Tusuja has caught the attention of the Keepers this month, as a lot of bulls his age tend to do. Now six years old Tusuja is starting to assert himself within the herd and becoming more playful and boisterous as a result. He is particularly playful with Galla and Olsekki, but he is just as happy to play on his own – rolling around on the ground and showing off his different unique poses, while throwing his trunk in the air. Safe to say he has become a real exhibitionist!
It was a bright morning as the orphans, led out by Sapalan, strolled nonchalantly up to the water trough for a drink. Sapalan made a stop to scratch against the only remaining acacia tree in the stockade compound. After the orphans had some water, Rapa tried to challenge Tusuja to a pushing game. but unfortunately lost the game to the experienced Tusuja. Tusuja moved on to tackle Olsekki and their game ended in a draw. Sapalan played with Galla but their game ended prematurely when they saw Barsilinga approaching.
Out in the bush, Mundusi enjoyed scratching against some trees while Naseku decided to take a break from feeding to have a game of rolling on the ground. At mud bath time, the orphans had their milk bottles then headed to have a mud bath in the bush. Mapia played on an ant hill briefly before following his friends. Pare came across a pool of water and had fun rolling around in it before heading to catch up with his friends. Barsilinga dodged the Keepers again but was located later after a long search. Sapalan and Enkikwe spent most of the afternoon browsing together.
Soon after leaving the stockade, Mteto decided to start her day’s activities by scratching against the stockade wall as the rest of her friends headed straight to water trough for a morning drink. Shortly later, Mapia led the way out to browse. On the way, the orphans came across a fallen tree and they feasted on its green leaves before proceeding further into the bush. The morning was quiet as the orphans concentrated mostly on browsing and at mud bath time, Mteto led the first group of three orphans to have their milk bottles. Tusuja led the second group of orphans.
Soon after having their midday milk Tusuja and Galla, who have become playmates, settled on a pushing game while their friends headed for a bush mud bath, and not one at the main waterhole which is full to the brim with water. Later Tusuja and Wanjala followed the others to where they were rolling in the mud and decided to join them to cool themselves down after a long pushing game. Olsekki got into a charging mood when a flock of birds flew over him, but he calmed down after the birds disappeared. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill and in the evening they returned back safely to the stockades.
After drinking water at the stockade water trough in the morning, the orphans proceeded to feast on a fallen tree just close to the stockade compound. Malkia moved to scratch her belly on the trunk of the fallen tree. Kauro and Mundusi decided to use rocks to scratch against and later Mundusi teamed up with Kuishi to browse.
Later Naseku, Malima, Malkia, Olsekki, Maramoja, Rapa and Ndiwa came across some loose soil that they played on. On the way to the mud bath, Mundusi picked a root of an acacia tree that had been dropped by a wild elephant and continued to enjoy feeding on what was left of it. Pare and Rapa, who saw Mundusi pick the root up, came close to him and demanded to share it with him. Mundusi had no option but to allow the two older bulls to have the root.
After mud bath time, Olsekki engaged Tusuja in a strength testing exercise that ended in a draw. In the afternoon, Barsilinga as usual dodged his younger friends and the Keepers. The Keepers tried to look for him but they didn't succeed. Later in the night around nine o'clock, Barsilinga showed up at the stockade compound all by himself and was let in to join his friends. Of late Barsilinga does not appear to be enjoying the company if his junior friends and has been preferring to feed on his own.
Soon after leaving the stockade compound, Wanjala teamed up with Namalok to browse while Malkia settled to feed with Kuishi. Olsekki began his day’s activities by rolling on some loose soil that he came across and resumed browsing on the bushes around him when he had enough fun. The temperature was moderate and orphans had a quiet time.
After having their midday milk bottles, the orphans walked straight back out to the bush to continue feeding. The orphans settled to browse along the upper Kalovoto River. Mundusi came across a nice baobab tree that he used to scratch his neck on. When he was through with scratching, Kamok, who was feeding close by, came and used the same tree to scratch herself on too. Tusuja closed the scratching chapter of the day when he came over after Kamok and scratched his neck in the same place, before rumbling to inform his friends that it was time to go back for their evening milk.
