Christmas came early at Ithumba when on the 12th December Sidai, with her fellow ex-orphan friends, arrived at the stockade before dawn with a surprise for us, in the form of a baby girl approximately four months old walking beside her! The last time we saw Sidai was way back in June, and since then she must have gone to have her baby with her friend Nasalot alongside her, who we had also not seen for some time either. We called her little one ‘Sita’ meaning six, being the 6th wild born baby born to our graduate orphans this year.
The orphans left the stockade early as usual and settled for some lucerne pellets. Shortly later, Ambo led one group out to feed on all the fresh vegetation around, instead of the pellets. Later, the rest of the group followed with the exception of Barsilinga and his friend Garzi who lagged behind to pick up the remaining pellets. Turkwel, Kithaka and Lemoyian, who had spent the night out, showed up and teamed up with Barsilinga and Garzi.
Out in the bush, the orphans took a break from feeding to have fun rolling on the ground. Mundusi had a brief strength testing exercise with Tusuja that ended when Mundusi surrendered. At mud bath time, the orphans decided to wallow in the big mud bath soon after their midday milk feeds. Kithaka and Garzi as usual had fun pushing one another while still in the water. In the afternoon, Namalok had a good time playing with his playmate Sapalan. The rest of the day was quiet as the orphans concentrated mostly on browsing.
It was wet in the morning following a heavy downpour overnight. Malima left with a branch in her mouth which she enjoyed feeding on as she waited for the lucerne. Ambo, Ndiwa and Malkia left for browsing leaving their friends behind. When the trio realized that none of the others had followed them they were upset, and decided to return and wait for everyone to come. Afterwards, the orphans left for browsing leaving Olsekki and Lemoyian feeding on pellets, and who who later caught up with the others in the Kone area. Water is available everywhere following the good rains we are having and the orphans stopped at Kone dam to have some water before carrying on.
Out in the bush, Oltaiyoni, Wanjala, Galla, Malkia, Kauro, Lemoyian and Malima had fun rolling on the wet soft ground. At mud bath time, the sun was shining and the orphans really enjoyed swimming in the mud bath. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill.
The sky was clear today and it appeared we would have a break from the rain. Esampu led the way out and settled for pellets. Rapa and Mteto settled to share one pile without any trouble. Shortly later, Turkwel led the way out. The orphans came across some water collected on a rock and had a drink before carrying on with their browsing. Sapalan got into trouble with his playmate Namalok when he tried blocking him from getting the water. Namalok fought back until they reached some sort of understanding and Sapalan stepped back to allow his playmate to have some water.
At mud bath time, the sun was shining and the orphans really enjoyed swimming in the main water hole. Mundusi and Garzi were the last one to finish wallowing. Roi held a brief chat with Wanjala before walking off to browse. In the afternoon, the orphans settled west of Ithumba Hill. Roi teamed up with her friend Galla to wallow in a muddy puddle, while Garzi had his own wallow close by. The rest of the day was quiet as the orphans concentrated on browsing.
Pare decided to scratch on the rocks inside the stockade as he waited for his groups turn to have their morning milk. Soon after having their milk bottles, the orphans left the stockade and briefly settled for some lucerne. Lemoyian attempted to grab and bite Enkikwe's tail after he inadvertently stepped on the pellets Lemoyian was feeding on. Enkikwe was sad that Lemoyian had tried to bully him and especially because he has an injured leg following the lion attack nearly two years ago now.
On the way out, Sapalan and Malima found suitable rocks that they used to scratch their buttocks on. Later, Kuishi, Tusuja, Kithaka, Naseku, Malima and Ambo took a break from feeding to have a game of rolling on the ground. At mud bath time the orphans again had a very long swim which they really enjoyed. Garzi and Kithaka were the last ones to leave as they had an enjoyable game of pushing one another while still in water. Wanjala had brief chat with Roi before walking off to continue browsing. The rest of the day was quiet.
