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It was a quiet morning. Soon after the orphans had their six o’clock milk, Shujaa led the way out to the lucerne feeding venue. The orphans were joined by Sattao and a wild junior. Kinyei, Muwingu, Kindani, and Esoit walked down to the water trough to drink before heading out to browse.

The orphans settled to browse in the Kone area. Mageno teamed up with Mukutan in browsing, while Esoit browsed alongside Kindani, Suguroi, and Olorien. At eleven o’clock in the morning, Muwingu led the way to the midday bottle feeds. The weather was chilly and, soon after the orphans had their milk, Lodo led the group to wash their feet. After washing, the orphans settled into a soil dusting exercise before returning to the browsing field.

In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. It was a quiet afternoon, with the orphans browsing calmly throughout the remainder of the day. In the evening, Weka led the way back to the stockade.

Lenana, Lapa, Laki, and Tusuja joined the orphans in the morning for feeding of lucerne. Lapa interacted briefly with Olorien and Roho, while Weka played a light pushing game with Laki. After the orphans had enough of lucerne, Suguroi led the way to the browsing field. The orphans settled to browse north of the stockade.

Kitich, Kinyei, Mayan, Loldaiga, and Esoit came across loose soil, which they used for a soil bathing exercise before resuming browsing. Mageno settled to browse with Weka, while Lodo browsed with Kindani. Shortly before eleven o’clock in the morning, Choka, Vaarti, and Mukutan held a brief meeting. It was not clear why the three boys had convened or what came out of the meeting.

At eleven o’clock in the morning, Muwingu led the way to the noon bottle feeds. Temperatures were moderate and, soon after taking their milk, Loldaiga led the group into wallowing. Shortly later, Yatta, Yogi, and Yara arrived at the mud bath. Kinyei, who in the past had not shown much interest in young babies, appeared to have changed. She walked towards the Yatta family and briefly attached herself as a nanny to Yara.

When Yatta began leading her family away, Kinyei decided to stick with Yara and followed the family. The Keepers intervened moments before the group disappeared into the thickets, blocking Kinyei from following. Kinyei was upset by the Keepers’ actions and slowly walked back, reluctantly rejoining her colleagues.

In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse at the Kanziku area. Mukutan played with Esoit, while Mayan played with Choka. Shortly before returning to the stockade, Vaarti and Bondeni wound up the day’s activities by engaging in a strength testing exercise. At five o’clock in the evening, Weka led the way back to the stockade.

Tumaren, Tembo, Naseku, Olsekki, Kandecha, Esampu, and Chaimu joined the orphans in the morning for feeding of lucerne. Shujaa interacted briefly with Tembo, while Olorien held a meeting with Esampu. An hour later, Muwingu led the way to the browsing field. Vaarti settled to browse with Mayan, while Choka played with Bondeni. Esoit engaged Roho in a strength testing exercise, as Mukutan played with Kitich. Lodo teamed up with Mageno, Weka, and Kindani in browsing, while Kinyei charged at a dik-dik she had come across.

The orphans browsed calmly as they slowly headed towards the mud bath. At eleven o’clock in the morning, Suguroi led the way to the noon bottle feeds. The weather was chilly and none of the orphans participated in wallowing after getting their milk. Instead, they settled for a soil dusting exercise.

In the afternoon, the orphans browsed in the Kanziku area. Later in the day, Roho, Loldaiga, Esoit, Bondeni, and Shujaa took a break from browsing to enjoy a game of rolling on the ground. In the evening, Weka led the way back to the stockade.

Melia, Milo, Tusuja, Kanjoro, Lualeni, Lexi, Luki, Tumaren, Tembo, Sapalan, Garzi, Roi, and Ukame joined the orphans for feeding of lucerne in the morning. After feeding, Suguroi led the way to the browsing field. While browsing, the orphans were joined by Mukkoka, who appears to have become a lone ranger. Mukkoka was welcomed by Roho, Lodo, and Kitich.

As the day grew hotter, the orphans took a break from browsing and relaxed under a baobab tree for some time, before Muwingu led the way to the noon bottle feeds. At mud bath time, the orphans were joined by Makena, Merri, Wendi, Wema, Wimbi, Wiva, Naisula, Nyx, Sunyei, Saba, and Subiri. After getting their milk, the orphans jumped into the wallowing water and enjoyed wallowing with the ex-orphans. When the orphans left the water, Kitich chose to remain behind with the ex-orphans.

The orphans settled for a soil dusting exercise before returning to the browsing field. Kitich was almost forgotten as he enjoyed the company of the ex-orphans, until the Keepers counted the group and realised one was missing. They found Kitich feeling quite at home and guided him back to join his fellow orphans.

In the afternoon, the orphans browsed in the Kanziku area. Vaarti engaged Lodo in a pushing game, while the rest of the herd took a break from browsing to escape the scorching sun. When temperatures dropped to a more favourable level, Esoit played with Choka as the rest of the herd resumed browsing. In the evening, Weka led the way back to the stockade.

