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Jotto left his night stockade with a branch in his mouth. Close to the exit point of the stockades he met with Kauro and in the process of entwining their trunks in morning greetings, the branch fell to the ground where it was quickly picked up by Dololo. The ex-orphans started arriving to join the orphans for lucerne. The girls Mteto, Esampu and Maramoja, who left the stockade-dependent life recently to become nannies for Naisula’s little baby Nyx, arrived with them. These three girls have always adored little babies and when Naisula had Nyx it was as though the ex-orphans didn’t have quite enough nannies within their herd to help, and so Esampu, Mteto and Maramoja seized the opportunity to join them and help with all the little babies, particularly Nyx. After having some lucerne, Kauro had a brief conversation with Roi while Mukkoka played with Sattao. Malima engaged wild-born baby Sita in a light pushing game which was only meant socially, but Sita didn’t seem very willing to play with Malima and walked back hastily to join his mother.

Nabulu chose to browse with Malkia this morning while Naboishu played with little Roho. Sattao quit playing with Mukkoka to have a strength testing exercise with the more experienced Ambo. The rest of the morning was quiet. Just like yesterday afternoon, Pare decided to stay with the ex-orphans while the dependent orphans continued with their morning of browsing.

While the orphans were at the mud bath today none of them felt like wallowing. Neshashi led the way back out to the bush after everyone had finished their milk bottles and taken a drink of fresh water, and they settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill.

In the evening, Kithaka, who left late last year after staying with us for several months as he recovered from injuring his leg, showed up close to the stockade compound. He stood a distance away from the wild elephants and the ex-orphans who were there. We felt sure that was because he didn’t want to be pushed by anyone which would result in him hurting his leg again. Kithaka is still limping slightly, but his swelling has massively reduced, which is a great sign. It is very sensible for him to stay a bit further away from the other boisterous elephants for now, to avoid any setback in his recovery!

Suguroi was the first one to leave the stockades when the gates were opened this morning. She was closely followed by Naleku, while Sagateisa was the last one to step out. Poor little Kaia was outside the stockade compound, crying for her mother Kinna. Kinna left the previous evening with some wild bulls pursuing her as she is in season at the moment. At the time, Kaia seemed oblivious, as she had been busy playing with her age mates. Keeping Kaia company were Tumaren, Sities, Kalama, Suguta, Kainuk and Kanjoro, who make up Mutara’s herd. The ex-orphans were late arriving this morning, so Kaia kept bellowing and calling out for her mother. Malima and Ndiwa tried to comfort the baby as well, but Kaia just wanted her mother. Kalama, Suguta and Sities took action by walking the babies out to the bush in search of Kinna and thankfully they were all reunited later in the morning.

Roho decided to have fun rolling on the ground. Mukkoka came over and tried to push him up, but Roho fought back as he was enjoying himself and only wanted to roll around. Later in the morning, Sagateisa, Neshashi, Suguroi, Larro and Malima took a break from browsing to have fun where they found some loose soil, throwing some up into the air and onto their bodies as well.

The rest of the morning was quiet as the orphans browsed calmly up to mud bath time when Kuishi led the first group to the mud bath. The temperature was moderate today, so the orphans waded through the shallow end of the mud bath just to wet their feet and cool down a little. Only independent Sagateisa decided to get all the way into the mud bath and have a little swim. The orphans settled for a soil dusting exercise soon after washing their feet and when they had enough, Neshashi led the way back out to the bush. After the orphans left for browsing, Lenana and Lapa passed by the mud bath followed by five wild bulls and Zurura. The bulls were following Lenana who is in season just like Kinna.

In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill again. It was another very hot afternoon which meant the orphans took a break from browsing to relax under some trees until it was a bit cooler. In the evening, Kuishi and Roho led the way back to the stockades for the night.

The orphans left the stockade compound early as usual soon after finishing their morning milk bottles. The ex-orphans in Yatta’s herd were there to greet them in the lucerne feeding area. Yogi was in a playful mood and started his days activities by ambushing Suguroi. Suguroi rumbled to call Naleku for help, who came running to Suguroi’s rescue and helped in driving Yogi away. Yogi retreated to his mother where Suguroi and Naleku would never attempt to get him. Once happy that she was now safe, Naleku left to have a drink of water, leaving Suguroi still feeding on lucerne. Yogi waited until Naleku had turned her back and walked away before moved swiftly to push Suguroi again! Suguroi was caught unaware and so ran as Yogi pursued her. Luckily Kamok, the no-nonsense girl, met with Yogi running after Suguroi and whipped him hard using her trunk. Yogi didn’t hang about to be hit by Kamok again and so scampered back to his mother. Suguroi smiled as she slowed down and turned back to watch Yogi running back to his mother, happy in the knowledge that she has some older friends at Ithumba who will watch over her!

