It is always typical of July and August, being the dry months, to see an abundance of wild visitors to the Ithumba area. Familiar faces of wild bulls have returned in full force during these dry season months and were spotted regularly at both the stockade water trough and mud wallow.
Buchuma, Kenze and Kasigau were among the wild bulls that reported for water early in the morning today. When the orphans were let out, Buchuma, Kenze and Kasigau walked up to join them to feed on lucerne. One of the wild bulls followed them to find out why they were interested in joining the orphans. The wild bull could not believe it when he realized that there was very nice food being served to the orphans. He didn’t wait any longer and bent down to eat as much lucerne as he could get. Shortly later, Mutara and her group showed up and escorted the juniors out to browse where Kanjoro engaged Garzi into a strength testing exercise. Malkia took a break from her friends and browsed by herself before later returning to join her friends.
The afternoon was hot and the orphans decided to take a break from feeding to relax under a tree for some time until it was cooler. Enkikwe stretched his trunk to get some food from Wanjala's mouth but Wanjala totally refused to let it go and moved away to avoid being punished by Enkikwe for turning down his request. In the evening, Mutara and her group escorted the orphans back to the stockade for the night.
It was a quiet morning with a partly a cloudy sky. No wild elephants or ex-orphans showed up anywhere close to the stockade. The orphans enjoyed their morning lucerne therefore without any disturbance. Mapia and Sapalan found suitable rocks for scratching on before heading off for browsing.
Later when they were out browsing, it appeared everyone was interested in scratching as Tusuja, Turkwel, Pare, Malkia, Wanjala, Esampu, Sana Sana and Esampu settled for scratching exercises before getting into serious browsing. At mud bath time, the weather changed completely with the sky totally covered by clouds and it even started drizzling. The orphans only drank their milk and had some water before heading straight back out to browse. Eight bulls were present at mud bath and just watched as the orphans came in and went. In the afternoon, the orphans enjoyed the cool weather as they went on about with their browsing.
Six wild bulls were present at the stockade compound in the morning. The orphans as usual settled for lucerne before heading south for browsing. Mundusi engaged Wanjala in a pushing game while Namalok pushed down a small tree as he tried to find out how strong he had grown. Olsekki climbed on Tusuja who appeared unbothered by Olsekki being on his back. Later Pare led the way to the mud bath but on the way he was overtaken by Kuishi. No single wild elephant showed up to the mud bath today. The weather was chilly and again the orphans only had their milk before proceeding straight to the browsing field. Enkikwe, Sapalan and Olsekki were the last to leave the mud bath. We had light showers in the afternoon and the orphans browsed calmly without any major observation. Kithaka, Barsilinga, Garzi and Lemoyian parted ways with the juniors and reported back to the stockade late in the evening.
Buchuma, Taita and Kenze were among the wild elephants who visited the stockade in the morning to drink water. Soon when the babies were let out, Buchuma, Kenze and their wild elephant friend ‘Kijana’ walked up to join the orphans to feed on lucerne. Later, Kuishi rumbled in trying to call her friends to move. Mapia and Wanjala responded and followed Kuishi to the water trough. Moments later, the rest of the group followed.
Later Ndiwa had a game of soil dusting while her friends were busy concentrating on browsing. At the noon milk feed, Rapa tried to push Malima soon after having their milk. Malima didn’t wait to be pushed a second time and so ran away from Rapa. As the other orphans were jumping into the mud bath, Siangiki boycotted the wallowing exercise and went to hide amongst the wild bulls that were standing closely. Siangiki then moved to drink water with the wild bulls when the mud bath was over. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse south west of Ithumba Hill and had a quiet time browsing until five o'clock in the evening when they returned back safely to the stockade.
When the orphans left the stockades this morning, Narok, Mutara and Chaimu’s groups joined them to feed on lucerne. Tusuja entwined trunks with Orwa in morning greetings. Twelve wild bulls were drinking water at the stockade water troughs as the orphans enjoyed their lucerne. Shortly later, the junior ex-orphans accompanied the orphans out to browse. Kanjoro and Sities competed who among them had the longest trunk that could stretch high to reach the soft leaves. The competition ended in a draw when they found out they had same size trunks.
