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The sky was clear in the morning, which is always an indication of a hot day ahead. The bulls woke up in a playful mood. Soon after arriving out in the bush, Jotto engaged Mapia in a pushing game, Mundusi played with Pare, while Sapalan played with Rapa. Mutara’s herd joined the dependent orphans and browsed with them throughout the entire morning. Malkia took Larro with her and had a good time chatting and browsing with her, and later escorted her to the mud bath. Mukkoka and Naboishu couldn't allow Larro to go unaccompanied and so followed their friend.

It was hot at the mud bath and all the orphans participated fully in the wallowing exercise. When they were done, Enkikwe, Sapalan, Rapa, Esampu and Mteto teamed up with the late-comers and headed to the Imenti area. The rest of the herd, led by Nabulu, headed to the western slopes of Ithumba Hill where they settled to browse for the rest of the day. Later in the evening, Larro led the way back to the stockades for the night. The ex-orphans and their wild born babies showed up at the stockades and left when they were done relaxing and drinking. 

The sky was clear again this morning as the orphans left the stockade compound. Mutara, Sities, Suguta, Kainuk, Turkwel and Lemoyian, who had spent the night outside, teamed up with orphans for lucerne soon after they were let out. Shortly afterwards, the two groups headed out together to browse. Malkia had a brief conversation with Mukkoka as she tried to find out whether or not he had a good night. Mukkoka assured Malkia that his group, those he shares a stockade with, Larro, Musiara and Naboishu, had slept well and were in good spirits. Wanjala settled to browse with Naseku while Ambo settled to browse with Musiara.

It was a quiet morning as the two groups settled to browse in the Kanziku area. On their way, the two groups were joined by Lenana, Narok, Kitirua, Kasigau, Ishanga and Lapa. Suguta, Sities and Turkwel temporarily forgot about Dololo and moved to follow baby Lapa. The entire group went to the mud bath together as Esampu and Mteto competed with Suguta, Sities and Turkwel who among them could win Lapa’s heart. Lapa decided not to accept any of the strangers' requests, but followed Ishanga and Narok instead, who are part of his herd and who are his regular nannies. Esampu and Mteto surrendered and opted to follow their friends instead.

In the afternoon the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. Mapia and Dololo had a disagreement; we are not sure what about but poor Dololo isn’t having a good time with Mutara’s herd potentially abandoning him at any moment should a wild born baby like Lapa come along.

In the evening the orphans passed by the mud bath again to cool off. Sapalan, Enkikwe, Rapa and Galla boycotted the wallowing exercise and took a different route to dodge the Keepers and not return to the compound tonight. 

It was a slightly different start to the day, as it was cloudy and overcast. The orphans settled for lucerne as usual before going off to browse. Musiara and Ambo had a warm up exercise through a pushing game. Out in the bush, Naboishu settled to browse with Maramoja, which she didn’t mind. It’s the first day they have been spotted together so we aren’t sure yet if Naboishu is warming up to take Musiara’s position as Maramoja’s favourite. Only time will tell!

Mutara and her herd joined the orphans in the Kanziku area. The weather was still chilly and the orphans browsed calmly throughout the entire morning. Esampu teamed up with Sana Sana, Mteto and Ndiwa to browse. At mud bath time, the orphans had their milk and then only went for a dust bath on the pile of loose soil, before going back out to browse without wallowing. Kauro and Ndiwa had fun in a light pushing game, while their friends walked north of the mud bath. Sana Sana, Malkia and Ndiwa teamed up together to feed while Larro, Mukkoka and Naboishu joined Musiara to browse with Maramoja. Sapalan had a disagreement with Wanjala that resulted in a fight. Olsekki, who was feeding close by, intervened and separated the two boys. In the evening all the orphans returned back safely to the stockades for the night.

Musiara and Ambo had a warm up pushing game soon after finishing their share of lucerne, but parted ways well they felt like they had had enough. Dololo had a brief meeting with Tusuja, perhaps as he wanted to find out why he had decided to come back after spending three weeks out in the wild. Tusuja didn’t entertain Dololo for very long however, and just walked away.

Mutara and her herd joined the orphans and they had a nice quiet morning together. Malkia settled to browse with Mukkoka and Larro as Esampu teamed up with Mteto, Maramoja, Musiara and Sana Sana.