On the way out to the bush, Roho engaged Naboishu in a strength testing exercise. Challa, Kenze and Kilaguni chose to escort the orphans for about two hundred metres from the stockades, then they changed direction and headed off. Sagateisa found a suitable rock that she used to scratch her belly on while Larro teamed up with Roho to browse. Jotto had a strength testing exercise with Mapia while Neshashi chose Malima to browse with.

Again, the orphans decided to only dip their feet into the mud bath after their milk feed. Even Sagateisa refrained from her usual swim. It was quite cool and none of them felt like fully submerging themselves.

It didn’t take long for the temperature to skyrocket in the afternoon, however. The orphans made their way to the small roadside mud bath again to cool off. It was so hot in fact, that the orphans chose to pass by the main mud bath for a proper swim as they made their way home for the night. They had the most spectacular evening wallow, rolling and splashing about. When they were done, Sagateisa led the way back to the stockades for the night.

Mutara and her herd arrived at the stockade compound early before dawn. At six o'clock in the morning, the orphans were let out of their night stockades too. Suguroi and Naleku had a brief interaction with little Mambo. Shortly later, naughty Wendi and her family showed up. Mutara and her herd don’t get along with Wendi so well, as she can be so unpredictable and moody sometimes, so they moved off a short distance away. The rest of the ex-orphan herd arrived a bit later too. Once it got a bit crowded the dependent orphans decided it was time to head out for the day, and avoid any competition with their seniors; Larro led the way.

It was thankfully quite a cool morning, so the orphans browsed quietly and contentedly. Later on after having their noon milk feed, they walked through the mud bath to wet their feet on the way to the water trough to have a drink. Challa, Taita and two wild bulls showed up and shared water with the orphans. Roho, Dololo, Mukkoka, Neshashi, Larro, Sattao, and Malima had so much fun rolling and dusting themselves on the pile of loose soil, throwing it everywhere and covering everyone in the process as a light breeze was blowing. Kauro and Sana Sana were the last ones to leave the water trough as they were seemingly enjoying a good conversation with their older friends, Challa and Taita.

In the afternoon, Naboishu tried to entice Sattao to play a pushing game with him. Sattao was reluctant though, as he wanted to relax. Naboishu wouldn’t give up though and persisted until eventually Sattao decided to teach him a lesson, so that Naboishu would leave him alone to relax in peace. Sattao pushed Naboishu hard and when Naboishu turned to run, Sattao grabbed him by the tail to bite him! Poor Naboishu managed to pull himself away just in time and ran off to join his friend Roho instead.

All the orphans decided to behave this afternoon and not give the Keepers the run around! They all stuck together and browsed quietly until it was time to return home. Little Roho led the way back to the stockades tonight. 

Once again, the ex-orphans arrived early in the morning before the dependent orphans had even left their stockades. Once they were let out after having their milk bottles, Ambo walked over to Suguta from Mutara’s herd where they entwined their trunks in morning greeting. Suguroi and Naleku interacted briefly with Mambo before one of his nannies Sities pushed them away. As the compound slowly became more crowded as ex-orphans and wild elephants continued to trickle in, the dependent orphans, led by Larro, decided to leave and give their seniors space. Kauro, Kamok, and Rapa lagged behind with the ex-orphans and later followed their friends.

Musiara teamed up with Ndiwa and Malkia to browse. Ever since Maramoja left the stockade life to become a nanny to little Nyx, Musiara has been feeling a little lonely as she always used to take care of him. It appears Malkia and Ndiwa have noticed Musiara’s feelings and have decided to comfort him and keep him company.

Sattao and Naboishu led the way to the mud bath today. The orphans had their milk then headed for some water before resuming browsing without wallowing today. Malkia escorted Musiara to get his share of milk, then took him to join their friends. Sattao had a brief strength testing exercise with Malima while Mukkoka played with Dololo. It was another very hot afternoon so the orphans decided to make a brief stop by the main mud bath to cool off on their way home. Neshashi led the herd back to the stockades for the night.

