Keepers' Diaries, August 2008
Ithumba Reintegration Unit
Ithumba’s Keepers diary has been filled with exciting events throughout the month, documenting the comings and goings of wild bull elephants now seeking out the company of the orphans on a regular basis. One bull elephant has been so consistent with his visits, that he has become a permanent fixture of our orphan herd, and has even been given a name, Rafiki. He is a formidable size, big, proud and powerful, yet so gentle and patient. He humors the young ones who could not contain their curiosity initially and had to investigate every part of him, and he looks on bemused as the young bulls stalk around him in awe, and the little orphan girls become frivolous, trying to attract his attention. They certainly have caught his attention, particularly Yatta, who he has attempted to mount on a couple of occasions this month. This is usually greeted by a scream from her as she tears off into the bush making a hurried escape.
01 August 2008
As the older orphans had not returned from their night out Sunyei and Galana led the younger orphans to the Kalovoto where they spent the better part of the day browsing, stopping only to go to the noon mudbath. The older orphans returned to the stockades at 5pm, in order for Orok to get his milk, they then left again returning at 7pm. After the orphans had left the stockades for the day a cheetah came to the water trough for a drink of water before heading back out into the bush.
02 August 2008
The orphans, led by Yatta, spent the morning browsing at the Kanziku area before heading to the mudbath so that the younger orphans could have their milk after which Yatta led the orphans to Imenti waterhole where they browsed for the rest of the day.
03 August 2008
It was a cold morning as the orphans headed away from the stockades. The older orphans led by Nasalot headed to the east, while Galana and Sunyei the younger group to the west. The two groups spent the day apart, joining up again at the stockades at five in the evening.
04 August 2008
The orphans greeted each other with trumpets and rumblings as they exited the stockades in the morning. While the rest of the orphans had a drink of water, Sian scratched against a tree stump while Wendi examined the tractor. Wendi then had the privilege of leading the orphans to the browsing field. At the noon mudbath the enjoyed wallowing and dustbathing before heading back to the plains to browse.
05 August 2008
After exiting the stockades the orphans engaged each other in strength tests. Loijuk took on Makena, Kora took on Rapsu, and Kenze took on Orok, both of whom wanted to be near Nasalot. The orphans spent the day browsing on the slopes of Ithumba Hill.
06 August 2008
Yatta and her group were waiting for the younger orphans at their stockade door for them to come out in the morning. She then led the orphans to Kalovoto where they were joined by some wild elephants. The younger orphans left the group for the mudbath and their milk feed. They then rejoined Yatta and her group at the browsing field where they spent the remainder of the afternoon before returning to the safety of the stockades for the night.
07 August 2008
Today was an extremely exciting day for the orphans who were met a few meters from the stockades by a wild bull who allowed them to touch and investigate every part of him. The wild bull led the orphans to Kalovoto to browse before following them to the noon mudbath. While the younger orphans had their milk the older orphans and the wild bull had a drink of water, before relaxing under the shade of the acacia trees. The group then headed back to the browsing field for the afternoon. When the younger orphans returned to the stockades for the night, Yatta and her group chose to remain in the field with the wild bull.
08 August 2008
Upon exiting the stockades in the morning the younger group was met by Yatta’s group and a wild bull who led the entire herd to the Kanziku area. After the noon mudbath the group headed to Ithumba Hill where they spent the afternoon browsing. When it was time for the orphans to return to the stockades for the night the wild bull followed them. He stayed by the water trough. He was joined for a while by Mulika, Nasalot and Orok before they entered the stockades for the night leaving Kinna to entertain their wild friend.
09 August 2008
After some fun and games at the stockade compound, where Tomboi mounted Rapsu before engaging Taita. The wild bull who had spent the night at the stockade, had joined up with Yatta’s group who were waiting for the younger orphans. The keepers have kept their distance from the orphans and the wild bull so as allow them to interact with each other. The wild bull led the orphans to the Kalovoto River to browse before the young ones followed the keepers to the mudbath for their noon milk feed. They were soon joined by Yatta, her group and the wild bull who enjoyed wallowing in the mudbath before heading back to the bush followed by the orphans. In the evening three more wild bulls visited the stockade water trough for a drink.
10 August 2008
Yatta’s group spent the night out coming back to the stockade shortly before dawn only to leave again at 6 a.m. headed towards Kalovoto. Galana and Sunyei led the younger orphans towards Kone to browse. The younger group was joined by the wild bull, named “Rafiki” by Dr. Dame Daphne Sheldrick. He escorted the orphans to the mudbath where they met up with Yatta’s group. Kinna welcomed the bull who had a drink of water before relaxing close by. The keepers took this opportunity to feed the milk dependent orphans before leaving them to rejoin the older group and their wild friend.
11 August 2008
Yatta’s group escorted Ol Malo and Orok to their morning milk before being joined by the younger group. Rafiki met up with the orphans at the stockade then led them out to the browsing fields. The group went to mudbath at noon before heading east to browse for the afternoon. Rafiki accompanied the orphans back to the stockades in the evening.