Naboishu was a little naughty at the noon milk feed today beside the mud bath. As he was running for his milk bottle, he started complaining bitterly as some of his friends overtook him. After finishing his milk, Naboishu turned and grabbed another bottle thinking that it had milk; he was disappointed when he realised that he had picked up the wrong bottle and that it was already empty! Naboishu decided not to let it go however and walked off with it. As the Keepers ran after him, he dropped it in a thicket and walked away to cool off in the mud bath.

Barsilinga and Kithaka, who have been away for some time now, showed up at the mud bath too. It was lovely to see them, although Kithaka can be a little naughty sometimes! Barsilinga and Kithaka grew up together in the Nursery as babies, and Barsilinga’s foot injury kept him anchored to the stockades for the last year or so, so it is wonderful that he is finally able to be back out in the wild with his old friend again. Later, ex-orphan Zurura showed up briefly too. In the evening, Mutara and her herd escorted the dependent orphans back to the stockade compound for the night, but slept outside.

The sky was partly cloudy in the morning as the orphans settled for lucerne. Mutara’s herd had slept outside and were hanging around. Ambo stood in front of Mutara, thinking that he might be adopted by her just as Kamok does for him. He got a rude shock however when Mutara merely pushed him out of the way! At least Ambo learned a lesson that he should respect his seniors at all times.

Out in the bush, Jotto decided to have fun by rolling on the ground. Rapa and Karisa came over and ganged up against him. Karisa tried to climb on Jotto while Rapa pushed him to get up. Their game came to an end when Kauro came over and rescued Jotto from the two boys.  Rapa and Karisa were left dumbfounded and since there was nothing they could do to Kauro, the two boys ended up starting their own pushing game with each other that lasted for quite some time.

Near the Kone dam, Sana Sana took a break from feeding to have a game of rolling on the ground. Malkia, Kuishi and Malima joined her and had a good time.

At mud bath time, the orphans were joined by the ex-orphans with all their babies. At the end of the mud bath, the Keepers had a difficult time getting Esampu, Mteto, Malkia and Naseku who wanted to run away with the ex-orphans.  In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area.  In the evening, Larro led the first group back to the stockade while Nabulu led the second one.

It was still dark in the morning when the orphans left their stockades and settled for lucerne. No ex-orphans were around. Jotto had a warm-up exercise, a favourite activity for the orphans to wake up and stretch, with Sapalan, while Mapia decided to have fun rolling on the ground. Sapalan saw this and decided to end his game with Jotto and ran over to climb on Mapia while he was on the ground. Kuishi lay on the ground to take a nap, but Kauro pushed her up and informed her that it was too early to start wasting time like that. As all the orphans left the stockades and walked out to the bush, Galla, Enkikwe and Tusuja lagged behind, choosing to clean up all the lucerne that was left behind by their friends.

Later in the morning Ambo engaged Musiara in a pushing game while Esampu teamed up with Mteto. At 11am the orphans had their milk bottled and then went to drink water from the troughs beside the mud bath. Shortly later, a wild bull joined the dependent orphans. Wanjala, Mundusi, Galla Olsekki and Rapa all admired the wild bull and wondered when they would ever get into his size. Olsekki requested the wild bull for some training in pushing skills, which the friendly wild bull accepted. When Olsekki had enough, he thanked the wild bull and left to catch up with his friends who were already walking back out to the bush. Two bulls showed up minutes later and they must have felt very hot as they went straight to wallow in the mud bath. In the afternoon, the orphans took a break from feeding and relaxed under a tree. They only resumed browsing when the temperature dropped again.

Mutara and her group were present at the stockades this morning. Mukkoka, Larro and Naboishu walked down to the water troughs as soon as they felt like they had enough lucerne. They were followed by Kuishi, Sana Sana and Malkia. Karisa, as he often does, led the way out. As he walked along, Mundusi came across a log blocking his way. He decided to show off his pushing skills by clearing the way, and tossing the log to one side. He seemed tired after this activity but happy that he had managed to move the log out of the way of one of the orphans’ most well-trodden paths.

The orphans settled to browse in the Kone area again and as the morning wore on, the temperature soared, so the orphans decided to walk to the dam and have some water before heading to the mud bath. Sapalan and Mundusi played with the Keepers by taking a different route to the mud bath. The two boys arrived early at the mud bath to have their milk before the others. Ex-orphan Rapsu was the only guest of honour at the mud bath today. Rapsu walked to where the orphans were relaxing under a tree and had a brief conversation with the boys before heading off again. Esampu, Wanjala, Nabulu, Maramoja, Lemoyian, Sities and Larro all decided to get into the mud bath to wallow. Lemoyian quit minutes later and tried to block Wanjala from coming out too. Esampu left the water and she was in a charging mood again as she trumpeted, running to catch up with her friends.

