01 August 2017

When the orphans came out of their stockades, wild-born babies Gawa and Wiva were amongst some of the Ex Orphans present to greet them, and they extended their trunks to Shukuru in morning greeting. Shortly later, Wiva, who is now nearly the same size as Wanjala, decided to engage him in a pushing game while Sirimon had a brief chat with Mulika. Wiva, Gawa and Kama then followed the orphans to the browsing field where they had fun with them before Nanny Sidai came and whisked them away. Olsekki had strength testing exercise with Sokotei as Boromoko tackled Sirimon. Enkikwe pushed Tusuja and this didn't go down well with him. Tusuja, though slightly smaller than Enkikwe, turned and took Enkikwe head on. Later Enkikwe quit playing and moved to play with Sokotei. At mud bath time there wasn't much messing around as the orphans had their milk then returned back to the browsing field. In the afternoon, the temperatures were slightly higher than normal and this prompted Ukame, Galla, Wanjala, Olsekki and Kamok to take a break from feeding to relax under some trees until it was a bit cooler. In the evening, the Ex Orphans in the company of several wild bulls reported for water at the stockade water troughs.

02 August 2017

The orphans headed straight to the water troughs outside the stockade as soon after they were let out. Lemoyian and Sokotei started their day by engaging each other in a pushing game as Naseku walked to a nearby termite hill to play. At the browsing field, Enkikwe played with Tusuja while Boromoko played with Sirimon. Shortly later, Tusuja quit his game with Enkikwe and went to play with Naseku. Galla and Olsekki took a break from feeding to participate in a soil dusting exercise as Boromoko stopped playing with Sirimon to have a light strength testing exercise with Kamok. At mud bath time, there was a drama when Sokotei finished his milk then turned quickly and grabbed another bottle of milk and started drinking it. The keepers realized the trick and jumped to take the bottle from Sokotei's mouth. Sokotei tried to resist but eventually he let it go and walked to the mud bath, boasting of how he nearly succeeded in outwitting the keepers. The temperature was moderate and the orphans splashed water behind their ears before making their way back to the browsing field. Several wild elephants and Ex Orphans also attended the mud bath. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the upper Kalovoto area. Given the chilly weather, the orphans concentrated mostly on browsing up to five o'clock in evening, when Ukame led the first group back to the stockade.

03 August 2017

Eight wild elephants were drinking water at the stockade water troughs when the orphans were let out. Boromoko and Naseku exchanged morning greetings by entwining their trunks and later had a light strength testing exercise. Tusuja extended his trunk to say hi to a junior female but the wild junior female wasn't obliging as she refused to acknowledge Tusuja and even threatened to push him. Tusuja walked way for fear of being pushed by the unfriendly wild girl. Shortly later, Yatta and a few members of the Ex Orphan group reported. The dependent orphans, who had converged to plan which direction to go, rumbled to Yatta. Yatta showed them respect by responding to their rumbles and approached them. Yatta extended her trunk and touched the orphans on their heads then proceed on her way to drink water. Olsekki had light pushing game with Kibo while Boromoko attempted to ride on Naseku. The orphans eventually settled to browse in Kone area where they were joined by Kilabasi, Sities and Kainuk. At eleven o'clock in the morning, Tusuja led the way to the mud bath where they were joined by ten wild elephants and amongst them were Dad and Half Trunk. The temperature was moderate and only Boromoko, Oltaiyoni and Olsekki participated in wallowing. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area and concentrated on browsing without any major observations.

04 August 2017

Tusuja and Naseku started their day activities immediately after leaving the stockade by engaging each other in a light pushing game. On the way out to the bush the juniors were joined by Suguta, Orwa, Narok and a wild orphan who has joined their herd. Suguta appeared to have lost touch with the rest of her group as from time she would bellow loudly, trying to establish her friends’ whereabouts. Yatta’s group happened to pass where the orphans were browsing and Olsekki stood to greet them. Yatta and her group were on the way to the stockade to quench their thirst. Suguta, Orwa and Narok kept the orphans company and later escorted them to the mud bath where fifteen bulls were in attendance. After having their milk, the orphans briefly wallowed before walking up to join the bulls to drink water. On the way back out to the bush, Tusuja picked a branch that had been dropped by a wild elephant in the past and was happy to share it with Naseku. Later, Naseku had a lone game of rolling on the ground. When the orphans had enough water, Narok and Suguta led the way to the browsing field. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse on the western side of the Ithumba Hill. In the evening a wild herd consisting of fifteen wild elephants, reported for water at the stockade water troughs. Later they were joined by the Ex Orphans.