Mapia had fun sitting and scratching on the stockade water trough as he waited for the Keepers to open the gate this morning. As soon as the gates were opened, the orphans settled for pellets before walking out to browse. Sapalan and Kithaka stayed behind in the stockade compound as they tried to collect every piece of Lucerne pellet left behind, and caught up with their friends later. Mundusi, our young boy who loves challenging his friends in pushing games, settled to play with Pare. Their pushing game ended in a draw. Sapalan and his playmate Namalok had strength testing exercise briefly as Maramoja scratching and sat on the ground in a funny pose. Later Mundusi, Pare and Naseku all decided to play and roll on the ground. Once they had enough of rolling on the ground, Pare briefly engaged Naseku in a pushing game that ended soon when Pare surrendered.
At mud bath time, the sun was hot and the orphans decided to have a swim in the water hole again. In the afternoon, Naseku and Roi got into a charging mood when they spotted a jackal and decided to chase it away. The jackal disappeared, leaving the two girls charging about in the bushes at nothing! In the evening Mundusi and Roi finished the day activities by engaging in a pushing game.
It was wet in the morning following heavy rain received over the night. The orphans walked out cautiously as the ground was slippery and they wanted to avoid sliding and slipping to the ground. Ambo led the way out today. Tusuja and Mundusi had a brief strength testing exercise that ended soon when Mundusi surrendered. At around ten o'clock in the morning, the orphans decided to take a break from feeding and relax under a tree.
The orphans were browsing close to the stockade and at eleven o'clock in the morning had their milk at the stockade compound before proceeding north of stockade where they settled for the afternoon. The sun was still hot and the orphans opted to feed under trees with nice shade. In the evening Mundusi, the lover of pushing games, tackled Pare while Ndiwa and Malima came across a water hole and had fun by rolling in the mud to cool themselves down.
It was wet in the morning following another heavy rain shower last night. Ambo led the way out again. Olsekki was dragging his left front leg while Rapa’s leg is improving. Malkia, Pare, Naseku and Roi came across some suitable rocks that they used to scratch themselves on. Sapalan used his tusks to dig wet soil to smear himself with it using his trunk. Later the orphans took some time off from feeding to enjoy rolling on the wet ground. Kithaka and Garzi played a pushing game for quite some time. At around eight o'clock in the morning Karisa, who has been held separately from his friends while he recovers, was allowed to re-join his friends after showing signs of improvement. He was welcomed back into the group by Naseku. Later the temperature was moderate and the orphans waded through Kone dam as they proceeded to the stockade to have their mid-day milk. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the Kone area. In the evening a lone wild bull passed by the stockade compound.
The orphans headed straight out to browse soon after leaving the stockades. The orphans passed by Kone dam where they had some water before getting down to the business of feeding. Mundusi started a game of challenging Tusuja but ended up losing the game. Later he went to tackle Roi but was defeated there too. The orphans took a break from feeding to have fun by rolling on the ground. Roi and Naseku had their own game of charging and trumpeting while knocking down small bushes. At mud bath time, Kuishi led the first group while Ambo led Mapia and Malima in the second group. After having their milk Ambo held a brief chat with Malima. Mundusi left with an empty bottle soon after finishing the milk and dropped it half way to the water trough. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill where Roi teamed up with Naseku to browse.
Rain arrived early before dawn and continued to pour even after day break. The orphans had their morning milk and left the stockades while it was still raining, but they settled to browse just a few metres from the stockade compound. Esampu settled to browse close to Karisa and attempted to get some grass from Karisa's mouth. Karisa wasn’t happy and informed Esampu although he had been sick for a while, it didn’t mean that anyone could take advantage of his situation. He pushed Esampu away just to let her know that he was not too weak not to defend his food! Esampu moved off quickly. Shortly later, Ambo, Wanjala, Siangiki, Naseku, Mundusi, Roi, Sana Sana, Kamok, Namalok, Enkikwe, Rapa, Lemoyian and Jotto took a break from feeding to play in the mud. After they had enough of playing, they resumed browsing. Mundusi engaged Roi in a pushing game while Sapalan played with Namalok. At mud bath time it was drizzling still and the orphans had their milk then went straight back to browsing without needing to swim. Ambo and Malima came across some water that had collected on a rock and shared it before continuing to browse together.