Ithumbah, Iris, Iman, Wendi, Wiva, Wema, Wimbi, Esampu, Kauro, Ambo, Rapa, and Wanjala joined the orphans in the morning. Wanjala had a wound on the right side of his hip, and pus was oozing out. Arrangements were made, and the vet came for his treatment.

The orphans shared lucerne with the ex-orphans, and later Suguroi led the way to the browsing field. The orphans settled to browse north of the stockade. Mayan started his day’s activities by engaging Choka in a pushing game. Kitich settled to browse with Mageno, while Olorien settled to browse with Kindani, Bondeni, and Esoit.

On the way to the mud bath, the orphans met several warthogs, which they chased out of their way. The warthogs disappeared as fast as they could. At mud bath time, the orphans were joined by Orok and a wild bull. The orphans had their milk, mud bath, and later a soil-dusting exercise.

In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. It was a quiet afternoon, as the orphans browsed calmly throughout the remaining part of the day. In the evening, Mageno led the way back to the stockade.

It was a peaceful morning as the ex-orphans came in to share lucerne with the orphan babies. The babies had their milk bottles and walked out to feed on lucerne. They came out and found a group of ex-orphans waiting for them. They were all served with lucerne as they interacted with one another. Mutara, Suguta, and Lualeni with their babies were amongst them.

However, we had great fun with Suguta’s baby Sullivan and Mutara’s baby Mango. They played a lot, mounting on each other, until Mango cried when he fell to the ground. Kinyei came to intervene and separate them after she heard Mango’s cries. They did not stop there and continued until they later left for the bush. The orphans left them still feeding on lucerne as they headed into the bush for browsing.

Back in the bush, the babies enjoyed browsing, as there was plenty of food in the area. The babies then started walking to the mud bath for their milk again.

At the mud bath, Choka was the most playful. He rolled a lot in the mud while playing. Esoit also walked in and started wallowing. The others walked to the dust bath and began dusting. The whole group later walked back to the bush for browsing again.

Back in the bush, it was very hot and many of the babies were hiding under the shade. They later came out to browse a bit, with Esoit play-fighting Bondeni while Roho, Shujaa, and Mageno were having a chat. The whole group later walked back to the stockade in the evening for their milk bottles again.

At night, Lodo started banging the gate. The whole of his group has already been weaned from milk. They managed to open the gate and he came out with Suguroi. Olorien and Roho were left inside. We managed to get him back, but Suguroi did not return and instead joined Sities’ group with her baby Sunni and other ex-orphans. The rest were kept in for the night.

It was a beautiful, cold morning as the babies woke to find their milk bottles ready. They quickly drank their milk and then walked out to feed on lucerne. They shared the lucerne with visiting ex-orphans, including Chyulu, Makena, Nasalot, and Ithumbah with her babies. They also shared water together before the babies began walking to the bush for browsing. Mukutan and Esoit started play-fighting, after which the babies continued on to the bush.

Back in the bush, the babies were very active and busy browsing. Mukutan and Choka started play-fighting, and later the babies began walking to the mud bath for their milk bottles again.

At the mud bath, Yatta arrived with her three babies, Yoyo, Yogi, and Yara. The babies had their milk bottles, and some went into the mud wallow for wallowing. They later came out, with Weka and Shujaa enjoying a dust bath, while Choka and Esoit were busy play-fighting. Mayan was especially playful today, and Yoyo spent time kissing and interacting with Bondeni and Kindani. The babies then started walking back to the bush for evening browsing.

Back in the bush, they enjoyed being together despite the hot temperatures in the area. Later, they began walking back home in the evening for their milk bottles.

Back at the stockade, a few ex-orphans were around, including Nasalot and her three babies, Nusu, Noah, and Nala. They drank water before heading back to the bush. Suguroi, who had disappeared yesterday, returned with them and later joined the babies in the stockade. She enjoys being around families with babies and acting as a nanny, but she moved off again later in the evening. All the rest are well and settled here.

It was such a good morning, with the babies waking early and starting the day with their milk bottles. They then walked out to feed on lucerne. Today, only a few ex-orphans and wild elephants were around, coming to drink water before moving on. Wendi was amongst them.

The babies walked out to interact with the ex-orphans as they fed on lucerne. The ex-orphans seemed to enjoy the company, but after a few minutes the babies moved away, leaving the ex-orphans still feeding on lucerne.

Back in the bush, the babies were busy browsing. Loldaiga and Mayan played together, separate from Bondeni and Vaarti. Later, the babies walked to the mud bath for their milk bottles.

At the mud bath, the babies were served their milk by the Keepers before heading into the water to wallow. It was very hot and many of them played enthusiastically. After coming out, they met Sidai, who was with her two babies, Sita and Sid. They interacted for a while before the babies went to drink water, while others enjoyed a dust bath. They then walked back to the bush to resume browsing. Mageno was seen teasing and checking on Sidai’s baby, Sita, while Mukutan played and stepped on Esoit.

