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Olare’s group joined the dependent orphans for lucerne in the morning. After feeding on lucerne, the orphans parted ways with Olare’s group. At the browsing field, the now vibrant Karisa, who at one time disappeared for almost three months with Dupotto and Kelelari, challenged Galla to a pushing game. This is the same Karisa who used to be very shy, especially when he returned from his brief stint away. These days, he is trying to challenge his fellow boys to know his position in the group. Ukame took Mundusi and Mteto aside and demonstrated to them the best way to uproot grass and roots by kicking it with ones feet. Roi settled on a nearby rock for a scratching session. At mud bath time, the sun was really hot. It was so hot even Kauro who hardly ever goes into the water was actually the first one in! For the first time this year, Kauro completely submerged himself in the water. Tusuja rode on Mteto in the water while Galla rode on Roi. Esampu, who is very clever, tried to avoid the boys so that they wouldn’t be able to climb on her. Kauro, Olsekki, Tusuja, Esampu and Dupotto emerged as the stars of the day in both the mud bathing and soil dusting exercises. In the evening, Mutara and her group showed up at the stockade after disappearing for close to four days. The lions appear to have done an irreparable damage to Turkwel's tail, which has got worse since she broke out of the stockades. The infection has spread and it seems broken inside. From the look of it, Turkwel might have to lose the tail and become the fourth in Ithumba to have no tail. The first was Kilaguni, second is Kanjoro and third is Kelelari who joined a wild herd one year ago.

It is much drier in northern Tsavo so there are more graduate orphans and wild elephants around the stockades now. Before the dependent orphans were let out, the graduate orphans and wild elephants had already reported ready to share whatever they could with the orphans. Once the orphans were out, Rapa had a disagreement with baby Kama that led to Kama pushing Rapa. Kama was confident since her mother, Kinna, was close by and she knew if anything got out of control, her mother would come to her rescue. Rapa wasn't happy about Kama undermining him but he couldn’t do anything about it with Kinna and the other nannies around! Rapa shook his head in frustration and left hoping that one day he could have a fair pushing game with Kama. Tusuja had a brief chat with Ololoo and later went to escort Enkikwe out, who usually lags behind after receiving his treatment first before joining his friends for the day. The sky was clear and this was an indication of a hot day a head. At mud bath time, Esampu led her friends to wallow and after headed for soil dusting before heading back to the browsing field. In the evening eighty five elephants both wild and graduate orphans reported for water at the stockade water troughs.

Yatta, Yoyo, Yetu, Mulika, Mwende, Naserian, Lualeni, Sunyei, Siku, Chyulu, Tomboi and Olare’s group were at the stockade compound early before six o'clock in the morning. After the orphans were let out, the graduate orphans joined them to feed on lucerne. A while later, the rest of the senior graduate orphans showed up. Esampu kept Kainuk company as they seemed to be communicating about something. The dependent orphans settled in Kone area while the graduate orphans headed west of the stockade. It was a quiet morning for the orphans as they concentrated on browsing without any major observations. At noon when it was mud bath time, only one wild bull was present and Siangiki was brave enough to join him drink water. The orphans had a spectacular time wallowing given that the sun was very hot. In the afternoon, the temperature was still high prompting the orphans to take a break from feeding and relax under a tree. In the evening, Turkwel showed up at stockade and we kept her in since she had lost a bit of weight.

The sky was clear in the morning, and this was an indication of a hot day ahead. The orphans were briefly joined by Mutara’s herd before they moved on. The orphans had a quiet morning as they browsed calmly without any major observation. At mud bath time, Pare led the first group while Maramoja led the second group for their milk bottles. The sun was really hot and the orphans went into the mud bath to wallow without being shown the way by the Keepers. After mud bath, Namalok and Pare used the same tree to scratch their buttocks. Mteto had her own game of sitting with her trunk up in the air. Her game attracted Mundusi , Dupotto and Esampu. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the upper Kalovoto area and had a quiet afternoon.

Kenze and Taita joined the juniors for lucerne in the morning as six wild bulls were drinking water at the stockade water troughs. Wanjala and Karisa moved and settled to feed face to face with Kenze. Wanjala and Karisa wondered when their time would come for them to be as big as Kenze. Kenze appears to have read what was going through the boys’ minds, and he stretched his trunk towards them. We felt like he was reminding them that Rome wasn’t built in a day. Kithaka walked down to share water with the wild bulls and shortly later was joined by his friends. Oltaiyoni steered the group north of the stockade while Laragai and her rebel herd who don’t join the juniors to browse, headed south. The inquisitive Wanjala joined Turkwel for a question and answer session before heading to tussle with Tusuja. Later Esampu took a break from feeding to participate in a soil dusting exercise where she was later joined by Tusuja and Pare. On the way to the mud bath, Sapalan looked dull and was walking so slowly. Although Sapalan is always slow in just about everything, this one was unusually slow for him meaning that something was not right with him. He didn't even drink water but instead stood in the mud for some time. Kitirua and Naisula emerged from the bush and walked straight to Sapalan and surrounded him; they touched and seemed to ask him what the problem was. Sapalan turned and headed north east as Kitirua and Naisula followed him. In the afternoon, the sun was still hot and the orphans took a break from feeding to relax under a tree. In the evening, Sapalan dragged himself slowly back to stockade where later he was given three injections to help treat what might be ailing him. The lions were sighted briefly at a waterhole where they came to drink but the moment they sensed the car they vanished into the undergrowth. Later that evening the orphans could sense their presence raising their trunks. Surprisingly it was Laragai who looked concerned, Turkwel and Enkikwe remained calm.

