Olare scratching
Daily updates
December 5th
Mist covered Ithumba mountain as the orphans enjoyed their daily Lucerne handout, after which Olare scratched herself against the rocks and Kilaguni and Kandecha engaged one another in a Pushing Match, refereed by Sabachi on the sidelines. After Kandecha surrendered Sabachi engaged Kilaguni which only lasted a short while before he, too, surrendered. After the noon mudbath, Makireti led the orphans back to the Kalovoto browsing area before returning home in the evening.
Sabachi plays with Kandecha
December 6th
At the Stockades during the morning the orphans engaged in various activities, Kasigau and Ishanga scratching themselves against the rocks, Kitirua and Sabachi in a Pushing Game after which Makireti led the group out to browse. En route Kilaguni and Sabachi enjoyed their usual Pushing March and later Ololoo challenged Kilaguni to a strength testing exercise. Since the day was cooler, none of the Juniors went into the mudbath. At 3 p.m. a light shower fell, which left the Orphans exceedingly happy.
Kasigau scratching
Makireti in the lead
December 7th
Having emerged in the morning, the Juniors assembled at the Lucerne feeding area, standing patiently with their trunks up, eagerly awaiting the handout. Kilaguni and Sabachi rolled on the ground in a playful way as they waited. Having enjoyed the Lucerne, an hour later Chaimu led the way to the Kalovoto browsing field.
Chaimu
Orphans walking to the fields
December 9th
Kitirua engaged Ololoo in a Pushing game while Kalama scratched herself against the only remaining acacia tree at the Stockade compound. Today Suguta led the way out to browse. During the mudbath Ololoo and Kilaguni engaged one another in a Pushing Match which was won by Ololoo after Kilaguni surrendered in order to join the other orphans as they headed back to browse for the rest of the afternoon.
Ololoo mounts on Kitirua
Ololoo and Kilaguni strength testing
December 10th
Murka scratched herself against the rocks this morning while Ololoo and Kilaguni resumed their Pushing Game as did Sabachi and Kitirua during which it was Kitirua who surrendered. At the mudbath the Orphans decided to enjoy soil dusting instead, since it was a cool day.
Murka scratching
Ololoo and Kilaguni in pushing games
December 12th
It was a quiet morning without much fun as the Orphans headed out to browse. At the mudbath, having taken their milk and water, Ishanga scratched herself against the trees while Ololoo and Kilaguni indulged in their favourite Pushing Game.
Ishanga scratching
Kilaguni and Ololoo
December 13th
Having taken their Lucerne, Kalama led the Juniors out to browse where Ololoo and Kilaguni resumed their favourite Pushing Game, which was won by Ololoo. During the afternoon the Orphans enjoyed a bush mudbath in a stagnant rainwater pool.
Kalama leading the herd
Orphans enjoy a bush mud bath
December 15th
Kalama led the group out having finished their Lucerne hand-out. Ololoo, who thoroughly enjoys playing with Kilaguni initiated a Pushing Match, which he won after Kilaguni surrendered. The Orphans declined the mudbath today, but instead enjoyed a bush wallow in the stagnant rainwater pool during the afternoon browsing session.
Orphans feeding on Lucerne
Bush wallow
December 16th
After finishing their Lucerne the orphans took it in turns to scratch themselves against the rocks, Chemi Chemi leading the way followed by Olare, then Kasigau and Ishanga. Later Kilaguni engaged Kasigau in a Pushing game which he won easily.
Chemi Chemi scratching
Kilaguni and Kasigau
December 19th
Kilaguni and Ololoo opened up the field activities by engaging one another in the usual Pushing Match which left them playing catch-up to the others who had moved further away. During the afternoon the orphans enjoyed the Kalovoto area again.
Kilaguni and Ololoo playing games
Orphans enjoying soft vegetation
December 24th
Ololoo and Kilaguni enjoyed their usual Pushing Game, which took another turn when Kilaguni lay down, encouraging Ololoo to continue the game that way. Sabachi, who was a spectator, came to help his friend Kilaguni get topsides of Ololoo, who has recently been victorious. At the mudbath only Ishanga and Kasigau enjoyed a wallow in the mud while the rest fed nearby.
Kilaguni playing
Sabachi
December 27th
As the Juniors enjoyed their morning Lucerne, Pushing Matches took place between Sabachi and Kandecha, Kasigau and Ololoo, while Kilaguni engaged Kitirua. As the Juniors were about to head out to browse the l0 Ex Orphans who turned up yesterday again arrived but remained briefly just to take water before again leaving.
As soon as the Juniors had settled into their Stockades in the late evening, there was the heaviest downpour of rain experienced this season.
Kasigau and Ololoo playing
Makireti enjoying Lucerne
December 31st
It was a quiet day for the Juniors. Ololoo enjoyed a free ride on Kilaguni, advertising his dominance. Out in the bush the Orphans concentrated on feeding. None of the Ex Orphans appeared today, obviously having just showed up briefly to announce their presence to their human family and the Keeper Dependent Juniors.
Kilaguni browsing
Naisula coming to the mud bath