Choose your region

Rapa left the stockade and stood at the exit point pretending to be ushering everyone out, but in actual fact he was only enjoying scratching his trunk on the gate post. Kauro left with a branch in his mouth which he continued to enjoy until he reached the edge of the bush where he dropped it and began browsing. 

The vegetation is now getting better and better and the orphans embraced the spirit of sharing. Siangiki and Namalok settled to feed on one shrub while Kithaka settled to feed with Rapa. Shortly later, Kithaka teamed up with Barsilinga and they competed to reach the nicest soft and fresh leaves high in the trees. The two boys realized that they had same size trunks and none could reach further than the other, so their competition ended in a draw. 

On the way to the mud bath, the orphans came across a small pool of water that they used to have a mud bath in before heading for their noon milk feed. Esampu led the first group while Maramoja led the second one. After taking their milk, the orphans went back to browsing, with the exception of Sapalan and Enkikwe who decided to splash water behind their ears before following their friends. 

The afternoon was sunny and the orphans took a break from feeding to relax under some trees. In the evening, Laragai came and stood at the stockade entrance and the moment she saw the Keepers coming to close the gate, she ran away as she didn't want to be closed in for the night.

The sky was clear in the morning as the orphans strolled nonchalantly out from the stockades. Led by Esampu, who has now mastered the area well, the orphans settled to browse in the Kone area. Esampu teamed up with Siangiki to browse and they seemed to have a lengthy chat. Sapalan is very active these days and is able to keep pace with his friends much better. He settled to browse with Tusuja. Naseku took a break from feeding to perform her acrobatics of sitting, rolling and lying down. She was apparently having great fun but no one in the group joined her and as soon as she had enough of her playing around, Naseku went back to browsing. 

In the afternoon, the sun was hot, prompting Sapalan and Enkikwe to seek shelter from the scorching sun under a baobab tree, while Kauro, Kamok, Pare and Dupotto dusted themselves with wet soil to try and cool down. Tusuja and Lemoyian came across a small pool of water and spent awhile cooling down there. 

Karisa the street wise boy was the first one to leave the stockade. Rapa left with a branch in his mouth that he continued to enjoy on the way to the browsing field. It was a day that new Nursery babies were expected to come and start a new life in Ithumba and the orphans browsed close by as they readied themselves to greet the new arrivals. 

At quarter to nine o'clock in the morning, the truck carrying Sana Sana, Ndiwa and Malkia arrived at the stockade. The three new babies were first met by Mundusi, Esampu and Mteto, who they knew from Nairobi. Esampu bellowed loudly in excitement and joy at meeting her friends that she last saw in May. Mteto greeted Malkia while Ndiwa tried to find out if Esampu still remembered her. Pare demanded respect from Ndiwa after Ndiwa inadvertently brushed against him. Ndiwa stood her ground and informed Pare that respect is a two way thing and besides, they are of equal size. The Keepers saw the standoff and warned Pare to behave. 

On the way to the mud bath, the new arrivals utilized every opportunity to cool off by splashing water behind their ears at all the small water pools they came across. They found their new environment very hot. After taking their noon milk, the orphans walked a distance from the main mud bath to enjoy wallowing in the other smaller mud baths. 

In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area where Mundusi had a game of riding on Mteto. Mteto wasn't happy about what Mundusi was doing so she shook him off and ran away. In the evening, the new arrivals were officially welcomed by the rains, which was a good indication of even better vegetation to come. At the end of the day, the orphans returned back safely to the stockade where the three new babies were to spend their first night in the open design stockades. 

It was the first morning at Ithumba for Malkia, Sana Sana and Ndiwa. The three new arrivals had no difficulties in getting out with their new found friends as they enjoyed the company of Esampu, Mteto and Mundusi. It was still wet and later in the day Sana Sana and Ndiwa took a break from feeding to play with wet soil by rolling on the ground. They were joined by Esampu, Kauro and Naseku. On the way to the mud bath, Naseku and Mundusi found a small puddle that they used to cool themselves down in by rolling around in the mud. 

At mud bath time, all the orphans had a spectacular wallowing a distance away from the main venue. Sapalan, who developed an itchy elbow, picked a stick from the ground using his trunk and used it to scratch the itchy part. 

In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area where Sana Sana spent some time soil dusting while Ndiwa and Esampu teamed up together to dig a hole to get soil for a dusting exercise. In the evening, the orphans returned back safely to the stockade for another night. 

The sky was clear in the morning as Malkia, Sana Sana and Ndiwa walked out followed by their friends in anticipation of a new day ahead. Indeed it turned out to be a friendly day to them when Esampu and Mteto decided to join them in showing them around and feeding together. Mundusi tried from time to time to push Sana Sana but the Keepers were alert and cautioned him of his bad behaviour for bullying the new arrivals. Mundusi then moved away to tackle Pare in a strength testing exercise. 

