In Voi, a new month began with visits from old friends. Ex-orphans Kenia, Araba, Arruba, Panda, Kihari, Naipoki, Suswa, and Mudanda have become familiar faces in recent months. The Keepers have noticed that the group has put on weight and condition since their regular visits began. We are glad that they have chosen to ride out the dry season close to home; conditions are challenging in Tsavo right now, and these elephants only recently reclaimed their place in the wild. They are showing excellent judgement by taking advantage of the support we can offer at Voi.
On a cool morning, the orphans plodded slowly out of their stockades and down the path to the feeding area. After emptying their bottles of milk, they mingled with a group of visiting ex-orphans – Kenia, Araba, Arruba, Panda, Kihari, Naipoki, Suswa, and Mudanda, who have become familiar faces in recent months. Some lined up at the dairy pellet trough as others gathered around the pile of lucerne. Soon, Tamiyoi and Lemeki led the dependent herd out to browse in the open grasslands overlooking the baobab tree water hole. Kenia’s herd headed off in a different direction.
Ngilai was in a frisky mood, browsing for a time and then darting around for fun. Nearby, Lasayen and Murit enjoyed several rounds of wrestling. Mbegu clambered all the way up Msinga Hill with Tagwa and Dabida trailing along behind. Thamana and Emoli played an extended version of the pushing game at the foot of the hill as Lemeki squatted on her haunches for a time before rolling around happily on the dry ground. Murit challenged Ngilai to yet another sparring match and Godoma stretched up her trunk to pluck off delicious branches from the top of an acacia tree. Later in the morning, Mbegu climbed down the hill and stood close to Baraka but welcomed Dabida with an embrace. Not far away, Sagala was spending time with Juni – the two friends browsed for a time and then entwined their trunks and then ate some more.
On a cloudy afternoon, the orphans padded down the slope to the baobab tree mud bath. They gulped down their bottles and continued on to the pool. Some drank from the water trough as Ndotto wrestled with Lasayen and Murit and Ngilai posed on the rocks after another energetic game. No one was keen on swimming today. They headed out for a final browse on their way back to the stockades for the night. As the elephants settled down to sleep, ex-orphans Panda and Kihari sparred with each other outside the stockades.
The orphans, including newbie Losoito, trundled happily out of their stockades as the sun rose over the horizon. They lined up as usual by the feeding trough to scoop up pellets. Losoito followed along behind Pika Pika to the trough where she stood next to her new friends. Busara, Pika Pika and Losoito were sandwiched between Mbegu and Sagala. The two little ones ate contentedly while being fussed over and trunk hugged by the older females. As the day became warmer, the herd headed out for their daily bush walk, settling to browse in the open grasslands on the lower slopes of Msinga Hill overlooking the baobab mud wallow.
In the afternoon, the Keepers shepherded the orphans into groups before sending them down the hill for another milk feed. They emptied their bottles and paddled on to the mud wallow where many drank from the water trough. Thamana was hanging out with feisty Hildana, standing as close as she could and trunk stroking his friend. After digging a hole by the baobab tree, Pika Pika stood on tip toes and stretched her body upwards, making herself into the tallest version of herself. When the herd meandered back out into the bush, Itinyi and Ndotto stayed behind. Itinyi popped into the mud wallow for a quick dip as Ndotto splashed the water with his big pads in his favourite spot on the edge and then lay down to roll around. Before long, the two wandered out to join the herd and a wild elephant family, who had been waiting patiently under some nearby trees, took their places at the mud wallow.
The orphans were in playful moods this morning. Emoli kept trying to get close to Thamana but he was ready for his older friend – every time Emoli casually ambled towards him, Thamana darted off, thwarting attempts to play mount him. Eventually he gave up and found a more willing playmate. Pika Pika and Busara were taking it in turns to scratch their rumps against the large rock as others picked up pellets from the trough. Ngilai and Godoma were playing the wrestling game – as they sparred, Godoma squatted on her haunches and Ngilai took advantage of the situation to clamber on top of her. Meanwhile, best friends Ndotto and Lasayen were chasing each other around the area outside the stockades.
In the afternoon, as usual, the orphans padded down the slope to the baobab tree mud wallow. Emoli was giving Hildana sparring lessons next to the trough as Ngilai dug into the earth on the edge of the wallow with his growing tusks and Itinyi darted around in pursuit of zebras trying to drink from the trough.