Yatta’s group reported at the stockade compound in the morning and settled to share lucerne with the juniors. Sunyei and baby Siku were part of Yatta’s group. Siku was showing improving following an accident she had few weeks ago. Siku was using her leg and the swelling had gone down. Rapa left his room with a branch in his mouth while Sapalan was left behind for close observation. Amazingly enough, when everyone left, the independent Sapalan didn't look bothered but got himself busy feeding on lucerne and greens as if he was in the bush. Sunyei took a pile of lucerne and walked away from the group and stood a distance away to enjoy feeding on it. She was joined by her daughter Siku and Wanjala too. Shortly later Siku started to push Wanjala away from sharing the pile of lucerne. Wanjala stood his ground by pleading with Siku not chase him away. When Siku became persistent in her pushing, Wanjala just left not wanting to invite trouble with her mother! Karisa engaged baby Kama in a light pushing game that didn't last for long as Kinna came by and pushed Karisa away. Out in the bush, Namalok, who is interacting with his fellow boys these days as is a little less shy, had a strength testing exercise with Galla, a game that he unfortunately lost. At mud bath time, the temperature was moderate and some of the orphans got into the water to wallow, with the exception of the lion victims Enkikwe and Turkwel who remained at the water trough drinking water. In the afternoon, Dupotto, Maramoja, Karisa and Esampu found a suitable tree with good shade and relaxed as they took a nap while standing. They later resumed browsing when the temperature dropped to a favourable level.

Mutara’s group with several wild elephants were at the stockade compound when the orphans were let out this morning. Sapalan, who had been held in the stockade for several days, joined his friends for a walk in the morning. A courageous buffalo walked to the water trough where two wild bulls were drinking water. The bulls tried to charge but the buffalo stood its ground and took water to its satisfaction before leaving at its own pleasure. Karisa, who has learnt greedy behaviour from his seniors, carried a bale of lucerne for himself and walked a short distance away from his friends where he put it down and started feasting on it. Later, the orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area up until it was time to go to the mud bath, when Esampu led the first group to the mud bath. Enkikwe for the first time in several months was able to go down and roll in the water. Enkikwe's action caught Roi by surprise and she even became a little concerned for him. She decided to stay in the mud bath incase Enkikwe needed some help. A warthog who was trying to make his way to the mud bath as well stood no chance with Roi watching over Enkikwe and was chased away. Roi only felt releif when she finally saw Enkikwe get back to his feet. She rumbled, asking Enkikwe to hurry up to catch up with the group that had already disappeared into the bush. The conditions are drying up and the orphans have been having to move further afield for browse. Turkwel and Enkikwe have been able to keep up with the other dependent calfs despite the distances. Both orphans are happy for the Keepers to treat their wounds. Lions could be heard roaring in the distance which given recent events is a worry.

Six wild bulls were busy taking water at the stockade water troughs when the orphans were let out. Mutara’s group joined the juniors for the lucerne and also to check on the progress of Turkwel, one of their herd members, who was attacked nearly a month ago. Namalok, who is growing bolder by the day, walked down to join one of the wild bulls to drink water, as Esampu settled for a scratching exercise. Later, Mutara’s group escorted the juniors to the browsing field and they spent the entire morning together. Kauro took a break from feeding to participate in a red soil dusting exercise as Mundusi settled to browse close to Enkikwe. Mundusi held a brief chat with Enkikwe and we were not sure what they spoke about. The inquisitive Wanjala joined Kainuk and held talks for some time before parting ways. Shortly before mud bath time, the temperature escalated making Olsekki and his friend Siangiki take a break from feeding to relax under a tree before finally making their way to mud bath. After their noon bottle feed, Kamok and Enkikwe dodged the Keepers for nearly half an hour before being found walking up the western side of Ithumba Hill, while the rest of group was heading towards upper Kalovoto area.

Soon after Esampu and Mteto finished drinking their milk, they quickly walked down and tried to put their trunks in Namalok's bucket trying to share his milk. Namalok didn’t understand why these little rascals tried to take his milk when he never tries to steal their bottles at all. Namalok complained bitterly to the Keepers, bellowing and asking them why they were allowed to take his milk. The Keepers came quickly and restrained Mteto and Esampu from drinking Namalok's milk. Outside the stockade, Karisa walked straight to the water trough and joined a wild bull that had come for water. Kainuk, who is a true friend to Turkwel, slept outside the stockade on her own as Mutara’s group left to go and search for food. Kainuk joined her friend Turkwel for lucerne when she and the others were let out in the morning. Out in the bush, Namalok had a brief strength testing exercise with Tusuja while Barsilinga settled to feed with Siangiki. The slow independent Sapalan was feeding a distance away where he was later joined by the limping Enkikwe. At mud bath time, the temperature was moderate. Kainuk escorted her friend Turkwel to get her milk, expecting to perhaps receive some too as remuneration from the Keepers for attending to Turkwel the entire morning. The Keepers did not hear her pleas but thanked her for being there for Turkwel. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse on the western side of the Ithumba Hill until evening, when Maramoja led the first group back to the stockades.

