01 February 2014

The sky was clear as the orphans settled down to eat some Lucerne just after leaving the stockade. Sometime later, Wendi and Kijana joined the juniors briefly before disappearing back into the bush. Shukuru had a great time scratching on one of the nearby rocks before Sities led the way to the browsing field. At ten o’clock in the morning, the sun turned out to be very hot forcing the orphans to feed under shady trees. On the way to the mud bath Makireti led the group.

02 February 2014

Today Bongo caused a panic amongst the keepers! Whilst going to the mud bath, he sneaked away and disappeared between two rocks. The keepers tried to call and looked for him for almost one hour. At last they found him relaxed and browsing as if nothing was wrong! Finally, the keepers took the orphans to the mud bath where they took milk and wallowed, since it was hot. After which, they had a soil bath before returning to the browsing field. Whilst heading back to the stockade in the evening, Bongo again dodged the keepers. As it was getting late, the keepers took the orphans back to the stockade then returned to look for him. At seven o’clock in the evening they found him browsing calmly where the rest of group had been feeding earlier. The keepers took him back to the stockade.

03 February 2014

The orphans left the stockade in the morning. After feeding on Lucerne, they split into two groups. Ishanga left with Suguta and her group while the milk dependent group remained with the keepers. At the mud bath, Mshale who had not been seen since last year, showed up. Mshale was weak and walking very slowly. On close inspection it was noticed that he had two wounds, one on the shoulder and another on the neck. This is the fourth time of Mshale has shown up with injuries inflicted by poachers. The vet was contacted and at around four o’clock, he was darted and treated. After treatment, we had to use a tractor to help him back to his feet.

04 February 2014

Suguta and her group, including Kitirua and Melia, reported late at night and left early before dawn. The milk dependent group settled for Lucerne soon after leaving the stockade and then Shukuru led the way to the browsing field. At eight o’clock in the morning, Suguta and her group came to the stockade to drink water. At mud bath time, only Kanjoro, Mutara and Bongo participated in wallowing. Shukuru headed for soil bath as Kainuk opted to scratch against the acacia trees. After which, the orphans left for the slopes of the Ithumba hill where they settled to browse. In the evening the ex orphans, Kijana and four other wild elephants checked in at the stockade water trough. Missing in the ex orphans group were, Napasha, Tomboi and Buchuma.

05 February 2014

Four wild dogs passed near the stockade early in the morning. Whilst the milk dependent group settled for Lucerne, Suguta, Sabachi and Tumaren and the rest of her group, having spent the night out, reported at the stockade. The group was in the company of Kamboyo. They shared Lucerne with the milk dependent group for almost half an hour before parting ways. Only Kanjoro, Narok, Laragai and Bongo participated in wallowing at the mud bath. The rest left for browsing soon after taking water. The ex orphans did not show up at the stockade the entire day.

06 February 2014

At six o’clock in the morning, the milk dependent group were let out and settled for Lucerne. They were joined by Kamboyo, Kilabasi and Kasigau. Turkwel took some time, with Lucerne still in mouth, to scratch on a nearby rock! Ten minutes later, the ex orphans with four wild elephants showed up at the stockade and joined the juniors. They shared the Lucerne and when it was finished, the milk dependent group left for browsing leaving the ex orphans at the stockade. Missing in the group were Napasha, Tomboi and Buchuma. In the evening, Laragai led the first group while Shukuru led the second and Kanjoro led the third.

07 February 2014

As usual Suguta and her group, including Murka and Naisula, reported late at night and left early before dawn. The milk dependent group settled for Lucerne soon after leaving the stockade. The group had all the space for themselves as they moved freely from the Lucerne to the water trough without any interference from the ex orphans. Sities and Laragai had a great time scratching on the nearby rocks. The ex orphans did not show up in the morning but reported at six o’clock in the evening. At mud bath time, only Kanjoro and Bongo bathed.

08 February 2014

In the morning, whilst the juniors ate Lucerne, Suguta’s group, lead by Kamboyo, checked in. The group went straight to drink water then joined the milk dependent group for feeding. Shukuru as usual went to her favourite rock for scratching. At mud bath time, the sun was extremely hot but only Shukuru, Kanjoro and Bongo wallowed. Kainuk scratched on the nearby acacia tree while Laragai led the others back to the browsing field. In the evening, Rapsu with a junior wild boy came for water at the stockade. Shortly before six thirty in the evening, the weather changed abruptly and we had 19 mm of rain. This cooled down the high temperatures that have been experienced in the past few days.

09 February 2014

It was raining in the morning. Soon after the orphans left the stockade, they settled to feast on a tree that had fallen the night before, due to a strong wind. Suguta and her group spent the night out and did not show up for the entire day. The ex orphans and the wild elephants also had disappeared following the rains and none was seen anywhere near the stockade or at mud bath. Since it was wet, the orphans enjoyed every moment as they readily smeared themselves with red soil.