In the afternoon, Mundusi, Sapalan and Enkikwe teamed up with Olsekki, Siangiki, Oltaiyoni, Naseku and Roi and left. They later returned early to the stockade compound. Ex-orphans Yatta, Yetu, Yoyo, Yogi, Nasalot, Nusu, Noah and Ithumbah passed by the stockades and left after having some water. The dependent orphans passed by the main mud bath for an evening cooling-off session, then dusted, before going back to the stockades for the night.

Enkikwe, Mundusi, Jotto, Wanjala, Roi and Dololo walked down to the water troughs soon after leaving the stockades. The six orphans settled to drink water as the rest of the herd settled for lucerne. Esampu decided to have fun by rolling on the soft grass. Once she had enough of rolling, Esampu stood up and resumed feeding. Sana Sana had enough lucerne and tossed some up on her head and looked as if she was wearing a grass hat.

Musiara engaged Ambo in a pushing game that ended when Maramoja, who happens to be Musiara's friend, showed up. Maramoja intervened by separating the two boys. Karisa, Mundusi and Wanjala teamed up and browsed together through the entire morning. Shortly before nine o'clock in the morning, the orphans were joined by a wild herd with two tiny babies. Maramoja left Musiara and went to greet the young babies. The wild herd didn't stay for long but left after interacting with the orphans briefly. Maramoja tried to follow one of the babies but changed her mind after walking for about one hundred metres or so.

On the way to the mud bath, the orphans were joined by Yatta, Yetu, Yoyo, Yogi, Nasalot, Nusu, Noah and Ithumbah. Esampu assigned herself the role of a nanny to Yogi. The ex-orphans escorted the orphans to the mud bath where they met two wild bulls. Kuishi and Naboishu opted for a soil dusting exercise. They were later joined by Mukkoka, Rapa and Wanjala. In the afternoon, the orphans settled west of Ithumba Hill.

The wild herd with two tiny babies showed up at the stockades this evening. One of the babies jumped into the water trough, prompting its mother to get in and lift the baby out with her trunk.

Only one wild bull stopped by the stockade water trough this morning to have his fill of water. Wanjala, Rapa, Olsekki and Mundusi walked down to have a brief chat with the wild bull. The bull didn't stay for long but walked away soon after the boys arrived. The boys were left with their trunks up in greeting as the bull walked away with a slow measured walk. Sana Sana decided to have fun rolling on the ground. Her game attracted Esampu and Kuishi who joined her on the ground. Later, Kauro led the way out to browse. Ex-orphan Kilaguni joined the orphans on their way too. Siangiki picked up a branch that she happily shared with Naboishu who was in her company. Kuishi came across a nice tree that she used to scratch her ears on, while Rapa settled to play with Ambo. Mundusi intervened by tackling Rapa himself. Perhaps he wondered why Rapa had chosen such a small bull like Ambo as his playmate. Rapa might have informed Mundusi that he was only training Ambo on how to defend himself whenever other bulls threaten him. Mundusi left Rapa and Ambo to continue with their training.

Jotto, Malkia, Musiara and Sattao settled for a soil dusting exercise and later resumed browsing. Wanjala attempted to bully and ride on Larro but was cautioned by Keepers to stop. Siangiki teamed up with Malima to browse as Kauro engaged Mundusi in a pushing game. When the orphans went to the mud bath for their bottles at 11am, they were joined by Yatta, Yetu, Yoyo, Yogi, Nasalot, Nusu, Noah and Ithumbah again. Shortly later, two wild bulls came for water and left immediately after they had enough. Yatta and her herd escorted the orphans back out to the bush when everyone was done at the mud bath. Kuishi engaged Sattao in a pushing game that ended when some warthogs ran past close by. The two orphans abandoned their pushing game to charge and trumpet after the warthogs instead. The warthogs increased their pace and soon they were out of sight, leaving Kuishi and Sattao confused which way to go.

Yatta, Yetu, Yoyo, Yogi, Nasalot, Nusu, Noah and Ithumbah joined the orphans in the morning for lucerne. Esampu, Mteto and Naseku kept themselves occupied with the babies Noah and Yogi. Nusu and Yoyo tried to block the girls from getting to their brothers, but the girls fought their way through until they got to the babies. Naboishu was bold enough to team up with Nusu. Surprisingly, they enjoyed a private and peaceful conversation, which only ended when Sana Sana arrived and took Naboishu away. Nusu didn't react but walked down to play with Siangiki instead. Larro and Ambo talked at length about something, just the two of them, but we weren’t sure what about. Nabulu and Mukkoka settled to scratch against a rock as Karisa led the way out to browse. Yogi made the mistake of passing in front of the ‘not so caring’ Kamok. Kamok pushed Yogi away amid complaints from Mteto and Esampu who saw this as very unfair, especially when he is such a small baby. The two girls surrounded Yogi to offer him comfort and reassurance.

