In Voi, the month began on a peaceful note, as the older girls showcased how diligently they look after the new rescues. Caring Godoma shepherded little Baraka onto the terraces where the two friends settled down to eat, ears flapping gently. Calm Mbegu was hanging out with Busara and Dabida, while Ngilai wandered between the pellets and the lucerne, unable to decide which to eat first. Ashanti, Hildana, Kilulu, Akina, Seri, and Kenderi lined up at the feeding trough to munch on range cubes. Everyone was very relaxed.
In the early morning, the orphans enjoyed their breakfast of milk followed by dairy pellets and lucerne. Caring Godoma shepherded little Baraka onto the terraces where the two friends settled down to eat, ears flapping gently as their trunks deftly scooped the pellets into their mouths. Calm Mbegu was hanging out with Busara and Dabida as Ngilai wandered between the pellets and the lucerne, unable to decide which to eat first. Ashanti, Hildana, Kilulu, Akina, Seri and Kenderi lined up at the feeding trough to munch on range cubes. The Keepers were happy to see how relaxed Seri is becoming with her new friends.
As the sun rose into the sky, Tamiyoi sent Emoli a silent message and the two elephants led the herd out to the browsing fields. At the foot of Msinga Hill, the dependent orphans settled down to browse near the baobab water trough. Young bulls Ngilai and Murit played the wrestling game with gusto. On the other side of the trough, Lasayen tried unsuccessfully to persuade Godoma to spar with him – she waved her trunk, turned her back and wandered away with Baraka to continue browsing.
On a hot dry afternoon, the orphans had their usual milk feed and then wandered over to the mud bath. Suswa was showing off, rolling around on the edge of the water to impress the others. Pika Pika, Embu and Godoma swam and splashed and played in the middle of the wallow. Ndotto stood close by, undecided as to whether to get into the water. The herd then meandered out for a final browse, except for Suswa, Pika Pika, Embu and Godoma who chose to remain submerged in the cooling mud.
On a bright sunny morning, the milk dependent orphans gulped down their bottles before joining their older friends to feast on range cubes. This morning, Ngilai was in a decisive mood and walked straight over to the lucerne feeding area. Suswa and Embu chose to be together on the terraces and were soon joined by Pika Pika. Nearby, Lasayen stood close to Dabida, Ushindi and Kilulu. Godoma and little Busara were feeding on pellets next to each other. Breakfast over, Ngilai strolled over to the terrace wall, squatted down, and scratched his large bottom. Embu, Akina and Tamiyoi joined Lasayen on the terraces as they continued to feed quietly on pellets. Suswa was trunk touching Embu gently as Ndotto hung out on his own at the water trough.
The Keepers gathered the herd together to head out for their daily bush walk behind Msinga Hill. The elephants settled down to browse in the open grass fields near the baobab mud wallow.
In the afternoon, the orphans finished their usual milk feed and trundled over to the mud wallow. Many stopped along the way for a deep drink from the water trough, but not Pika Pika. The water baby wasted not a moment in plunging into the mud bath for a swim. Before long, the water was full of splashing, wallowing elephants, rubbing up and over each other as they swam. Suswa, Godoma and Pika Pika were in the thick of the action as Mbegu splashed in a restrained manner on the edge of the mud hole. Ndotto covered himself in dust and then had a last-minute mud splash. After their cooling dip, the orphan herd set off for a final browse to the south of the baobab mud wallow.
On another sunny morning, the orphan herd emerged from their stockades for breakfast. Godoma, Ndotto, Tagwa, Sagala and Tamiyoi stood pressed together to drink from the stockade water trough. Ngilai posed briefly on his favorite rock before challenging Lasayen to some early morning sparring.