Back in the bush, the heat intensified and many of the babies sheltered under trees. They later came out to browse again. Choka and Kitich started play-fighting, after which the babies began their walk back to the stockades in the evening for their milk bottles.

Back at the stockades that evening, a few ex-orphans came in to drink water, accompanied by some wild bulls. Kibo was with the wild bulls as they drank before heading back into the bush.

It was a well-spent day as the babies woke up and found their milk breakfast ready for them. They were well served with milk and later walked out to feed on lucerne. Out in the field, we had Wendi, Loijuk, Kilabasi, Mutara, Ithumbah, and Sunyei with their babies feeding on lucerne. They enjoyed it a lot, and the babies left for the bush, leaving them still feeding. Mango started playing with Naseku around. They later walked away to the bush too.

In the bush, the babies were busy browsing despite the heat of the area. Mukutan later started leading them to the mud bath for their milk bottles again.

At the mud bath, they enjoyed the milk and some walked in for wallowing. They later got out for the dust bath and then went back to the bush to browse again until evening. It was still very hot, with some hiding under the shade of trees and coming out later to finish browsing and walk back home in the evening for their milk bottles and bedding.

We had some ex-orphans who came to visit and drink water with wild elephants. They stayed around for some time and later walked away. All other elephants were fine and well.

It was a bright morning, with the babies enjoying their milk bottles before joining their ex-orphans group to feed on lucerne. We had many babies today: Mutara, Sities, Suguta, Olare, Kilabasi, and Sidai, together with their babies. Mango was seen playing in the middle of the ex-orphans. Kanika, too, was busy enjoying the lucerne. All the babies were very active. They later walked to the bush for browsing.

Back in the bush, the babies browsed together despite the heat of the area. Choka was busy enjoying his browse, his trunk held up. They then walked to the mud bath for their milk bottles.

At the mud bath, they had their milk bottles as usual, and some went into the wallow. A wild bull came to join them, but at first he watched from a distance. The babies went on to play in the dust bath and later returned to the bush to browse again, leaving the wild bull behind.

Back in the bush, they first stood under the shade before coming out to continue browsing despite the heat. In the evening, they started walking home for their milk bottles and bedding. All of them were well and settled in nicely.

Still in the stockades, we had a big group of ex-orphans, together with a few wild bulls, who came to visit this evening. They drank water and later returned to the bush.

Beautiful day as the babies woke up as usual and found the milk ready for them. They started rumbling and making noise when we were delayed for two minutes past the normal time. They were ready and had already taken their positions. They were then served with milk and later walked out to join the ex-orphans and share lucerne.

During the feeding, we had some ex-orphans with them plus their babies, namely Nasalot, Wendi, Mutara, Yatta, Kinna, Naserian, Loijuk, Kilabasi, and Suguta with their babies. They shared the lucerne until the babies started walking away back to the bush for browsing. The ex-orphans were left behind still feeding on lucerne.

Back in the bush, they looked very active, with many busy browsing in the morning before it became hotter. Kitich, Vaarti, and Loldaiga started playing and mounting on each other, while Choka and Esoit were busy play-fighting. The babies later started walking towards the mud bath for their milk bottles.

At the mud bath, only a few of them played. Muwingu, Weka, Shujaa, Esoit, and Kitich were the only ones who went in and started wallowing. Weka and Shujaa came out and started dust bathing to dry off, while the rest were busy taking water. Mayan and Mukutan went on to play in the dust bath, and later the whole group started walking back to the bush to browse again.

Back in the bush, it was very hot and many of them were hiding under the shade. They later came out to start browsing in the evening hours, and later Vaarti led them back home for their milk bottles and bedding. All were fine and well.

However, we also had some ex-orphans in the stockades this evening, with Nasalot, Mutara, Suguta, Yatta, Tumaren, Loijuk, and Naserian with their babies among them. They drank water and left late this evening.

Another wonderful morning as the babies had their milk bottles and walked out to feed on lucerne as usual. Today they all started complaining about being fed before the proper time. They started pushing each other, but after feeding they were all quiet. They then walked out to join the ex-orphans in the field for lucerne. Mulika, Sities, Yatta, Nasalot, Lualeni, and Mutara with their babies were around. They all shared the lucerne together. Vaarti went on scratching on a rock, while Kinyei was busy and actively playing with Esoit. Mutara took her baby Mango to the waterhole to drink water, and the babies then walked away to the bush for browsing.

Back in the bush, Olsekki followed them and started playing with Roho. The rest were busy browsing. Later, Kindani led the group to the mud bath for their milk bottles.