Mapia teamed up with Naboishu to browse while Maramoja settled to browse with Musiara.

Thirty wild bulls were at the mud bath today, which is the highest number so far this year, and a sign that it is getting very dry in the area. In the afternoon the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. Yatta and her herd, who had stayed with the dependent orphans up to now, went a different route, but took Naseku, Olsekki, Siangiki, Oltaiyoni, Tusuja, Roi, Galla, Mteto and Esampu with them. Yatta brought the same orphans back to the stockades later in the evening.

The orphans settled for lucerne as usual soon after leaving their stockades. Musiara settled close to Sana Sana. When they had enough of the lucerne grass, Musiara requested Sana Sana for some training in pushing skills, which Sana Sana accepted without hesitation. When Musiara felt that he had done enough training for the day, the boy thanked Sana Sana, then left to team up with Maramoja. Roi, Naseku, Tusuja, Oltaiyoni and Olsekki left and walked off into the bush with Enkikwe and Galla.

Later, the dependent orphans were joined by Yatta and Nasalot’s families. As usual, the ‘baby lovers’ Esampu, Mteto and Naseku went for Yogi and Noah. At mud bath time, Kilaguni, Kanjoro and a wild elephant were already in the water when the orphans arrived. Yatta took her youngest baby Yogi to swim in the water too. Yetu, her first born, followed her mother and young brother into the water and they all had a very good time playing and swimming. Kenze, who has been away for a while, showed up at the mud bath with a wild friend. Sities tried to join Yogi, Yatta and Yetu in the water but was chased away by both mother and daughter. Nasalot brought her youngest son Noah for a mud bath too. Nasalot stood at the edge watching over her baby. Noah came out of the water when he had enough of swimming and left with his mother.

In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area. It was a very hot afternoon and the orphans took a break from feeding to relax under a tree.

A wild herd who last visited in November last year showed up this morning. At that time the matriarch was pregnant, and today she arrived with her two month old baby. Now the matriarch has four babies and a grandchild! The herd settled to share lucerne with the orphans. Shortly later, Nasalot and Yatta’s families arrived, too. Esampu went straight to spend time with Noah while Mteto went for Yogi. Siangiki had a private conversation with Namalok. Perhaps Siangiki wanted to find out from Namalok what life is like out in the wild — and we are sure that Namalok would have told her he is having a great time! Yogi decided to accompany the dependent orphans as they started to walk out to browse, without his mother. While walking, Kamok seemed frustrated with Yogi and tried to kick him. Yogi got angry and cried out, seeking help from his mother. Yatta and her first daughter Yetu came running and collected Yogi.

The orphans settled to browse north of the stockades. Mutara and her group joined the orphans on their way to the mud bath. Lemoyian had a disagreement with Mapia that escalated into a fight. Lemoyian won the battle and to show his dominance he then climbed Mapia. The weather was cloudy and the orphans boycotted the wallowing exercise. Only five wild bulls showed up to the mud bath while the orphans were there. Sities and Suguta took Dololo for a soil dusting session, while Rapa settled for a pushing game with Lemoyian.

Mapia and Ambo had a light strength testing exercise where the orphans settled to browse west of the hill, while their friends decided to take a break from feeding and relax under a tree. In the evening, Nabulu led the way back to the stockades for the night.

Only one wild elephant showed up this morning, and then later Mutara’s herd arrived. The orphans had their lucerne as usual then joined the lone wild bull at the water trough where they shared water. Lemoyian, who was in the company of Mutara’s herd, decided to have a strength testing exercise with Mapia while Malima played with Galla. Turkwel took Dololo to a nearby rock where she settled with him to scratch their backs. Karisa, followed by Rapa, led the herd out for the day.

Sana Sana, Malkia, Kuishi and Ndiwa spend the better part of the morning feeding with Larro, Mukkoka and Naboishu. Turkwel and Suguta settled with their favourite Dololo, while Maramoja teamed up with Musiara. Sapalan, Enkikwe and Mundusi ganged up against a dik dik that was feeding quietly ahead of them. The dik dik sensed danger the moment it saw the bulls with their ears raised. The dik dik made a wise choice and scarpered into the thickets. The boys were left in a charging mood with nothing to charge at! Mundusi talked to his friends however and they abandoned their mission searching for the dik dik since it would be a waste of energy and time.