After breakfast, the orphans meandered out to the browsing fields, settling at the foot of Msinga Hill to eat some supplementary lucerne. Later in the morning, they returned for a milk feed and a wallow in the mud pool. Only Lemeki stayed behind drinking from the trough as the orphans headed for the water. Embu loves swimming - she led her friends in to paddle and splash and wallow together. Afterwards, she scratched her body energetically on the side of the trough. Mbegu rolled around on the piles of earth as Juni sprayed herself with dust on the sidelines. The orphans set off in the late afternoon for a browse, leaving Godoma to enjoy a solitary swim.
After the morning breakfast routine, the orphan herd headed out in a succession of small friendship groups in the direction of Msinga Hill. They settled down to browse on lucerne and whatever else they could find at the foot of the hill – the area is becoming dry and dusty and the shrubs are turning yellow and brown.
In the afternoon, the orphans gulped down their bottles, drank from the water trough and wandered into the mud wallow. Suswa only paused for a quick drink on her way to the wallow – today, she chose to dig on the edge with her long tusks as the others paddled and cooled off in the water. Lasayen and Murit played the wrestling game in the mud bath as Ndotto rolled around next to them and then lay spreadeagled, rubbing his belly on the edge. Pika Pika and Embu were the last to clamber out of the wallow, sometime after the herd had set out for a final browse in the dry bush.
The younger orphans were in a boisterous mood this morning, sprinting out of their stockades to gulp down their bottles of milk before joining their older friends at the pellet and lucerne feeding areas.
In a short time, the herd wandered out to browse in the bush near Msinga Hill. Little Baraka started at the front of the herd but soon turned back to look for Godoma, trumpeting his concern over her whereabouts. He raised his trunk and flapped his ears in alarm. In response, not only Godoma but also Tamiyoi, Mbegu and Sagala ran over and surrounded him. Godoma comforted the young bull, trunk touching him and standing very close to him. He calmed down and they continued on together.
On another hot dry afternoon, the orphans enjoyed their milk feed and mud bath. As Lasayen lay chilling on his side on a pile of red earth, Emoli pounced on the prone elephant, taking him by surprise. He quickly stood up, accepting the challenge to spar with his friend. They clashed heads and chased each other for some time. Murit could not resist joining the game, taking Emoli’s place to wrestle with Lasayen. As the heat abated, the herd meandered out for a browse in the surrounding area before returning to the stockades for the night.
After eating their breakfast of milk, lucerne pellets and range cubes, the orphan elephants gathered in preparation to head out into the bush. As they set out, Murit and Lasayen clashed heads in a tough sparring encounter. The two young bulls pushed each other hard, kicking up great clouds of dust as they tossed their heads and trumpeted. As they sparred, they bumped into little Busara who was watching their antics from the sidelines. Agitated and overwhelmed, she screamed loudly. Immediately, Mbegu charged over to reassure and protect the younger orphan. The two stayed together as they wandered out to the browsing grounds.
Lots of fun was had in the afternoon at the mud bath. Ngilai, Embu and Pika Pika stayed in the water for a long time, floating and swimming happily. Eventually, they plodded out and off after their friends into the bush.
It was a calm clear morning. The orphans wandered out of their stockades to greet each other and enjoy their breakfast of range cubes and fresh lucerne grass. Afterwards, Embu squatted on a large rock, scratching her big bottom and shaking her trunk with pleasure. Observing this display, Suswa lay down next to her friend to demonstrate her expertise at rolling around on the ground. The other orphans continued to eat, apparently unimpressed with the two showoffs!
The rest of the day was uneventful. The orphans browsed in the increasingly arid area at the bottom of Msinga Hill and then swam in the baobab mud wallow. After lots of dusting with red soil, they meandered out for a final browse before bed.
On a bright sunny morning, the dependent elephants enjoyed their breakfast. Ngilai chose to move on to the lucerne area as the remainder of the herd continued to eat the dairy cubes. Baraka, Busara, Mbegu and Godoma hung out together on the terraces as Ashanti, Dabida, Hildana, and Kilulu lined up at the feeding trough. Before long, Ngilai sauntered back from the lucerne area to challenge Emoli to another wrestling match. Swinging her trunk in a matriarchal manner, Suswa walked over the piles of earth, gave the young bulls a couple of disciplinary shoves, and returned to the feeding trough.