Rapa and Kauro decided to spend the night out last night, but they re-joined their friends soon after they finished their milk bottles and came out of the night stockades. Shortly later, Mutara’s herd arrived. Malkia immediately joined Mambo who she absolutely adores. Mutara didn't mind and allowed Mambo to interact with Malkia. After feeding on lucerne, Neshashi and the Keepers led the dependent orphans out. Malkia wanted to stay behind to take care of Mambo for a little longer, but later said goodbye to Mutara’s herd to catch up with her friends.

Out in the bush, Ambo challenged Mapia to a strength testing exercise. After duelling for a while, Mapia emerged as the winner. Sagateisa, Malima and Nabulu took a break from browsing to have fun rolling in some loose soil, while Mukkoka, Naboishu and Roho split from the main herd and walked off a short distance away.

Sattao led the first group to the mud bath while Larro led the second one. The orphans had their milk then jumped into the water to swim and cool off. Ex-orphan Challa emerged from the nearby bushes and walked to where the orphans were swimming, and stood there as if he was supervising the wallowing exercise. Then he continued on to the water  trough for some water. Kanjoro and three wild bulls joined Challa there. Naleku tried to join the wild bulls but was denied access to the water by one of the wild bulls. The Keepers moved in and helped Naleku by pushing the bulls a few steps back from the water trough so she could have a drink. Naleku was happy with the result but what she did next had the Keepers wondering if the playful little elephant was even thirsty! Naleku only washed her trunk then turned back to rejoin her friends.

It was a quiet afternoon as the orphans browsed calmly throughout the remaining part of the day.

Even once the dependent orphans were safely in their stockades for the night, wild elephants continued to arrive at the compound for water. By the time it was dark, about one hundred and fifty ex-orphans and wild elephants had visited to drink water. Among them we were happy to see a wild family led by a one-tusked female that was last seen about five years ago. This is indeed an indication of how elephants have good memories and never forget! Ithumba received a good amount of rain late last year compared to surrounding areas and so we are seeing quite a number of wild elephant visitors.

The ex-orphans were at the stockade compound again this morning. Melia’s son Milo attempted to challenge playful Roho. One of the nannies, Kainuk, who was standing close by, sensed danger by the way Roho reacted to Milo, and stepped in quickly before Roho could be too rough and push Milo over. Kainuk then walked Milo back to his mother. Suguroi and Naleku attempted to interact with baby Nyx, but were blocked from doing so by Maramoja who seemed to want the sole responsibility. This upset Suguroi and Naleku and they walked away looking a little downcast at not being able to play with the baby.

After feeding on lucerne, Neshashi, who always wants to be in the lead, rumbled, informing her friends that it was time to go. Roho, Suguroi, Mukkoka and Larro immediately followed, while the rest of herd followed later. Sattao and Malima teamed up together to browse. Roho chose to wander off to browse with Musiara while Suguroi teamed up with Naleku. Ndiwa came across a branch which had been chewed on and dropped by a wild elephant, and picked it up to peel the remaining bark. Sana Sana took a break from browsing to have a soil dusting exercise by herself, while Dololo engaged Ambo in a short wrestling match. 

It was very hot whole the orphans were at the mud bath and they all decided to get into the water for a swim soon after finishing their milk. A wild bull joined the orphans briefly, splashing water behind his ears. Ambo and Mapia were the last ones to leave the mud bath as soon as they were out, the two boys engaged each other in a strength testing match. They seem determined to try and establish who is the stronger bull! As the orphans walked back out to the bush towards Ithumba Hill, they stopped to roll in the soil and dry off, changing the colour of their skin from grey to earthy red. The afternoon was quiet as the orphans concentrated on browsing, and in the evening Larro led the way back to the stockades.

The ex-orphans reported very early in the morning before the orphans were let out. As the dependent orphans came out of their night stockades after having their milk, Noah stood at the exit point and tried to select the right orphan to play with. Noah ended up picking Roho, but Roho wasn’t going to be shown up by the young calf and he kept wrestling with Noah will all his strength until Noah surrendered. Noah then decided to try his hand on Suguroi where he was a bit luckier and won that wrestling match. He continued with his mission of strength testing different orphans until he met Malima. Malima took him through a series of strength testing techniques until Noah got tired and left to look for his mother. The orphans left for browsing as soon as they had enough lucerne. 

Sagateisa went to browse with Malima and Sattao. Malima appears to be developing a soft spot for Sagateisa and was happy to browse with her. Mapia, Jotto, Mukkoka and Dololo split from the main herd and walked off to browse separately.