Soon, the orphans meandered back out into the bush, stopping on the way back to the stockades at the foot of Msinga Hill for their daily afternoon lucerne treat. After scooping up every branch of lucerne, some browsed quietly up the hill as others played. Busara squatted on the ground with Pika Pika standing close by, trunk touching her regularly. Lemeki scratched her backside on a large rock before enjoying a gentle sparring game with Thamana. Ngilai and Murit wrestled against each other as Emoli did his best to play mount Thamana. As the sun dipped in the sky, the Keepers whistled to the elephants – it was time to head home for bed.
Current and former orphans mingled contentedly outside the stockades this morning, filling their bellies and playing with friends. Ex-orphan Panda was playing the pushing game with Ndotto. Arruba did her best to get involved but the two friends carried on sparring and ignored her. Ex-orphan Kihari stood relaxing on one of the terraces, resting her large foot on little Losoito.
As the sun rose in the sky, Tamiyoi led the herd out to browse all over rocky Msinga Hill for several hours before they headed down to the baobab tree water hole for more milk and a wallow. Ndotto, Tagwa, Busara, Itinyi and Juni were drinking from the water trough. Juni looked most impressive when she placed her foot on the edge of the trough. Murit, Pika Pika and Seri wallowed happily together until Thamana joined them and then Emoli. As usual, Emoli was clambering on top of Thamana as he swam. Having had her dip disturbed, cheeky Pika Pika waddled out and then climbed into the water trough for another cool down. Nearby, Lemeki and Thamana were rolling around on the dry soil as Godoma and Tamiyoi hosed themselves with soothing dust.
Soon, the Keepers gathered the herd together in preparation for heading back to the stockades. As they wandered away from the wallow, ex-orphan Nguvu and his wild family arrived to take their places.
On a cool morning, the dependent orphans downed their bottles of milk and then lined up at the feeding trough to eat dairy pellets. Tamiyoi struck an impressive pose on the terraces before leading the herd to the pile of supplementary lucerne out in the bush. Ndotto walked side by side with Losoito behind Tamiyoi. The orphans spread out around the lucerne. Tamiyoi and Thamana were playing with each other – nearby, Godoma and Ngilai were also hanging out and playing. Juni was sandwiched between protective nannies Sagala and Tagwa (who used to fight over her but have learned to share her) and Pika Pika was fussing over and trunk hugging adopted baby Busara, being a little overprotective in her determination to prevent Thamana and Hildana coming anywhere near the young girl. When Mbegu lay down on the ground to relax and rest, Hildana spied an opportunity – immediately, he darted over to play mount and roll on top of his friend. Well-adjusted Mbegu ignored his energetic efforts and continued lying on the ground.
Later in the evening, Ndotto challenged Murit to a wrestling match as the orphans were getting ready to return to the stockades for the night. The herd ambled back, followed a few minutes later by the young bulls.
As the sun rose, the orphans emerged from their stockades and padded down the path to the feeding area. They emptied their bottles and settled down to eat dairy cubes and lucerne. A few former orphans sauntered up to join them outside the stockades. Ex-orphan Rorogoi challenged Mbegu to a sparring match. The mini matriarch of the herd is usually too busy looking after the younger orphans to play games but today was an exception – she accepted the challenge and clashed heads and tusks with her living-wild friend. Ndotto was scratching his backside on the twin trees until ex-orphan Panda arrived and the two started wrestling. Gentle, brave Ndotto accepts sparring challenges from elephants who are larger and stronger than him. Nearby, Araba and Pika Pika were enjoying some affectionate play on the pile of earth. As they rolled around, they kept hugging and touching each other with their twisty trunks.
Soon, the herd set out to browse in the surrounding bush before meandering down to the mud wallow in the afternoon. Almost everyone had a splash and a swim on a hot sunny day. Godoma, Mbegu, Pika Pika, Tagwa, Juni, Murit and Emoli wallowed together as Seri scratched her bottom against the water trough. Then, Sagala knelt on her forelegs to dig a hole with her little tusks while Lemeki and Thamana cavorted on the pile of earth. Soon, almost everyone was having a dust bath until it was time to wander back to the stockades for the night.
As dawn approached, the orphans crowded around the gates of the stockades, rumbling their readiness for the morning milk feed. When the Keepers opened the doors, Hildana, Kilulu and Ashanti were so busy squabbling over who should come out first that babies Busara and Baraka were able to sneak ahead of them. The pair then led the charge down the path and round the corner to the feeding area. Hildana was not at all happy to be usurped and gave the two small ones a grumpy shove when he caught up with them.