Soon, the orphans got ready to head out. This morning, Lemeki, Emoli and Tamiyoi led the herd over to Msinga Hill. The orphans settled down to browse on the hill, maneuvering their bulky bodies in between and around the red rocks as they ate. After the afternoon milk feed, the orphans gathered at the lucerne feeding area, remaining there for the remainder of the day.
On a chilly morning, the orphans plodded out of their stockades at dawn for milk, diary cubes and lucerne. Naughty Pika Pika gave little Ashanti a push near the water trough because she wanted more range cubes as Ndotto attempted to climb on top of Thamana. Once again, Suswa scratched herself all over on the special rock before wandering over to the piles of earth for a refreshing dust bath. Godoma was next in line - she posed proudly at the rock and then settled down for a satisfying rub. Pika Pika and Embu joined Suswa on the earth piles for a communal dust bath as the mini matriarch dug into the ground with her large tusks.
Out in the field, Ndotto and his best friend Lasayen spent most of the browsing time sparring and wrestling. After the milk feed in the afternoon, the orphans meandered over to the mud wallow to browse in the surrounding area. It was too cold for swimming today.
On another hot day, Suswa and Embu enjoyed an early morning dust bath as the rest of the herd was eating dairy cubes and lucerne. Soon, Embu wandered away to scratch her bottom on everyone’s favorite rock. Near the terraces, Baraka was eating dairy cubes as Mbegu scratched her backside on the terrace wall and Emoli and Thamana played the wrestling game. Ndotto was drinking directly from the hose pipe but Tagwa, Ngilai and Lemeki were drinking from the water trough. The orphan herd set off for their daily bush walk. Ngilai walked side by side with Tagwa, regularly trunk touching the younger elephant.
In the afternoon, ex-orphan Laikipia wandered into the stockade compound on his own. He was given lots of lucerne to eat and spent the rest of the day hanging around the stockades
In the early morning after the milk and lucerne feeds, Lasayen and Ndotto clashed heads and trumpeted as they sparred with each other for a long time. The other orphans stood quietly at a distance, watching the exciting match between the two young bulls.
Soon, the herd headed out to Msinga Hill, wandering along in single file. Seri and Ushindi stayed close to each other, having bonded when they were first rescued and spent time in the taming stockade.
After the milk feed in the afternoon, lots of orphans had a cooling paddle and a wallow in the mud bath. Ngilai and Sagala did not want to swim today – they hung out together next to the water trough. Embu and Pika Pika had a lovely time floating their bulky bodies in the water and then Embu ventured into the deeper part of the wallow for a proper swim. As she clambered out of the bath, Suswa congratulated her with some trunk touching. In the late afternoon, the orphan elephants set out for a final browse before bed.
This morning, the orphans were in an especially playful mood. After the milk and supplementary feeds, several played the sparring game. Thamana was challenged to a contest by Emoli. The younger orphan did his best to hold his own against the older bull. Three friends Lasayen, Ndotto and Murit were wrestling for a long time – switching roles as they chased and challenged each other.
Out in the field, a little bruised after the sparring, Thamana chose to stay close to Suswa, the protective peacemaker. Determined Emoli still managed to sneak up behind them and play mount Thamana. He refused to climb off until Embu got involved, forcing him down and chasing him away. Little Thamana returned to browsing peacefully next to Suswa.
Later in the morning when the dependent orphans were out in the field, Laikipia visited the stockades to drink from the water trough and then wandered back out into the bush.