At the mud bath, it was very full, with some ex-orphans and wild elephants in the area. The babies had their milk bottles and walked in for wallowing. Shujaa was the most playful today, and Lualeni was busy playing with her babies, Lexy and Luki, in the waterhole. Yatta was with her babies Yogi and Yara. Olorien came out and started playing in the dust, later joined by Kindani, Bondeni, and Choka. Kithaka came in after the others had left and was just playing in the water. The babies later walked to the bush for evening browsing again.

Back in the bush, it was very hot and many were hiding under the shade. Esoit started rolling on the ground, and Vaarti and Bondeni were having a quiet interaction. Roho started playing with Choka and mounting him. The babies later started walking back home in the evening for their milk bottles and bedding.

We also had a big group of ex-orphans and wild elephants in the stockades this evening who came to drink water and then left. Wendi, Yatta, Mulika, Kinna, and Naserian with their babies were among them. They drank water and left.

It was such a beautiful and cold morning as the babies woke up and found the milk ready for them. They looked very active and jovial as they lined up to be fed. They were well served by the Keepers, who were ready to attend to them. After feeding, they became more relaxed and quiet. They were later taken out to feed on lucerne in the company of ex-orphans and some wild elephants.

Out in the field, we had Yatta, Sities, Mutara, Nasalot, and Naisula with their babies, accompanied by their nannies too. They started sharing the lucerne together. Yatta went to hide separately with her babies Yoyo and Yarai. Yogi was with Nusu. The babies became satisfied and started walking away to the bush for browsing, leaving the ex-orphans still feeding on lucerne.

Out in the bush, they looked very active and were browsing well. Kinyei started checking on Vaarti and touching him with her trunk, and later the babies started walking to the mud bath for their lunchtime and refreshment.

At the mud bath, the babies had their milk bottles as usual and walked in for wallowing. They enjoyed the wallowing, with Weka being the most active wallower today. We had a group of wild bulls who came to drink water, including a long-tusked bull. Zurura was present too, and he has beautiful long tusks that scare away even some large wild bulls. Some of the babies went on to play in the dust bath before walking back to the bush. Mayan and Loldaiga were fully enjoying the dust bath together, with Loldaiga seen scooping and spraying soil chunks onto his back. The group later walked back to the bush for browsing.

Back in the bush, it was very hot and many were hiding under the shade. They later came out to browse a little, and Roho took the opportunity to mount Olorien for a free ride. The babies later started walking back home in the evening for the night. It was an interesting day, with everyone spending it happily.

Out in the field, we had some ex-orphans with wild elephants waiting for the orphans so they could share the lucerne. They were well served with lucerne and were peacefully sharing. Yatta, Kalama, and Nasalot with their babies were present today. Kalama came in later, as she was spotted running for lucerne with her baby Kapuki. The babies later walked away to the bush for browsing, leaving the ex-orphans still feeding on lucerne.

Back in the bush, they all looked very happy and were browsing peacefully. Bondeni was climbing on a rock when heading into the bush. Mayan and Choka started play-fighting, and later the babies began walking towards the mud bath in preparation for their lunchtime milk.

At the mud bath, the babies had their milk bottles as usual and walked in for wallowing, though only a few of them went into the water, as some moved straight to the dust bath. Muwingu and Mukutan shared the same pool with some wild bulls, and later Mukutan walked out. Weka, Shujaa, and Muwingu then joined together in the pool for wallowing. Wild bulls were busy drinking water at a trough while some babies enjoyed the dust bath. The babies later walked back to the bush for evening browsing again.

Back in the bush, it was very hot, with some babies hiding under the shade. Choka and Mayan were browsing together. Other babies came out to browse in the late hours, and all later started walking back home for their milk bottles and to spend the night in. All were fine and well.

However, we also had a group of wild elephants and ex-orphans in the stockades this evening who came to drink water and then left. Nasalot has been a regular visitor, as she visits twice a day. They all looked beautiful and healthy.

Another wonderful morning as the babies woke up and found the milk ready for them. They were very happy and excited by the love the Keepers show them. They all lined up, taking their positions, and the Keepers started serving each and every one. They then peacefully walked out to join their fellow friends, the ex-orphans who were eagerly waiting for them. They started interacting and sharing the lucerne together. We had Makena, Nasalot, Sities, Mutara, and Naserian with their babies. Merri was seen playing peacefully with Nala, and later the babies started walking to the bush for browsing, leaving the ex-orphans still feeding on lucerne.

Back in the bush, the babies were busy browsing as Kitich started playing with Vaarti, while Kindani and Bondeni were browsing together. Mayan and Choka also began interacting and later started playing. The babies then started walking to the mud bath for their lunchtime milk and wallowing.

At the mud bath, the babies had their share of milk and went in for wallowing. Kitich and Esoit were peacefully playing as they wallowed. Bomani was also around checking on the babies while they wallowed. The babies went on to drink fresh water and later started enjoying the dust bath. Vaarti and Shujaa were at the front while dust bathing. A wild bull tusker, Yatta, Wendi, and Nasalot with their babies were also present at the mud bath. The babies later started walking back to the bush for evening browsing.