After breakfast, the orphans set out for their daily bush walk around an increasingly arid Msinga Hill. Today, Pika Pika and Ngilai clambered all the way up to the top in their quest for green browse. In the afternoon, they headed down for more milk and a wallow. Sagala and Godoma walked side by side, touching each other affectionately with their trunks as they ambled along together.
On another hot day, everyone went swimming. Murit mounted Itinyi in the mud wallow as Emoli rolled around and stretched his large body on the edge while Thamana stood next to him. Godoma, Pika Pika, Ndotto, Lasayen and Mbegu submerged their bodies in the muddy water while waving their trunks in excitement. Big boys Murit and Ngilai rubbed their wet rumps against the trunk of the baobab tree.
As the dependent elephants headed out to browse, a wild family took their places. The Keepers had seen the herd approaching from far away – the thirsty visitors drank from the trough and cooled off in the wallow. The orphans ambled on, pausing on the way back to the stockades for an afternoon lucerne treat.
On a lovely sunny morning, current and former orphans mingled together outside the stockades, sharing their breakfast of pellets and lucerne grass after the early morning milk feed. On the terraces, Mbegu was protecting little Busara from a rather jealous Juni who was trying, unsuccessfully, to get rid of Busara and have Mbegu all to herself.
Soon, the herd set out to browse for a few hours before returning to the stockades for their afternoon milk feed. After downing her bottle, Losoito spent ages hosing herself all over with soothing soil. Ashanti was slowly using her short trunk, which was damaged by a snare, to scoop up range cubes. Akina stood next to her, keeping her eyes on her friend, as if trying to figure out a way to help Ashanti.
In the late afternoon, the orphans wandered back out for a final browse. Sagala and Thamana had a serious sparring match as their friends fed peacefully on lucerne.
This morning, the orphans were full of energy, heading off to browse with a spring in their step. They settled in the open grasslands near Msinga Hill, wandering as they browsed in the direction of the baobab tree water hole.
In the afternoon, the orphans waited patiently for the milk truck to arrive. Ngilai and Lemeki stood close with trunks entwined, while Mbegu and Sagala had their own quality time. When the truck arrived, the orphans gulped down their bottles and padded on to the mud wallow. Several had a dip; it was another hot, sunny day. Kilulu was showing off her stretches at the water trough as Godoma massaged her body against the scratching tree. After a swim, Mbegu rolled around on the dry earth and then enjoyed a wrestling match with Ndotto. When the herd meandered away from the wallow, a wild herd arrived to drink from the water trough.
On their way back to the stockades, the elephants stopped to enjoy the afternoon lucerne treat. Bellies filled again, there was time for a last sparring game on the lower slopes of the hill before bed. Ngilai challenged Ndotto and Emoli took on Thamana as the sun dipped towards the horizon.
On a clear morning, the orphans emerged from their stockades and settled outside the stockades to eat range cubes and lucerne. They were soon joined by ex-orphan Kenia and her herd who had spent the night on Msinga Hill. Current and former orphans mingled. Kenia, Araba, Mudanda and Ndoria lined up at the feeding trough as Suswa, Arruba, Rorogoi and Kihari gathered around the pile of lucerne. When the dependent herd headed out to the browsing fields, the ex-orphans stayed behind to finish up every last piece of lucerne.
The rest of the day passed peacefully – eating was the focus, rather than playing. The orphans browsed in the open grasslands and then enjoyed the supplementary lucerne before ambling back to the safety of the stockades for the night. Newbie Losoito has settled in well with her new family. Today, she was following along behind gentle Mbegu.
Once again, as happens often during dry periods, current and former orphans were together outside the stockades this morning. Kenia’s herd arrived as the Keepers opened the doors of the stables. The elephants mingled and played as they ate range cubes and lucerne.
As the sun rose in the sky, the orphans headed out for their daily bush walk. They settled on the lower slopes of Msinga Hill. Ngilai and Pika Pika clambered up the hill looking for green browse as Lasayen challenged Murit to a wrestling match. Meanwhile, Mbegu was looking after Busara, Kenderi, Losoito, Akina and Ushindi at the bottom of the hill.
In the afternoon, the orphans padded down to the mud wallow after their usual milk feed. Today, almost everyone was paddling or swimming or rolling around in the muddy water. Ndotto rolled around in his favourite spot on the edge, trunk and legs flailing. After cooling off, Lemeki and Pika Pika had a fabulous dust bath. Lemeki stretched her legs up in the air as she lay on her back while Pika Pika hosed herself with soothing soil and then dug into the ground with her tiny tusks.