10 February 2014

A quiet day as the orphans left the stockade. Bongo was the first one to leave followed by Narok. For the second day running, Suguta’s group and the ex orphans did not show up at the stockade. After their mud bath, the orphans crossed the road and found a large stagnant puddle. Narok led the orphans in an impromptu road side mud bath. Later, Shukuru led the way back to the browsing field.

11 February 2014

It was a wet morning following the previous day’s rain. At the browsing field the orphans browsed and wallowed in puddles. On the way to the mud bath, the milk dependent group was joined by Naserian, Chyulu, Zurura, Makena and a wild bull. The orphans drank water and relaxed at the mud bath area. Laragai and Narok opted to scratch against the nearby acacia trees as the wild bull inspected and sniffed them. Later, the orphans left with their keepers leaving the wild bull and the ex orphans at mud bath.

12 February 2014

The temperatures were low so the orphans browsed calmly throughout the day. At the mud bath, after taking milk, Sities scratched against the nearby trees. Twenty two ex orphans and four wild bulls showed up at the stockade shortly before mid day. However, Suguta and her group did not show up anywhere for the entire day.

13 February 2014

The orphans were joined by the ex orphans in the morning. Soon after finishing the Lucerne, the two groups, including Ithumbah, parted ways. At the browsing field, the orphans had a quiet day with little fun. At mud bath time, the orphans only took milk then returned back to the browsing field.

14 February 2014

Just a few ex orphans showed up at the stockade after the juniors had left for browsing. The orphans settled to browse at Kone area. At ten o’clock in the morning, the orphans had a morning mud bath at Kone dam. Mutara lay down to play soon after joining in the bathing. At eleven o’clock in the morning, Laragai led the first group to the milk feeding. Soon after which, the orphans returned back to the browsing field.

15 February 2014

It was chilly weather as the orphans settled for Lucerne in the morning. Later at ten o’clock, the clouds cleared giving way to sun shine. At mud bath time only Laragai, Bongo and Narok bathed, the rest only took milk then water before returning back to the browsing field. Neither the ex orphans nor Suguta’s group showed up at the stockade or the mud bath today.

16 February 2014

Soon after finishing Lucerne the orphans settled a few meters from the stockade to browse. Sities, Mutara, Kandecha and Shukuru spent some time scratching on the nearby rocks. At the mud bath only Bongo, the loner, participated in wallowing. In the afternoon the milk dependent group settled to browse at the slopes of the Ithumba hill. Shortly before four o’clock in the evening, Turkwel took some time off from feeding and enjoyed some soil dusting exercises. Around five o’clock, Mulika, Naserian, Kora, Zurura, Loijuk, Challa and two wild elephants showed up at the stockade.

17 February 2014

Shortly after the orphans left for browsing two wild dogs showed up at the stockade. The ex orphans, less Tomboi, Napasha and Buchuma joined the juniors at mud bath. Also in the company of the ex orphans were Kijana and other three wild elephants. Kanjoro, the boy with an attitude, was happy as he was able to learn pushing tactics from Rapsu and later from Madiba. After mud bath, the entire herd headed to the slopes of the Ithumba hill to browse. An hour later, the ex orphans withdrew from the juniors and headed to stockade to feed on the leftovers of the Lucerne.

18 February 2014

This morning mist covered the Ithumba hill and the weather was chilly. Shortly later, the orphans were joined by Lualeni, Ololoo, Kamboyo and Kenze. After finishing the Lucerne, the ex orphans headed to Kalovoto while the milk dependent group headed to Kone area to browse. At the mud bath, Mulika with a few ex orphans joined the juniors. Bongo, preferring the company of the older elephants was happy to have Mulika and the ex orphans at mud bath. He even tried to sneak off with the ex orphans but the keepers spotted him and held him back. The ex orphans headed to Kanziku area while the milk dependent group headed to the slopes of the Ithumba hill.

19 February 2014

Shortly after the milk dependent group had settled for Lucerne they were joined by Tomboi, Kenze, Meibai, Kamboyo and Madiba. At seven thirty in the morning, Suguta, her group and a wild herd passed a few metres away from the stockade. In the field, the orphans browsed calmly. At mud bath time Laragai led the first group. The second group was led by Shukuru while Kanjoro led the third. In the evening a wild herd consisting of six elephants and a four months old baby checked in at the stockade for water. Later, Kenze and Rapsu joined the group.

20 February 2014

Suguta and her group reported late at night and left early before morning. However, Kilaguni and Chaimu in the company of Kamboyo decided to stay till day break. The three joined the orphans for Lucerne. It was a ‘pushy’ morning as Sities kept on pushing Bongo away from Lucerne and Kanjoro pushing Laragai. The keepers had to discipline them! Later, Shukuru led the way to the field and at eight o’clock in the morning, Kilaguni, Chaimu and Kamboyo went on their way. At mud bath time, the weather was chilly making it difficult for the babies to have a mud bath. Laragai and Narok opted to do a bit of soil dusting before Laragai led the way back to the browsing field. At around six o’clock Suguta and her group reported at the stockade. Soon after taking water, they returned back to where they had come from. The ex orphans without Napasha and Buchuma showed up at stockade both in the morning and in the evening. Kinna’s pregnancy has started to show and was very noticeable.