Back in the bush, they all looked very active and were browsing well. Bondeni was seen scratching on a tree, while Kitich and Muwingu were playing as they rolled on the ground. Choka was playing separately on his own. The other babies were interacting together before heading back home in the evening. Mayan and Choka started play-fighting on the way home. All were fine and well.

It was such a beautiful day as the babies woke up as usual in readiness for their milk bottles. They were very happy to find that the milk was ready for them, and the Keepers immediately started serving them. After finishing their bottles, they came out to interact with some ex-orphans who had come to drink water and feed on lucerne.

However, we had only a few ex-orphans in the area today, including Nasalot, Galana, Naserian, Sidai, and Yatta with their babies. Nala was having a nap with Nyika, while Kitich and Mukutan were busy playing. Yatta stayed very close to her three babies, Yoyo, Yogi, and Yara. Gala was busy breastfeeding from her mother, Galana. The babies later went to drink water before leaving for the bush to browse, and after a short time they headed out with the Keepers.

Back in the bush, Mukutan was playing with Mayan, while Bondeni was play-fighting with Vaarti. Muwingu was checking on Choka, and Mageno with Kitich were interacting. Shujaa stayed close to Weka as they browsed together, while Muwingu was busy scratching against a tree. The babies later walked to the mud bath for their milk bottles and wallowing.

At the mud bath, the babies enjoyed their milk bottles and then walked into the mudhole to wallow. After wallowing, they went straight to the water trough to drink and then immediately returned to the bush for browsing. None of them went to the dust bath, choosing instead to head directly back to the bush.

Back in the bush, it was very hot, and some babies were hiding under the shade, while Lodo and Bondeni were busy play-fighting. Kinyei was scratching her neck on a bent tree, while Choka was pushing Mayan as he tried to mount him. The babies later started walking back home in the evening for their milk bottles and rest.

At the stockades this evening, we had a large group of ex-orphans and wild elles who came to visit, drink water, and greet everyone. They later began leaving in groups after they had finished drinking. Wendi was among them and tried to cause trouble several times, but she was controlled. All the rest of the elles were fine and well.

The orphans settled for lucerne soon after leaving the stockade. Shortly later, they were joined by the ex-orphans and shared lucerne together before parting ways. Suguroi and Kinyei lagged behind as they wanted to spend more time with Merri. The Keepers managed to convince them to follow their colleagues.

The orphans settled to browse north of the stockade along the upper Kalovoto River. As the day progressed, the sun became hot, prompting Kitich, Kindani, Esoit, and Choka to seek shelter under trees with good shade. Lodo and Roho concentrated on peeling bark from trees, as Mayan engaged Shujaa in a light strength-testing exercise.

At eleven o’clock in the morning, Weka led the first group to the noon bottle feeds. The sun was still hot. The orphans jumped into the mud-bathing water soon after taking their milk and thereafter participated in a soil-dusting exercise. Sapalan, Sities, and Sunni joined the orphans in the soil-bathing exercise before parting ways.

In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. At around one o’clock in the afternoon, the orphans converged under a tree to hide from the scorching sun. The orphans resumed browsing later, when the temperatures dropped to a favourable level. In the evening, Mageno led the way back to the stockade.

After taking their six o’clock milk, Weka led the way out. The orphans settled for lucerne and shortly later were joined by Yatta, Yetu, Yogi, Yoyo, Yebo, Yara, Yasmin, Kinna, Kama, Kaia, Kito, Tumaren, Tembo, Nasalot, Nala, Nusu, Noah, Naleku, and two wild bulls. Suguroi settled to help Naleku in taking care of Nala, while Choka interacted briefly with Tembo.

When the orphans had enough of lucerne, Muwingu led the way to the browsing field. Shujaa teamed up with Esoit and Muwingu in browsing and competed over who could get the highest leaves on trees by stretching their trunks high in the air. Muwingu emerged as the winner since she was taller and has a long trunk. Lodo, Roho, Olorien, and Mukutan split from the main herd and browsed some distance away. They later rejoined their colleagues at the time of heading to the noon bottle feeds.

At eleven o’clock in the morning, the orphans had their milk, then a mud bath, before finishing the mud-bathing activities by participating in a soil-dusting exercise. In the afternoon, Vaarti engaged Loldaiga in a pushing game, while Mayan played with Choka. In the evening, the sun was still hot, and the orphans decided to pass by the mud bath in order to have an evening cooling-off exercise. After cooling off, Weka led the way back to the stockade.

Mutara, Mambo, Mango, Suguta, Sullvan, Sities, Sunni, Larro, Kuishi, Sattao, Nasalot, Nala, Mundusi, Noah, Nusu, Malkia, Sana Sana, and Naleku joined the orphans in the morning for feeding on lucerne. Kindani, Suguroi, and Kinyei were happy to interact with Sullivan, Mango, and Sunni.