At mud bath time, the sun was really hot and all the orphans and junior ex-orphans participated fully in the wallowing exercise. Mutara and Orwa opted for soil dusting soon after mud bath. In the afternoon, the orphans took a break from feeding and only resumed browsing when it was cooler. In the evening they decided to pass by the mud bath and enjoyed an evening cooling-off again before proceeding back to the stockade compound.
The stockade compound was flooded with wild elephants that were coming for water this morning. Noticeable were two groups of family herds with young babies that briefly joined the orphans to feed on lucerne. A thirsty buffalo also added flavour to the show when it tried drinking water despite meeting hostility from the wild bulls. The buffalo played hide and seek with the bulls until it got tired and stood its ground without fear. Only then the buffalo got a chance to drink. Kithaka engaged one of the wild babies in a pushing game but its mother came and pushed Kithaka away. Esampu had a stretching exercise while Roi kicked the ground to make loose soil and dust. A distance away from the stockade compound, the orphans met with a hostile teenager who charged at them. Led by Sana Sana, the orphans ran back to the Keepers who shouted at the wild elephant to move away.
While they were browsing, the orphans were joined by Mutara and Narok’s groups. Pare had a strength testing exercise with his young friend Mundusi. Malkia developed an itchy ear and so used her trunk to scratch the itching part as she tried to look for a tree or rock to scratch her ears properly. At mud bath time the sun was really hot prompting the orphans and junior ex-orphans to oft for a mud bath to cool down. Only Kainuk participated in soil dusting soon after wallowing. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. Mundusi settled to browse close to Kanjoro as he tried to learn one or two things from him. On the way back to the stockades, the Keepers realized that Kauro was missing. A search was mounted and finally Kauro was located at around six o'clock in the evening and was walked back to the stockade where he joined his friends.
Twelve bulls were drinking water at the stockade water trough when the orphans were let out. Taita was among the wild bulls and as soon as he saw the orphans settling for lucerne he came running over for he didn't want to be late to the party. Soon after the lucerne was finished, Esampu walked down to the water trough and joined two bulls who had lagged behind drinking water.
The weather was chilly today and Karisa and Rapa had a warm up exercise of pushing one another while Galla had a stretching exercise by leaning against a rock. Mteto had a soil dusting exercise and later was joined by her friends. At around nine o'clock in the morning, the chilly weather turned into light rain. The orphans enjoyed the cool weather by rolling on the ground to play. At mud bath time, it was all quiet as the drizzle and chilly weather meant the wild elephants stayed away. The orphans had their milk bottles and some water then headed straight back to browsing. In the afternoon, slowly the chilly weather changed and was warm as the orphans continued with their browsing.
It was another quiet morning today with only the orphans occupying the stockade compound. Due to the chilly weather, no single wild elephant or ex-orphan decided to show up. Mundusi and Pare, as it has become their custom every day, were engaged in a pushing game that saw Pare emerge as the winner. Mundusi wasn't happy about losing the game to Pare but hopes to continue trying until he emerges as the winner one day. Sana Sana settled to scratch on the edge of the water trough soon after having some water before leading the way out to browse. The weather was chilly and the orphans browsed calmly up to eleven o'clock when it was time for their milk feed. No single wild elephant showed up to mud bath either, due to the chilly weather. The orphans had milk and some water and went around the mud bath but didn't dare touch the mud bathing water. On the way back to the browsing field, Kamok had a friendly pushing game with Kauro that ended with them entwining their trunks in an afternoon greeting. In the evening it started to warm up and the orphans passed by the mud bath where they all decided to have a swim, followed by a mud bath, before returning home.
The stockade compound was flooded with wild elephants this morning that were coming for water. Noticeable was a breeding herd that had two young ones. Olare and Mutara’s groups were also present. The orphans settled for their morning lucerne and were joined by the junior ex-orphans. As soon as the breeding herd had enough water, the matriarch led them away. Surprisingly, Kuishi had secretly been monitoring the herd and communicating with them without the Keeper’s knowledge, and she followed the herd out of the compound. In order to trick the keepers, Kuishi walked as if she was going for a drink but went past the water trough, following the breeding herd into the bush. By the time the Keepers realized that they had been tricked by Kuishi, Kuishi had already caught up with the herd. Fortunately the Keepers were quick enough to intercept and bring her back to her group. Kuishi was welcomed back by Mapia who tried to find out from Kuishi why she wanted to run away with the wild herd by stretching his trunk towards her.