Arriving back at the stockades towards dusk, the orphans found several ex-orphans already there. Panda was enjoying a mud wallow as Suswa covered every part of her body with dry dusty earth.
The orphans trundled down to the feeding area in the early morning, greeting and playing with the ex-orphans who had arrived before dawn. Ndotto challenged former orphan Panda to a game of wrestling while Ngilai did his best to persuade Murit to spar with him. Murit was not interested, possibly because Ngilai is stronger and can play tough. Instead, the playful boy set his sights on Lasayen. Meanwhile, the rest of the herd concentrated on picking up pieces of lucerne.
Soon, Tamiyoi, Godoma and Lemeki led the herd out to browse. Feeling left behind, little Busara squeezed a way through her large friends to reach Godoma. She walked after her, maintaining contact with her trunk. Not far away, Baraka was content to walk along beside Pika Pika. This morning, the herd ambled past Msinga Hill to browse in the open area on the far side where the Keepers had deposited a delicious pile of green lucerne.
In the afternoon, the orphans padded down for another milk feed, continuing on to the mud wallow. As it was a cool cloudy day, no one was keen on swimming, instead gathering around the pool. Ngilai scratched his rump on a tree with Ndotto standing behind him. Emoli and Kilulu stood side by side to drink from the water trough. Kilulu extended just his trunk, but Emoli decided to plonk his forelegs into the water. When the herd meandered out for a final browse on their way back to the stockades, Ngilai remained behind at the water trough.
The ex-orphans arrived again this morning before dawn, standing peacefully outside the stockades as they waited for the Keepers to fill the trough with range cubes and bring out a pile of lucerne. The dependent orphans soon joined them, rumbling as they jogged down the path, and the large group of elephants settled down to eat.
When the herd headed out for their daily bush walk, the former orphans stayed behind at the stockades. Ndoria hosed herself with dust and then massaged her backside against the favourite rock. Arruba lay sprawled on the pile of earth while Mudanda stood next to her, sucking up trunkfuls of dust to squirt along her back. Panda was having a lovely mud wallow as Rorogoi and Suswa stolidly munched their way through the pellets from the trough.
In the afternoon, the Keepers shepherded the dependent orphans into groups and sent them down the slope for their usual milk feed. They emptied their bottles and plodded on to the mud wallow. Pika Pika, the mud bath queen, was the first to plunge into the water but she was soon joined by most of the herd. Ngilai and Lasayen decided to spar inside the wallow today as Ndotto lay down to relax in his favoured spot. Sagala, Ngilai and Mbegu were so busy massaging their bodies against the trunk of the baobab tree that they were left behind when the rest of the herd ambled out to browse.
The orphans were in excitable moods this morning, running out of their stockades and down to the feeding area where they found several ex-orphans waiting for them. Old and young greeted each other, filled their bellies and started playing. Murit wrestled with ex-orphan Araba as Ndotto clashed heads with Panda. Brave Ndotto was not put off by Panda’s much larger tusks! Mini matriarch Mbegu was spending quality time with a cluster of babies - Busara, Akina, Dabida and Losoito - in the lucerne area. Nearby, Baraka was sandwiched between Pika Pika and Godoma.
Emoli and Tamiyoi took the lead as the orphans headed out to browse on the rocky slopes of Msinga Hill. Ashanti, Lemeki and Thamana followed along after the leaders and the rest of the herd lagged behind. Ndotto and Mbegu brought up the rear with Mbegu making sure that no one walked behind her. Out in the bush, the orphans enjoyed another snack of supplementary lucerne mid-morning before jogging down to the mud wallow in the early afternoon.
Many chose to quench their thirst and then swim on a hot afternoon. Ndotto and Kilulu drank from the water trough first followed by Pika Pika, her adopted baby Busara, Losoito and Epiya. Then they all joined their friends in the mud wallow. Godoma was so excited today, splashing and trumpeting as she darted from one end of the mud wallow to the other. Finally, she calmed down, plodding over to enjoy a quiet wallow with Murit and Emoli. When it was time for the herd to wander back to the stockades, Godoma, Lasayen and Pika Pika remained behind, floating happily in the muddy water.