After taking her morning milk, Sana Sana crossed over to the other side and exchanged morning greetings with Jotto before engaging him in a light pushing game. When the gates were opened, Ndiwa, Mapia and Galla settled to scratch against the loading ramp wall in the stockade compound.
Later in the morning, Sapalan and Siangiki were seen multitasking, scratching and feeding at the same time. Mteto and Karisa teamed up together to browse and had a private conversation that lasted for a few minutes before they parted ways. The orphans attended a new mud bath that they had never been to before. It was the Imenti water hole and the orphans kept close to the Keepers because it was a new area they didn't know very well. Even Barsilinga, who is expressing his independence at the moment and keeps dodging the Keepers, didn't wander far from them and the juniors. In the evening the sun was still hot and the orphans passed by the usual mud bath for an evening cooling-off exercise.
The orphans left their stockade in a happy mood as expressed by the swinging of their trunks. On their way out to browse, Oltaiyoni, Karisa and Kuishi did a scratching exercise on some rocks while Barsilinga and Kamok scratched their bellies on a fallen tree. Mapia and Enkikwe passed by the fallen tree and broke branches off it to enjoy as they walked. Tusuja pulled grass up by its roots and shook the soil from the roots as he followed his friends.
The orphans settled to feed in the Kone area up to mud bath time when Kuishi, Jotto and Malima formed the first group and headed to the mud bath. The sun was hot and the orphans really enjoyed swimming in the main waterhole. After having enough of wallowing, Mundusi led the way out to browse again with Olsekki, Tusuja and Barsilinga leaving the water last. The afternoon was quiet as the orphans concentrated mostly on browsing.
Sana Sana entwined trunks with Jotto in morning greetings as Karisa led the way out to browse. Olsekki started his day activities by having fun rolling on the ground while Ambo came across a nice rock that he used to scratch on. Naseku teamed up with Oltaiyoni to browse while Wanjala settled to feed with Karisa. Malkia fed close to Sapalan. Sapalan plucked some of the tasty ipomoea vines and threw them over his head as he enjoyed the lush vegetation surrounding him. Enkikwe browsed with Barsilinga briefly before parting ways.
The orphans browsed heading east and at eleven o'clock in the morning arrived at Kalovoto mud bath where they had their milk bottles before getting into the water to cool themselves down. Olsekki enjoyed riding on Tusuja in the water. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse along the Kalovoto River. In the evening, Tusuja led the way back to the stockades.
Soon after the orphans left the stockades, Mundusi, Ukame and Namalok passed by the water trough to have a drink before catching up with their friends. Barsilinga had a morning soil dusting exercise as Ndiwa had a game of rolling on the ground. Her game attracted Tusuja who joined her on the ground. Malkia Roi, Rapa and Ambo had a brief scratch on the rocks before resuming with browsing.
The orphans browsed towards east heading towards the lower Kalovoto area. They decided to go to the Kalovoto mud bath at eleven o'clock in the morning. Ndiwa, Ukame, Roi and Galla settled to dust after mud bathing while Tusuja engaged Olsekki in a pushing game. Olsekki later returned for a mud bath and joined Malkia who was enjoying cooling off. In the afternoon, the orphans settled along the eastern slopes of Ithumba Hill where they browsed until five in the evening, when it was time to get back to the stockade for the night.
Karisa and Olsekki walked down to the water trough to have some water before heading out to browse. On their way, Olsekki felt that he wanted someone to have a pushing game with. He tried to persuade Tusuja but Tusuja declined telling him that it was too early and he should concentrate on browsing first before it got too hot. Sana Sana had her own game of rolling on the ground while Ndiwa, Kuishi and Ambo had a scratching exercise against some trees and rocks. At eleven o'clock in the morning, the orphans went to the Kalovoto mud bath again. Ambo, Karisa, Tusuja and Olsekki enjoyed the water the most and were the last to quit the mud bath. In the afternoon, the orphans browsed along the lower Kalovoto River.