05 August 2017

Olare’s and Makireti’s group spent the night just outside the stockade. Naisula stood at the entrance and welcomed the juniors outside for yet another day. The orphans headed straight to the water trough where they drank enough water to see them through the entire morning. Out in the Park, Tusuja came across a dead tree that he used to scratch his belly on, while Sirimon spent some time playing with Olsekki. Later Boromoko attempted to ride on Tusuja but was brought down by Garzi. Later Garzi settled to browse with Barsilinga while Ukame teamed up with Wanjala and Galla. At mud bath time, the orphans were joined by several Ex Orphans and wild elephants. Tusuja walked up to the water trough and tried to communicate with a bull by raising his trunk but the bull didn't respond. Tusuja got tired of talking to someone who was not responding and so walked away. Sokotei, Lemoyian and Siangiki settled for a scratching exercise while Shukuru and Galla settled to soil dust. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to feed on the western side of Ithumba Hill. In the evening, Dupotto, one the babies that disappeared two and half months ago, was rescued again and brought back to Ithumba. She was put with Kamok to they could spent the night together. She looked a bit skinny but was fine and happy to be in Kamok’s company.

06 August 2017

Dupotto that had been rescued the previous day woke up fine. She had been put with Kamok to spend the night together and she had calmed down a lot from her rescue. The orphans walked down to the water trough where they joined three wild bulls that were taking water. Lemoyian and Sokotei engaged each other briefly in a strength testing exercise as Naseku and Tusuja settled for a scratching game. After the orphans had enough water, Ukame led the way to the browsing field. Some distance away from the stockade, Wanjala changed his mind and decided to go back for more water. Wanjala walked with so much confidence that the wild bulls at the water trough decided to take a step back! Wanjala enjoyed his water without disturbance then returned back to join his friends. Out in the bush Sirimon played with Olsekki while the playful Lemoyian climbed on Naseku. Galla settled to browse with Ukame while Oltaiyoni teamed up with Siangiki. At mud bath time, the orphans were joined by Ex Orphans Yatta, Galana, baby Gawa, Tumaren, Rapsu, Nasalot, Teleki, Ololoo, Taita, Bongo and eight wild bulls. Naseku splashed water with her trunk, rolled in all directions and when she was done, started trumpeting as she exited the mud bath. Her friends also got excited and started trumpeting as they followed her. Enkikwe tried to play with Tumaren but she was too strong for him and he therefore decided to surrender and follow his friends. The orphans settled to browse in the Imenti area and in the evening, passed by the mud bath for an evening cool off.

07 August 2017

Six wild bulls were drinking water at the stockade water troughs when the orphans were let out in the morning. Wanjala had a brief chat with Tusuja while Boromoko engaged Naseku in a pushing game. Later, Boromoko attempted to climb on Naseku but he was brought down by Olsekki who was just standing close by. Out in the bush, Oltaiyoni settled to browse with Galla while Boromoko teamed up with Olsekki. Shukuru and Siangiki took a break from feeding to participate in a soil dusting exercise and resumed browsing when they were done. At mud bath time, Boromoko led the way for their midday feed where they were joined by thirty wild elephants and the Ex Orphans. The orphans had fun in the mud where Tusuja, Lemoyian and Boromoko were competing who between them could climb on their friends. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the Imenti area. It was quite hot forcing Ukame, Wanjala, Naseku and Galla to relax under a tree. They resumed browsing only after the temperature dropped a bit. Dupotto spent her day with Kamok and she is slowly settling in nicely.

08 August 2017

The sky was partly covered by clouds as the orphans made their way out to the bush. Sirimon and Olsekki started their day by engaging each other in a pushing game that ended in a draw. Ukame, Tusuja and Naseku had a brief soil dusting exercise before resuming browsing while Laragai, who does her own independent thing, browsed far away from the others. At mud bath time, the orphans were joined by Olare’s group and fifteen wild bulls. After mud bath, Naseku, Shukuru, Roi, Oltaiyoni, Olare and Galla dusted in red soil, where Roi rolled on the soil while Shukuru enjoyed scratching her belly on her. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse on the western slopes of the Ithumba Hill, a place with nice pasture. The orphans were joined briefly by Olare’s group again and in the evening, twelve bulls reported for water at the stockade compound.