At mud bath time, Malkia, Ndiwa and Sana Sana got into the main mud bath for the first time by following their friends. The water was cold and they didn't like it, so they left the mud bath half way through and got out to look for warmer water. In the afternoon Roi and Naseku settled to browse together while the three new babies continued to enjoy the company of Esampu and Mteto. 

Laragai, Garzi, and Kithaka reported early before dawn but Laragai totally refused to go in the stockades. She stood a distance away watching her friends go in and then disappeared, only to show up again when the gates were opened for the orphans to come out. Laragai was welcomed by Esampu, Mteto, Tusuja and Wanjala but was questioned by Esampu and Mteto as to why she was not interested in spending the night in the stockade. They inquisitively raised their trunks to study her. Laragai didn’t communicate with them but went straight into the stockades to find out if there were any leftovers. 

Barsilinga, Kithaka and Garzi, having spent three quarters of the night out feeding, felt stronger and decided to have a game of pushing one another. Ndiwa spent some time in a damp soil dusting exercise, and later found a small pool of water that she used to splash behind her ears to cool off. 

At mud bath time, the weather was chilly and the orphans just took their milk then returned back to the browsing field. Wanjala came across an anthill and decided to play on it. Karisa settled to browse with Sapalan while Roi settled to feed with Naseku. Laragai’s rebel group parted ways with the orphans and walked off.

Ndiwa left the stockades with a branch in her mouth which she continued to enjoy outside. The enjoyment was short-lived as she met with Barsilinga who took the branch away from her. Laragai didn't show up in the morning and this left Kithaka, Barsilinga and Garzi confused as they can't lead themselves, they are too used to Laragai leading them. The three older boys opted to stick with the Keepers until Laragai decided to come for them. 

Ndiwa, Malkia and Sana Sana, who have settled in well now, walked to the water trough and had some water before leaving for browsing. Sapalan and Mteto took a break from feeding to participate in a soil dusting exercise. Malkia teamed up with Esampu to feed, while Sana Sana and Ndiwa teamed up with Maramoja. 

At mud bath time, the weather was chilly and the orphans only washed their feet and then went back to the bush. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the upper Kalovoto area where Dupotto and Tusuja were scratching against the trees. Later on, the clouds cleared giving way to sunshine. This prompted the orphans to seek shelter under some trees until the temperature became cooler so they could go back to browsing.

It was wet in the morning following 6mm of rain received early at dawn. Kithaka, Barsilinga and Garzi, who used to dodge the Keepers, are now spending all their days with the orphans and returning together in the evening. Laragai, who was their group leader, has not shown up since she ran off on the 12th. She often refuses to come into the stockades, ad she ran off in the direction taken by Melia, Tumaren, Kandecha, Kalama and other two wild elephants that morning. It's not clear whether Laragai managed to team up with the ex-orphans or not, but we hope she has. 

Sana Sana has almost mastered the routine for the orphans, and led the way to the browsing field. Once there, Malkia found a suitable rock that she used to scratch her neck on. Ukame, Namalok and the playful Naseku took a break from feeding to roll and play on the wet soft soil. Their game attracted Esampu, Mteto and Kauro. Tusuja and Olsekki came over and disrupted their fun by attempting to climb on the girls. In the afternoon, Tusuja had a strength testing exercise with Galla while Karisa played with Mteto.

At dawn the lions roared around Lesilau dam and in the morning the foot prints were seen following a herd of buffaloes south west of the dam. The orphans left the stockade immediately after having their morning milk and settled to browse in Kone area. The orphans had a quiet morning with an exception of the playful Naseku who opted to have a game of rolling on an anthill. After she was done with her game, Naseku then teamed up with Mteto, Malkia and Barsilinga in browsing. Mundusi is now trying to know his position in the herd by challenging the older boys, and decided to tackle the street wise boy Karisa. Karisa took Mundusi through a vigorous strength testing exercise that saw Mundusi surrender and move away. Karisa was left in a charging mood and to calm down, knocked a few shrubs down before finally walking off to browse again. 

On the way to the mud bath, the orphans played in a small water pool again. They decided to only have their noon milk bottle and now wallow in the main mud pool, as they had done enough of that earlier. Only Enkikwe briefly got into the water and did a bit of mud bathing, but quit when he saw his friends leaving. The orphans settled to browse on the western side of Ithumba Hill. Esampu, Tusuja and Pare settled to feed on a swampy area and when they had enough, moved to join their friends who were feeding a distance away. 

It was a quiet night and the lions were not heard roaring anywhere. In the morning, the orphans settled for the lucerne pellets after their milk bottles. The orphans shared the pellets peacefully, until Barsilinga and Garzi started causing chaos by pushing the young ones whenever they tried to share their piles. After the orphans were through with the pellets, Sana Sana, happily swinging her trunk from side to side, led the group out to browse. 

