February 2nd
Chaimu, Kilaguni, Makireti, Kilabasi, Kasigau, Turkwel and Kainuk joined the juniors for lucerne in the morning. Kainuk and Turkwel who usually belong in Mutara’s group appear to have separated somewhere or they didn't want to wonder as far and so decided to stick close to the stockade area in Chaimu’s group. Orwa had a brief chat with Kilabasi as Boromoko shared food with Barsilinga.
The orphans passed at the water trough to arm themselves with enough water that would take them through the entire morning. Makireti and her group parted ways with juniors leaving Turkwel and Kainuk with the orphans.
Out in the bush Siangiki came across a suitable tree that she used to scratch her belly on while Boromoko and Olsekki spent some time in a strength testing exercise that saw Olsekki emerge as the winner. The temperature was moderate and the orphans took advantage of the cool weather to concentrate on browsing. At mud bath time, the orphans were joined by a lone bull that shared water with them. Only Shukuru, Bongo, Narok and Teleki participated fully in the mud bathing exercise. Shortly later, the orphans participated in a red soil dusting exercise before returning back to the browsing field. Kainuk and Turkwel, who have maintained their friendship even into the wild, participated in a game of rolling on the ground, with Turkwel opting to scratch on Kainuk.
In the afternoon the orphans settled to browse at western side of the Ithumba Hill. The clouds cleared giving way to sun shine and this prompted the orphans to pass by the mud bath for an evening wallow. The Ex Orphans reported at the stockade in the evening. Noticeable were Yatta, Mulika, Wendi, Galana and babies Gawa and Wiva and five wild elephants. Olare and her group were last seen at the beginning of November last year; this group is known to disappear for long periods of time though. Since the dry season is now upon us, hopefully the group might show up for water.
Orwa communicating with Kilabasi
Roi scratching on a boulder
Wild bull joining the juniors
February 12th
This morning we had the Ex Orphans from Mutara's group who came in early to share lucerne with the junior orphans. Laragai was scratching on the rocks, Naseku scratched her neck and Vuria his belly. We also had Makireti’s group who came to share lucerne as well. Later the orphans walked to the bush for browsing.
Later Barsilinga and Bomani were play fighting while the other orphans were busy browsing. Kamok later led the other orphans to the mudbath. It was very hot and the majority of them played vigorously in the mud bath to cool their body temperatures. Shukuru looks really well today and was scratching on a tree after she had played for a long time. Garzi was scratching his bottom while Barsilinga chatted and played with Laragai. They went ahead to the dust pile and started dusting themselves. They all looked happy and active and later walked back to the bush to browse.
In the bush it was very hot but they all handled the heat as they were very seriously browsing. They later walked back in the stockade this evening.
In the stockade we had a big group of Ex Orphans including Wendi's group and Galana with Gawa and Makireti’s group too. Kilaguni and Chaimu were also amongst them. The two babies looked very active as they played happily. Gawa was trying to play with the keepers as well. It seemed they were also learning how to use their trunks – playing with sticks and hitting the rocks with sticks too. A wild group of elephants also came in and joined them all.
Narok scratching on the rocks
February 20th
Chaimu and Kilaguni joined the orphans for lucerne early in the morning. Soon after feeding on lucerne, Chaimu and Kilaguni left while the orphans headed to Kanziku area where they settled to browse. The weather was chilly and the orphans were happy since they didn't need to walk under trees while feeding. Olsekki took some time off from feeding to have a lone game of rolling on the ground and later joined Sirimon and Naseku in a soil dusting exercise. At mud bath time, the weather was still chilly and none of the orphans dared to step into the mud bathing water. Boromoko and Olsekki put their trunks in their mouths soon after taking their milk. Lemoyian engaged Barsilinga in a light strength testing exercise. Later Boromoko played with Olsekki, a game that he lost. In the afternoon, Sirimon settled to feed with Sokotei while Kauro settled to feed with Oltaiyoni. Later Sokotei joined Shukuru in a soil dusting exercise. In the evening, the Ex Orphans Yatta, Mulika, Nasalot, Galana, Lenana, Kenze, Lualeni, Meibai, Orok, Makena, Ololoo, Ishanga, babies Gawa and Wiva, Yetu Mwende and four wild bulls reported for water at the stockade water trough. The herd left to undisclosed location shortly before dark.
Chaimu and Kilaguni joined the orphans
Orphans feeding on lucerne
Boromoko and Olsekki sucking on their trunks