09 August 2017

The Ex Orphans were at the stockade compound in morning when the orphans came out of their stockades. Baby Kama and Gawa were in a jovial mood as they teased the orphans by charging at them. Shortly later, the orphans headed out to the Park to browse. Gawa and Kama followed the orphans for some time but they were prevented from going further by nannies Sidai, Lualeni, Ithumbah and Loijuk. Out in the bush, Galla settled to browse with Enkikwe and later teamed up with Naseku. Tusuja browsed close to Olsekki while Roi and Ukame took a break from feeding to participate in a soil dusting exercise. At mud bath time, the orphans were joined by the Ex Orphans and forty wild elephants. Tusuja, while wallowing, had the opportunity of climbing on Sirimon while Lemoyian rode on Siangiki. When the orphans had enough of wallowing, Tusuja and Lemoyian had a disagreement that ended in a fight. Garzi, who was standing close by, intervened and pushing the two boys away. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the upper Kalovoto area. The sun was hot and the orphans took a break from feeding to relax under a tree and went back to browsing later when it was cooler.

10 August 2017

The sky was partly covered by clouds in the morning as the orphans strolled nonchalantly out from their stockades. At the water trough, the orphans were joined by Tomboi with his wild friends. The moment the orphans had enough water, Shukuru led the way out to browse. The orphans settled to browse in Kone area and had a quiet morning as they concentrated on browsing without any major distractions. Mutara and her group had arrived earlier at mud bath and started to leave when the orphans started trickling in. Kainuk opted to stay and wait for the juniors and spent time wallowing with them. Later, Kainuk accompanied the juniors back to the browsing field as twenty five wild bulls reported for water. In the afternoon, Olare’s group with Kenze and a wild orphan came for water at the stockade and Tumaren had a snare around her right back leg. The snare was fresh and appeared to have caught her in the early hours. A long wire with a hook was prepared to loosen the snare. The snare came off and Tumaren continued with her daily activities. Lemoyian and Boromoko had a disagreement that ended in a pushing game while Shukuru had a soil dusting exercise. In the evening, the orphans passed by mud bath for an evening cooling off. Shortly before sunset, a wild herd with an eighteen month old baby reported for water at the stockade compound, and left shortly before dark after drinking enough water.

11 August 2017

Dupotto, who was brought back seven days ago, was let out with the other orphans this morning. Dupotto, who was good friends with Kamok, was looking calm and didn't show any signs of taking flight. She was welcomed out by Lemoyian, Sokotei, Ex Orphans Madiba and Laragai. At the browsing field, Lemoyian had strength testing exercise with Boromoko as Dupotto and Kamok spent some time scratching on the nearby rocks. Later barsilinga settled to chat briefly with Dupotto before she moved to feed with Ukame. Wanjala settled to feed with Sirimon as Galla settled for soil dusting. At mud bath time, Dupotto her first mud bath since she arrived at Ithumba. She enjoyed this to the maximum and once she had enough of wallowing, she came out and waited for her friend Kamok. Laragai walked up to the water trough to join a wild bull that was drinking water. She was later joined by her friends. Laragai and her team stopped drinking water when more wild elephants started arriving. Noticeable amongst the wild elephants were Dad and Half Trunk. The temperature was moderate in the afternoon and the orphans settled to browse on the western side of Ithumba Hill where Roi joined Kamok to give Dupotto comfort and company. Later, Sirimon engaged Enkikwe in a pushing game while Lemoyian played with Boromoko. Boromoko stopped playing with Lemoyian to tackle Olsekki, a game that ended in a draw.

12 August 2017

When the orphans left their stockades they were joined by Olare’s group who emerged from south eastern side of the stockade. Boromoko and Tusuja had a disagreement after Boromoko attempted to climb on Tusuja without his consent. The disagreement ended in a pushing game that saw Galla intervene by assisting Tusuja to drive Boromoko away. Shortly later, Shukuru rumbled to inform her friends that it was time to get moving. Shukuru then led the way to the browsing field as the rest of her team followed behind her. Lemoyian and Sokotei engaged each other into a pushing game that ended when Garzi intervened by separating the two boys. Enkikwe played with Olsekki as Kithaka soil dusted. Shortly later, a buffalo passed by which created tension amongst the orphans. All the orphans raised their trunks up and turned to face the buffalo. Shukuru, as the group leader, gathered courage and charged whilst trumpeting towards the buffalo. The buffalo ran away as the rest of the team applauded Shukuru for chasing it away. The rest of the morning was quiet as Dupotto stuck to her friend Kamok. On the way to the mud bath, the orphans were joined by Narok who escorted them. After wallowing, Dupotto rolled on the ground. Fifteen wild elephants attended the mud bath. Kithaka was courageous enough to join the wild elephants to drink water. Olsekki tried but panicked and left to wait until the bulls had enough water. Lemoyian had a pushing game with Boromoko that ended soon when Boromoko surrendered. In the afternoon, Oltaiyoni and Ukame took a break from feeding to relax under a tree until the temperature dropped. In the evening, the orphans passed by the mud bath again and had an evening cool-off before returning back to the stockade.