Sana Sana led the way out in the morning. The orphans were in a jovial mood which they expressed through their morning games. Pare and Sapalan started a pushing game that was briefly disrupted by Enkikwe who passed in between them in an effort to put an end to their game. Sapalan and Pare moved further away from Enkikwe and continued with their pushing game. Olsekki tried to climb on Tusuja while Barsilinga and Malkia settled for scratching. Kauro picked on Wanjala while Enkikwe settled to play with Oltaiyoni. Mundusi and Naseku opted for a game of rolling on the ground. After Naseku had enough of her games, she walked to join Namalok to browse.
Later on at the mud bath, the temperature was moderate and the orphans wallowed in the water as usual in such conditions, and when they were done they went to dust themselves on the piles of soil to dry their bodies. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the upper Kalovoto area. In the evening, Siangiki and Tusuja came across small water pan that they used to have an evening mud bath.
Soon after having her milk bottle, Malima decided to keep herself busy by scratching on the water trough inside the stockade as she waited for the gate to be opened. Karisa led the way out as soon as they were.
Out in the Park, Mapia, who loves scratching, led Malkia, Sana Sana, Mundusi, Kamok, Olsekki, Ambo and Kuishi to perform a scratching exercise against some rocks and trees. There was a small conflict between Namalok and Sana Sana when Namalok tried to get some food from Sana Sana’s mouth. Sana Sana protested bitterly by rumbling loudly and walking away from Namalok. Later, Sana Sana met with Jotto and had a light strength testing exercise that helped her calm down.
Later in the day, Galla played with Tusuja and thereafter had a game with Kauro. At mud bath time, the orphans started with soil bathing, then later decided to go into the water for a swim after all, and after went back to soil bathing to dry themselves.
For the rest of the afternoon the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. In the evening, Karisa and Sana Sana led the way for an evening cooling-off exercise. When they were done they dusted themselves and Naseku took the opportunity to scratch on Oltaiyoni who was rolling on the ground. Ambo, Kamok and Barsilinga were the last ones to finish soil-bathing.
Karisa led the way out after the morning milk feed. The orphans passed by the water troughs to drink before proceeding out to the bush. Namalok and Sapalan were the last to finish drinking. Shortly later, a wild bull visited the stockade but left moments after having a drink.
Kauro and Tusuja had a brief strength testing exercise. As soon as it was over, Tusuja decided to have his own game of playing on the ground. His game attracted Sana Sana who joined him to roll on the ground. Olsekki was not left behind in terms of performing games; he picked a roll of dry vines and started tossing it up in the air until it landed on his back. Sapalan and Malkia used the same tree to scratch their side of their bellies.
At mud bath time, the orphans started with soil bathing soon after having their milk bottles, then shortly later headed to wallow in the main mud bath. It seems they like doing things the other way around these past few days; they usually dust after having a swim in order to dry their bodies, but they have been starting with dusting before swimming recently. Ambo, who normally escapes wallowing in the main water hole, walked over to his usual place, a small water pan to the side with warmer water. After having enough, Ambo came back to join his friends who had now left the main water hole and were dusting themselves dry again. Malima spotted some birds close by and decided to chase them, charging and trumpeting. The charging and trumpeting scared the birds away, but also drew the attention of Tusuja who joined without knowing the reason behind Malima's charging. Tusuja charged at the bushes knocking them down until he got tired and resumed browsing. Naseku and Oltaiyoni were the last ones to quit the soil-bathing exercise. In the evening, the orphans were briefly joined by ex-orphan Zurura.
After morning milk, Tusuja led the way out to the water trough where he settled for water. The rest of the group soon joined him in drinking water. Soon after having enough, Tusuja decided to have fun by sitting and rolling on the ground. His game was disrupted by Olsekki who has become his playmate these days.
Later in the morning, Esampu, Barsilinga, Sapalan, Sana Sana and Rapa evidently developed an itch and decided to all go for a group scratching session. Later, the orphans came across a small pool of water that they used to bath in. Ambo left the water and went to scratch against the nearby trees. At mud bath time, the weather wasn't appealing for a swim and so the orphans walked around the mud bath without going in, before walking to the soil bathing area. When they were done dusting themselves they walked back out to the bush to browse. Jotto briefly challenged Mteto in a wrestling match before joining Sana Sana to share a root Sana Sana had come across and was willing to share with him. Olsekki engaged Tusuja in a pushing game that ended in a draw.