The orphans settled to browse in the Kone area, and scattered in different directions enjoying the lush vegetation. 

Later at eleven o'clock in the morning, Esampu led the first group to the mud bath. It was quite warm, and the orphans had fun in some mud close to the main mud bath. In the afternoon, Namalok challenged Galla but ended up losing the game. Karisa tried to play with Galla too, but also lost. Barsilinga saw some leaves high in a tree that he yearned to get. Amazingly enough, Barsilinga attempted to climb up the tree but of course he was unable. He was only able to step up on the tree trunk with his forelegs, and the back legs wouldn’t follow; elephants are not built for climbing trees! At last, Barsilinga gave up and left in search of other leaves that were more accessible and that he could reach with his trunk. 

Mutara’s group consisting of Mutara, Sities, Kanjoro, Kainuk, Turkwel, Suguta and Kibo visited the stockade at night and also left during the night as well. It was the first time Turkwel has visited since she returned to her friends in the wild, after being at the stockades and with the dependent orphans for about four months, after receiving treatment following her encounter with lions. 

In the morning, the orphans settled as usual for lucerne pellets before Sana Sana led the way out to browse. Rapa and Galla had a prolonged strength testing exercise that was temporarily interfered with by Kamok when she went in between them. 

Shortly before mud bath time, Murka, Naisula, Kitirua, Bomani, Narok, and Orwa joined the orphans and they headed for the mud bath together. On the way, Naseku came across a muddy water hole that she had fun in by rolling in the mud. Kauro, who rarely takes a bath, joined Naseku but opted to roll on Naseku instead of fully in the mud. When they went to the large mud bath after their milk bottles, Esampu led the way into the water and continued to lead up to the other side of the mud bath. In the afternoon, Naseku briefly held discussion with Pare and later moved to join Roi and Kamok in feeding. In the evening, the ex-orphans parted ways with the juniors. 

Maramoja led the way out followed by Rapa and Sapalan. Karisa developed an itch on his neck and instead of going to the rocks to scratch it, he picked up a stick from the ground to scratch his neck. The orphans then passed by the water troughs to have a drink before going out to the bush. Naseku took over the lead from Maramoja at this stage. Naseku was followed by her close friend Roi, while Enkikwe followed them at the back. 

Malkia, Sana Sana and Ndiwa shared food from the same shrub while Roi teamed up with Sapalan. Later on, Naseku took a break from feeding to have fun rolling on the ground. Her game attracted Karisa, Sana Sana, Kauro and Kamok. Garzi and Barsilinga had a brief strength testing exercise while Pare held a brief chat with Sapalan before parting ways. 

At mud bath time, for the first time this month, a wild bull showed up. We thought the bull looked as if he was coming to confirm whether or not the water hole was still there. After confirming that all was okay and ready for the dry season next year, the wild bull walked way as the orphans arrived for their mud bath. Karisa was the first one to jump into the mud, and shortly later was followed by Esampu, who led the way through up to the other side. Tusuja enjoyed climbing on Namalok and Karisa. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the upper Kalovoto area. The remaining part of the day was quiet as the orphans concentrated on browsing. 

The sky was clear as the orphans left the stockade and settled for lucerne. Maramoja decided not to feed on lucerne but moved a distance away and settled on grass. Tusuja and Wanjala shared one bale of lucerne while Barsilinga kept on pushing away whoever came close to share his bale. Shortly later, Maramoja led the way out to browse. Malkia, Ndiwa and Sana Sana have now got used to the routine and are doing just fine at the Ithumba stockades. Esampu, who appears to be a clever girl, we are sure will one day become a matriarch. She is an independent girl and she took some time to feed on her own and tried to steer the group far east of the stockade. The Keepers intervened and informed Esampu that was not the right way and she can do that when she is older and more independent. Esampu turned and started heading west as the rest of the group followed her. 

At mud bath time as usual, Karisa was the first one to jump into the mud, but Esampu overtook him and led the way to the end. Pare saw two Egyptian geese in the distance and decided to charge at them. For nearly ten minutes the Egyptian geese played a hide and seek game with Pare until he got tired and gave up. 

In the afternoon, the orphans settled west of Ithumba Hill. It became quite hot, making Sana Sana, Malkia and Ndiwa take a break from feeding to relax under a tree. The other orphans joined them moments later. It was still hot later in the afternoon so the orphans passed by the mud bath to cool off. 

At milk feeding time in the morning, Namalok accidentally kicked his bucket of milk as he tried to defend it when Esampu and Mundusi tried to come close and share the milk with him. Though it was Christmas, Namalok didn't embrace the spirit of sharing with these youngsters and was confident everyone had their own share of milk to enjoy. Mundusi and Esampu thought that Namalok was getting more milk since it was being put into a big bucket, but actually it was the same amount. Namalok regretted his actions and looked remorseful. The Keepers prepared more for him though and Namalok looked very happy. 