13 August 2017

The Ex Orphans led by Yatta were at the stockade compound when the orphans were let out. Kibo walked over to Dupotto and tried to sniff at her before heading to the stockade to check whether there were any leftovers. Four wild dogs appeared from the eastern side of the stockade coming for water, but were denied from doing so by the elephants. The wild dogs carried on with their journey heading towards mud bath where hopefully they managed to have water without any interference. Dupotto rolled on the ground again and soon was surrounded by Mutara’s group who were curious to find out who Dupotto was and where she had come from. They placed their trunks on her back and once they were satisfied Dupotto was part of them, the group allowed her to continue having fun. Garzi briefly engaged Lemoyian in a pushing game that saw him surrender very quickly. Boromoko had a word with Kainuk before following his friends who were now making their way to the browsing field. Back out in the bush Boromoko tackled Lemoyian, a game that went on for quite some time. At mud bath time, only ten wild bulls were present. Later Yatta and her group showed up and headed south of mud bath after having enough water. Naseku, Garzi, Galla, Wanjala and Ukame had some time off from feeding to participate in a soil dusting exercise. Kamok took Dupotto under a tree with good shade to avoid the scorching sun and resumed browsing when it was cooler.

14 August 2017

Orok, Chaimu, Kilaguni, Kilabasi and Makireti were sleeping comfortably at the stockade compound while ten bulls were drinking water at the stockade water troughs shortly before the orphans were let out. The orphans briefly joined the bulls to drink water before being led away by Laragai. Tusuja and Naseku decided to have fun dusting themselves while Olsekki rolled on the ground. Lemoyian was attracted by Olsekki's game and came over to climb on him. Siangiki had a brief chat with Sirimon before Sirimon moved to play with Enkikwe. On the way to the mud bath, the orphans were joined by Ex Orphan bull Madiba. Soon after drinking their milk, the orphans joined Madiba and a wild bull at the water trough. The weather was chilly and none of the orphans dared to step into the mud hole. Later, more wild bulls reported for water making the orphans move away to avoid being pushed by the wild bulls. Olsekki and Boromoko had a brief strength testing exercise before heading back to the browsing field. In the afternoon, Galla and Naseku entwined their trunks that led to a light pushing game. The orphans were later joined by Orwa, Bomani, Vuria and Bongo who succeeded in snatching Barsilinga, Lemoyian and Laragai away. The keepers tracked them until they located them and brought them back to join their dependent friends. In the evening twenty five wild bulls reported to the stockade compound for water and left after they had drunk enough.

15 August 2017

Half Trunk with orphans Sunyei, Orok, Ololoo, Meibai, Loijuk in the company of Mutara’s group were at the stockade compound when the orphans were let out. Dupotto was the first one to leave the stockade followed by Galla. Roi left the stockade with a branch in her mouth that she continued to enjoy feeding on as she waited for the decision of which direction they were going to take this morning. Sirimon kept himself busy by playing with Kanjoro. Shortly later, Shukuru led the way to the browsing field where Boromoko and Naseku had a warm up exercise of pushing each other while Lemoyian tried to ride on Tusuja. The orphans were joined by Mutara and her group where Kanjoro briefly settled to feed with Wanjala before heading to chat with Boromoko. At eleven o'clock in the morning, Mutara and her group escorted the juniors to the mud bath where fifteen wild bulls were in attendance. After mud bath, Kamok took Dupotto under a tree as they waited for the next group to come for their milk. Later, Mutara led the group to Kalovoto area where they settled to browse. Shortly before evening Mutara and co withdrew from the orphans and walked off into the Park.