Later in the evening on the way back to the stockades, it was slightly warmer, so the orphans decided to have an evening cooling-off session at the main waterhole.
Olsekki, Ukame and Kamok passed by the water trough for a drink before leaving for browsing. Mundusi started the day’s activities by rolling on the ground, a game that was disrupted by Kauro when he attempted to climb on him. Kuishi and Mapia made a brief stop on their way out to the Park to enjoy a scratch against some rocks they came across.
Later in the morning Kauro engaged Kamok in a light strength testing exercise that ended in a draw, while Ambo learned one or two pushing tactics from Sana Sana. At eleven o'clock in the morning, the orphans went to the Kalovoto mud bath and had their milk bottles and played some games amongst themselves before going back to browsing. In the evening, Ambo and Kauro rolled around for a short while in a small puddle they found, before following their friends back to the stockades.
Wanjala, Tusuja, Olsekki and Barsilinga walked down to the water trough immediately after having their morning milk bottles. The four boys settled for water and soon after they had enough, Tusuja decided to have a morning stretching exercise by sitting with his trunk raised in the air followed by him rolling on the ground. His exercise was disrupted by Olsekki who passed by and pushed him to get up. Namalok briefly engaged Mundusi in a pushing game but Mundusi was reluctant to play and therefore quit the game to have his own game of rolling on the ground. Tusuja came over and started having fun of rolling on Mundusi. Shortly later, Kauro came over as well and this made Mundusi get up and quit the game since he couldn’t withstand the weight from two boys climbing on top of him! Kauro rolled on Tusuja instead as Mundusi went to scratch against a nearby tree. Minutes later, the orphans were joined by ex-orphan Zurura who browsed with them for nearly an hour.
On the way to the Kalovoto mud bath, Jotto lagged behind and since the bush was so thick, the Keepers didn't notice. It was during the eleven o'clock feeding time when one elephant couldn’t be accounted for that the Keepers realized Jotto wasn’t with them and they retraced their steps to find him. After a short while they found Jotto and he was reunited with his friends. Tusuja engaged Wanjala in a pushing game as Ambo settled for dusting. In the evening, the orphans were again joined by Zurura who escorted them back to the stockades.
There wasn’t space for Wanjala and Namalok to share water with the other bulls at the upper water trough, so they walked down to occupy the larger water trough. Seconds later, they were joined by Karisa. Tusuja had a brief chat with Olsekki before lying down to play. Kamok and Enkikwe were the last ones to quit the water trough.
Out in the bush, Mundusi played with Wanjala while Enkikwe and Karisa came across a small pool of water that they used to splash behind their ears to cool themselves down. At mud bath time, all the orphans participated fully in the wallowing session and after went to dust themselves at the pile of red soil. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill up to five o'clock in the evening, when they returned back to the stockades for the night.
As their friends converged to drink water at the upper, slightly smaller, water trough, Mundusi and Wanjala walked down and occupied the bigger water trough. Tusuja decided to perform a show in front of his friends as he tried to show them how a warm-up and stretching exercise is done. As soon as Tusuja was done with his performance, he stood up and engaged Ukame in a pushing game. Ukame showed reluctance in the game however, which prompted Tusuja to switch to Olsekki who has become his playmate these days. Sapalan briefly tackled Jotto before both of them settled for scratching. Maramoja took a break from feeding to perform a soil dusting exercise while Mundusi and Olsekki preferred rolling on the ground.
Sapalan led the way to the Kalovoto mud bath for their milk feed at 11am. Soon after the orphans had their milk, Olsekki led everyone for a dust bath, except Wanjala who wanted to challenge Pare. In the afternoon, the orphans settled east of Ithumba Hill close to Kone dam where they browsed calmly throughout the remaining part of the day.
Wanjala and Tusuja had a warm up exercise soon after leaving their stockade. The two boys enjoyed pushing one other for some time before Olsekki came over and disrupted their exercise. Perhaps he thought that Tusuja is his particular friend and he wanted to play with him.