Out in the bush, Mundusi came across a suitable rock that he used to scratch his buttocks on while Garzi had a strength testing exercise with Barsilinga. At mud bath time, it was all quiet with only the orphans and the junior ex-orphans having the place all for themselves. The orphans didn’t like the weather again and they just went around the mud bath without taking a bath. A few opted for a soil dusting exercise before heading back to the browsing field. In the afternoon, the orphaned herd settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. In the evening, Tomboi showed up at the stockade in the company of thirty wild bulls. Tomboi had a brief pushing game with Kasigau before settling to drink water. Later, all the bulls left after taking enough water.
It was another chilly morning but with light showers today. The orphans left the stockade and settled for their morning lucerne. Three wild bulls were drinking water at the stockade water trough and one of them joined the orphans to feed on lucerne. Soon after finishing lucerne, the will bull led the orphans to the water trough where they settled for water. More bulls came to the lower and the top water troughs too. Oltaiyoni tried to join the bulls drinking of water but was turned away by one of the hostile bulls. Mapia and Kuishi stood a distance away with Kuishi holding her trunk in the air, trying to find out if she could walk away with any of the wild bulls. It appears the bulls turned her request down since Kuishi lowered her trunk and, escorted by Mapia, they walked back to join their friends. Sapalan engaged Karisa in a pushing game as Mundusi stood close by waiting to tackle the winner. Sapalan surrendered and Mundusi took over in tackling Karisa. Mundusi lost the game to Karisa and walked away hoping to come again and try his luck of winning over Karisa.
Out in the bush, Enkikwe settled to feed with Lemoyian. Later, the clouds cleared and gave way to sunshine. The orphans participated in wallowing at mud bath time and thereafter returned back to the browsing field. In the evening thirty five wild bulls were at the stockade compound coming for water. Noticeable were Dad, the father we have guessed to wild born babies Yetu and Mwende, and One Tusk. The bulls left soon after taking enough water.
Olare and her group were waiting outside the stockade for the orphans to come out. As soon as they came out, Olare and her group joined them for lucerne. A few bulls were busy drinking water at the stockade water troughs. After feeding on lucerne, Mundusi engaged Pare in a pushing game while Sapalan tested his strength against Rapa. Kauro had friendly game with Kamok that was brought to an abrupt end by Turkwel who passed in between them, separating them.
Out in the bush, the orphans were briefly joined by ex-orphan Kinna, baby Kama and a junior wild female. Kinna and her group had last been seen at the beginning of June. It's not clear why she did not come with the other members of Yatta’s ex-orphan herd. Olare and her group teamed up with Kinna and Kama and parted ways with the dependent babies, only to meet up again at mud bath. Ambo led the first group of Malima and Malkia for the eleven o'clock milk feeds. Five wild bulls were present at mud bath. Wild born baby Kama briefly joined the wild bulls before coming back to her mother. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse east of Imenti area. Olsekki, Enkikwe and Siangiki took some time off from browsing to have a soil dusting exercise.
Kinna and her baby were at the stockade compound early in the morning. The fearless Kama followed her mum into the stockade when the gates were opened and mixed up with the orphans such that you couldn't tell if she was wild or one of the Ithumba babies. The orphans settled for lucerne and shortly later were joined by a wild family herd. Mundusi walked close to a wild baby and persuaded it to play with him. The wild baby refused and instead turned and threw a back kick to him. Mundusi wasn't happy but there was nothing he could do since the mother of the baby was standing close to them. We are sure that Mundusi hoped a time would come when he could meet the baby again and he could retaliate! The sky was clear and the sun shone brightly. The orphans endured the hot sun while browsing and at mud bath time, Karisa led the way to the mud bath but mid-way he was overtaken by Ukame. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse south east of Kalovoto. At one point, the sun became unbearable and this prompted the orphans to take a break from feeding to relax under a tree. The orphans resumed browsing later when the temperature dropped to a favourable level.