None of the orphans felt like wallowing today while at the mud bath. They joined several wild bulls drinking water soon after having their milk, and then went for a soil dusting exercise.

In the afternoon, Suguroi came across a lesser kudu that had a little baby. Suguroi hadn’t seen a lesser kudu before and she decided to trumpet and charge at the antelope, trying to scare her away. None of the other orphans were bothered by the lesser kudu like Suguroi, and just continued browsing. Suguroi managed to chase the lesser kudu out of sight and happy with the result, she went back to browsing with the others. She walked off to join Rapa and Naboishu while Kuishi walked off to browse side by side with Malima. 

Nabulu, Malkia, Larro, Kauro, Ndiwa and Mapia decided to go for a roadside mud bath to cool off when they got too hot this afternoon. All the orphans relaxed under a tree until the temperature dropped a bit, and Malima decided to cool off by rolling in the loose soil on the ground. Jotto and Kuishi saw Malima on the ground and started to scratch their bellies on her! In the evening, Neshashi led the way back to the stockades for the night.

It was a quiet morning. The orphans settled for lucerne soon after leaving the stockade. Only one wild bull that joined the orphans in feeding of lucerne. The compound looked deserted as compared to other days. The orphans knew that the ex-orphans would soon be arriving and so fed quickly and leave before the ex-orphans arrived. Half an hour later, Malima spotted the ex-orphans approaching. Malima rumbled, alerting the others to summarise whatever they were doing as their seniors were on the way.

Neshashi led the way to the browsing field as Suguroi and Naleku opted to wait and meet the wild born babies. After interacting with Saba, Noah, and Yebo, Naleku and Suguroi left to catch up with their friends. Kamok walked hand in hand with her friend Ambo, while Malima escorted Sagateisa. At the browsing field, Kuishi had a lone game of rolling on the ground. Ambo decided to come over and have fun of climbing on her. Kuishi protested by bellowing, informing Ambo that he was hurting her. Ambo climbed down smiling and walked over to Kamok for protection in case Kuishi opted to punish him for what he had done to her. 

Naboishu attempted to ride on Suguroi, but he was pushed down by Roho. Naboishu was angered by Roho's action and turned to tackle him. Roho stood his ground and defended himself from being pushed. Malkia, who was feeding close by, intervened by separating the two boys.

At mud bath time, Sattao grabbed Naleku's tail and tried to bite it when she passed in front of him. Naleku made a lot of noise, prompting Sattao to let her go. The sun was hot, but only Sagateisa, Ambo, and Roho participated fully in the wallowing exercise. After having enough of wallowing, the two boys and one girl headed for a soil dusting exercise. The rest of the group joined a wild bull in drinking water. In the afternoon, the sun was still hot, and the orphans decided to take a break from feeding and relaxed under trees to hide from the scorching sun. In the evening, the orphans returned safely to the stockades.

Suguroi and Sagateisa had a light pushing game early in the morning. This was to keep themselves busy while waiting to be given their milk. They could see it through the wires but there was no way to get it by themselves. After getting their morning milk, Ambo led the way to the lucerne venue. Moments later, Naleku wanted to leave, but she didn't know how to get her friends to follow her. She stood and thought deeply of a plan. She walked down a few metres away then started trumpeting and increasing her pace. In another few metres, she changed to running while trumpeting. Suguroi responded by running towards Naleku, also trumpeting. This drew the attention of the entire herd. Led by Malima, the orphans followed the two girls in trying to find out what was happening. The orphans found out that the two girls were just playing with their minds. The orphans couldn't turn back, so they decided to browse in Kone.

Roho, who thinks that he is grown and can take on his seniors, tried to challenge Larro, not knowing that he was pressing on a wrong number. Larro, who appears small, didn't waste any time with Roho. The next thing that was heard was Roho screaming for help after being shown dust by Larro. The other orphans didn't respond, as Roho was the one who had instigated things with Larro. At mud bath time, the weather was chilly and none of the orphans dared to step into the mud bathing water. Naboishu lagged with Sana Sana and Ndiwa, who are no longer on milk. The two girls escorted Naboishu to have his milk then walked back to the browsing field to join their friends.

In the afternoon, Roho played with Ambo while Jotto played Mapia. Kuishi had a light pushing game with Rapa, while Mukkoka teamed up with Dololo. In the evening, Malkia, who had gone on a tour the previous day, showed up with Mutara’s group.