On yet another hot dry morning, the orphans finished their milk and range cubes before gathering around the lucerne feeding area. They were soon joined by Laikipia who greeted his friends briefly and strolled over to the water trough to quench his thirst. Several of the younger babies trailed after the impressive bull elephant. In response, Laikipia cavorted happily around them, waving his head and trunk. Newbies Busara and Juni panicked – trumpeting with their trunks up and ears flared at the sight of this large male elephant - and moved away. Noticing their confusion, Sagala and Tagwa quickly went over and touched the two babies with their trunks to reassure them and led them away from scary Laikipia. Today, Ndotto and Murit chose to play the sparring game inside the stockade area at a distance from the visitor – they too were wary of his size.
Later in the morning, Laikipia wandered off back into the bush as Tamiyoi, Tagwa and Sagala led the dependent orphans off in the opposite direction.
The orphans drank their milk and ate their range cubes early in the morning – soon after, they set off to browse in the bush around Msinga Hill.
In the afternoon after the milk feed, the mud bath quickly filled up with elephants – some played as others wallowed and floated. The eleven orphans rescued during the dry spell preceding the November rains – Juni, Hildana, Kilulu, Dabida, Baraka, Busara, Akina, Kenderi, Ushindi, Seri and Ashanti — all plunged confidently into the water. Suswa was being rather possessive of her little brother, Thamana. (Suswa has become close to Thamana since Mudanda went wild, joining Edie’s and Mweya’s ex-orphan herd.) Today, she pushed away any of the newbies who wanted to play with her young charge.
Usually, Pika Pika is the first in the water but not today. The little princess waited until the crowd of newcomers had finished before tip toeing into the water. Once they had clambered out, she and Embu enjoyed a lengthy swim, charging around and kicking up huge clouds of muddy water. Pika Pika was deliberately taking her time, making her friends wait on the side of the pool as they could not afford to leave her behind. Eventually, Suswa ran out of patience and took charge. She got back into the water and used her tusks to prod Pika Pika onto dry land. Thereafter, the herd meandered out for their final bush walk of the day.
The orphans emerged from their stockades to enjoy the morning breakfast routine of bottles of milk followed by lucerne and dairy cubes. An excited Lasayen played all over the stockade compound and scratched his body on everyone’s favorite rock. Little Busara ate her diary cubes slowly, carefully picking up any leftover bits, and then joined her friends at the lucerne feeding corner. Godoma was also scratching herself on the special rock watched by little Baraka whom she loves to look after. Nearby, Emoli was teaching Thamana some sparring skills.
After a short while, the orphans gathered in groups as they prepared to head out to the browsing fields. On the slopes of Msinga Hill, they settled down to browse not far from the baobab water hole, their usual milk feeding and wallowing spot. Since Arruba left to join former orphans living in the wild, Embu has assumed the responsibility of looking after Pika Pika — the two elephants are close and spend lots of time together in the bush.
The orphan elephants left the stockades immediately after their morning feed to browse out in the bush. Sagala, Lasayen, Murit, Tagwa, Tamiyoi and Emoli climbed up Msinga Hill in search of green shoots. As the landscape is very dry, the orphans are stripping bark off trees and digging in the ground for roots and tubers. Tamiyoi did not stay up high for long, returning to browse with Godoma and Baraka at the foot of the hill. Godoma had remained at the bottom to save Baraka from having to climb up the hill after the older orphans.
The orphans browsed for most of the morning and then wandered over to the water trough to quench their thirst. Suswa, Godoma, Ngilai and Mbegu queued up to drink from the trough. Murit sucked up water from the trough and then squirted it out to create his own little mud bath. Afterwards, it was time for a swim. Many were keen on wallowing today but not Ndotto. He was reluctant to get in but lay down on the edge, drawing up water with his trunk and spraying it all over his body. Lasayen strolled over to play with him before they set out from the water hole with their friends to browse.
