Sileita immediately sensed the presence of a new baby. As soon as she was let out of her room in the morning, she trumpeted loudly and led Mushuru, Muwingu, Latika, Sholumai, and Weka to the new boy’s stockade. The females gathered outside and rumbled and stretched their trunks through the gaps in greeting. 

After a week of convalescing in his stockade, Tali was ready to venture out in the forest. We gathered Kerrio, Pardamat, Olomunyak, Talek, Mzinga, and Nyambeni to escort him. Our little group of six were very welcoming to Tali, rumbling and trunk touching him as he walked slowly out of his stockade. 

While the other five soon rejoined the main herd, Nyambeni and Mzinga settled to browse with Tali, one sandwiched on either side of him. When it was time to visit the mud bath, Nyambeni and Mzinga refused to be shepherded down with the herd. They were determined to stay with Tali — a resolve that held strong throughout the month. Most days, the girls eschewed the normal routine to remain with their new brother.

Wamata retains her position as the most beloved baby in the Nursery herd. This little girl has so many nannies but Latika is her favourite. Latika is devoted to Wamata, just as she was to Mokogodo. One afternoon, when Talek dared to give Wamata a small shove, Latika sprinted to her rescue with Muwingu and Mushuru close behind.

Most orphans are obsessed with their milk, so it’s always surprising when one shows little interest in their bottle. Shujaa is known for swerving around the Keeper holding his bottle, instead opting to eat a mouthful of greens. One day, we were surprised when Kerrio drank her first bottle but refused the second, preferring to paddle in the pool rather than drink more milk. Every elephant is unique, with tastes and whims that change by the day!

By contrast, Mushuru is always thirsty for milk. One afternoon, she gulped her two bottles and then walked behind a Keeper, asking him for a third with a trunk touch and a trumpet. When he refused her request by holding up an empty bottle, she took out her frustration on poor Muridjo, who had nothing to do with the situation. After being reprimanded by Sileita, Mushuru ran away to sulk.

Muridjo and Shujaa are best friends with similar temperaments — both are feisty elephants who rarely back down. We can often find them sparring in the forest, tiny tusks clinking as they face off and then face off again. Sometimes, their games become serious as neither will surrender. Muridjo is not quite as strong as Shujaa, but what she lacks in strength, she makes up for with determination.

This month, we moved Pardamat and Talek from their baby stables to larger stockades. Orphans rarely enjoy change and these two were no different. Both protested loudly about their upgraded accommodations, although Talek was intrigued by her new neighbour, Tali. Meanwhile, Pardamat paced around his stockade, shouting and headbutting the walls. With a little coaxing from Talek, he managed to calm down and sleep. Within a few days, both had embraced their new rooms. 

Olomunyak is growing fast but he is still smaller (and rounder) than Taroha, Talek, and Pardamat. With his expanding girth has come an attitude of cheeky confidence. He may be 12 months younger than Taroha, but this does not stop him from challenging his friend to pushing matches. Taroha wins most games, but Olomunyak holds his own admirably for an elephant of his age.

Best friends Mageno and Kitich are still sizing up every day. Aware that they are now the biggest boys in the herd, they engage in daily contests of strength. Their games are good-humoured but still serious. This is all a natural part of growing up, as bulls establish dominance through strength.

We had a funny moment between neighbours Taroha and Raha this month. Seeing her pile of pellets tantalisingly within trunk’s reach, the naughty elephant tried to scoop them into his own room. Woken by the rustling, the clever rhino pushed the tasty pellets out of Taroha’s reach and went back to sleep.

Wamata and Olomunyak — the youngest babies in our Nursery herd — have become good buddies. We can usually find them browsing side by side, leaning on each other so they could be mistaken for one elephant. These interactions are always monitored by at least one vigilant nanny, lest a mischievous bull be tempted to disturb their peace.

Even though she is still naughty, Weka is becoming such a caring girl, especially with the newbies. One morning, she left the Nursery herd to go browse with Tali. We watched closely, just in case she was tempted to be a bully. But the opposite was the case — Weka walked right up to Tali, draped her trunk along his back, and then into his mouth. She was so calm and friendly. 

Kamili, Mushuru, Sholumai, Mageno, and Kitich have formed a little club. Kamili is the ringleader — our independent girl dances to her own tune. The gang often go on adventures deeper into the park, enjoying a taste of independence as they browse on shrubs and roll in the dust. Pardamat, who likes to hang out with the ‘big kids,’ sometimes tags along too.

The orphaned rhinos

Little Raha is doing well. She has a healthy appetite for milk and pellets, along with some greens. The muscles in her rectum seem to be strong. She definitely prefers warmer days to cooler ones — when the sun is shining, she wakes up full of energy and eager to seize the day. 

We often find Raha in the company of several warthog friends. They choose to stay close to the rhino and her Keepers so that they are protected from lions and other predators. The same is true for the impalas, who like to graze next to her in the forest. For being a solitary-by-nature black rhino, Raha is usually surrounded by friends! 

Maxwell is thriving. He is also constantly surrounded by a cluster of warthogs. The pigs squeeze their way into his stockade to share his lucerne pellets, sometimes staying to nap in the sun next to the big rhino.