As they waited for their morning milk, Ambo and Sana Sana decided to keep themselves busy by having a light pushing game. Soon after they had their milk, Kuishi led the way out. Kuishi settled to browse with Kamok while Sapalan teamed up with Mundusi. Ambo remained behind to keep Olsekki company as he has a stiff leg which is making him walk slowly. Esampu came across a nice rock that she used to scratch herself on. Later Ambo and Turkwel enjoyed rolling on the ground, a game that also attracted Sana Sana, Naseku, Ukame, Wanjala, Ndiwa and Esampu.
At mud bath time, the sun was hot and the orphans participated fully in the wallowing exercise. Tusuja and Mundusi were the last ones to leave the mud bath and they all headed north where they settled for the afternoon. In the evening Mundusi challenged Sapalan but there was no way he would let this little boy put him to shame in front of his friends and he fought very hard, eventually driving Mundusi away.
Wanjala and Kauro started their day activities inside the stockade by having a pushing game as they waited for their morning milk. It was still wet in the morning as the orphans left the stockade. Water flowing down the hillside has become a common sight at Ithumba following all the rains we have received at Ithumba recently.
Out in the bush Esampu and Mteto came across some nice rocks that they scratched on. Kauro settled for soil dusting while Rapa had a brief strength testing exercise with Wanjala. Later Wanjala tackled Mundusi, which he loved as he loves wrestling games so much! The ex-orphans in Yatta’s herd passed by without stopping, as they headed west. At mud bath time, the sun was hot and only Karisa wallowed in the Kone dam. The rest of the afternoon was quiet as the orphans concentrated on browsing.
Lualeni baby Lulu, Galana, baby Gawa, Sidai, Lenana, Chyulu and two wild bulls arrived at the stockade early before dawn and decided to relax and wait for the orphans to say hello. Sidai had a surprise for us however; a baby girl aged approximately two months was walking beside her! The last time we saw Sidai was much earlier in the year in June, and then she must have gone to have her baby with her friend Nasalot who we had not seen for some time either. In the morning, Lualeni walked up to the gate and sniffed through the wires to greet the babies and at the same time, perhaps checking whether there were any leftovers!
After the morning milk, the orphans were let out and joined the ex-orphans. Sidai led the way out to browse but parted ways with the dependent orphans a few minutes later. Roi engaged Gawa in a strength testing exercise. Wanjala and Mteto followed Sidai’s baby, who we called Sita meaning ‘six’ (as she is the 6th wild born baby born to our graduate orphans this year) to find out if they could get the chance to play with her, but Sita didn't trust them and so she declined and kept following her mum. Later Gawa played with Naseku before they parted ways. The orphans settled to browse in the Kone area while the ex-orphans headed far to the east. They had a quiet morning. Wanjala took a break from feeding to play a game of rolling on the ground. In the afternoon, Roi came across some water that she used to splash behind her ears, Mteto rolled on the ground while Naseku had a unique game of dusting whilst lying on the ground.
The sky was clear this morning as the orphans left the stockade. Kuishi led the way out and started her day activities by throwing the wet soil over her body. Shortly later, Turkwel, Tusuja, Barsilinga and Wanjala took a break from feeding to have a game of rolling on the ground. After having enough of that fun, Barsilinga and Turkwel had a brief pushing game. The orphans then browsed calmly up to mud bath time when Tusuja led Mteto and Mapia in the first group while Namalok led Ukame and Wanjala in the second group. The sun was shining and the orphans had fun getting into the water to cool off. In the afternoon, the orphans settled east of Ithumba Hill where they browsed calmly throughout the rest of the day.
Nasalot, Nusu, Loijuk, Lili, Ishanga, Makireti and Kilabasi were our guests of honour in the morning. We noticed and were sad to find that the tip of Ishanga's trunk was missing, which was likely due to it being caught in a snare. Luckily it had healed okay just leaving her with a scar which she will have for rest of her life; another scar at the hand of humans. It was drizzling and the ex-orphans waited for the orphans to be let out so they could go out together. Enkikwe, Roi, Ukame, Naseku and Wanjala had a game of rolling on the ground before going out into the Park.
Malkia held a brief talk with Makireti as the rascal Nusu kept tussling with the orphans. Esampu and Mteto had a brief interaction with Lili as Nusu ran to his mum to learn how to strip bark from trees. Garzi enjoyed a pushing game with Makireti as Loijuk had fun with her baby Lili, rolling on the ground. At mud bath time, the orphans had a spectacular wallowing session before heading back out to browse. The afternoon was quiet as the orphans and ex-orphans concentrated on browsing.