Several wild bulls were drinking water at the stockade water troughs. The sky was clear and this meant that a hot day a head. The orphans headed to the lower Kalovoto area where they settled to browse. It was a quiet and peaceful as all the orphans concentrated on browsing throughout the entire morning. In the afternoon, soon after mud bath the orphans headed north east of Kalovoto area where again they browsed calmly without any major observation.
Ex-orphan Kinna, her baby Kama, Loijuk and Lenana were at the stockade compound in the morning. As soon as the gates opened for the orphans to leave, Kinna took her baby in for a tour and also to find out if there was anything left over for them to feed on. Shortly later, the orphans settled for lucerne. Sapalan and Karisa had a disagreement about the lucerne they were feeding on and their disagreement ended in a pushing game. As soon as the lucerne was over, Kinna and her small group left while the orphans headed south from the stockade. Mapia settled to browse with Malkia while Tusuja settled to browse with Wanjala. Olsekki had brief chat with Roi. Orwa and Bomani joined the orphans while they were browsing and left with Turkwel, Kithaka, Barsilinga, Garzi, Lemoyian and a wild bull.
At mud bath time, thirty four wild bulls showed up to have water. The orphans had their milk bottles then returned back to the browsing field leaving the wild bulls still enjoying a cooling off exercise in the mud wallow. In the afternoon, the sun was hot and the orphans took a break to relax under some trees until the temperature dropped to a favourable level when they resumed browsing.
The sky was clear in the morning and this was an indication of a hot day a head. After feeding on lucerne, the orphans passed by the water trough where they armed themselves with enough water that would take them through the entire morning. The orphans then headed south of the stockade where Turkwel and the ‘rebels’ Kithaka, Barsilinga, Lemoyian, Garzi and Olsekki parted ways with their friends. It appears that Turkwel is almost ready to return back to wild after she was attacked by lions almost eight months ago, and she is preparing to go with the group of ‘rebels’ at the moment. Only time will tell what Turkwel will decide.
At mud bath time, the sun was really hot and this prompted all the orphans to go swimming in the mud bath. Led by Ambo, the orphans waded through the water as they cooled off. Kilaguni and his friend Chaimu joined the orphans briefly at mud bath before parting ways moments later. In the afternoon, Kinna who appears to have formed her own small group consisting of her daughter Kama, Loijuk and Lenana, visited the stockade and after having enough water left again. Sapalan settled to browse with Karisa but later they had a disagreement and the two boys decided to sort it out through a pushing game. Their pushing ended in a draw and thereafter they resumed browsing.
It was a quiet morning with only two wild bulls showing up for water. After feeding on the lucerne, the orphans walked down to the water troughs where they joined one of the wild bulls. On the way to the browsing field, Mapia came across an anthill that he used to scratch his bottom on. Oltaiyoni had brief strength testing exercise with Enkikwe while Sapalan played with Karisa and later Rapa. Tusuja had his own game of rolling on the ground while Ambo came across a suitable rock that he used to scratch his buttocks on too. Kuishi settled to browse with Mapia while Mteto teamed up with Roi. Mundusi developed an itchy ear and decided to scratch against a nearby tree.
Shortly before mud bath time, Turkwel, Kithaka, Barsilinga, Garzi and Lemoyian parted ways with their friends. At mud bath time, fifteen wild bulls were present. The temperature was moderate and the orphans seemed uninterested in bathing due to the cold water. Eventually they reluctantly jumped into the water then came out again and headed for a soil dusting exercise. Kasigau, who had joined the orphans at mud bath, decided to give them company for the afternoon. In the evening, Kinna, her baby Kama, Lenana and Loijuk joined some wild elephants at the stockade to drink water. A family herd that showed up later had a baby the size of Kama. Kama decided to play with the baby in a strength testing exercise but her nanny Lenana intervened by stopping them from fighting.