Out in the bush, Kuishi, Kauro, Esampu and Mapia took a break from feeding to scratch against some rocks and trees they came across. Shortly before mud bath time, Barsilinga disappeared and failed to turn up at the eleven o'clock milk feeding time. The other junior orphans had their milk and did some soil dusting while others proceeded to drink water. Sana Sana picked up a stick and used it to scratch in between her two front legs. Shortly later, the orphans jumped into the water to cool off and thereafter headed back out to the bush to browse.
Karisa and Mteto shared a tree for a scratching exercise while Sapalan played with Pare. Olsekki climbed on Tusuja, which Tusuja disapproved of, and he moved forward forcing Olsekki to get off him. Mapia, who accidentally got in the way, got pushed by Tusuja. Mapia decided to defend himself but when the going got tough for the young bull he quit and ran away. In the evening, the orphans were joined briefly by Zurura again, who was passing by on his way somewhere. Shortly before seven o'clock late in the evening, Barsilinga reported back to the stockades all by himself.
Kuishi, Olsekki, Mteto, Karisa, Sana Sana and Namalok walked down to a pile of loose soil soon after leaving the stockades. The orphans had fun rolling on the soil. Namalok tried to challenge Karisa while he was lying on the ground. As soon as Karisa got to his feet however, he decided not to continue playing with Namalok. Namalok decided to go and play with Wanjala instead. Galla tried to entice Mundusi into a pushing game but Mundusi wasn’t interested and decided to move away from Galla. The rest of the morning was quiet as the orphans browsed calmly without any major distractions.
At mud bath time, the orphans took their milk bottles then headed for a soil dusting session before jumping into the water to cool themselves down. Olsekki, Ambo, Kauro, Barsilinga and Jotto boycotted the wallowing exercise. After mud bath, Kauro played with Kamok while Mundusi played with Pare. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. Barsilinga behaved and didn't disappear today like he has done on previous days.
After their morning milk feed, Sapalan, who rarely leads, was bold enough to lead the way down to the water trough. Once there however he stepped aside for someone else to take over leading the group out to browse. Kuishi took over, followed by Malkia. A few meters ahead Kuishi came across some loose soil that she stopped and decided to play with. Her game attracted Oltaiyoni, Mundusi, Tusuja and Olsekki. Shortly later, the orphans headed to the lower Kalovoto area where they settled to browse and they had a quiet morning.
At mud bath time the temperature was moderate. The orphans only decided to walk through the water at the Kalovoto mud bath and thereafter returned back to browsing. The orphans browsed along the banks of the Kalovoto River up to evening when Kuishi led the way back to the stockades.
It drizzled in the morning shortly before the orphans were let out and this meant the weather was chilly as well. The orphans headed straight out to browse soon after leaving the stockades. Galla, Barsilinga, Naseku, Malkia, Karisa, Maramoja, Ambo and Jotto started their day activities by scratching against some trees. Mundusi had a brief chat with Esampu but this ended up in a disagreement when Mundusi tried to take some food from Esampu's mouth; the two then parted ways. Esampu and Enkikwe took a break from feeding to have a wet soil bathing exercise. Later, Mundusi played with Pare while Karisa played with Mapia, and Olsekki had his own game of rolling on the ground.
At mud bath time, Mapia led Malkia and Malima in the first group to have their milk bottles. The weather was still chilly and as soon the orphans had their milk they walked over to the big pile of loose soil for a dust bath to keep warm, before making their way back out to the bush to browse.
In the evening the dependent-orphans were joined by ex-orphan Challa who was last seen in March when we treated him for a spear wound. There was still a small area which looked a little sore, so we decided to call him to follow us back to the stockades so we could treat it a bit further, and Challa duly followed! Later in the evening it was a bit warmer and the dependent-orphans passed by the mud bath and had an evening cooling-off session.
It was a cloudy morning when the orphans left the stockades this morning. It appeared it would rain any time before long. Tusuja enjoyed a lovely game rolling on the ground. Wanjala came and tried to climb on Tusuja while he was still rolling on the ground, but he stopped when Oltaiyoni came over and threatened to push him. When Wanjala left, Oltaiyoni had fun pinning Tusuja down and also lying on top of him. Wanjala moved off to play with Galla while Ambo settled for a scratching exercise.