On a cool, cloudy morning, current and former orphans spread out on the terraces and the area outside the stockades. Murit was enjoying a friendly sparring match with ex-orphan Araba, his newfound friend. Araba is a friendly girl, and she seems to enjoy the gentle young bull’s company — they spend time together every day. Godoma was feeling brave today and boldly dared to challenge Kenia — who was the matriarch of the Voi herd, before she went wild — to a sparring match. They trumpeted as they made contact before breaking away and then clashing again. Mudanda and Rorogoi posed on the pile of earth as Araba darted over to spar with Suswa.
Soon, the herd meandered off in a straggly line to browse during the hottest part of the day before visiting the mud wallow. On another sunny afternoon, the orphans either paddled along the edges or submerged their bodies in the cool water, waving their trunks and flapping their ears in unison. After a time, Lemeki climbed out of the wallow and into the water trough, leaving Ngilai and Murit sparring in the water. Murit soon began rolling around on the edge of the wallow while Tamiyoi rubbed her rump on an overhanging tree. After their swim, Thamana rolled on the ground, ensuring that every bit of him was coated in dust, and Ngilai dug into the earth with his large tusks. Refreshed by mud and dust baths, the orphans ambled back to the safety of the stockades for the night.
This morning, the dependent orphans had the feeding area to themselves for a short time before their older, wild-living friends wandered up the path to join them for breakfast. Ndotto welcomed Panda with a wrestling challenge, but the ex-orphan was more interested in filling her tummy with range cubes. Pika Pika was fussing over little Busara as they stood leaning into each other at the feeding trough. Soon, Busara was happily sandwiched between Pika Pika and Dabida. Close by, Godoma trunk hugged Baraka.
As the day became warmer, the orphaned elephants set out with their Keepers for their usual bush walk. Most of the herd gathered in the lucerne feeding area at the bottom of Msinga Hill as Ngilai and Pika Pika walked all the way up to the top to browse.
In the afternoon, the orphans sprinted down to the Keepers waiting in a line with bottles aloft before carrying on to the mud wallow. Best buddies Lasayen and Ngilai entwined their trunks as they padded down together. No one went swimming on a cool afternoon – instead, they stood around the water hole or drank from the trough. Ngilai and Murit hung back when the herd headed back to the stockades for the night.
As the sky lightened, the outlines of orphans could be seen waiting around the doors of the stockades. They rumbled quietly to each other and the Keepers - they were ready for the day and thirsty for milk. As usual, Hildana was doing his best to be closest to the gate so he could be the first out. One by one, the gates were opened by the Keepers and the orphans padded out. This morning, Ashanti gulped down her two bottles and then kept coming back in the hope of being given a third. Soon, the orphans were clustered around the pile of lucerne on the terraces.
Today, Lemeki and Emoli led the herd out to browse in the arid dusty landscape. They wandered for several hours before plodding down to the wallow for a drink and a swim and a dusting.
As the orphans splashed around in the wallow, Tamiyoi, Losoito and Seri drank from the water trough. The two younger ones concentrated on sucking up water but Tamiyoi found time to strike poses between gulps. Emerging from the pool, Lemeki rolled around on the wet ground next to the wallow as Lasayen sparred with Murit under the baobab tree, Ngilai scratched his backside against the trunk and Ndotto prised bark off the creamy peacock tree with his tusks. Dusting done, the orphans wandered out for a final browse and their afternoon lucerne treat.
As the orphans lined up belly to belly at the feeding trough this morning, ex-orphan Kenia and her herd padded silently in to join them, having spent the night on Msinga Hill. They settled peacefully together with only the occasional rumble breaking the silence as the elephants concentrated on eating range cubes and lucerne. Kihari soon disturbed the peace with a trumpet as she tried to make more space for herself at the trough. Now fully awake, Emoli played with Thamana before Tamiyoi and Lemeki led the herd out to browse.
In the afternoon after the milk feed, the dependent orphans padded down to the mud wallow. Many went swimming again today. Lasayen stood in the water to splash himself as Murit wrestled with Ngilai in the wallow. Tamiyoi stretched her body long as she rolled around on the edge of the wallow in Ndotto’s favourite spot. After a short time, the orphans headed back out to browse in the bush on their way back to the stockades.
As the landscape becomes drier and green browse harder to find, the ex-orphans are visiting the stockades more often. This morning was no different to the past week. After a night on Msinga Hill, Kenia’s herd ambled down for breakfast with their young friends. Today, Kenia was trunk hugging Lemeki as Panda drank from the trough with Lasayen. Soon, Panda and Murit played several rounds of the pushing game. Kenia and Araba were dusting themselves on the pile of earth when the herd headed out for their daily bush wander.