After settling on lucerne in the morning, the orphans were joined by ex-orphans Taita, Kilaguni, Chaimu, Kibo, Tumaren Naisula and a wild elephant. Several wild bulls were drinking water at the stockade water troughs. A family herd joined the bulls shortly later. Noticeable was an eighteen month old baby who Ukame grew fond of and walked down to say hi to. After Ukame left, Malima teased the baby by pushing it lightly. The baby retaliated by pushing back. Barsilinga ran into trouble with a wild female when he tried to push her from the back. The wild female turned and drove Barsilinga away, which was an important lesson for Barsilinga! Naisula and Tumaren stayed with the orphans while Kilaguni, Chaimu and Kibo left with Turkwel and the rebels Kithaka, Barsilinga, Garzi and Lemoyian.
At mud bath time, it was all quiet with no wild elephants visiting. The temperature was moderate and the orphans boycotted the wallowing exercise. Only Naisula got into the water and wallowed briefly before coming out, as she knows the importance of mud bathing! In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse on the western side of Ithumba Hill. Turkwel, Kithaka, Barsilinga, Lemoyian and Garzi arrived back at the stockade very late at night in the company of Orwa and Bomani.
Orwa and Bomani, who spent the night outside the stockade, joined the orphans in the morning for lucerne. Sapalan, who is very active these days, briefly engaged Tusuja in a strength testing exercise but ended up losing to Tusuja. Mteto and the quiet Siangiki settled for scratching exercise before resuming with lucerne feeding. Shortly later, Sapalan and Mapia walked down under an acacia tree to pick up acacia pods that had fallen.
Later, Sapalan picked on Namalok and they had a pushing game for quite some time while Garzi played with Kithaka. Kuishi settled to feed with Bomani while Mundusi teamed up with Enkikwe. At mud bath time, the weather was chilly and none of the orphans dared to touch the mud bathing water. Several wild bulls attended mud bath too. Olsekki, Barsilinga and Tusuja lagged behind as they engaged one of the wild bulls in a conversation; we are not sure but it appeared the three boys were asking questions and in return received satisfactory answers. Taita and the wild bull with a broken ear known as ‘Masikio’ were also present at mud bath. On the way back out to browse, Pare engaged Mundusi in a pushing game while Bomani played with Garzi. The rebels stayed with the group the whole day. In the evening when the orphans were back at the stockade, Kithaka waited until the Keepers were out of site and then opened the gate letting everyone out. The keepers intervened and after getting them back in, locked the gate using a padlock.
Kinna and her group consisting of her daughter Kama, Loijuk, Lenana and Kitirua showed up early in the morning before the orphans were let out. They teamed up with the orphans for lucerne before going separate ways with the juniors.
As the orphans were browsing, Namalok had a prolonged strength testing exercise with Karisa, while Tusuja played with Kauro. Mundusi found a suitable rock that he used to scratch his belly on. The rest of the morning was quiet as the orphans concentrated on browsing. At mud bath time, the orphans had their milk and then some water, before walking around the mud bath without stepping into the mud bathing water. The orphans dusted themselves before Sana Sana led them back to the browsing field. In the afternoon, Mapia settled to browse with Kuishi as the rest of the herd scattered in search of better vegetation to eat, and in the evening they all returned back safely to the stockade for the night.
Today the orphans had their breakfast milk bottles as usual before walking down to the lucerne field where they were given lucerne to feed on. It was very cold and Galla cozied up to Esampu while feeding.
Out in the bush the Keepers observed how dry it was and how the orphans had to concentrate on browsing to fill their tummies. Some of the orphans like Oltaiyoni browsed high in the trees in search for food. Others were busy uprooting roots from trees to eat and suck the water from. Tusuja later led the group to the mud bath.
The orphans had their milk and went to join the wild bulls who were at the water trough to share water. A wild bull walked to the mud bath and started wallowing and his friend followed to join him. The orphans didn't want to wallow as it was not hot enough for them to do so. They walked around the mud bath and then off into the bush to continue browsing. Esampu was the only one who lagged behind and tried to play in the mud for a short time. Tusuja and Olsekki walked back to the water trough again to share water with two wild bulls there and were left behind by the others.
Kithaka, Garzi and Barsilinga decided to wander off and take their own route, but they came back to the stockade later in the evening a few minutes after the orphans arrived.
