, the orphans left the Stockades in a happy mood, settling in to browse along the Kanziku area. Soon after the Juniors had left Yatta, Mulika, Kinna, Selengai, Orok, Nasalot and Buchuma came with two wild elephant friends to drink at the Stockades. After the mudbath, as the Juniors were enjoying playing along muddy road banks they were joined by Nasalot, who placed her trunk lovingly on her favourite, Kilaguni, and then rumbled leading the babies to the slopes of Ithumba hill where they browsed until evening.
Selengai and Kinna
Nasalot joins the junior group
April 22nd
The orphans enjoyed a quiet day, playing and feeding. Only Ithumbah and Kilaguni took a mudbath after which the group returned to the browsing fields. In the evening Ithumbah led the group back.
Ithumbah & Kilaguni enjoying themselves
Orphans roll in wet soil
April 23rd
Today the Keepers took the Juniors west to browse along a river line where pasture was plenty. Suguta, Kilaguni and Sabachi played a rolling game to express their joy and later Kilaguni and Sabachi enjoyed a pushing match which saw Kilaguni surrender. At mudbath only Ithumbah and Chaimu went in while the rest enjoyed scratching themselves against trees. Later Ithumbah, who knows the area well, led the group to the Kanziku area to feed for the remainder of the day.
Suguta and Sabachi
Kilaguni playing
April 24th
Thick cloud cover threatened rain, but strong wind dispersed the clouds. Kilaguni and Sabachi again challenged one another to a Pushing Match. Ithumbah led the Juniors to the milk and mudbath venue, and later back to browse until it was time for the return.
Kilaguni
Ithumbah playing on the ground
April 26th
As the orphans left the Stockades in the morning, the Keepers noticed the spoor of a wild cat who had visited the compound during the night. Out in the field Ithumbah, Chaimu and Kilaguni enjoyed a soil bath before concentrating on browsing. Ithumbah again led the group home in the evening.
Ithumbah in charging mood
Roadside fun
April 27th
Ithumba again led the Juniors out after all had finished rock scratching and Kilaguni and Sabachi had ended a Pushing Game. At the mudbath venue the Juniors were joined by the entire Ex Orphan Herd who were accompanied by two wild bulls. Missing from the group were Mgeni and Ndomot. Mgeni seems to have absented himself again from Yatta’s Unit since the two wild bulls joined the group. Nasalot, as usual, remained very close to Kilaguni. Later the Ex Orphan group left the Juniors and headed towards the Kanziku area.
Ex orphans join the orphans at the mudbath
Kinna, Loijuk, wild bull, Lenana, Zurura & Kora