12 August 2008
After exiting their stockade in the early morning hours Kenze engaged Buchuma in a pushing match, while Kora took on Napasha. Yatta led the orphan group to Kone to browse for the day. Selengai and Kora engaged in strength testing. Ol Malo, watched over by Yatta, took a nap under the shade of a tree.
13 August 2008
As the older group had spent the night away from the stockades the younger ones headed out on their own to the browsing fields where Kenze and Kamboyo engaged one another in a pushing match. Yatta and her group arrived at the mudwallow at 10am where they were joined by the younger group, led by Zurura. The entire group then headed to Kanziku to browse. In the evening, at about 7pm, three wild bulls came to the stockades for a drink of water. They remained in the compound for 3 hours before heading back to the bush.
14 August 2008
The large wild bull we have named “Rafiki” accompanied the orphans to their noon mudbath, and went in to lie down briefly. The younger orphans kept their distance until he was actually lying down, and then some of them went in to join him, eager to be close to him. He then left the mudbath and waited in the bush abutting the mudbath for the orphans to be ready to come with him back out into the bush to feed on the slopes of Ithumba Hill.
15 August 2008
The wild bull “Rafiki” was not at the mudbath but with Yatta’s group out in the bush. They came later so that Ol Malo and Orok could have their milk. Yatta and her group, along with the wild bull came to the Stockades at 4 p.m. waiting there for the youngsters to join them. Selengai and Wendi put on a splendid show, rushing around trumpeting and bashing down small bushes, eager to attract Rafiki’s attention. After the older group had finished their Copra and enjoyed the Grewia sticks in their Stockade, they wandered out one by one to join Rafiki, and all save Tomboi went off with him. Tomboi had decided to stay behind this time, and was put into the Stockade with Madiba, Rapsu, Ndomot, Buchuma and the other middle-sized youngsters, where he spent the night.
16 August 2008
Yatta arrived back early at 6 a.m. with her group, accompanied by Rafiki, so that Ol Malo and Orok could enjoy their milk. They then left again, accompanied by the big bull. Upon exiting the stockade Sian went scratch against a tree while the rest of the orphans had a drink of water. Lenana led the young group out to the field where they were joined by Rafiki who joined the group at the mudwallow, enjoying a mudbath with Tomboi, Sunyei and Ndomot.
17 August 2008
Once the stockade doors opened the younger orphans joined Yatta and her group who had accompanied Orok and Ol Malo to the stockades for their milk. They group then headed to Kone to browse for an hour before Yatta’s group left in search of Rafiki. The younger group was joined at the mudwallow by Rafiki and the older group. They spent the afternoon browsing together in the fields. In the evening four wild bulls were seen waiting for Rafiki to have his fill of water from the water trough before having a drink themselves. Yatta and her group returned to the stockades at 8pm where they met up with Rafiki and his friends.
18 August 2008
Yatta’s group returned to the stockades in the early morning hours and relaxed in their stockade until the younger orphan’s doors were opened. At 8am the older group, joined by Rapsu, left the younger orphans in the care of the keepers and headed off in an easterly direction spending the day apart from the rest of the orphans. Loijuk had great fun chasing off a flock of guinea fowl at the mudbath. Yatta’s group accompanied Orok and Ol Malo to the stockades for their evening bottle and some Copra before heading back out to the bush. Rafiki came to the stockades at about 6:30, staying for 30 minutes before heading out to find Yatta and her group. Three wild bulls came to the stockade for a drink of water at about 7:30 in the evening.
19 August 2008
Today was a day filled with excitement as three wild bulls arrived at the stockade at 8am. One of the bulls, who had a severed trunk, joined the orphans in the browsing field and engaged them in games before heading off into the bush. The orphan herd was joined by Rafiki at 10am, remaining with them for the whole day before heading off with Yatta’s group after they had all had their fill of Copra in the evening at the stockades.
20 August 2008
Orok and Ol Malo were brought to the stockades for their milk after the younger orphans had headed to the browsing fields for the day. The two groups met up in the field where they were joined at 10 am by Rafiki who now walks with the orphans making it difficult to split them into groups when it is time for the milk dependent ones to have their bottle. Yatta’s group spent most of the night out of the stockades with Rafiki.
21 August 2008
Yatta’s group returned to the stockades after midnight. It was a cold morning as the orphans left their stockades to head to the bush. In an attempt to warm up the boys engaged each other in pushing games with Kora taking on Tomboi, Kamboyo taking on Zurura and Rapsu taking on Buchuma. Soon after the orphans left the stockades three wild bulls came to the water trough to quench their thirst returning again for another drink at 5pm. In the afternoon Kinna led the orphans to browse on the slopes of Ithumba hill where they were joined by Rafiki and some other wild bulls. Rafiki accompanied the orphans to the stockades in the evening, only to leave a little while later with Yatta’s group.