Today was a busy day as the stockade was full with many different elephants. The orphans had their morning milk and went straight to the lucerne field. The ex-orphans were there including Mulika with her baby Mwende, Yatta with Yetu and Yoyo, Sunyei with Siku and Wendi. Wiva was not with her mother Wendi as sometimes Wendi is not a very diligent mother and is happy to leave Wiva with her nannies Yatta and Galana too. So we suspect that Wiva is with Galana, Lualeni and Nasalot's group who have not appeared yet. Mutara and Olare's herd was also present, along with Bomani, Orwa and Narok. There was a big group of wild bulls who were sharing water from the same water trough as the ex-orphans. We were very happy when Vuria, another ex-orphan who has been away for long time showed up to join the others as well. The dependent orphans were active and happy for the interaction with all the ex-orphans, and when they had their share of water too they walked out to the bush to browse.
The orphans were active and happily interacting with Mutara's group and Narok, Bomani and Orwa joined the orphans in the bush too. Mundusi was scooping and tossing chunks of soil in the air and some on his back. Esampu and Roi were sharing food from the same bush very amicably.
Later on at the mud bath, all the milk-dependent orphans ran in for their milk bottles in groups of three. Galla, Enkikwe and Karisa seemed very hungry and were eager to run for their milk. Kinna’s ex-orphan group arrived a bit later with baby Kama, Lenana and Loijuk. They had some water and walked away, and the dependent orphans with Mutara’s herd decided to follow them out to the bush as well walk to the bush. Sana Sana looked very tired in the afternoon and rested her head on a Baobab tree.
It was another lovely morning today as we were visited by Olare and Mutara's groups early before the orphans came out of their stockades. The milk dependent babies had their milk and walked out as usual to feed on their lucerne which they shared with the junior ex-orphans before leaving them behind to pick up the leftover pieces while they walked off to the bush.
Some of the orphans started having a dust bath and rolling on the ground. Naseku and Wanjala were the most playful, as Galla concentrated on browse and stretched high in the trees with his trunk in search for food. Enkikwe was busy browsing with Siangiki. Mutara's herd later followed the orphans and started browsing together with them.
All of the orphans made their way towards the mud bath as noon drew closer. The milk dependent babies ran in for their milk and walked straight to the water troughs. They drank water but they didn't want to play in the mud wallow. Mutara's herd however walked straight into the mud wallow and started playing there. Still the orphans didn't want to follow and join them. Kinna’s herd including her baby Kama and nannies Lenana and Loijuk also came again to have some water before walking off to the bush. Two wild bulls arrived and walked into the water to have a swim as well. The orphans walked around the mud wallow and some decided to have a dust bath. Naseku seemed to love playing in the dust.
Later when they returned to browsing, Sana Sana walked majestically searching for food. Mutara's herd did not want to be left behind and decided to stay with the dependent babies the whole day today.
The orphans started their well by feeding on Lucerne after having their morning milk bottles. Kuishi walked straight over to a tree and started scratching. The ex-orphans from Mutara and Olare’s herds visited and started feeding on lucerne too. A wild female came with her two babies and drank water. Three different wild bulls arrived and shared water with orphans too, before they decided to walk out to the bush to browse.
In the bush, poor little Enkikwe with his bad leg tried to stretch high into the tree to reach food for food. Mutara and Olare’s herds had followed the orphans from the compound and were browsing with them. Kandecha and Kanjoro from the two different herds started play-fighting, while Mutara was happily playing and rolling on the ground for fun. Roi was scooping and tossing chunks of soil in the air and some on her back.
The dependent orphans arrived at the mud bath area around 11am for their milk bottles and then some of them decided to go for a swim with the ex-orphans there. Kalama struggled to get out of the mud wallow because she was trying to get out at the wrong place and the sides were very steep. Kinna and her baby plus Lenana arrived and went straight to the water trough. The dependent orphans walked back to the bush to browse.
Out in the bush it was very hot and dry so the orphans decided to come back to the mud bath later in the evening to cool off. They had a very enjoyable time wallowing and then dust bathing together with Mutara’s herd. Olare’s herd came later to join them. Sities and Mutara also struggled to get out of the mud bath as they too tried to get out at the wrong side, but eventually they managed and the whole group walked back to the stockade in the evening.