After having enough lucerne, Muwingu led the way to the browsing field. On the way, Bondeni engaged Loldaiga in a pushing game that ended when Roho passed by and pushed them out of his way. The orphans settled to browse in the Kone area. They browsed calmly as they slowly headed towards the mud bath.

At around ten o’clock in the morning, the orphans were joined by Suguta and Sullivan. Suguroi quickly moved in to act as a nanny to Sullivan, as she did not want to be overtaken by Kinyei and Kindani, who these days have shown much interest in the young ones. Mayan briefly engaged Choka in a pushing game as Weka led the first group to the noon bottle feeds.

After getting their milk, the orphans jumped into the water for a cooling-off exercise. After having enough of wallowing, they headed for a soil-dusting exercise and thereafter returned to the browsing field. The orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. The sun was very hot, which prompted them to seek shelter under trees with good shade. They resumed browsing later when the temperatures dropped to a favourable level.

In the evening, the orphans passed by the mud bath, participated in a cooling-off exercise, and thereafter Mageno led the way back to the stockade.

Narok was relaxing outside the stockade in the morning when the orphans were let out. After the orphans had their milk, Weka led the way out and joined Narok. Lucerne was distributed and the orphans settled to share it with Narok.

Shortly later, Mutara, Mambo, Mango, Sidai, Sita, Silas, Sid, Sana Sana, Naisula, Nyx, Kalama, Kapuki, Kuishi, Larro, and Sattao arrived and joined the orphans in feeding on lucerne. Kindani attached herself to Mango throughout the entire time Mutara was enjoying feeding on lucerne.

When the orphans had enough of lucerne, Mageno led the way to the browsing field. At the browsing field, Mukutan engaged Mayan in a pushing game while Loldaiga played with Weka. Olorien found a suitable rock that she used to scratch her belly, as Esoit engaged Kitich in a strength-testing exercise.

Later, Suguroi had a brief meeting with Weka, and at eleven o’clock in the morning Mageno led the way to the noon bottle feeds. The orphans had their milk, then jumped into the wallowing water before joining wild bulls at the water trough to drink water.

Nasalot, Nala, Naleku, Ndiwa, Mundusi, Noah, and Nusu arrived at the mud bath and were welcomed by Suguroi, Kindani, and Kinyei. After mud bath time, Nasalot’s team escorted the orphans back to the browsing field and parted ways afterwards. Suguroi decided to join Naleku in taking care of Nala. The Keepers tried to convince Suguroi to remain with her colleagues, but she refused and left with Nasalot’s group.

The orphans settled to browse at Kanziku area. As usual, the sun was hot, and the orphans took a break from browsing to relax under trees until the temperatures dropped to a favourable level. In the evening, Shujaa led the way back to the stockade.

Ambo, Kauro, and Rapa arrived at the stockade compound at dawn. The three boys waited outside until day break, when the orphans were let out to start their day. Roho exchanged morning greetings with Rapa, while Lodo greeted Ambo.

Lucerne was distributed by Keepers for all to share. Kauro had a brief interaction with the brave Choka, while Mayan and Kitich walked down to the water trough to drink water. Esoit settled to scratch his buttocks on a nearby rock, while Weka and Shujaa scratched their necks against the compound wall.

Shortly later, Tumaren, Tembo, and Enkikwe arrived and joined the orphans in feeding of lucerne. Lodo, Vaarti, and Olorien walked down to the water trough and joined Kitich and Mayan in drinking water. When the orphans had enough of lucerne, Muwingu led the way to the browsing field.

At the browsing field, Vaarti engaged Choka in a strength testing exercise, while Esoit and Olorien settled for a soil dusting exercise. Mukutan played Mayan and later tackled Bondeni.

On the way to the midday bottle feeds, the orphans met with Nasalot, Noah, Nala, Naleku, and Suguroi. The Keepers tried to coax Suguroi back to her colleagues, but after walking a hundred metres, Suguroi dodged and ran to join her newfound group, and more so to help Naleku in the duties of babysitting Nala.

At eleven o’clock in the morning, the orphans had their milk, then jumped into the wallowing water and thereafter settled for a soil dusting exercise. While soil dusting, the orphans were joined by Maramoja, who later engaged Mukutan in a light pushing game.

In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. Two wild bulls showed up at the mud bath soon after the orphans left for browsing. Noticeable was one wild bull that got treatment ten years ago from a snare.

At the browsing field, Bondeni played Vaarti, while Loldaiga attempted to get a free ride from Weka. Kinyei settled to browse with Kitich, while Mukutan played Esoit. In the evening, Mageno led the way back to the stockade. Shortly before six o’clock in the evening, Tumaren, Tembo, and Esampu passed at the stockade compound and headed towards east of Kalovoto.

It was wet in the morning following light rains received over the night. The orphans settled for lucerne soon after leaving the stockade. Not a single wild elephant or ex-orphan showed up that morning.

