Mukkoka, who recently went wild, seems to be happily embracing life as a lone ranger. One day while the orphans were out browsing, he appeared and joined the group, receiving a warm welcome from Roho, Lodo, and Kitich before going on his way again. This is typical behaviour of bulls; sometimes, they link up with a herd or travel with bull friends, and other times they keep their own company.
On the other hand, dependent orphan Kitich is proving to be quite the social butterfly. One afternoon at mud bath time, a large gathering of ex-orphans joined the group — Makena, Merri, Wendi, Wema, Wimbi, Wiva, Naisula, Nyx, Sunyei, Saba, and Subiri among them. After their milk, everyone jumped into the wallow and enjoyed a fun splash together. When the orphans eventually climbed out, Kitich refused to follow. He had made himself thoroughly at home with the ex-orphans and seemed entirely unbothered about rejoining his own group. It was only when the Keepers counted heads and found one missing that they realised he had stayed behind. They found him perfectly content, and guided him back.
The hot days of February were punctuated by small competitions and games out in the bush. One afternoon, Shujaa, Esoit, and Muwingu turned their browsing into a contest, each stretching their trunks as high as possible to reach the tallest leaves. Muwingu, being the tallest with the longest trunk, won handily.
On another occasion, Bondeni and Loldaiga came across a small waterhole and promptly fell into a disagreement over who should drink first. While the two boys shoved and pushed each other, Kindani and Shujaa strolled over and helped themselves, happily splashing the water with their trunks. By the time Bondeni and Loldaiga tired of their quarrel, the waterhole had been reduced to mud. They had nobody to blame but themselves.
There was also a nighttime commotion mid-month, courtesy of Lodo. He began banging his class’s gate after dark and somehow managed to force it open. Lodo came out with Suguroi, while roommates Olorien and Roho stayed inside. The Keepers managed to get Lodo back to bed, but Suguroi had other ideas. She slipped away and joined ex-orphan Sities' group, no double lured by adorable baby Sunni, spending the night out on her own terms.
The following morning, Suguroi wasted no time putting herself forward as nanny to young Sullivan, moving in quickly before Kinyei and Kindani — who have both been showing great interest in the little ones lately — could reach him.
There was also a health concern this month when ex-orphan Wanjala returned home with a wound on the right side of his hip. Arrangements were made promptly and the vet came to treat him.
The end of the month brought a larger drama — and predictably, Muwingu was at the centre of it. While the orphans were browsing west of Ithumba Hill, a commotion broke out and everyone went trumpeting, charging, and crashing through the bush. The cause was unclear. The Keepers called the herd, and Roho, Olorien, Bondeni, Kinyei, Esoit, Mayan, Mukutan, Lodo, and Choka promptly returned to them. However, under the wayward influence of Muwingu, Kindani, Vaarti, Mageno, Loldaiga, Shujaa, Weka, and Kitich took off at a run, trumpeting as they went.
The Keepers tracked them as best they could and managed to locate Vaarti and Kindani, but the remaining six — Kitich, Weka, Shujaa, Mageno, Loldaiga, and Muwingu — were moving faster than any human could match. Our helicopter was called in and soon found the truants near Kalovoto Dam. Taru gently shepherded them back toward the waiting Keepers. When the runaways were finally reunited with their colleagues, they looked a little sheepish. We call this group the ‘Gen Z’s.’
The highlight of the month came on the morning of 22nd February, when Ishanga emerged from the western side of the stockades with a tiny newborn at her side. She settled at the water trough, then waited calmly in the compound, inviting us to admire her daughter. Ishanga is the first of our Ithumba family to give us a grandbaby this year, and she seemed very happy to present little Imp to her human family.
The following morning, still drizzling after a night of rain, the orphans met Imp for the first time. Kindani, Kinyei, and Weka immediately formed a tight circle around her, reluctant to let anyone else near. When the competition for Imp's attention became too much, Ishanga calmly removed her daughter from the fray. After a few quiet days in the stockade area with Imp, Ishanga linked up with Lualeni, Lulu, Lexi, Luki, Loijuk, Lili, and Lisha. It was good to see her settling in alongside experienced mothers like Lualeni and Loijuk.