It was a busy morning as we were visited by three big wild bulls who came to drink water in the stockade. Chemi Chemi was washed and treated but still felt very tense and stiff so that he did not want to be touched too much. Turkwel was very calm and allowed the Keepers to wash and treat her wounds. The dependent orphans mingled with the graduate orphans from Mutara and Olare's group who were waiting for the orphans just outside the stockade. We had a sleepless night as Chemi Chemi broke the gate at night and let the whole group out so we spent the whole night out watching over everyone. Chemi Chemi tried several times to leave the group but the Keepers returned him back to the group, even when he became grumpy and tried to charge at them. Soon he settled down and at least he could browse unlike yesterday when he was still in too much pain. Turkwel is doing very well and has got used to keeping the same routine as the dependent orphans. Her wounds are also healing very well. Out in the bush during the day, Chemi Chemi was browsing with Tumaren, his friend and the one who saved him. Karisa and Maramoja were play-fighting. Namalok was also playing with Tusuja. Kithaka later led the group to the mud bath for their milk. Some decided to wallow in the water hole, including Chemi Chemi, and he splashed some mud on his wounds. Tumaren scratched her neck on a tree stump. The rest walked back to the bush for browsing. Back in the bush, Galla was very active while browsing and browsed with his ears held wide open. Turkwel and the rest of the group were hiding under the shade of some trees as it was very hot. When the group started to walk back to the bush later, they decided to have some fun in the muddy area along the road with Esampu rolling on the ground and kneeling down while playing. When they were done, the group walked back to the stockades for the night. In the stockades, Chemi Chemi broke the gate again as early as 6:30pm. We repaired it temporarily and let him back in, but he became very restless. He tried to get through the wires again and the Keepers decided to let him out and watch over him out in the bush where at least he was more settled.

It was a lovely morning as we had graduate orphans from Olare’s herd outside waiting for the dependent orphans to come out after their milk bottles. The orphans came out and Rapa started scratching his bottom on a nearby rock. They all interacted and had their lucerne together before walking to the water trough to drink water. Turkwel was taken back into one of the stockades for treatment with Enkikwe at the same time. Out in the bush they all the orphans looked happy until the graduate groups walked away. Turkwel has the blue colour of the antibiotic spray on her wounds and we could see those she was socialising with in the group as they had the blue on them too where they had rubbed against her. Sapalan browsed on his own. Later at the waterhole where the orphans have their milk, Turkwel lead the dependent orphans to the water trough to drink water after they had all had their bottles. The orphans then had a mud bath while the wild bulls on the other side of the waterhole watched them. The wild bulls later came over to drink water when the orphans walked away from the mud bath back to the bush. They were all very busy browsing except for Esampu was busy scooping and tossing chunks of soil in the air and some on her back. Olsekki and Siangiki browsed together as they are very close friends. At the stockade today we had a group of wild bulls who came to drink water with Olare’s group with them too. Kinna's herd later came in with Sunyei and their wild born babies, Kama and Siku. They were received by Olare’s herd with trumpets and rumbles. Chemi Chemi was not seen today.

Soon after leaving the night stockade, Karisa and Namalok walked straight down to the water trough and joined a lone wild bull that was relaxing there while drinking water. Esampu settled for a scratching exercise as Tusuja settled for light friendly pushing game with Galla. Galla turned to Namalok soon after finishing his game with Tusuja, and exchanged morning greetings by entwining their trunks. The no-nonsense Laragai came in between Namalok and Galla to separate them, but she could not stop their game as they just started up their game again as soon as Laragai moved away. Following the dry weather recently, Rapa didn’t want to go home without enough food, and went down on his knees to cut and pull up any shrubs that seemed fit to fill his stomach. At mud bath time, the orphans were joined by two wild teenagers, who for some time tried to deny them access to the water. The Keepers intervened and as soon as the orphans had enough water, the teenagers came back threatening to push the orphans. The dependent orphans left to go out and browse again, leaving the teenagers to do as they wished. In the evening, Sapalan decided to enjoy a lengthy soil dusting session. Very sadly, some Keepers stumbled across an elephant carcass near the upper Kalovoto area. The ivory had been removed. This is a clear warning that the poaching remains a threat still in Kenya and how important the anti poaching teams are. The teams have made significant arrests this month with a number of poachers apprehended, and a third DSWT/KWS Anti-Poaching team was brought into the area to help patrol as the dry season kicks in and large herds of elephants congregate around limited water sources. The elephant victim was a wild young bull.