Out in the bush, Olsekki engaged Tusuja in a pushing game and later settled for soil bathing. His game attracted Sana Sana, Roi, Mapia, Sapalan, Malkia, Ukame, Naseku and Pare. Shortly later, the weather changed with heavy clouds giving way to rain. When the rain stopped, the orphans enjoyed playing on the wet soil. Tusuja had a brief strength testing exercise with Siangiki before giving up to resume browsing.
At mud bath time the weather was chilly and none of the orphans participated in wallowing. Kuishi developed a small swelling on her side but after putting some ointment on it looked a lot better. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. In the evening, Ambo and Enkikwe came across a small puddle of water that they used to splash behind their ears.
It was still raining in the morning when the orphans were let out. The rain had started early before dawn. Kuishi was fine and in a very happy mood.
Out in the bush the orphans met with Orwa, Bomani and Chemi Chemi. Orwa and Chemi Chemi enjoyed rolling on the ground as Bomani teamed up with the junior orphans to browse. The ex-orphan three boys stayed with the orphans throughout the day. The orphans felt wet enough from the rain, so at mud bath time they had their milk bottles then headed for a wet soil bath, bypassing the mud bath. Roi caused drama when she managed to grab a bottle of milk and ran away faster than the Keepers as she emptied its contents. The Keepers watched her unbelievably as she happily downed the milk.
Tusuja engaged Mundusi in a pushing game then later played with Orwa. In the afternoon it started to warm up and the orphans concentrated on browsing. Orwa, Bomani and Chemi Chemi escorted the junior orphans back to the stockades in the evening.
Orwa, Bomani and Chemi Chemi appeared to have spent their night just close by to the stockades as they were there to join the orphans early in the morning. Mundusi tried to challenge Chemi Chemi but was overpowered by the much larger bull! Later Chemi Chemi moved to play with Bomani. An hour later, Bomani Orwa and Chemi Chemi snatched Barsilinga and he walked off with them into the bush. By the 11am milk feeding time the Keepers had still not seen Barsilinga; perhaps this is why the ex-orphans came by – to see if Barsilinga was ready to join them. After having their milk the orphans headed back out to browse and walked through the thick bushes which helped to get rid of the flies which were bothering them.
In the afternoon, the orphans had a roadside mud bath and shortly later resumed browsing. In the evening when the other orphans returned home for the night, Barsilinga and his three friends had still not returned, but shortly before mid-night, Barsilinga in the company of Orwa, Bomani and Chemi Chemi reported back to the stockades. They went inside one of the stockades for the night.
Orwa, Bomani and Chemi Chemi reported early at the stockades and waited for the orphans. Amazingly enough the three ex-orphans lined up along the wall as the junior orphans did with their trunks up, expecting to get each a bottle of milk as well! They were disappointed when the orphans were fed and they failed to get any, but we think they knew they were trying their luck – they have not had any milk bottles for quite some time! Shortly later, the three boys accompanied the orphans and Barsilinga out to browse again.
The temperature was moderate and the orphans concentrated on browsing. Malkia settled to browse with Malima and had a brief chat before parting ways. Malima proceeded to scratch on a nearby rock and later gave way to Roi, Mteto, Orwa and Chemi Chemi who used the same rock to scratch. After mud bath time, the orphans settled to browse east of the stockades. Barsilinga didn't attend the mud bath as he dodged the Keepers again, but joined up with them later in the day. The orphans had a quiet afternoon. Olsekki settled to browse with Enkikwe as they seemingly engaged in a lengthy chat. In the evening, Orwa Bomani and Chemi Chemi escorted the orphans back to the stockades again.
Orwa, Chemi Chemi and Bomani welcomed the orphans out of the stockades again in the morning. The three boys evidently spent their night just outside the compound again. Karisa led the junior orphans out to the Park to browse and they settled east of the stockade. It was a quiet morning as the orphans in the company of Orwa’s group browsed calmly throughout the morning.
