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Kasigau enjoyed a Pushing Game with Shukuru which kept on being interrupted by Mutara, the Nursery Matriarch. Naipoki and Ishaq-B also challenged one another while Turkwel, Tano, Kainuk and Sities enjoyed a soil bath, Orwa and Ishanga keeping Murera company. Later on a troupe of baboons passed by, chattering noisily and scaring the elephants who ran back to their Keepers, little Kithaka being heavily guarded by Mutara, Shukuru, Makireti and Kilabasi. Once the baboons had dispersed, the orphans took to the usual deterrent Bush-Bashing!

At the Orphans’ mudbath, two huge buffalo bulls appeared on the nearby rocks in full view of all the visitors, many of whom had never seen a buffalo before, so this was a treat for them. Orwa is a very polite little elephant. As soon as he has downed his bottle of milk, he turns to greet the visitors, walking along the cordon and allowing everyone to touch him and feel the texture of elephant skin. Little Kithaka is also a great favourite with the visitors, being the smallest.

Kanjoro is still a nervous character, but is calming down. Kasigau the dominant bull of the Nursery elephant family, likes to try and challenge Kanjoro to a Pushing Game, which is the favourite pastime of adolescent bulls, but Kanjoro is not yet fit enough to be much of a match for Kasigau. Naipoki and Kihari often try to keep Kanjoro company, but he is still grieving for his lost elephant mother and family, and is something of a loner. Murera’s paralyzed back leg is still not showing signs of any improvement, and is still swollen and unable to take weight, trailing it on the ground as she moves. She lies down to sleep, making sure the injured leg is on he top, and straight. She loves her milk, and browses as much as she can. The Keepers cut special greens for her and Orwa spends time with her for company, but also enjoys joining the others out in the bush. He is very fond of little Kithaka.

As soon as the orphans emerged in the morning, Wonder Boy “Orwa” engaged injured “Murera” in a gentle Pushing Game, which she thoroughly enjoyed, the Keepers all incredulous at how mindful he was of her condition. They intertwined their trunks in a show of affection and solidarity. Little Maralal had her second day out with the other orphans and is still feeding well and comfortable with the Keepers. Sonje’s lump on her back leg shows no signs of change, and is still rock hard, but does not seem to worry her over much, although she does favour that leg. Kanjoro is still adjusting emotionally to his new situation, but is rapidly putting on weight and regaining strength.

Sonje and Orwa are Stockade neighbours now, and have become very close friends, rather like a brother and sister. They feed and play together, and are never apart. Up until now Balguda has preferred Kanjoro, but he is now gravitating towards Orwa and Sonje, Orwa, who is such a gentle elephant, welcoming him by putting out his trunk, and then playing gently with the baby. Orwa loves baby-sitting smaller ones, especially newcomers, teaching them some of the things he knows. Maxwell’s Stockade has been turned into one huge mudwallow, in which he enjoys wallowing. Today, he was wallowing when Solio came back home, and he immediately began joyfully running up and down and then engaging her in play through the separating poles of their quarters. They love one another dearly.

Sonje has become very pushy to all who are close to her at milk feeding time. Although she has a close friendship with Orwa, even he gets rough treatment from her at feed times. Sities had a mind of her own today, not wanting to follow the usual route to her stable, and instead giving the Keepers a hard time!