Soon after the orphans had enough of lucerne, Weka led the way to the browsing field. At the browsing field, Kindani, Esoit, Choka, and Loldaiga took a break from browsing to participate in a moist soil bathing exercise. Vaarti engaged Mayan in a pushing game, while Weka found a suitable rock that she used to scratch on.

At around eight o’clock in the morning, Ishanga emerged from the western side with her tiny newborn baby. Ishanga settled for water, then relaxed at the stockade compound waiting for any friend to come and join her. Ishanga is the first one to give us the first baby this year in Ithumba, and she was happy to come and present her bundle of joy to the human family.

At eleven o’clock in the morning, Mageno led the first group to the mud bath, while Weka led the second one. The orphans had their milk, mud bath, and later soil bathing before returning back to the browsing field.

In the afternoon, the weather changed and the cloudy sky gave way to the rain. The orphans enjoyed each moment as the rain cooled down the heat of the day and they played with the running water. The orphans resumed browsing after the rain stopped.

In the evening, Shujaa led the way back to the stockade for yet another night.

It was wet in the morning following the rains received at night, and it was still drizzling when the orphans were let out. Ishanga and her baby Imp were at the stockade compound, and the orphans were happy to meet Imp for the first time. Kindani, Kinyei, and Weka surrounded Imp and didn’t want the other orphans to access her. When the competition for Imp became too much, Ishanga decided to take her daughter away from everyone.

The orphans didn’t stay for long after Ishanga left. The ground was wet, and this prompted Choka, Vaarti, Esoit, Bondeni, Weka, Loldaiga, and Mukutan to have a game of rolling on the ground. When the drizzling stopped, the orphans also stopped playing and settled on browsing.

The orphans browsed calmly as they slowly headed towards the mud bath. At eleven o’clock in the morning, Mageno led the first group to the noon bottle feeds. The weather was chilly, and the orphans skipped the wallowing exercise and participated in a brief moist soil bathing exercise before returning back to the browsing field.

In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill, where Kitich engaged Vaarti in a pushing game. Mukutan, Lodo, and Kindani took a break from browsing to have fun by rolling on the ground.

Mist covered the tip of Ithumba Hill when the orphans were let out. The orphans settled for lucerne peacefully, as there was no disturbance from any outsider. Muwingu threw some lucerne on her head but, shortly later, shook it off. Loldaiga shared his pile of lucerne with Bondeni and later the two boys engaged each other in a pushing game. Kinyei walked down to the water trough and settled for water. Olorien settled to feed with Esoit, as Kindani held a brief meeting with Choka.

Soon, when the orphans had enough of lucerne, Weka led the way to the browsing field. At the browsing field, Vaarti took a break from browsing to engage Mukutan in a strength testing exercise. Lodo played Kitich, as Mayan played Choka. Weka and Kindani teamed up in having fun rolling on the ground before resuming to browse.

At eleven o’clock in the morning, Mageno led the way to the noon bottle feeds. After getting their milk, Roho led the team into wallowing and later they settled for a soil bathing exercise. On the way back to the browsing field, the orphans came across stagnated water on the side of the road and so decided to have a roadside mud bath.

After the roadside mud bath, Kinyei led the team and they settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. Mukutan came across a suitable tree that he used to scratch his belly. Kitich played Choka, while Mayan played Loldaiga.

In the evening, on the way back to the stockade, the weather changed and the cloudy sky gave way to the rains. By the time they arrived at the stockade, the orphans had gotten wet as a result of the heavy rains.

The orphans settled for lucerne soon after leaving the stockade. Shujaa found a suitable rock close by that he used to scratch his buttocks. Shortly later, Ishanga and Imp, who had left with Lualeni, Lulu, Lexi, Luki, Loijuk, Lili, and Lisha the previous day, arrived and joined the orphans in feeding of lucerne.

An hour later, the orphans, led by Weka, headed for browsing, while Ishanga and her baby left using the same route she had used while coming to join the orphans in feeding of lucerne.

At the browsing field, Bondeni engaged Loldaiga in a pushing game, while Muwingu settled for a soil dusting exercise. Kinyei, Kindani, and Mayan had fun by rolling on the ground.

At eleven o’clock in the morning, Mageno led the way to the noon bottle feeds. After getting their milk, the orphans skipped the wallowing exercise and settled for a soil dusting exercise. Later, Muwingu led the way back to the browsing field.

The orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. Loldaiga took a break from browsing to engage Mayan in a pushing game that ended in a draw. Esoit played Kindani, while Vaarti played Choka.

In the evening, Weka led the way back to the stockade.

The day started normally, with the orphans settling for lucerne soon after taking their morning milk. Loldaiga started his day activities by engaging Mayan in a strength testing exercise that lasted for quite some time. Muwingu walked down to the water trough, followed by Kinyei, and the rest of the group joined them later.