At eleven o'clock in the morning, the orphans walked to the Kalovoto mud bath for their milk bottles. The orphans decided only to wash their feet in the waterhole and not swim, and thereafter went back to browsing. Only Orwa decided to have some fun playing in the water. Mapia, Jotto and Ambo briefly had a soil dusting exercise before following their friends. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the upper Kalovoto area up to five o'clock in the evening when Orwa, Bomani and Chemi Chemi escorted them back to the stockades again.
Sapalan settled to scratch against the only remaining acacia tree in the stockade compound soon after leaving the stockades this morning. Mapia stood close by waiting for Sapalan to finish so that he could do the same. Ambo had stomach problems and frequently lay down to ease pain. He was treated by the Keepers shortly later started feeling better. Mundusi engaged Tusuja in a pushing game that lasted for a short time because Olsekki intervened and interrupted their game; he seems to get jealous when other orphans play with Tusuja as he likes to have him as his own wrestling partner. Tusuja declined to play with Olsekki though so he moved away.
Orwa Bomani and Chemi Chemi, who have become part of the Ithumba herd for the time being, joined the junior orphans and headed to the mud bath together with them. The weather was chilly and none of the orphans dared to step into the mud bathing water. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the upper Kalovoto area, and later in the evening they returned back to the stockades for yet another night.
Ambo woke up feeling better this morning. Esampu and Jotto exchanged morning greetings by entwining their trunks shortly before leaving the stockades. It seemed all the orphans this morning were in a jovial mood. Mundusi played with Tusuja while Sapalan played with Rapa. Kauro had his own game of rolling on the ground.
Later in the morning the orphans were joined by ex-orphans Zurura, Bomani, Orwa and Chemi Chemi who had spent the night just close by. Zurura didn't stay long since he didn't have an age-mate in the group to chat or play with. Orwa, Bomani and Chemi Chemi as usual stayed with the dependent orphans throughout the day. Chemi Chemi enjoyed a game of pushing Orwa who was relaxing on the ground, and later decided to climb on him. Shortly before mud bath time, Olsekki took some time off from feeding to play with Orwa too. Ambo settled for soil dusting while Tusuja, Karisa and Kauro settled for scratching.
At mud bath time the sun was very hot, and the majority of the orphans participated in wallowing which was followed by soil bathing. In the afternoon, the orphans settled west of Ithumba Hill where they browsed until evening when it was time for heading back to the stockades.
Soon after having their morning milk feed, the orphans left the stockades and headed straight out to browse. Sana Sana held a brief talk with Ambo to find out if he was fully recovered. Orwa, Bomani and Chemi Chemi reported later in the morning. Upon arrival, Orwa exchanged morning greetings with Namalok while Bomani exchanged morning greetings with Olsekki. Later, Bomani climbed on Olsekki’s back.
At mud bath time, the orphans were joined by Challa and a wild friend. Namalok walked over to Challa and exchanged midday greetings and held a brief chat before getting into the water for a swim. After mud bath time, Olsekki and Bomani had a strength testing exercise that lasted for quite some time, while Challa and his friend disappeared into the bush. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. Tusuja took a break from feeding to have a game of rolling on the ground, but his game was disrupted by Bomani who came over and attempted to climb on him. In the evening, the three graduate orphans escorted the dependent herd back to the stockades.
Soon after leaving the stockade, the orphans were joined by Kainuk and a junior wild boy. Namalok was the first one to challenge the wild boy who was in a playful mood. Later, the wild boy exchanged morning greetings with Orwa who had just arrived with his team, bringing the number of ex-orphans in the compound to four, plus one wild elephant. Orwa then had a pushing game with the wild boy for quite some time.
The orphans settled to browse close to the Kone dam and had a quiet morning. On the way to the mud bath, the orphans were joined by Zurura again. Namalok, who is proving to be courageous by interacting with the older big boys, took time to challenge Zurura at the mud bath. Zurura played safe with Namalok, then walked away. Naseku followed Zurura but when she realized that none of her friends were following she returned to join the rest of the herd.
After mud bath time, Mundusi played with Roi while Chemi Chemi tackled Olsekki. In the afternoon, the sun was still hot and the orphans took a break from feeding to relax under some trees, and resumed browsing later when the temperature dropped to a more favourable level.