Nasalot, Nusu, Loijuk, Lili, Ishanga, Makireti and Kilabasi were back again in the morning with Makena and Kasigau. The rascal Nusu had a tussle with Naseku but ended up losing the game to Naseku. Later Nusu tackled Maramoja but also ended up being defeated. The ex-orphans led the orphans out where they were briefly joined by Challa and a wild friend. Naseku assigned herself the role of taking care of Lili briefly before Lili ran to her mother. Tusuja held a brief chat with Makena as he wanted to know where she had been since she had been missing in action for quite some time. Later, he moved to play with Ishanga and seemed to wonder where the end of her trunk was.
Tusuja led Maramoja and Pare in the first group to have their milk bottles at 11am. Nasalot and her group had accompanied the orphans to the mud bath. The orphans came out of the mud bath so excited which they expressed by trumpeting and running around – it was lovely to see them having so much fun. Makena returned to the waterhole twice as she tried to look for Lili thinking that she had gone in and was unable to get out. Naseku charged around in excitement, knocking down little thickets. In the afternoon, the ex-orphans parted ways with the dependent orphans and left.
Soon after the orphans had their morning milk, Wanjala and Namalok led the way out. While they were browsing the dependent orphans were joined by Nasalot’s group. The rascal baby Nusu went for Mundusi and had a pushing game for quite some time, which was not surprising. Esampu took some time to be with Lili who was with one of the nannies Makireti. Later Roi took over from Esampu and was with Lili for quite some time. Meanwhile, Esampu decided to take a break and have her own game of rolling on the ground. After their midday milk bottles, the ex-orphans parted ways with the dependent orphans and Turkwel went with them. The orphans had a cooling off exercise at Kone dam before resuming browsing. Oltaiyoni and Mteto took a break from feeding to have fun rolling on the ground. By evening, Nasalot and her group had not brought back Turkwel who had decided to join them in the afternoon.
Soon after leaving the stockade, Malima and Mapia settled to scratch against the stockade wall as Ambo led the others out. Galla shared leaves from the same shrub as Tusuja while Mteto settled to browse with Maramoja. Shortly later, Galla and Tusuja disagreed over the shrub they were feeding on. Their disagreement turned to a pushing game that ended when Tusuja gave up and walked off to browse somewhere else. Sapalan engaged his playmate Namalok in a pushing game that ended in a draw. Ambo came across a drying water hole and had fun rolling around in the mud. He was later joined by Jotto and Namalok.
The orphans decided to swim in the main water hole after their 11am milk bottle as well, before going back to browsing. Turkwel and Nasalot’s group were not seen today and by evening we still had not seen Turkwel. It's not clear if Turkwel decided to join up with Nasalot’s group permanently or if she will come back. Only time will tell us her decision!
Mist covered the Ithumba Hill this morning as the orphans left the stockade soon after having their morning milk bottles. Galla started his day's activities by having a soil dusting exercise while Ndiwa settled for scratching. Kuishi settled to browse with Karisa. Kuishi seemed to engage Karisa in a lengthy chat as she wanted to find out how he was feeling since the lion attack. Garzi, Kithaka, Lemoyian and Barsilinga teamed up with Yatta’s group who were feeding close by. Vuria and Teleki engaged Garzi in heated debate as to why he had refused to grow-up and join them out in the wild too. When Garzi refused to give them a proper answer, Teleki and Vuria ganged up to teach Garzi a lesson by pushing him about. Garzi tried to defend himself but was overpowered walked away from Teleki and Vuria, who were his good friends when they were stockade dependent three years ago. After mud bath, the orphans headed north and had a good afternoon. They browsed calmly without any major observation.
Soon after leaving the stockade, Mundusi intercepted Karisa for a pushing fight, who is still recovering. Although Karisa has not regained his full strength, he couldn't sit and watch this young boy humiliate him in front of his juniors. Karisa defended himself by fighting back. The Keepers then intervened by verbally warning Mundusi to watch out as he isn’t supposed to challenge those who aren’t feeling well.