Malkia carried a bunch of Lucerne on her head this morning and tried to eat it separately so she wouldn’t be bothered by all the others in the compound. Pare and Roi shared water at the trough with a wild bull. Olsekki was busy scratching his neck on the rocks while Chemi Chemi watched him. The orphans then walked to the water trough to drink water which they shared with a wild bull drinking there. Sunyei, Kinna, Yatta and Mulika with their babies came in and joined the orphans. Wendi was with them but her baby Wiva was still not with her and we assumed she was with the other nannies. Challa, Chemi Chemi, Vuria, Lenana, Loijok, Makena and Sidai were also among them.
It is still very dry in the bush. Kamok and Galla browsed together and Enkikwe looked very active today. No one decided to wallow at the mud bath and the orphan babies just had their milk and walked back out to browse. All the orphans concentrated on browsing in the afternoon as they knew evening was fast approaching. It was very hot towards the end of the day and they walked to the mud bath to cool off. Olare’s herd accompanied them to the mud bath where they all wallowed and some finished off with a dust bath before they walked back to the stockades for the evening.
The Keepers fed the orphans their Lucerne this morning as Enkikwe had his leg treated before he walked down to join the others. Kauro started scratching on the wall while the others enjoying feeding. It was much quieter this morning than previous mornings as there were no other ex-orphans or wild elephants around.
On the way out to the bush, Enkikwe was scratching his injured leg on a rock which showed that it must be quite itchy. His leg has improved quite a bit and he is putting more weight on it, but he still has a very pronounced limp. It was cloudy today so the orphans were happily browsing in the bush, until it was time for them to go in small groups to have their milk bottle at 11am. They all had their milk including funny Namalok from the bucket, but none of them wanted to go in the water to wallow as it was still cloud.
Back out in the bush, Esampu scratched her eye first with her trunk and then using a stick while the others concentrated on browsing. As it got warmer in the afternoon the Keepers thought the elephants might want to wallow so they led them back to the mud bath but none of the orphans wanted to swim. Some of them had a dust bath but that was all, and when they were done they started walking back to the stockade compound. Kinna’s small herd came to the stockade today with Wendi, Mulika, Sunyei and Yatta with all their babies except Wiva.
This morning the orphans had their milk bottles and as they walked down from their stockades to have some lucerne, they found Mutara and Olare’s herd were already waiting for their share too. The orphans were happy to see the ex-orphan group and interacted happily with them, despite some of them being a bit pushy with the babies around the Lucerne. Mapia and Kuishi started scratching their necks separately on the wall. Siangiki patted Enkikwe when Enkikwe walked up next to her after having his treatment.
On the way out to the bush, Mundusi started play fighting with Pare while Kauro and Kamok washed and sharpened their tusks on a dead tree stump simultaneously. Enkikwe started playing in the dust and when he was done, the group decided to walk to the mud bath. Mutara and Olare’s herd did not want to be left behind and accompanied the babies to the mud bath. Some wild bulls also came to drink water and interacted with the orphans and ex-orphans a bit. Some of the wild bulls walked down to the mud wallow and started wallowing there as the orphans walked back out to browse.
It is still very dry and the babies concentrated on finding enough food to eat. They all looked very busy browsing. As they were walking along they decided to have a small mud bath in the small water pool on the side of the dirt road. Malkia concentrated on removing some mud from her foot. Mutara’s group was still with them with a wild female too. The whole herd made their way back home in the evening and the dependent babies went back into the stockades for their milk. All the orphans came back on time this evening including Kithaka’s naughty rebel group.
Ex-orphans Wendi plus Kinna, Sunyei and their wild born babies, and Challa, Mulika, Tomboi, Taita and several wild elephants joined the orphans for lucerne in the morning. Shortly later, the orphans parted ways with the ex-orphans. The orphans headed south east of the stockade leaving the ex-orphans and wild elephants at the stockade. The orphans had a quiet morning and browsed calmly without any major observation. At mud bath time, the orphans were joined by Kibo, Tumaren, Chemi Chemi, Orwa and Bomani. The junior ex-orphans escorted the orphans back to the browsing field where they took a break from feeding until it was cooler. Orwa then challenged Kibo to a pushing game that saw Orwa surrender. Esampu enjoyed soil dusting and in the evening the junior ex-orphans escorted the orphans back to the stockade.