The sky was clear today and looks as if the rainy season has come to an end. It looks very green now but in a couple of months or less the vegetation will start to change colour. The orphans settled to feed in Kone area until mud bath time, when Esampu led the first group of Rapa and Dupotto for the milk feed. Sana Sana led the way to the mud bath and together with Malkia and Ndiwa, they made sure that they were ahead of everyone in the water until the finish line. In the afternoon, the sun was shining so the orphans decided to take a break and converge under a tree until the temperature dropped to a favourable level. In the evening on the way back to the stockades, the orphans were joined by Orwa, Narok and Bomani.

As soon as the orphans left the stockade in the morning, Orwa, Narok and Bomani emerged from south east side at a run. Their speed scared the orphans and this prompted them to run towards the Keepers. The Keepers calmed them down and after, Narok led the way to the browsing field with Orwa carrying a bale of lucerne in his trunk. 

Shortly later, after the orphans had left for browsing, Challa passed by the stockade compound and left shortly after sipping some water. Out in the bush, Esampu settled to browse with Sana Sana while Lemoyian teamed up with Kauro. Olsekki briefly engaged Galla in a strength testing exercise that ended when Galla surrendered. Narok, Bomani, Orwa, Kithaka, Garzi and Barsilinga parted ways with their friends, only to join them again later at mud bath. The weather was chilly and none of the orphans stepped into the water. 

In the afternoon, Namalok and Siangiki shared the same tree to scratch on, while Oltaiyoni challenged Olsekki in a pushing game. Galla played with Rapa as Roi settled on soil dusting. In the evening, Narok, Orwa and Bomani escorted the juniors back to the stockades again. 

It was an easy going day for the orphans. Narok, Orwa and Bomani came again in the morning and joined the orphans. It's not clear what their mission is, as they do not usually stay around this long, or spend this long with the dependent orphans. The Keepers could not help but wonder if they are prospecting to see if any of the orphans might be ready to join them in the wild, sort of like a recruitment drive! If that is the case then we are not sure, since Kithaka, Garzi and Barsilinga, who they would be targeting, have not made up their minds yet whether they are ready. The three junior ex-orphans accompanied the dependent babies up to mud bath time, and thereafter parted ways. Esampu and Sana Sana competed who between them would finish the mud bath race first. Since Esampu is lighter and smaller, she emerged as the winner of the day. Narok’s group left with Kithaka, Barsilinga and Garzi. In the evening at around six, Kithaka Barsilinga and Garzi returned back to the stockade for the night.

The sky was clear in the morning and this was an indication of hot day a head. Maramoja led the way out followed by Dupotto. The orphans briefly settled for lucerne before Karisa led the way out. At around nine o'clock in the morning, the temperature soared, prompting the playful Naseku to look for the closest water hole to cool off. Naseku was joined by Malkia, Sana Sana, Rapa, Siangiki and Enkikwe. After having enough of cooling off, the orphans resumed browsing. 

At mud bath time, Dupotto led Tusuja and Kamok in the first group. It was still hot and the orphans led by Esampu had a spectacular wallowing. Barsilinga and Garzi had brief strength testing exercise that saw Garzi emerge as the winner. In the afternoon, the orphans decided to take a break by converging under some trees with good shade. When it cooled down a bit the orphans carried on walking and browsing. In the evening, Kithaka and Garzi lagged behind as they were not interested in going back early. The two boys returned back later shortly before seven o'clock late in the evening. 

The year is coming to a close, and Maramoja led the way out followed by Mteto and Esampu. The orphans briefly passed by the water trough for water before Naseku led the way out to the bush. Kithaka, Barsilinga and Garzi followed their friends at a distance simply because they didn't want to be controlled by the Keepers. Sapalan, who we are happy to see is very active these days, teamed up with Galla to feed while Malkia settled to browse with Sana Sana. Enkikwe, who is still limping, had a lengthy chat with Lemoyian. These two boys are very lucky to have survived their lion attacks. 

On the way to the mud bath, Mundusi threatened Ndiwa not to overtake him. Ndiwa decided not to overtake and waited for the right time when Mundusi was distracted by a dik dik, then she made her move. At mud bath time, Wanjala and Tusuja had fun rolling on each other as Sapalan led the way in wallowing. After mud bathing, Esampu had fun of crawling along the edge of the mud bath on his front legs while Roi, Tusuja, Naseku and Olsekki settled for soil dusting. Later, Tusuja engaged Olsekki in a strength testing exercise but when the going got tough, Tusuja decided to quit. In the evening Kithaka, Barsilinga and Garzi refused to go back to the stockade with the others but returned an hour later after the orphans had settled at the stockade for the night.