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After their 9am milk bottle as the babies walked off back into the forest to browse, some of them decided not to browse but to try and dust themselves instead. It all started with Enkesha and Musiara. They were the ones that decided to start digging at the soil to try and play, but when Tagwa saw them struggling she knew she had to come over to help them. As overall ‘mama’ to everyone, she walked over and shoved Enkesha to the side, so she could use her big tusks to help dig up the soil. As she began digging the soil, Ambo and Tamiyoi joined her. Musiara was already on the ground, taking advantage of all the loose soil that was being thrown up.

Ahead of where Musiara was lying were the warthogs who were still sleeping in their dens with their babies. The warthog thought that a predator was after them and they came running out of their holes one after the other, very quickly. Musiara got such a fright he jumped up yelling. Malima rushed down from the bush she was browsing on to help save the little boy. Jotto, Mapia and Kuishi teamed up with Malima and they all chased after the warthogs, driving them away into the thicket. Tagwa and the others used their holes as they new play site and everybody joined in dusting themselves in the loose soil. 

We have noticed that recently Malima is becoming quite close with Musiara. She spends a lot of time beside this little boy, which is surprising as she can have quite a rough character. Today Malima and Musiara spent most of the day browsing together.

Sometimes some of the orphans can have ‘off’ days, even if they are usually the quiet ones. This was one of those days for Musiara, and he behaved so differently from his usual polite character. Sometimes instead of letting an incident go, the orphans decide to seek revenge. Musiara was in a group including Emoli, Sattao and Maktao while running for their milk bottles and he decided to totally block Maktao from running ahead of the group. Maktao is one of those that always wants to be first at the feeding point while Musiara is never that bothered about running down for him milk. He paved way for Sattao, his friend, and Emoli to go ahead, but then he kept blocking Maktao! We wondered if this was him seeking revenge for something Maktao had done earlier. It was not until Enkesha and Tamiyoi came behind them that Tamiyoi managed to block Musiara and Enkesha escorted Maktao down.

The day began as usual and was just like any other day. The orphans moved through the forest in the company of their Keepers and because it was a sunny day all the orphans were happy and seemed to enjoy the morning. The weather was so nice and the temperature so favourable, that the newest arrivals Dololo and Mukkoka did not even need to wear blankets. Musiara was enjoying the sunshine the most, and stood basking in an open area. He then decided to roll on the ground and lie with his feet in the air, making the most of the warmth. Maktao, who is always close to his beloved Keepers, was busy dusting his body with loose soil. Tagwa, Kuishi, Tamiyoi, Sagala and Jotto were not as interested in warming themselves, and chose instead to browse from the nearby leafy trees. Enkesha joined Maktao to dust as well. Soon, Kiko decided to join the follow the elephants and he was browsing from every tree he came across. Malima, who is always so playful, was mock-charging a group of impalas who were close by, and Emoli and Sattao were busy chasing some warthogs who were passing by – it was a very jovial and happy festive day.

It’s the last day of the year and it was another sunny day. The babies were engaged in all different activities. Some, like Sattao, Kiasa, Musiara, Maisha and Maktao were playing push and pull games. Some of the big girls like Kuishi, Sagala and Tagwa were pulling and picking branches from the tops of some small trees. The biggest Nursery boys, Jotto and Ambo, were basking in the sun. Kiko was enjoying as usual from the tops of the trees nearby. The playful girls Malima and Tamiyoi were play-chasing him around as he tried to browse. He was enjoying all the different leaves, and at once stage bent low so he could sample some of the tasty ones from a smaller shrub as well. Tiny Maarifa was warming her little body in the sun as well, as her Keepers stood by her and watched for her safety as she took a little nap. The year of 2018 ended well for all the little orphans in the Nairobi Nursery.