16 August 2017

The orphans left the stockade in a jovial mood today. Soon after settling on fresh lucerne, several Ex Orphans joined them to feed. A wild herd consisting of twelve members reported for water. The wild orphan who was amongst the Ex Orphans, tried to scare the keepers by mock changing at them. When she realised that the keepers were totally unconcerned with her, she started a lone game of rolling on the ground. Later, Ukame led the way to the browsing field. Dupotto as usual settled to browse with Kamok while Boromoko took some time off from feeding to participate in a soil dusting exercise. At around ten thirty in morning, something strange happened. A wild herd in the company of Galana Gawa, Ithumbah, Kilaguni and Zurura passed by where the orphans were feeding. The herd didn't stay for long but continued with their journey, leaving Zurura and another young elephant with the orphans. What drew the keepers’ attention was excitement of the orphans as they circled around this young elephant and amazingly enough that baby started walking towards mud bath as the orphans followed. It's then the keepers moved to find out who the baby was because at first they had mistaken him for Tusuja. They called out Karisa and the baby seemed to remember that name. He walked to the keepers as he raised his trunk and suckled a finger of one keepers. Karisa has come back after two months and twenty nine days in the wilderness!!! Now he joins Dupotto who was rescued again after going missing for two and half months. It remains to be seen if Kelelari will find his way back just as Karisa has done. At mud bath time, Karisa drank his first milk happily and ended up having 2 more bottles. Karisa then walked with Laragai to the water trough where they joined wild bulls to drink. When the bulls started leaving, Karisa followed them but the keepers were quick enough to bring him back. After mud bath, Shukuru, Ukame, Naseku, Kithaka, Oltaiyoni and Wanjala settled for red soil dusting as Lemoyian had a strength testing exercise with Boromoko. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the Kone area where Karisa settled to browse with Wanjala, Galla and Dupotto. Later in the evening, Karisa returned to the stockade with the other orphans. He is looking very good and healthy and seems to happy to be back with his old Nursery friends.

17 August 2017

Soon after having her milk, Shukuru started banging on her gate to be let out. At the stockade compound, the orphans were joined by Narok and Bongo. Karisa was being bullied by Galla and Boromoko and kept on moving from one pile of lucerne to another so as to avoid being pushed by the boys. Six bulls were drinking water at the stockade water troughs but they left a short while later. The sixth bull remained at the water trough and we did not know what he seemed to be waiting for. Narok and Bongo joined him to drink water and later Olsekki, Tusuja and Laragai also joined. What we didn't know was that all this time, this bull was communicating with Karisa and he was buying time, pretending that he was drinking water. Drama started to unfold when the keepers started walking with the orphans to the bush. Karisa was leading and increased his pace to catch up with the wild bull that was now a heading the same direction as the orphans. The keepers called out Karisa as the bull increased its pace, with Karisa still following. At last Karisa was cornered near Kalovoto area as the bull tried to charge at the keepers so as to let Karisa go with him, but he is still just a baby that would benefit from the milk formula. Karisa was taken back to join his friends leaving the wild bull to walk off into the bush. Whilst browsing, Barsilinga had a good time chatting with Karisa while Olsekki and Lemoyian competed amongst them who could ride on Tusuja. Eight bulls attended mud bath and were later joined by the Ex Orphans. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the Kone area.

18 August 2017

It was a quiet morning with only Naisula and Kitirua visiting the dependent orphans and their keepers. The orphans settled for lucerne and shortly later they were escorted out by Naisula and Kitirua. The orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area and browsed calmly throughout the morning without any major observation. At eleven o'clock in the morning, Naisula and Kitirua escorted the juniors to the mud bath. The orphans, led by Karisa, fully participated in the wallowing exercise. Laragai and Lemoyian walked up to the water trough to join Dad and another six wild elephants that had also come for mud bath and to drink water. Later, the keepers moved the wild elephants aside to let all orphans have water before returning back to the stockades. The orphans had a soil dusting exercise before Karisa led the way back to the browsing field. The orphans settled to browse in the Kone area up until five o'clock in the evening when Ukame, Roi, Karisa and Tusuja formed the first group and headed back to the stockade for the night.