The orphans were subdued this morning as they ate their breakfast but livened up afterwards for playtime! Suswa was first to reach the special rock, scratching her bottom and body with gusto and then going down on her knees to rub her trunk and torso on the ground. Water baby Embu was tempted to swim despite the cool of the early morning – she put a toe in the mud bath but changed her mind and wandered away. Ngilai had a wonderful sparring game with Pika Pika that lasted for a considerable amount of time. Worn out, the two friends wandered off to join Godoma for some less energetic games on the dust mound.
In a short while, the orphans gathered to head out towards Msinga Hill. Upon arriving, they spread out, searching for bushes and trees to browse on. It is becoming harder for the elephants to find enough greens in the bush. Little Baraka stayed close to Godoma and Busara to Mbegu.
This morning, ex-orphan Laikipia sauntered in to join the orphans as they were eating their range cubes and lucerne. He greeted his old friends and settled down to enjoy some supplementary food.
The many recent rescues gathered around the big bull, doing their best to make friends, and touching him as often as they could. A couple of the babies stood so close that they were leaning on him. Until the girls got involved! First was Pika Pika – she walked in between Seri and Laikipia, blocking any contact and pushing the little elephant away. Next was Lemeki – she held Ashanti tight with her trunk, pulling her away from the ex-orphan.
The dependent orphans soon headed out to the bush, leaving Laikipia behind to chill outside the stockades for the day. In the afternoon, the orphans gulped their bottles of milk and drank from the water trough near the baobab mud bath. No one was tempted to swim on a cool cloudy day. Godoma, Dabida, Baraka and Kilulu remained for a while under the baobab tree before joining up with their friends as they browsed in the surrounding bush.
On a cool grey morning, the big nannies were tending to and touching their little babies. Mbegu was with Busara, Godoma was with Baraka, and Tagwa with Juni. As the herd ate their range cubes after the milk feed, Suswa was keeping a close watch on Ngilai – he was loitering around behind Kilulu and Hildana and she was concerned that he might try to mount one of the young females. The dependent orphans headed out to browse in the bush. Soon after the herd left the stockades, Laikipia arrived at the stockades for some water and supplementary food.
In the afternoon, the elephants had a wonderful time in the mud bath. Embu climbed into the water first and lay floating in the middle. The newbies tiptoed in after her and slowly gathered around her. She started to teach them the rolling game, extravagantly rolling over and over in the deep water and inviting them to copy her. They watched her cautiously, but none were brave enough to play the game. Meanwhile, old friends Emoli and Ngilai were cavorting in the water, riding on and rolling off each other’s backs. Best friends Tagwa and Tamiyoi were playing as they swam together – afterwards, Tamiyoi lay near the edge and Tagwa squatted on her stomach, resting her large bottom and waving her trunk in delight.
Once the swimming was over, Embu and Lasayen dusted themselves and each other with soil. Left behind by the herd, they trotted off to catch up with friends and enjoy a final browse before bed.
The orphans went through their normal morning routine, settling at the lucerne feeding area once they had finished drinking milk and eating range cubes. Half an hour later, Suswa signaled silently to the herd that it was time to head out into the field. She led the orphans out, pausing only to scratch herself on the large rock close to the stockade. Mbegu and her little charge Busara followed close behind Suswa and the others plodded along in a line after the three orphans.
The elephants browsed peacefully for several hours on the western side of Msinga Hill – in the early afternoon, they climbed down and wandered over to the baobab mud bath.
Youngsters Hildana, Kilulu, Kenderi, Dabida, Ashanti, Akina, Seri and Ushindi plunged into the water for a splash and a dip on a hot afternoon. They did not stay in the water for long - as soon as they saw Embu and Pika Pika stepping into the mud bath followed by many others, the little ones scarpered. They watched the bigger orphans wallowing from a respectable distance. As the day cooled, the orphan elephants left the water hole for their afternoon browsing session.
Bright rays of sunshine were striking the stockades as the orphans wandered out of their bedrooms. They drank their milk and ate their cubes quickly before settling down to browse on the fresh lucerne grass.