Malkia walked up to Karisa and was very kind to him, assuring him that soon he would regain his strength and life would go back to normal. Sapalan engaged Pare in a pushing game and later moved to play a pushing game with Kuishi. Kuishi informed Sapalan that good boys are not supposed to push girls. Sapalan apparently saw the point and stopped pushing Kuishi and instead started playing a rolling game on the ground close to her. At mud bath time, Mundusi challenged Tusuja and later tackled Galla. After wallowing, and on the way back to the browsing field, Kuishi, Mapia and Galla came across an anthill and decided to play on it. The orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill and in the evening on the way back to the stockade, the orphans decided to have fun by rolling on the ground.
Yatta and her group visited the stockade in the morning. Turkwel, who disappeared some days ago, was back with the ex-orphans. The ex-orphans interacted with the dependent orphans briefly with baby Kama challenging Mapia. Mteto came to Mapia’s aid to try and drive Kama away. Mwende, who was close by, wasn't happy seeing these two orphans ganging up against Kama and she came over to intervene and push Mteto and Mapia away. Malkia settled to browse with Lemoyian while Teleki settled to feed with Ndiwa. Later at eleven o'clock in the morning, the orphans had a spectacular wallowing soon after having their milk. Mundusi and Roi briefly engaged in a pushing game as Ambo settled under a tree that he also used to scratch his buttocks on. The afternoon was quiet as the orphans concentrated on browsing. Turkwel was back again and returned back to stockade with the orphans.
It was a lovely morning as the elephant orphans walked out of their respective stables to the bush for browsing. It’s very green everywhere and they are spoilt for choice about what to browse on. Karisa had his small wounds treated and joined his friends although he is still limping slightly. Rapa is improving as well and he can keep up with the others now he is walking better compared to previous days. Namalok was busy playing with soil and threw some in the air and some on his back. Jotto and Pare were the most playful today as the whole herd decided to play in a muddy patch. Turkwel and Kamok also played separately in another area to the side. Galla and Namalok started a play fight. A wild bull later visited the orphans and stayed with them for a short time before walking away.
When the orphans walked to the mud bath later it was slightly cloudier and they decided not to play in the water. They had their milk bottles and walked back out to the bush. Whilst they were browsing, it started raining, but most of them liked the rain and enjoyed it. Later in the evening they walked back home for their milk and to go to bed. Kithaka, Garzi, Barsilinga Turkwel and Lemoyian didn’t accompany them, but they came back separately at 10 pm and we locked them inside. We recorded 20 mm of rain today.
It was a quiet and cold morning at Ithumba today. Karisa was treated before he came out to join the others and we noticed how much he is improving today, and his limp is much less pronounced now. Barsilinga, Kithaka, Lemoyian, Garzi and Turkwel stayed with the group from morning to evening today, and came back with all the orphans at the same time. Oltaiyoni, Naseku and Namalok were drinking rain water from the rocks. Karisa, Olsekki and Rapa were browsing. Ambo splashed some mud on his back and later the group walked to the mud bath.
The orphans decided not to go into the water again after they had their milk, and they walked back to the bush to browse. Ndiwa was sharing some food from Malkia’s mouth as she was interested in what she was eating, while Galla and Sapalan started play fighting. Later the herd walked back home in the evening for their milk. There was no rain today but the area is still very wet after yesterday’s shower and there is still water flowing down the Ithumba Hill.
It was a cold morning while the orphans had their first morning milk bottle before walking straight out to browse. Karisa was browsing well with Rapa who looked great this morning, although it seems like Olsekki sprained his leg yesterday and he is walking a bit slower than usual. A wild bull friend visited the orphans in the bush and interacted with them for a little bit, and then walked away. The orphans later walked to the mud bath for their milk bottles and we noticed how the mud bath is still so full – it looks like a small lake!
As it was quite warm, the babies had their milk and after decided to go for a swim. Oltaiyoni didn't want to however and she stayed under the trees while others enjoyed wallowing, Karisa and Olsekki especially. They later walked out of the water and straight back out to the bush.
Namalok and Kuishi were browsing together and the others browsed as a group because they had heard the lions last night and we could spot their paw marks too. Later the orphans walk back home in the evening and no one was left behind because Kithaka, Barsilinga, Garzi, Lemoyian and Turkwel came in on time with the other babies and were locked inside their stockade. We had 25mm of rainfall today.