In the afternoon, the orphans emptied their bottles of milk and jogged on the mud wallow. Many of the elephants paddled into the pool as Ndotto and Losoito stood close together to drink from the water trough. In the mud wallow, Ngilai and Murit were sparring once again until Murit decided it was time to massage his rump against the baobab tree trunk. Sagala followed his lead, standing next to him as she massaged her body while Ndotto stood quietly in the shade of another tree.
As usual, the Keepers shepherded their charges together with a series of whistles. Obediently, the orphans plodded back out, knowing that the next stage of the day’s routine was a delicious lucerne snack on their way home to the stockades.
In the early morning, the orphans trundled out of their stockades and down the path to the feeding area. They greeted the ex-orphans on their arrival a few minutes later and spread out all over the terraces. In playful moods, several chased each other around or played pushing and wrestling games. Godoma was sparring with Kenia – the younger orphan was on a lower terrace with the older orphan looming over her on an upper terrace. Whatever the disadvantage, she was excited to have persuaded the reticent Kenia to play with her.
As the sun rose in the sky, the dependent herd headed out to browse in the dry grasslands, leaving Kenia’s herd behind at the stockades. After a quiet morning, the orphans ambled down to the baobab tree mud wallow in the afternoon. Plunging into the water, Mbegu cavorted in the middle of the pool, creating impressively large splashes. Soon, Murit and Ngilai joined her in the wallow, squatting opposite each other to continue their daily sparring game. When the big boys clambered out, several younger orphans took their places for a more peaceful swim. Water and dust bathing done, the herd meandered back to the stockades in a long line.
It was a quiet morning at the stockades. The orphans drank down their bottles of milk and settled in the feeding area, focusing their attention on eating rather than playing. Soon, Tamiyoi and Tagwa led the herd out to the browsing grounds. Pika Pika and Busara ambled along so close that they were touching. When Lemeki walked up to greet the smaller elephant, Pika Pika gave her a shove, wanting to keep Busara to herself. Just behind, Baraka was walking between Godoma and Mbegu. Lemeki wandered away to be with other friends – the sensible girl knew her place with older nannies Godoma, Mbegu and Pika Pika.
After browsing in the open grasslands for a time, Sagala and Tamiyoi led the dependent orphans all the way up to the top of Msinga Hill. On the way, Emoli made a stopover, enjoying a rest and a massage on a large rock. The herd browsed around the peak of the hill before meandering down to the baobab tree water hole for more milk and a wallow. Almost the whole herd got into the muddy water today – the older ones went first followed by the younger orphans. Sagala was frolicking in the water with Baraka. Seeing Godoma approaching, she led her little charge out of the water and over to a tree for a scratch.
This morning, the orphans chased each other down the path and round the corner to the line of Keepers with bottles held aloft. Opening their mouths wide, they gulped down the milk and toddled over to the feeding trough. First they filled their bellies and then they played. Lasayen and Ndotto played the pushing game, testing each other’s strength, as the others rolled around or dusted themselves on the pile of earth. Amid all the playing, an excited Thamana darted around after some baboons trying to eat range cubes.
In the afternoon, the orphans visited the baobab tree water hole after another milk feed. They had lots of fun cooling off and playing in the mud bath. Confident Itinyi was cavorting in the water with older elephants Lemeki and Pika Pika, watched by his reticent age-mates. Emerging from the water, Lasayen, Godoma and Pika Pika stood in a straight line to hose their bodies with dry soil. Tamiyoi found her own private patch for a dust bath – she rolled around happily until her peace was disturbed by Ngilai lying down next to her and scratching his neck on her back. She got to her feet and marched away.
The remainder of the day was peaceful as the orphans enjoyed their afternoon lucerne treat on the way back to the stockades.
The sky was clear this morning as the orphans emerged from their shared stockades and spread out to enjoy their breakfast. Soon, Tagwa and Juni (her adopted baby) led the herd out to the bush. They wandered to the northern side of Msinga Hill overlooking the baobab tree water hole, browsing half-way up the hill for the morning.
