Ithumba Reintegration Unit

April 2012

Daily updates

April 2012

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April 4th

It was another cool day, so the Juniors emerged in high spirits, Murka orchestrating a charging and trumpeting run-around game in the compound. All then enjoyed a dustbath during which Murka and Chaimu enjoyed a gentle Pushing Game and Kandecha challenged Kilaguni to a strength testing match. Today the Ex Orphans reported twice at the Stockade, in the morning and again in the evening.

Chaimu browsing

Kandecha and Kilaguni in strength testing games

April 7th

It was another cool morning as the Juniors headed out to the slopes of Ithumba hill to browse. After noon Napasha showed up alone at the Stockades without the rest of the Ex Orphan herd. Meanwhile, Kilaguni and Sabachi embarked on their usual sport of Pushing. The day remained hot, so the Juniors enjoyed a second mudwallow on the way back home in the evening.

Napasha having a drink

Kilaguni and Sabachi strength testing

April 9th

Once out in the field, the Junior boys – Sabachi, Kilaguni, Kandecha and Kibo split from the rest of the group to browse on their own in the opposite direction. At 11 a.m. the Keepers called Kilaguni to bring his group back to join the rest, and he responded within five minutes. At the mudbath Kandecha enjoyed scratching his body against that of Kilaguni, who was lying on the ground.

Kibo at the dustbath

Kilaguni browsing

Kilaguni scratching

April 10th

The Juniors enjoyed their usual Stockade activity this morning, Murka, Naisula, Tumaren, Kandecha and Olare scratching against rocks wile Kilaguni and Sabachi engaged one another as usual.

Naisula coming to the mudbath

Olare browsing

April 11th

At 6 a.m., early in the morning, before the Juniors emerged, Yatta and the Ex Orphans came to the Stockade compound and intermingled with the Juniors as soon as they were let out. Once out in the field Chaimu attracted Kitirua, Melia, Tumaren, Kilaguni, Sabachi and Kandecha by lying down. Suguta, who was a short distance away came to enjoy lying on Melia, who was also lying down. Later Kilaguni signaled an end to the game by running off, followed by the others. At the mudbath the Juniors were again joined by the Ex Orphans.

Ex orphans at the stockade

Chaimu playing sitting games

April 12th

Whilst the girls opted for a soil bath, Kilaguni did the rounds testing his strength against whoever was available. Having engaged Kandecha, he then homed in on Melia, against whom he had no chance, so he left her for Sabachi instead. This went on until it was time to head out.

Kilaguni strength testing with Sabachi

Orphans having a drink in the morning

April 13th

Still no rain, although the sky looks promising. The Juniors had a soil bath this morning while Kitirua and Kilaguni had a score to settle. They then headed out to browse.

Challa soil bathing

Kitirua in the lead

April 14th

It was an uneventful day for the Juniors, Kilaguni and Sabachi engaging one another as usual, and after the mudbath, Kilaguni took on Kibo. Sensing that Kilaguni was winning, Kibo decided to about turn and quit.

Chaimu and Kalama

Naisula

April 18th

The Juniors welcomed the rain, and strolled happily to the browsing area, playing in puddles on the way. The Ex Orphans turned up to join the Juniors at the mudbath, but only Kilaguni decided to go in, while all the others opted for a dustbath instead. The Juniors spent 20 minutes intermingling with the Senior Ex Orphans.

Taita

Kilaguni enjoying the water

April 20th

As soon as the Stockades were opened up in the morning, Kilaguni and Kandecha engaged one another in a Pushing Game while the rest went for water at the trough. Melia then led the way out to the slopes of Ithumba hill to browse. After the mudbath and milk, the Juniors enjoyed a dustbath.

Melia near the mudbath

Orphans dustbathing

April 22nd

Kilaguni lagged behind the other Juniors today, busy kicking a fallen Weaverbird nest around the compound. He ran to catch up with them later. Meanwhile Sabachi tried to kiss Naisula by inserting his trunk into her mouth, but she would have none of it, and ran off. Today the Juniors browsed the Kone area.

Sabachi leading

Kilaguni

April 24th

At about l0 a.m. Kilaguni and Kandecha were at war, so Tumaren emerged from nowhere to separate the two boys. Shortly before the mudbath, the Juniors were joined by the Ex Orphans. Melia extended her trunk in greeting to Buchuma and Murka did the same to Ithumbah who has yet again decided to upgrade herself from the Junior herd to the Seniors. All enjoyed a joint mudbath, parting ways in the afternoon.

Kandacha and Kilaguni in pushing games

Kora and Ithumbah

April 27th

The Juniors browsed calmly throughout the morning but for Kilaguni and Kandecha who indulged in their usual competitive Pushing Game which lasted for some time until Tumaren and Melia intervened to separate them. It promised rain in the afternoon, but sadly the wind dispersed the clouds. Time conscious Kandecha signaled that it was time to begin the journey back at about 5 p.m.

Tumaren

Juniors playing

April 30th

Soon after the Juniors had left the Compound, a group of Ex Orphans came in – Napasha, Loijuk, Challa, Chyulu, a wild bull, Kamboyo and Zurura. Having taken water, they left in the direction in which they had come. At mudbath time the Juniors were joined by Ex Orphans Mulika, Yatta, their babies, Wendi and Galana. Galana joined Kilaguni in the wallow while Kandecha tested his strength against Meibai. Meibai won, and then attempted to mount onto Kandecha, but Orok, who was a few meters away, came to Kandecha’s rescue, pushing Meibai away. All then went as one large herd to the slopes of Mazinga hill where they browsed until the evening, until it was time for the Juniors to return to the Stockades. The Ex Orphans began to head southwards.

Zurura

Orok

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