22 August 2008
Yatta’s group of eleven orphans had not returned to the stockades by the time the younger group left for the bush. They arrived at about 7am in order for Ol Malo and Orok to have their morning milk bottle. Nasalot then led the group towards the younger orphans. Rafiki was waiting for the orphans, near the workshop, an area he knew they passed on their way to the noon mudbath. He joined the orphans at the mudbath before heading back to the browsing fields with them in tow.
23 August 2008
Orok and Ol Malo arrived at the stockades minutes after the younger group had been let out. They headed straight to their keepers to get their share of milk. While the rest of the orphans were having a drink of water Madiba engaged Tomboi in a pushing match. The orphans were joined in the grazing field by Rafiki and another wild elephant. Rafiki and his friend led the orphans to the mudbath early and his friend ran away upon seeing the keepers. Yatta and her group left the stockades, at 6pm to spend the night in the bush with Rafiki. Nasalot was the only one who chose to return to the stockade for night.
24 August 2008
In the morning Nasalot led the orphans to the browsing fields. Yatta and her group brought Ol Malo and Orok to the stockades at 7:45 so that they could have their milk before they headed out to join the others in the field. Yatta, Wendi and Tomboi remained with the younger orphans while Nasalot headed off with the older group. The two groups joined up again briefly at the stockades before Yatta, Nasalot and the rest of the older group returned to the bush for the night. At eight in the morning a big wild bull came to the stockades for a drink of water. At about 9:30 Rafiki also came to the water trough to quench his thirst before heading off in search of the orphans.
25 August 2008
It was a wet morning as it had rained during the course of the night. By the time Yatta and her group arrived at the stockades the younger orphans had already left for the browsing fields. Orok and Ol Malo had their share of milk before being led by Kinna to join the other group. Both groups came to the mudbath, where they were joined by Rafiki. The group returned to the stockade in the evening. Yatta and her group had some Copra before they headed back out to the bush. Tomboi opted not to join them and was greeted Rafiki when he arrived to have a drink at the water trough, followed by another wild bull, who waited for Rafiki to have his fill of water before also coming for a drink. The two wild bulls left the compound a little while later.
26 August 2008
The orphans left their stockade in a rush this morning. As the rest of the group were having a drink of water Kora decided to engage Sidai in a strength test and was shocked when he lost to her. He then went on to challenge Madiba, who he beat and Tomboi with whom he drew. Galana then led them out to the field. Soon after they left Rafiki and Yatta’s group arrived at the stockades where Ol Malo and Orok had their milk while the rest had some water. After the orphans had their fill of water Rafiki climbed into the trough before leading the group to the field where he tried to mount Yatta who took off into the thickets followed by Rafiki and some of the older orphans. Napasha, Wendi and Tomboi opted to stay behind with the younger group. Rafiki and Yatta’s group returned to the stockades for a short while in the evening before heading back out for the night.
27 August 2008
The younger orphans were joined in the browsing fields by Rafiki who then left in search of Yatta and her group, before coming back to join them again when he couldn’t find the older group. In the evening Kamboyo led the milk dependent orphans back to the stockades where they were joined by Yatta’s group. At 6pm Rafiki arrived for a drink of water together with two other wild bulls. While they were quenching their thirst Rafiki separated Yatta from the group and led her into the thickets. The rest of the group saw what had happened and trumpeting left in the direction taken by Yatta and Rafiki.
28 August 2008
Soon after exiting their stockades the milk dependent group headed for the browsing field where they were joined by Rafiki at about 10am. He remained with them for the morning, leading them to the mudbath and then to the Western side of Ithumba Hill where they spent the afternoon browsing. Rafiki returned to the stockades in the evening with the milk dependent orphans where he waited for Yatta and her group to arrive. The older group arrived without Yatta and headed for their stockade, followed by Rafiki, who wanted to confirm that Yatta was not amongst them. It seems that Yatta’s group has been spending time with several other wild elephants as well as with Rafiki.
29 August 2008
At 9am Rafiki arrived at the stockades with the older orphans and promptly went into Yatta’s stockade to look for her as both Yatta and Ol Malo were not with the rest of the group. The orphan herd, led by Nasalot spent the day browsing together with Rafiki who escorted them back to the stockades for the night. In the afternoon a baby female duiker was brought to us from Mutomo. The baby duiker had been found by a farmer in his Shamba. The farmer waited the whole day to see if the mother would return and when she didn’t took the baby to the Mutomo community wildlife office who contacted us and asked us if we could go and collect the duiker and look after it.
30 August 2008
Galana led the younger orphans to the eastern side of Ithumba hill this morning to browse where they were joined by Wendi and Napasha. At about 8:30 Ol Malo arrived at the stockades alone for her morning milk bottle, she had her fill she trumpeted and bellowed until Kinna arrived and took her back into the bush. Yatta’s group arrived at the stockades at 4:30. They had a drink of water, remaining at the compound for an hour before heading back into the bush. Rafiki was not seen at all today. The baby duiker spent the day with the keepers without any problems.
31 August 2008
The sky was clear as the younger orphan group left the stockades for the browsing fields. Yatta’s group was not seen at all during the day. The two groups met up at the stockade in the evening. Rafiki did not join the orphans at all today.