All the orphans looked happy and active today with Rapa’s walking improving day by day. Olsekki still has his little limp. Roi and Namalok were trying to strengthen their friendship by browsing together.
The babies had their milk bottles at 11am at the mud bath and decided to wallow again today. Olsekki stood on the edge however splashed some mud on his legs while the others swam inside. Kamok later led them out and they all walked off to continue browsing.
While in the bush, Tusuja was playing with some soil and rolling around with Siangiki. Naseku and Rapa started browsing together while Namalok rolled in some mud and started playing with Naseku. Ambo was scratching on a tree as the others played. Later the herd walked back home in the evening with Turkwel accompanying them. Kithaka, Barsilinga, Lemoyian and Garzi didn't return with them, but arrived later in the evening which was good. There was no rain today and it was quite a warm day.
It was a lovely Christmas morning as the elephant babies came out of their stockades in a jovial mood. They walked straight out to the bush and started feeding on grass around the stockade. Barsilinga and Turkwel browsed together as they separated themselves from others in the herd to stay independent. They were followed by Garzi, Kithaka and later by Lemoyian too. Karisa and Olsekki browsed together today. The dependent Ithumba babies later met with Yatta and Wendi's herd and their babies Yetu, Yoyo, Wiva and Wema together with Vuria and Ishanga. They met with the dependent orphans on their way to the mud bath. The orphans continued to walk towards the mud bath while Yatta, Wendi and the others went in a different direction.
At the mud bath, the orphans had their milk bottles and later walked to the mud hole and started wallowing. They thoroughly enjoyed it as it is still full of water. Karisa and Olsekki decided to continue browsing together instead of wallowing with their friends. Yatta later appeared running towards the mud bath while chasing a bird from the far end.
Out in the bush later on in the day, Turkwel came back to join the orphans. Kithaka also appeared leaving Lemoyian, Garzi and Barsilinga behind. The two stayed with the dependent babies the whole day and went back home with them in the evening. Barsilinga, Garzi and Lemoyian arrived back late at night again and they were locked inside their stockade.
Wendi's herd arrived at the stockades today and they had some water before walking off again. Wema is looking very well. There was no rain in the area today.
It was a another lovely morning today, bright and clear, as the orphans drank their milk as usual and walked out to the bush to browse. They all looked very active but Karisa and Olsekki still have a slight limp. The shrubs are nice and thick and everyone was enjoying the food. Malkia was very busy browsing on the branches from the high trees, while the others chose to eat grass.
All the orphans decided to have a mud bath after their 11am milk today and really enjoyed swimming. Tusuja, as usual, chose to ride on Namalok in the water. Wanjala and Tusuja later started play fighting outside of the mud hole.
Back out in the bush the orphans looked busy browsing again with Kithaka, Barsilinga, Lemoyian, Garzi and Turkwel staying with the herd up until late in the afternoon when the dependent babies started to walk home for the night. They left the five behind but they returned to the stockades one hour later at 6pm and were locked inside.
The orphans left the stockade early as usual after having their milk. Given all the vegetation to feed on at the moment, the orphans started browsing close to the stockade compound and didn’t need to walk far. Tusuja had a game of rolling on the ground when Rapa came over and tried to challenge Tusuja in light pushing game. Later, the ex-orphans Nasalot, Nusu, Sunyei, Siku, Mwende, Mulika and two wild elephants passed by the stockade compound heading to an unknown location.
Shortly before mud bath time, Tusuja and Galla had a strength testing exercise that lasted for quite some time. At mud bath time, the temperature was moderate and the orphans had a short wallowing session. Karisa and Olsekki boycotted swimming as they didn’t feel like it and decided they would wait until it was much hotter before choosing to swim. Tusuja and Wanjala engaged each other in a pushing game that was disrupted by Ukame who wanted to find out why the two boys were fighting. Tusuja and Wanjala fled instead of talking to Ukame as they know she can be bad-tempered, but it seemed to us that Ukame was approaching them quite innocently and was merely inquisitive. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill until later in the evening when Kuishi led the first group back to the stockade. Kithaka, Turkwel, Lemoyian and Garzi didn't turn up for the night.