Later in the afternoon, the orphans sprinted down the slope in groups of three or four for another milk feed before padding on at a leisurely pace to the mud wallow. One by one, they walked into the water – some lay down as others paddled, kicking at the water with their enormous pads. Losoito was the first to pop out and enjoy a solitary dust bath close by. The others followed in dribs and drabs. Lemeki massaged her backside against the bark of the baobab tree as Pika Pika knelt down and tried (unsuccessfully) to squeeze her body into a hole in the dry ground. When the herd headed out for another browse, the two orphans were left behind for a short while but soon caught up with their friends.
As dawn approached, the Keepers prepared the many bottles of milk and opened the doors of the stockades. As each gate was opened, a group of elephants trundled out and ran down to the feeding area, trunks waving and ears flared. They gulped down their milk and wandered over to the trough full of range cubes. Once they had filled their tummies, they either stood close to friends or played. Hildana, Epiya, Dabida and Ushindi chased each other around the large rock and then enjoyed a group massage as little Baraka rubbed herself against a smaller rock.
As the day became warmer, the orphans wandered out for their daily bush walk led by Tamiyoi and Sagala. Wandering down to the mud wallow in the afternoon, most of the herd plunged into the cooling water. Lemeki, Godoma and Murit played noisy tumbling and splashing games, completely submerging their bodies and then bouncing up. Lasayen performed some energetic somersaults and rolls in the water, impressing his audience of young friends. Tamiyoi invited Kilulu to join her in the mud bath. He was so excited by the attention of the older female that he sprinted into the water, splashing Tamiyoi’s face with his forelegs. In response, Tamiyoi stood up and played gently with Kilulu.
The former orphans were back this morning. As the current orphans scooped up range cubes and lucerne, Kenia, Araba, Arruba, Panda, Kihari, Naipoki, Suswa and Mudanda padded peacefully up the path to the stockades. The Keepers commented that the herd of ex-orphans had put on weight and condition since their regular visits began two or three months ago. The supplementary feeding was making a noticeable difference.
Breakfast over, Ndotto and Panda clashed heads in a noisy sparring contest. Nearby, Rorogoi and Kenia were competing for Losoito’s attention. Rorogoi was happily trunk hugging the newbie when Kenia pushed her way between them. Rorogoi trumpeted in indignation whereupon peacemaker Kihari ambled over and separated the two females. Losoito stood quietly in the middle of the squabbling.
When the dependent herd headed out to browse, Kenia’s herd stayed back at the stockades, contentedly eating up every range cube and piece of lucerne they could find.
The elephants lined up belly to belly at the feeding trough this morning, skilfully scooping range cubes into their mouths. All was peaceful until naughty Hildana tried to push Itinyi away. Mbegu darted over to intervene, shepherding little Itinyi away to the lucerne area. As the sun rose into the sky, Kenia’s herd arrived after spending the night on Msinga Hill. The ex-orphans settled in the lucerne area, except for Araba who made a bee-line for the diary cubes. Panda and Ndotto enjoyed another wrestling match before the dependent herd set out to browse in the surrounding bush.
Today, Emoli was the leader followed by Tamiyoi, Lemeki and Ashanti. With minimal vegetation left to browse on in the grasslands, the orphans opted to climb up Msinga Hill.
In the afternoon, the orphans came down for their usual milk feed and mud wallow. Lasayen stood posing on the edge of the water, standing tall as he splashed water with his trunk. Ndotto, Murit, Lemeki and Godoma rolled around together in the wallow as Emoli stretched and rubbed his body against Ndotto’s favourite spot along the edge. Lasayen then paddled all the way to the middle of the wallow while Ndotto, having clambered out, covered himself in dusty earth. Silly Godoma tried to climb into the water trough as Ngilai and Emoli enjoyed a dust bath together. Mud and dust baths over, the herd meandered back out as the sun dipped in the sky.
As the sky lightened, the elephants could just be heard padding around in their stockades – except for noisy Hildana who was banging against his gate, making clear his readiness to start the day. Having mixed the bottles of milk and filled up the feeding trough, the Keepers opened the doors one-by-one. The orphans trundled down the path, downing their bottles and then greeting the group of ex-orphans waiting to share their breakfast outside the stockades.
Lemeki stood motionless and on her own on the pile of earth, seeming to have gone back to sleep. Pika Pika and her sidekick Busara darted back and forth between the pellet trough and the lucerne area. Ngilai was roaming around on the terraces carrying a bunch of lucerne with his trunk. Emoli, as usual, was trying to catch Thamana’s attention but to no avail – although he did his best, his young friend just kept on eating. Lemeki followed by Thamana headed out to browse in the surrounding bush. Many of the others stayed behind to finish the pellets before meandering after the two leaders.