19 August 2017

Only one wild bull was drinking water at the stockade water trough when the juniors were let out early this morning. Shortly later Olare’s group and Yatta’s group showed up and joined the juniors to feed on lucerne. When the orphans were through with the lucerne, Tusuja led the way to the browsing field. Olsekki found a suitable spot where he decided to have a lone game of rolling on the ground. The game attracted Sokotei who came over and tried to climb on him. Roi and Ukame decided to dust themselves instead of feed, as Enkikwe played with Sirimon. Olsekki finished his game of rolling on the ground and went to tackle Boromoko. At mud bath, Tusuja led the first group as Karisa led the second one. Thirty wild bulls attended the mud bath with our own Ex Orphan bulls Rapsu, Buchuma, Orok and Tomboi. The orphans had a spectacular wallowing time before Lemoyian trumpeted with excitement as he called off the mud bathing exercise. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse and Kamok, Kithaka, Laragai and Lemoyian took some time off from feeding to relax under a tree.

20 August 2017

The orphans were joined by Tomboi, Olare, Kibo, Tumaren, Chemi Chemi, Kalama, Bongo, Narok and Melia this morning. After sharing lucerne, the orphans headed east of the stockade while the Ex Orphans remained at the stockade. Lemoyian and Boromoko started their morning activities by engaging each other in a pushing game that ended when Boromoko attempted to climb on Lemoyian. Lemoyian pretended to have quit the game and waited until Boromoko tackled Olsekki. He then snuck up behind and climbed on Boromoko in revenge. Later, Lemoyian played with Sokotei while Wanjala found a suitable tree that he used to scratch his itchy ears. Boromoko invited Sokotei to a pushing game. At first Sokotei was reluctant but following persistent invitations from Boromoko, he finally accepted. At mud bath time, the weather was chilly and none of the orphans dared to touch the mud bathing water. The orphans only drank water then returned back to the browsing field. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the upper Kalovoto area where Sirimon and Lemoyian enjoyed a strength testing game with each other. In the evening the Ex Orphans in the company of thirty wild bulls showed up for water at the stockade water troughs. The herd left shortly after having enough water.

21 August 2017

Mutara’s group joined the orphans to feed on lucerne early in the morning. Wanjala had a disagreement with Karisa when he tried to take lucerne from Karisa's mouth. Karisa refused totally, prompting Wanjala to push him. Karisa walked away hoping that one day he will be able to retaliate. Out in the bush, Boromoko attempted to ride on Naseku but he was brought down by Garzi who was feeding close by. Enkikwe engaged Sirimon to a pushing game while Olsekki spent some time soil dusting as he looked forward a game with whoever won in the match between Sirimon and Enkikwe. Sirimon emerged as the winner and Olsekki jumped in to duel with him. Their game ended in a draw. Yatta and her group passed by the stockade in the morning hours and drank water to their satisfaction before heading west of the stockade. At mud bath time, the orphans were joined by twenty wild bulls. The weather was chilly and the orphans only drank milk and water before heading back to the browsing field. Ukame settled to browse with Naseku while Boromoko played with Tusuja. Later Boromoko had a strength testing exercise with Sirimon that saw Sirimon emerge as the winner. In the evening Kamok led the way back to the stockade while Olsekki and Boromoko disagreed over something but we were not sure what it was. The disagreement ended in a fierce fight that ended when the keepers intervened by calling the two boys.

22 August 2017

The orphans were joined by Mutara’s group and a wild bull in the morning. Soon after sharing lucerne, the orphans headed towards Kone area where they settled to browse. Boromoko started the day’s activities by engaging Olsekki in a pushing game that ended in a draw. Ukame, Karisa, Dupotto and Kamok took a break from feeding to participate in a soil dusting exercise. Shortly later, the orphans were joined by Olare’s group. Garzi and Kithaka ganged up against Chemi Chemi but Kandecha, who was feeding close by, came to Chemi Chemi's rescue by pushing Garzi and Kithaka away. Karisa settled to feed close to Tumaren while Oltaiyoni teamed up with Melia and Kalama. At mud bath time, the orphans were joined by twenty wild bulls. Soon after they were done wallowing in the mud, Shukuru led the way back to the browsing field. The weather was chilly and the orphans concentrated on browsing throughout the afternoon without any major observation.