Soon they were joined by ex-orphan Laikipia who greeted his friends and moved in among them. Today, the newbies were less excited by his arrival – although still impressed by the bull, they did not cluster around him. Instead, they slowly moved closer to him, hoping for an individual trunk touch. As Laikipia wandered over to the water trough, Seri scampered after him. The little girl then stood between the older elephant’s forelegs, making a half-hearted attempt to suckle from the young bull. Laikipia dealt with the situation calmly but firmly, pushing away Seri but not hurting her. Soon, Laikipia was surrounded – Seri, Dabida, and Kenderi were on one side and Ashanti, Kilulu and Akina on the other. Later in the afternoon, the herd set out for a final wander, leaving Laikipia behind to fill his belly with range cubes.
The smaller orphans sprinted out of their stockades and over to the milk feeding area at dawn this morning. As usual, greedy Ashanti gulped down her bottle in a matter of seconds. Then, she gave both Kilulu and Akina a shove in an attempt to wrest their bottles away. A Keeper intervened, pointing his finger at the naughty girl and telling her to move away. Reluctantly she obeyed, leaving her two young friends to enjoy their milk in peace.
Soon, the herd headed out into the field in single file, browsing as they wandered along. In the afternoon, they visited the water hole after another milk feed. Ngilai and Ndotto stood for a long time at the water trough, pretending to drink although they were just avoiding a dip in the mud bath. Meanwhile, most of their friends were paddling and swimming happily on a hot sunny afternoon. Eventually, Ngilai changed his mind, walking into the water to cool off and then clambering out to scratch as much of his body as he could manage on the baobab tree. Refreshed, he caught up with his friends who had already set off for the final browse of the day.
Today was a special day – it was the day when newbies Itinyi and Epiya met the orphan herd for the first time.
The orphans spent the morning out near Msinga Hill and then returned in the afternoon to welcome the two new rescues as they came out of the taming stockade. Mbegu, Sagala and Tamiyoi went inside the stockade to reassure the newbies, who were standing nervously in one corner, and to gently escort them out. Very slowly, Itinyi and Epiya walked out, so close together that they were almost leaning against each other. The older females took them over to the range cubes feeding area to introduce them to the rest of the herd. Lots of rumbling and trunk touching ensued. To everyone’s surprise, Itinyi relaxed so much that he began to play mount Dabida, Kenderi and Ashanti. Nannies Mbegu, Suswa and Tamiyoi kept a close eye on the young bull, preventing him from trying to climb on top of the smallest orphans, Baraka and Busara.
The herd wandered out to browse later in the afternoon with the two newcomers in their midst. They stayed close to their new friends and wandered back obediently in the early evening. The presence of Laikipia outside the stockades confused them a little. They approached the former orphan eagerly, hoping perhaps that he was their lost mother and refusing to leave his side. Once again, the resident nannies came to the rescue – Mbegu, Sagala and Tamiyoi rounded up the two young ones, reassured them and shepherded them into their stockade for the night.
After finishing their bottles of milk in the early morning, Mbegu, Sagala, Epiya, Lasayen, Lemeki, Emoli and Hildana lined up in a straight line to feed on their range cubes.
Today, Epiya and Itinyi were excited to be out and about with the herd – no more nervous huddling together at the back of their stockade. They plodded out confidently to make more friends. Itinyi was being assertive to little ones Baraka, Busara and Kenderi, making the point that he might be a newbie, but he was their elder. Suswa and Emoli took charge of the situation, dealing with the boisterous boy by sandwiching him between them to make it clear that he could not behave in this manner. Once Itinyi had calmed down, Emoli went off to check on little Busara.
Later in the morning, the orphan elephants headed out to browse closer to the stockades than normal. This was to enable the newbies to settle in and orientate themselves in their new lives. Out in the bush, Epiya and Itinyi were a little nervous and stayed close to the older females in the herd. Returning to the stockades in the afternoon, they refused to stand in front of the Keepers for their bottles. (They are used to being given milk through the bars of their stockade.)