Only one wild bull was present at the stockade water trough when the orphans were let out this morning. A lone buffalo came to join him and left after enjoying some water. The wild bull threatened the orphans when they tried to join him to drink, but later seemed to reach some sort of understanding and allowed the babies to drink water. Kuishi and Maramoja settled to scratch on some nearby rocks as Esampu led the way to the browsing field.
Garzi came across a suitable rock that he used to scratch his belly on. The orphans browsed calmly without any major observation until eleven o'clock when Namalok led the way to the mud bath. After taking her milk, the hot tempered Ukame pushed Karisa. Karisa wasn't happy about it but hoped that a day will come when he will be strong enough to defend himself against Ukame. Wild bull ‘Dad’ and his friends were at the mud bath and stood aside to let the orphans drink when they saw them approaching with their Keepers. The sun was hot but only a handful of the orphans opted for mud bathing. Ambo led the rest of the group away who had decided to boycott the wallowing exercise. After mud bathing, Roi decided to relax under a tree before catching up with the rest of her group.
In the afternoon, Pare settled to browse with Sapalan and in the evening Kuishi led the way to the mud bath for an evening cooling-off exercise. The orphans were joined by the senior ex- orphans namely Yatta, babies Yoyo and Yetu, Kina, baby Kama, Sunyei, baby Siku, Lenana, Kenze, Challa, Vuria, Ithumbah, Naisula, Mulika, her baby Mwende, Naserian and the now heavily pregnant Loijuk and Wendi who was still without her baby Wiva. The ex-orphans then escorted the juniors back to the stockade.
Soon after the orphans left the stockade in the morning, Mutara and her group showed up. The junior ex-orphans settled for lucerne with the dependent orphans and thereafter left together for browsing. Kauro exchanged morning greetings with Kamok while Garzi started a game with Kanjoro. Oltaiyoni settled to browse with Siangiki but parted ways when Siangiki attempted to remove some feeds from her mouth. Naseku led the first group to the mud bath and only Kanjoro participated fully in wallowing. Seven wild bulls showed up at mud bath too, as Kauro opted to relax under a tree waiting for his friends to decide which way to go. In the evening the orphans passed by the mud bath and had an evening cooling-off exercise followed by soil dusting. Malkia took advantage of Mutara lying down and came over to scratch her belly on her.
Jotto left the stockade in the morning with a branch in his mouth that he continued to feed on until the lucerne was distributed. Mapia settled to scratch himself on a rock as he waited for the lucerne. It was a calm morning as the orphans enjoyed their lucerne without any disturbance from any outsider. After feeding on lucerne, Ambo and Kamok found suitable rocks that they scratched themselves on. On the way out to browse, Mundusi challenged Roi to a pushing game but ended up losing to Roi. An hour later, Yatta’s group came for water at the stockade water troughs and left immediately after they had taken enough. The orphans settled to browse south of the stockades and at eleven o'clock in the morning, Kuishi led the first group to the mud bath. The orphans were joined by Yatta’s group there too. Mundusi enjoyed a pushing game with baby Yoyo until Yetu, Yoyo's sister, came to help her brother and pushed Mundusi away.
The orphans left the stockade soon after having their morning milk. The stockade compound was clear without any outside visitors. The orphans settled for lucerne before making their way to the browsing field. On the way to the browsing field, Karisa had a brief strength testing exercise with Mundusi while Wanjala played with Namalok. Kithaka settled to play with Garzi as Galla decided to have fun by leaning on a tree as he enjoyed browsing. Jotto developed an itchy eye and picked up a small stick that he used to scratch with. Ambo took some time off from feeding to have a soil dusting exercise before Mteto led the first group to the mud bath. Only two wild bulls showed up to the mud bath while the dependent orphans were there. Ambo and Kauro boycotted the wallowing exercise and left to wait for their friends in the bush. Olsekki had fun riding on Tusuja in the wallowing water. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill and later in the evening passed by the mud bath for an evening cooling-off exercise.