23 August 2017

The orphans were joined by the senior Ex Orphans in the morning. Yetu, who no longer accompanies her mother Yatta these days, was busy shielding Kama from playing with the orphans. Later Kama managed to free herself of Yetu and went to play with Sokotei, Oltaiyoni and Naseku. An hour later, the orphans left to go and browse, leaving the Ex Orphans still at the stockade compound. Ukame settled to browse with Naseku while Dupotto settled to feed with her friend Kamok. At mud bath, the sun was hot prompting all the orphans to have a cooling mud bath. Twenty six wild bulls attended mud bath in the company of Tomboi and Buchuma. Barsilinga had a brief chat with Buchuma before heading back to the browsing field. Karisa, Shukuru, Naseku and Dupotto took decided to relax under a tree for a bit. They later resumed browsing when the temperatures dropped and it was a bit cooler. Galla settled to browse with Siangiki and in the evening on the way back to the stockade, the orphans passed by the mud bath again where they participated in an evening wallowing.

24 August 2017

It was a quiet morning when the orphans settled to feed on lucerne. Shortly later, Yatta and her group showed up, prompting the orphans to carry their small piles of lucerne to enjoy them somewhere else and avoid being pushed away by their seniors. Yatta and her group took over the venue and collected all of what the juniors had left behind. Out in the bush, Galla dusted himself while Olsekki tackled Boromoko in an effort to determine who, between them, was the dominant one. Their game ended when Olsekki won and tried to ride on Boromoko. Lemoyian played with Kithaka and later played with Tusuja. The sun was hot and the orphans had a spectacular wallowing session. Only six wild bulls were at the mud bath as well. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the upper Kalovoto area where they concentrated on browsing for the rest of the day.

25 August 2017

Six wild bulls were drinking water at the stockade water troughs when the orphans were let out early in the morning. As usual, they settled to eat their supplement lucerne. A while later, Galla had a disagreement with Karisa when Karisa tried to stretch his trunk to share the lucerne that Galla was feeding on. The disagreement ended in a fight where Galla pushed Karisa away. Dupotto settled to share her lucerne with Oltaiyoni as Chaimu, Kilaguni and Kasigau joined the juniors to feed on lucerne. When the orphans were through, Laragai led the way to the water trough where the orphans armed themselves with enough water that would take them through the entire morning. Boromoko engaged Tusuja in a pushing game, a game that ended soon when Boromoko attempted to ride on Tusuja. The orphans concentrated on browsing up to eleven o'clock in the morning when Tusuja led the first group to mud bath. Twenty six wild bulls attended the mud bath and only showed up when the orphans were winding up the mud bath activities. Kamok relaxed under the nearby tree before following her friends. Galla spent some time in a soil dusting exercise while Boromoko engaged Lemoyian in a pushing game that ended in a draw. In the evening, the orphans passed by the mud bath again before returning back to the stockades for the evening.

26 August 2017

The orphans were joined by Narok, Bongo, Zurura, Makireti, Kilabasi and the wild orphan in the morning. Then the senior Ex Orphans showed up and joined the rest of group to feed on lucerne. When the dependent herd was through, they headed out to the Kanziku area where they settled to browse, leaving the Ex Orphans in the stockade compound. Enkikwe and Sirimon had a strength testing exercise that ended when Enkikwe surrendered. Boromoko had a brief chat with Tusuja while Garzi teamed up with Galla and Kamok to browse. Later, Ukame led the first group to the mud bath where they were joined by Dad, twenty wild elephants and the senior Ex Orphans. After mud bath, Lemoyian played with Boromoko while Enkikwe played with Sirimon. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse along the dry seasonal Kalovoto River. Enkikwe decided to climb on Olsekki which obviously annoyed him. Olsekki turned to defend himself from Enkikwe's bad manners. Their game ended in a draw when both of them got tired.

27 August 2017

Kilaguni and Chaimu were at the stockade compound when the juniors were let out. Shortly later, Bongo and Narok, who appear to have formed a group of two, joined the juniors for lucerne. Two different wild herd herds showed up for water. One group consisted of nine members while the other one had ten members. Four wild elephants with a two year old baby joined the juniors for lucerne. In the process one of the young wild elephants was knocked by another following a disagreement that only they could explain. Naseku and Boromoko had a brief chat with the two year old baby as Shukuru walked down to join the wild elephant’s drinking water. Sokotei engaged Olsekki in a pushing game while Galla tackled Naseku. Boromoko had a lone game of soil dusting and at eleven o'clock in the morning, Ukame led the first group to the mud bath. Sixteen wild elephants attended the mud bath and wild elephant bull Half Trunk was among them. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in between Imenti and the western side of the Ithumba Hill. Olsekki took a break from feeding to participate in a soil dusting exercise while Tusuja engaged Lemoyian to a light pushing game. In the evening, the sun was still hot and Ukame led her friends back to the mud bath for an evening cool off. On the way she was overtaken by Shukuru. After having enough of the mud, Karisa then led the way back to the stockade. Late in the evening Orwa, Bomani and Vuria showed up for water at the stockade and left after.