After taking enough water, the orphans, led by Weka, headed east of the stockade, then later turned north before taking the west route that leads to the mud bath. Bondeni and Loldaiga came across a small water hole filled with water. The two boys were unable to agree on who should use the water first, and this led to a fight that continued for quite some time. Kindani and Shujaa passed by and used the water by splashing it with their trunks. By the time Loldaiga and Bondeni got tired of pushing each other, the water hole had no water left but only mud. The two boys regretted what they had been fighting for, since it had already been used by someone else.

Mageno, Lodo, Weka, Olorien, and Mukutan took a break from browsing to have a game of rolling on the ground. Later, at eleven o’clock in the morning, Kitich led the way to the noon bottle feeds. After getting their milk, Weka, Mayan, Roho, and Kindani briefly participated in wallowing and thereafter quit to catch up with their colleagues.

The orphans then settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. At around one thirty in the afternoon, there was excitement from the ex-orphans expressed by trumpeting, charging, and running in the bushes. It was not clear what had triggered this action. The Keepers decided to call them and calm them down. Only Roho, Olorien, Bondeni, Kinyei, Esoit, Mayan, Mukutan, Lodo, and Choka heeded the Keepers’ call.

Muwingu, Kindani, Vaarti, Mageno, Loldaiga, Shujaa, Weka, and Kitich continued to run while trumpeting, heading towards the mud bath. The Keepers followed, still calling them. When the orphans went past the mud bath, they scattered and went silent. The Keepers tracked them until they were able to get Vaarti and Kindani.

The Gen Z’s didn’t stop; they were running faster than the Keepers had imagined, and the Keepers were unable to keep their pace. Assistance from a helicopter was sought and came in good time. The six Gen Z’s — Kitich, Weka, Shujaa, Mageno, Loldaiga, and Muwingu — were located close to Kalovoto Dam. The helicopter pushed them towards the Keepers, who were not far from their location.

The six Gen Z’s met their Keepers and looked a bit nervous, as they understood the worry they had caused by running away without their consent. The Keepers walked them back to join their colleagues who had heeded the Keepers’ call and did not run away. They were welcomed back by their colleagues and thereafter walked to a nearby water pan to cool themselves down by splashing water behind their ears.

In the evening, Weka led the way back to the stockade.

It was wet in the morning following rains received at night. After getting their morning milk, the orphans walked out slowly and carefully to avoid slipping on the slippery ground. The orphans settled for lucerne.

Bondeni and Shujaa decided to have a scratching exercise along the stockade wall, while Kitich held a brief meeting with Mageno. Later, Lodo engaged Bondeni in a strength testing exercise, while Mageno played Kindani.

When the orphans had enough of lucerne, Muwingu led the way to the browsing field. The orphans settled to browse at Kone area. Bondeni took a break from browsing to engage Loldaiga in a pushing game, while Mukutan, Kinyei, Esoit, Vaarti, and Olorien visited Kone Dam briefly before going back to join their colleagues in browsing. Mayan came across wet loose soil and decided to have fun by rolling on the soil.

The orphans browsed calmly as they slowly headed towards mud bath. At eleven o’clock in the morning, Weka led the way to the noon bottle feeds. The orphans had their milk and thereafter returned back to the browsing field without taking their bath.

In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse at Kanziku area. Loldaiga teamed up with Kindani in browsing, while Choka settled to browse with Lodo. Weka and Esoit took a break from browsing to participate in a soil dusting exercise, and in the evening Mageno led the way back to the stockade.

It was wet in the morning following rains received in the early hours of the morning. The orphans had their milk at six o’clock in the morning, then Muwingu led the way out. The orphans settled for lucerne without any competition, since no ex-orphans were present.

It seems the ex-orphans and wild elephants have done what they do when the rains arrive. The ex-orphans and wild elephants usually give the area in proximity to the stockade a break for the vegetation to recover, since they know that they do need it during the dry times.

Mageno and Muwingu held a brief meeting, but no one understood what they were discussing. Kitich exchanged morning greetings with Esoit, as Bondeni engaged Loldaiga in a light pushing game. As soon as the orphans had enough of lucerne, Kindani led the way to the browsing field.

The orphans settled to browse at Kone area. Muwingu and Mukutan visited the Kone Dam and were later joined by Kinyei, Bondeni, Esoit, Roho, and Lodo. Mayan, Vaarti, and Weka took a break from browsing to participate in a game of rolling on the moist ground.

At eleven o’clock in the morning, Choka led the way to the mud bath. The orphans had their milk, and thereafter Kitich, Esoit, Loldaiga, Kinyei, Mukutan, and Olorien settled for wallowing.

In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. Mukutan teamed up with Kitich and Muwingu in browsing, as Weka and Kinyei came across nice rocks that they used to scratch their bellies. Later in the day, Lodo and Esoit took a break from browsing to have fun rolling on the ground.

In the evening, Loldaiga led the way back to the stockade.