Turkwel, Kithaka, Garzi and Lemoyian spent the night out with the ex-orphans and by morning they had not yet reported back to the stockade. Soon after leaving the stockade, Malima found a suitable rock that she used to scratch her buttocks on while Tusuja had game of sitting and leaning on a rock. Siangiki settled to browse with Jotto as Namalok and Rapa had a game of rolling on the ground. Later Pare engaged Mundusi in a pushing game while Tusuja played with Wanjala.
At mud bath time the temperature was moderate. Mundusi decided to leave with his last bottle after finishing it, and at last dropped it when he realized that he was only sucking on the bottle and nothing was coming out. After wallowing, the orphans returned back to the browsing field. The afternoon was quiet as the orphans concentrated on browsing. Kauro wound up the day activities by rolling on the ground.
Mapia settled to scratch his neck along the stockade wall soon after leaving the stockade. The rest of the herd headed straight out to browse. The orphans had a quiet morning until they reached Kone dam where they settled to drink water and Karisa decided to have an early mud bath.
On the way to the mud bath, the orphans came across another small pool of water that they used to have a mini mud bath in. After the mini mud bath, Jotto decided to roll on the ground to cover himself with dry soil.
Malima had a brief conversation with Karisa as she wanted to find out how he was feeling. Karisa assured Malima all was well and he was on the way to recovery.
It was quite warm when the orphans reached the mud bath and they all decided to have a bath soon after having their midday milk bottles. Tusuja enjoyed riding on his friends again while they all swam in the water and shortly after, he engaged Mundusi in a pushing game. After the pushing game, Tusuja took a break and enjoyed his own game of diving into the water. Mundusi took an advantage of Tusuja lying in water to climb on him which must have tasted like sweet revenge! In the afternoon the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. On the way back to the stockade, the orphans passed by the mud bath again where they had an evening cool-off. Turkwel, Kithaka, Lemoyian and Garzi didn't return to the stockades today.
Mist covered the top of Ithumba Hill in the morning as the orphans left the stockade early in the morning as usual. Shortly later Mulika, Mwende, Lenana, Sunyei, baby Siku, Nasalot, baby Nusu, Kasigau and three wild elephants passed by the stockade heading south east. One of the bulls briefly approached the orphans and checked on them before proceeding with his journey. Jotto was trying to pull a certain type of grass using his trunk but it was very tough and proved difficult to pull up; eventually he knelt down to use his mouth to cut the grass with his teeth and eat it. Kauro settled to browse with Kamok as Kuishi had a word with Karisa.
Sana Sana led Tusuja and Ndiwa in the first group of babies to the mud bath to have their milk bottles at 11am. Soon after having her milk, Ndiwa picked up a stick from the ground and used it to scratch her chest. The orphans had a good time in the water where Tusuja enjoyed riding on his friends while Mundusi challenged Wanjala. After the mud bath, Kamok engaged Kauro in a pushing game that ended in a draw. In the afternoon, despite his stiff leg, Olsekki was able to go down on the ground to have his own game of rolling around. In the evening, the orphans returned back to the stockade safely for another night.
Kinna, her wild-born baby Kama, Loijuk, baby Lili, Ishanga, Makireti, Kilabasi and Ithumbah visited the stockade compound in the morning. Soon after the orphans were let out, Naseku and Roi assigned themselves the role of being Lili’s nannies. Shortly later, Loijuk took Lili inside the stockade to show her where she used to stay during her early days. Karisa headed straight out to browse and the rest of the group followed him. On the way out, Kama and Naseku had strength testing exercise that saw Naseku emerge as the winner.
A wild bull in musth passed in the midst of the ex-orphans and dependent orphans and continued on his way. Kinna and her group browsed with the dependent orphans throughout the entire morning. Malkia teamed up with Namalok to browse as Tusuja engaged Wanjala in a pushing game. Ambo stuck close with Siangiki and from time to time Ambo could be seen asking Siangiki questions. At mud bath time, the orphans had a mud bath with the ex-orphans. Baby Kama, Ithumbah and Kinna had a prolonged wallowing session as they really enjoyed the water. It seems both Kinna and her daughter Kama love to swim. Later they came out and walked off to catch up with their friends. In the afternoon, the ex-orphans parted ways with the dependent babies.