21 February 2014

The milk dependent group left the stockade soon after taking milk. Shukuru as usual left with her trunk in the mouth. Soon after settling for Lucerne, Bongo was pushed by Kanjoro while Shukuru headed to a nearby rock for scratching. It was a morning with a clear sky and hence the orphans looked forward to a hot day. Laragai led the way to the browsing field and the orphans settled to browse at Kanziku area. During the mud bath, the sun was hot but only Laragai and Bongo fully participated in mud bathing. The rest sprayed water under their ears before heading to drink water. Then Shukuru took the group to soil bath and thereafter back to the browsing field. In the evening only a handful of the ex orphans showed up. These included Challa, Kora, Madiba, Zurura, Lualeni, Ololoo, Sidai and three junior wild elephants.

22 February 2014

The sky was clear as the orphans left the stockade. They settled for Lucerne and later went to drink water without any disturbance as no ex orphans or wild elephants showed up that morning. Later, on the way back to the stockade, the sun was still hot and so the orphans opted to pass at the mud bath for a second time where they all participated in wallowing. In the evening shortly before seven o’clock Suguta with her group, including Chemi Chemi, Kalama and Olare reported at the stockade. The group was under the command of Lenana who after drinking water took them back to an undisclosed location.

23 February 2014

The ex orphans less Napasha and Buchuma, joined the milk dependent group at the stockade in the morning. Soon after sharing Lucerne, the milk dependent group left with their keepers leaving the ex orphans at the stockade. The orphans settled at Kanziku area where they browsed till mud bath time. At mud bath time, the juniors were again joined by the ex orphans and five wild bulls. Later, Suguta and her group checked in and joined the herd. The herd intermingled for some time and at one stage, Tomboi got a free ride from Sunyei! Laragai and Bongo joined the ex orphans in wallowing. Half an hour later, the groups parted ways. On the way back to the stockade, the orphans passed the mud bath where they had evening mud and soil bath.

24 February 2014

The ex orphans checked in at the stockade compound as the juniors were finishing up feeding on Lucerne. Due to disturbance caused by the ex orphans, the juniors decided to give the seniors space. Instead, the juniors settled to browse at Kone area. At eight thirty in the morning, Suguta and her group came to drink water at the stockade. After they left, four wild dogs passed near the stockade heading towards Kalovoto. At mud bath time, the weather was chilly and therefore the orphans only had their milk and water before returning to the browsing field. In the evening at around seven o’clock, Suguta and her group reported at the stockade. Shortly later, they were joined by Kora. After spending a few minutes in the stockade, the group left with Kora into the bush.

25 February 2014

Soon when the milk dependent group started feeding, the ex orphans and few wild elephants emerged from the Kalovoto side running so as not to be late for Lucerne! The herd shared the Lucerne and shortly later, the juniors left due to increased pushing from the seniors as they competed for the fodder. At one time, Laragai tried to greet Yetu but Yetu responded by pushing her away. The juniors settled to browse at Kanziku area. At the mud bath Kilaguni, Kilabasi, Kasigau and Chaimu joined the juniors, parting ways shortly after drinking water. In the evening, the Suguta group did not show up, only Kilabasi and Kasigau reported. They left with Tomboi who had visited the stockade earlier.

26 February 2014

Whist the orphans ate Lucerne, Shukuru, who doesn’t enjoy the taste, picked a few pieces then left in search of leaves and plants. The rest of the group followed her later. At mud bath time, Bongo and Laragai wallowed whilst Kainuk, Narok and Turkwel scratched against the nearby trees. In the afternoon, Yatta and her group without Napasha and Buchuma passed at the stockade heading to Kalovoto area. In the evening Lualeni arrived and decided to spend the night just outside the stockade. At nine o’clock at night, Suguta and her group joined Lualeni.

27 February 2014

Lualeni joined the orphans in the morning. Shukuru as usual wasn’t interested in Lucerne and therefore left to feed on fresh leaves and grass. Later Lualeni led the group to Kone area where the herd settled to browse. Lualeni spent the entire morning with the juniors. Her intentions worried the keepers as she is known for befriending babies and trying to take them away. After mud bath, she parted ways with the juniors and made her way into the bush.

28 February 2014

As usual, the orphans left the stockade early. The group settled on Lucerne and shortly later the group was joined by the ex orphans. Laragai had a good time of scratching on a nearby rock. Shortly later, Mutara led her group to the browsing field. The orphans browsed calmly throughout the day. In the evening, the ex orphans, Kibo and Suguta’s group and a wild herd with a small baby checked in at the stockade. As they waited in turns to drink water, Ololoo had a wonderful time playing with the few months old wild baby.