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There was a light drizzle, just sufficient to settle the dust, but enough to keep the four teething babies indoors for most of the day. However, the older orphans thoroughly enjoyed the weather, playing in the dampened soil, Lemoyian, Kithaka, and Barsilinga climbing over Orwa and Sonje whenever they lay down while Oltaiyoni also enjoyed playing on her adopted mother, Sonje.

Orwa, now the oldest Bull in the Nursery, with the longest tusks, is not averse to using them on the smaller boys. Today, during the public viewing hour, he downed poor Teleki, prodding him and pushing him to the ground. The only Nursery members he respects are Big Girl Murera and Sonje, but now tends to throw his weight around all the others. Orwa will be upgraded to the Ithumba Rehabilitation Unit probably in April after the very hot months of January, February and March and there he will be taught manners by those even better equipped, including Bongo and Kanjoro!

Just after the Public Viewing hour, there was a downpour of rain, which excited the elephants, all of whom took to mudbathing, Lemoyian and Kithaka thoroughly enjoying climbing over Orwa as he lay in the mud. However when Lemoyian turned to climb on Oltaiyoni as she lay in the mud, her cry for help brought Sonje to the rescue at the double, chasing off Lemoyian as well as naughty Kithaka. Sonje then calmly escorted Oltaiyoni out to join the other orphans who by then were browsing in the bush.

Soon after leaving heir night quarters, Bomani and Orwa engaged one another in a Test of Strength, which ended when Orwa poked Bomani in the face with his tusks. Bomani then quit the game, and went to join Faraja and Jasiri who were also engaged in a friendly Pushing Game. Bomani then engaged Jasiri briefly, while Faraja watched, until the Keepers called the orphans for their milk. Jasiri and Faraja, our two albino “half brothers” are best friends, and while Jasiri is a gentle chap, Faraja enjoys trying to dominate the younger boys.

It was an unusually hot day at mudbath time, prompting little Oltaiyoni to only down half her quota of milk before rushing to the wallow to cool herself down. Small Boys Lemoyian, Kithaka, Barsilinga, Balguda and Tundani competed with the bigger boys, Orwa, Bomani, Garzi, Ngasha, Vuria, Faraja, Teleki, Nelion, and Vuria while the girls awaited their turn, Arruba and Sonje clearing space to allow girls Mashariki, Lima lima, Quanza, Suswa, Lima lima, Zongoloni, Lentili and Rorogoi to enjoy their turn.