In the afternoon, the orphans padded down for a milk feed and a mud wallow. Lasayen rolled on his belly in the wallow and then squatted on the edge, doing stretching poses while she massaged her backside. Mbegu was digging a hole with her tusks on the edge with Ashanti standing next to her. Soon, the Keepers gathered the orphans together and they set off to find the pile of lucerne on their way back to the stockades.
On a wonderful sunny morning, the orphans bonded with the (almost resident) herd of ex-orphans while sharing their breakfast of pellets and lucerne feeding. Even though there were plenty of pellets for everyone, Panda did not want Itinyi to stand next to her at the trough and kept trying to push him away. Maybe she was especially hungry or maybe she was asserting her dominance. Ngilai and Murit played the sparring game happily until Lasayen pushed his body between them. Murit stalked away in a grump as Lasayen tried (unsuccessfully) to persuade Ngilai to play with him.
Soon, the dependent orphans set out for their daily bush walk, leaving the ex-orphans behind to finish up the lucerne. The elephants wandered all the way to the top of Msinga Hill in search of fresh foliage. Later in the afternoon, the orphans climbed down the hill for more milk and a wallow. As the heat of the day faded, they walked back to the safety of the stockades for the night.
The orphans set out to browse on an unusually hot morning and ex-orphans remained behind. After the younger elephants had left, their older wilder friends spread out on the terraces, in no hurry to leave. Meanwhile, the dependent herd again clambered all over Msinga Hill searching for green browse.
In the afternoon, the orphans sprinted down for their milk feed and then padded on to the mud wallow. They had a great time in the wallow in the sunshine. Ndotto showed off his splashing and wallowing prowess in the middle of the pool as Mbegu stood near the edge surrounded by the babies of the herd. When Ndotto got out, Pika Pika plunged in, showing off her equally impressive swimming skills. Meanwhile, Murit stood on the edge, making enormous splashes with his big feet.
Soon it was time for yet another snack. The herd meandered off to find the pile of lucerne and settled there until late in the afternoon.
Last night, Kenia’s herd of ex-orphans spent the night under the trees outside the stockades. As soon as the Keepers filled the trough and deposited the lucerne, they walked over to eat. Meanwhile, the dependent orphans waited impatiently for their doors to be opened, rumbling loudly and stretching trunks through gaps. They sprinted down the path to join their older friends.
Ashanti, Baraka, Busara and Losoito were the first group out of their stockade. Finishing her bottle before the others, Busara sidled up to Ashanti, hoping for some extra milk. Aware of her plan, Ashanti gave Busara a good shove and continued drinking her milk. Bottles emptied, the orphans spread out along the trough and next to the lucerne. Today, Murit challenged both Lasayen and Ngilai to wrestling matches, succeeding in pulling them away from the pellets.
When the orphans set out to browse, once again the ex-orphans stayed behind. In the afternoon, they ambled down to the mud wallow and spread out peacefully around the pool. No one got wet today, opting instead to roll around on the pile of earth or hose themselves with dry soil. Only Ndotto has a little splash on the edge of the wallow.
This morning, the current orphans had the stockade area to themselves for a short time before Kenia’s herd of former orphans arrived to join them for pellets and lucerne. Once again, Ndotto took on ex-orphan Panda in a wrestling match, watched by Lemeki and Thamana as they stood completely still on the pile of earth. Pika Pika was with Busara, Dabida, Ashanti and Seri next to the pile of lucerne while Ushindi, Kilulu and Hildana spent time with ex-orphan Arruba. Tamiyoi, followed closely by Godoma, Emoli and Baraka, led the herd out to browse. The orphans settled around another pile of tasty lucerne on the slopes of Msinga Hill.
In the afternoon, the orphans jogged down the hill for their usual milk feed and time at the mud wallow. Lasayen and Godoma splashed and wallowed together in the muddy water until Ngilai persuaded Lasayen to spar with him instead in the water. Tiring of the games, Lasayen climbed out for a dust bath, leaving Ngilai on his own in the water. Meanwhile, Pika Pika trundled up and down the edge, waiting for him to get out as she loves having the wallow to herself. Tamiyoi was rolling around and splashing in Ndotto’s favourite spot until she was ousted by Godoma and Pika Pika. After a brief dip, Murit enjoyed a stretch and a dust bath before catching up with the herd as they ambled back to the stockades.