28 August 2017

A wild mum and her two calves in the company of Kenze arrived early in the morning before the orphans were let. The herd stood outside patiently waiting for the orphans to share their lucerne with them. Kenze stood close to the gate where he received greetings from the juniors. Kamok settled on a nearby rock for a scratching session while Shukuru decided to go for a drink of water. Whilst browsing, Olsekki and Boromoko had a disagreement that ended in a pushing game. Shukuru, Ukame and Tusuja settled for a soil dusting exercise while Naseku settled to feed with Siangiki. At mud bath time, the temperature was moderate and only eight bulls showed up. The orphans drank some water soon after drinking milk then walked down to wallow which they really enjoyed today. Naseku, Galla and Ukame headed straight to dust themselves with red soil soon after having enough of the mud bath. In the afternoon Dupotto and her friend Kamok took a break from feeding to relax under a tree whereas Sirimon and Olsekki settled for a strength testing exercise that ended in a draw.

29 August 2017

Olare and Makireti’s groups arrived at the stockade early before dawn and decided to wait for the juniors to have lucerne with them. After the orphans had their milk, Tusuja was the first one to leave the stockade. The orphans then joined their junior Ex Orphan friends and they had lucerne together. Shortly later, Kilaguni and his friend Chaimu arrived followed by Kenze, Lualeni, Taita and a wild elephant. Lemoyian and Boromoko started their day by engaging each other in a strength testing exercise that ended when Garzi intervened by pushing the two boys away. Sirimon attempted to ride on Tusuja which annoyed him and he managed to disengage himself from Sirimon and walk away. At mud bath time, the sun was hot prompting the orphans, Ex Orphans and wild elephants present to have a spectacular wallowing session. A total of eighty elephants spent a considerable amount of time at mud bath while wallowing and drinking water. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area and in the evening the orphans passed by mud bath for an evening cool-off on their way back to the stockade.

30 August 2017

Karisa and Shukuru left the stockade with branches in their mouths that they continued to chew on as they waited for the lucerne to be distributed. Tusuja and Galla entwined their trunks in morning greetings as Oltaiyoni walked down to the water trough and briefly joined a wild bull to drinking water. The rest of her friends joined her after feeding on lucerne. Out in the bush, Olsekki and Boromoko engaged each other in strength testing exercise while Kamok found a suitable rock that she used to scratch her buttocks on. Tusuja took a break from feeding and relaxed under a tree for some time before resuming browsing. Oltaiyoni led the way to the mud bath where only four wild bulls showed up. Sirimon played with Kamok as Olsekki and Lemoyian enjoyed riding on their friends while they wallowed in the water. After wallowing, the orphans briefly settled for red soil dusting and then went back out into the shrubs to browse again. In the evening, as the keepers gathered the orphans to take them back to the stockade, Garzi, Barsilinga, Karisa and Wanjala were missing. The keepers tracked down Garzi and Barsilinga but without Wanjala and Karisa. At last they found them completely at ease browsing along the Kalovoto seasonal River and herded them back to the stockade.

31 August 2017

Fourteen wild bulls led by Dad and Half Trunk reported for water at the stockade water troughs early before dawn. At six o'clock in the morning, the orphans had their milk before strolling out to settle for lucerne. Roi, Shukuru and Barsilinga carried branches in their mouths that they continued to enjoy chewing on while waiting for the lucerne. Shortly later, the orphans were joined by Mutara and Olare’s groups. Out in the bush Olsekki settled to browse with Barsilinga while Lemoyian had a strength testing exercise with Sokotei. At eleven o'clock in the morning, Ukame and Kamok led the way to mud bath where the orphans were joined by the senior Ex Orphans and forty wild elephants. Sirimon and Ukame spent some time with Gawa before heading for soil dusting. The weather was chilly and the orphans boycotted the wallowing exercise and instead chose a soil dusting exercise. They continued browsing in the afternoon where Tusuja and Wanjala took a break from feeding to participate in a soil dusting game. Later, Lemoyian and Enkikwe were involved in a strength testing exercise that ended in a draw. The rest of the afternoon was quiet as the orphans concentrated on browsing.