Mukkoka led the way to mud bath as Dololo lagged behind under the escort of Sities, Turkwel and Suguta. Ten wild bulls were enjoying water at the water trough.  Soon after the orphans had their milk, the Keepers asked the wild bulls to move aside for a short while so the orphans could have a drink of fresh water before heading back out to the bush.

In the afternoon, Esampu ran into trouble with Sana Sana when she inadvertently slipped and bumped against her. Sana Sana thought that Esampu did it on purpose and decided to punish her. Esampu sensed danger and quickly disappeared before Sana Sana could retaliate. In the evening Yatta and Nasalot’s families, who are still in the area, showed up at the stockades for water and left shortly before dark.

As the orphans settled for lucerne this morning, a wild bull checked in and headed straight for a drink. Enkikwe decided to walk down and join the bull. He was followed by Sapalan and Naseku. The bull left shortly later after taking enough water. The rest of the orphans walked to the water trough to have enough water to see them through the morning. Karisa led the way today and shortly after they left the stockades, the orphans were briefly joined by Yatta and Nasalot’s families again. Mteto and Esampu, as usual, briefly attached themselves to Yogi and Noah as they love tiny babies so much. The two girls withdrew however when the ex-orphans started walking away.

It was quiet for the rest of the morning session as the orphans concentrated mostly on browsing. Six wild bulls were present at the mud bath when the orphans arrived. Soon after finishing their milk, Nabulu, Sattao, Rapa and Galla walked to the water trough and joined one bull who appeared very peaceful and kind since he allowed the orphans to share water with him. Kauro got into the mud bath and splashed water behind his ears several times, before getting out to join his colleagues. The rest of the team boycotted the wallowing exercise and headed to the roadside mud bath instead. In the afternoon the orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area. An hour later, the orphans took a break from feeding and relaxed under some trees due to the hot sun beating down. When the temperature dropped to a more favourable level, the orphans resumed browsing for the rest of the day until it was time to return home.

Three wild bulls showed up for water this morning. The orphans followed their usual routine and settled for lucerne. Kanjoro, who has been away for quite some time now, emerged from the east and joined the orphans to feed on lucerne too. One slightly older bull joined the orphans too, but the other bull was much younger and obviously not as familiar with us and our routine here at Ithumba. He was much more nervous and didn't dare come too close to feed on the lucerne too — but he was still curious what everyone was up to! As soon as Kanjoro — the tough boy who loves the company of wild elephants — had enough, he left the same way he had appeared. Shortly later, Ndiwa led the way out followed by Larro, Mukkoka and Naboishu who are all still eager to learn. Malima, Karisa and Sana Sana had a morning soil dusting session before following to catch up with their friends.

Mapia settled to browse with Esampu while Sapalan settled to browse with Ambo. After their noon milk bottles, all the orphans decided to get into the water to wallow today. Enkikwe, who left earlier with the ex-orphans, failed to turn up to the mud bath. Nabulu and Sapalan saw the milk bottle for Enkikwe and decided to approach the Keepers to try their luck at being the lucky recipients… but the Keepers didn't give them the extra milk, as they had already had their fair share. Nabulu was annoyed by this and shook her head, before stomping off to the water trough where she joined the wild bulls that were drinking water there. 

Kauro walked to his favourite spot in the mud bath where he loves to wallow, which is just along the edge under the tree. The orphans have scratched and dug at the sides with their tusks so much that they have worn the bank away so much, right up to the bench under the tree. Karisa and Sapalan had a prolonged wallowing session and were by far the last to leave. After coming out of the water, Malkia, who had got information from Nabulu that Enkikwe didn't come for his milk bottle, tried creeping up to the vehicle which carries the milk bottles to try and find the extra bottle there. Unfortunately for Malkia, the Keepers were sitting not far away having their lunch and were paying attention, and they pointed at Malkia who realised she had been spotted, so she abandoned her mission and walked away. By the time the orphans left, ten wild bulls were present at the mud bath all drinking water and wallowing to their hearts content – very happy that this luxurious water spot exists which offers them such respite in the dry heat.

In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. Yatta and Nasalot’s families showed up at the stockades later in the day. They came to drop Enkikwe off who had spent the day with them, before heading east towards Kalovoto.