Itinyi and Epiya seemed comfortable and settled today after spending the previous evening with their new friends in the open area outside the stockades. This morning, Hildana, Dabida, Ashanti, Akina, Kenderi and Kilulu led the two new members of the herd out in a wonderful sprint to the milk feeding area. Epiya initially turned her back to the Keepers but soon turned around, deciding to trust her carers. She and Itinyi both grabbed a bottle of milk from a Keeper and emptied it in seconds. The two little elephants followed the others to the range cubes feeding area. There. they became apprehensive again, eating the cubes but not allowing anyone to stand behind or between them, not even the baboons. They flared their ears and bodies and tails.
The herd stayed close to the stockades again while browsing today so that Itinyi and Epiya could continue to orientate themselves and the Keepers could control the herd easily. In the afternoon, the orphans had their bottles of milk outside the stockades rather than at the baobab mud bath. Lasayen languished on the piles of red earth, idly waving his trunk. He invited the two newbies to play with him - they were suspicious of his offer and stood hesitantly watching him from a safe distance.
On another lovely morning, the dependent orphans trotted out of their stockades to greet each other and fill their tummies. Itinyi and Epiya are continuing to bond well with the herd. Today, Itinyi had the confidence to challenge determined Hildana to play the pushing game. Nearby, Ndotto, Godoma, Dabida and Kenderi were enjoying an early morning dip in the mud bath. Murit was posing next to the water trough, with one large foot dangling in it, as Tagwa scratched her bottom on the terraces. Murit wandered over to join Tagwa and scratch his equally large backside and then Lemeki itched her body too. Godoma was having an early morning dust bath with several friends.
Terrace and bath time over, Lemeki and Emoli led the herd over to some supplementary lucerne and then out for the daily browse and bush walk in the open grass fields at the foot of Msinga Hill.
The dependent orphans enjoyed their breakfast of milk, lucerne and range cubes on a clear sunny morning. After a short time hanging out on the terraces, they set off to browse at the foot of Msinga Hill. As they wandered along, an elephant belonging to a wild herd charged across to join the orphans. It was ex-orphan Rorogoi!
Her arrival led to lots of excitement. Suswa trumpeted loudly as Godoma ran around the former member of the orphan herd, waving her ears and touching her friend. She was given a noisy welcome back into the herd. The Keepers fed their old friend some lucerne as a treat to welcome her.
Rorogoi remained in the thick of the herd, wandering back with them in the early afternoon for the milk feed near the baobab mud wallow. It was a cooler afternoon, and nobody wanted to swim. Instead, they drank from the water trough and meandered back out to continue browsing.
On a bright sunny morning, the orphans emerged from their stockades in a lively mood. They gulped their bottles and settled down to fill their tummies with range cubes and lucerne. Suswa strolled around greeting the younger members of the herd. Ashanti was so focused on eating that she did not respond to her touch. Rorogoi was getting to know the recent rescues as they clustered around her. She left in December, before most of them were allowed out of the taming stockade. Godoma was scratching her body on the terraces as Itinyi walked around happily.
As the day became hotter, Lemeki, Suswa, Embu and Rorogoi started rolling around on the piles of earth, squirting each other with soil as they enjoyed their early morning dust bath. Nearby, Emoli and Tamiyoi were playing the sparring game, clashing heads and trumpeting.
Games over, the orphans headed out from the stockades to browse in the surrounding bush. Later in the afternoon, Laikipia arrived at the stockades – he spent the rest of the afternoon feeding on dairy cubes and lucerne grass before wandering away towards dusk. In contrast to last month, when Edie, Mweya, and the other ex-orphans were regular visitors, the only ex-orphans to visit this month have been Laikipia and Rorogoi.