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On a wonderful morning at the Voi stockades, dependent and independent elephants gathered in the feeding treats for breakfast treats. Our orphans had padded out of their shared enclosures at dawn and the visitors – Mweya with babies Mwitu and Mwangaza, Edie with babies Eden, Eco, Enzo and Enid, Mbirikani with baby Mica, Panda with baby Panya, Kihari with baby Kiki, Arruba with baby Aura, Sagala with baby Sia, Mudanda, Tundani, Kenia, Ndii, Pika Pika, Ndoria, Mbegu, Ngilai, Ndotto, Tagwa, Godoma, Suswa, Naipoki, Rorogoi, Tamiyoi and Lasayen - had padded in from the bush a few minutes later.

Many of our orphans were browsing on the large pile of supplementary lucerne. Lemeki stood belly to belly with little sister Losoito, Juni was with Busara, and Hildana stood close to Dabida.

The matriarch of the herd of ex-orphans, Mweya, was trunk-hugging daughter Mwangaza, Edie and her babies were enjoying an early morning dust bath, Pika Pika was looking after Arruba’s newborn baby, Aura, and Ndii was scooping up pellets from the trough. A wild bull, who arrived with the visitors, was courting both Mbegu and Suswa.

The two herds soon headed out from the stockades in different directions. Our elephants spent the morning on Msinga Hill while Mweya’s herd walked towards the river.

In the afternoon, we sent the orphans down the hill for a milk feed and to visit the baobab tree mud wallow. Ushindi and Ashanti tumbled together on the pile of red soil and then Ashanti played a sparring game with Kenderi while Epiya, Sholumai and Dabida drank from the trough. 

As the sun was rising in the early morning, Mweya’s herd of ex-orphans wandered into the stockades with Laikipia walking along at the end of the line! We were pleased to see the bull – who was looking well - as he has been away for some time. He greeted our older orphans and settled to browse on lucerne.

The dependent herd soon left the stockades and settled to browse over the slopes on the rocky side of Msinga Hill. Mini matriarch Lemeki ambled from one group to another, checking on everyone while they twisted up trunkfuls of grasses and shrubs. The elephants browsed for a time and played pushing games and browsed some more.

The herd knows when it is time for a milk feed. A few minutes before the van full of bottles arrived, the orphans gathered in the feeding area to wait. After the milk feed, the orphans spread out around the wallow, drinking from the trough or dust bathing on the dry soil. When we whistled, they headed out to resume browsing on the hill. Sholumai and Mushuru walked up to the summit but Akina, Juni and Epiya remained at the bottom.

Ex-orphans Mbirikani, Panda and Arruba – with wild-born babies Mica, Panya and Aura – were our first visitors this morning. The mamas and babies stood around the water trough waiting for pellets and lucerne. The rest of Mweya’s herd were not far behind. Today, Laikipia walked next to Mweya as the no-nonsense matriarch led her herd into the stockades. The ex-orphans lined up at the feeding trough while our orphans clustered around the lucerne.

Out in the bush, the dependent herd browsed on shrubs on the lower slopes of the hill while the independent elephants and their babies walked away in the direction of the river. During the morning, Thamana and Kilulu had a sparring match and Mushuru and Sileita played in an erosion trench as the others browsed around them.

After the milk feed in the afternoon, most of the herd splashed in the main mud wallow while Baraka and Itinyi rolled around in the mini mud hole and Epiya lay relaxing on the edge. Returning to the hill, the herd wandered all the way to the summit in search of green browse.

On another sunny morning, as the orphans browsed on pellets and lucerne, the ex-orphans wandered into the stockades. Laikipia arrived first followed by Mweya, babies Mwitu and Mwangaza, and many other elephants. Edie’s baby Eco took on Kenderi in a sparring match in the compound as Laikipia walked to the water trough. While Panya and Kiki stuck close to mamas Panda and Kihari, Aura, Arruba’s baby, rolled around with trunk waving and legs in the air on the mound of dry soil. When Kenia, Ushindi, Busara and Pika Pika ran over to check on her, Aura just carried on playing.

After a long session of playing and bonding, the two herds headed out to browse over the grasslands. Today, they stayed together for part of the morning. Ex-orphan Tundani sparred with Hildana and a wild bull stood over Aura when she lay down for a nap in the shade of a tree.

Later in the morning, our herd wandered up the hill and the ex-orphans disappeared into the bush. The dependent elephants spent a peaceful day exploring the bush before returning to the safety of the stockades for the night. Sileita led the herd into the compound with Juni bringing up the rear.

Mweya’s herd of ex-orphans and their many wild-born babies and also Laikipia arrived again in the early morning. After filling their bellies, some stood close with trunks entwined while others drank from the trough or rolled around on the dry soil or played chasing games.

Laikipia was hanging out with Losoito and Ushindi while Mwangaza posed next to the water trough. Panda and baby Panya stood in the walkway waiting for Mweya’s signal that it was time to leave the stockades. The visitors left in a long line with Mbegu bringing up the rear.

Today, at last, Serenget was introduced to the herd! The little elephant was rescued several months ago and has spent the past seven months recuperating. Interestingly, she was very hesitant to drink milk from a bottle, but then we found an unusual solution to the situation – a Keeper pours milk into the tip of Serenget’s trunk and she sips the milk! With this unusual approach, she does - eventually - drink two full bottles.

Serenget walked out of her stable without encouragement and was welcomed by Lemeki and Thamana. Our two oldest elephants laid their trunks over her head and along her back before introducing her to each and every member of the herd. Busara, Baraka and Losoito were jealous but, when they made small moves to push her, mini matriarch Lemeki stood tall to defend the new girl. For the first time, Serenget spent the day out in the field with the herd – we were happy to see her out and about, making friends with Mushuru and Rokka.

Once again, the area in front of the stockades was crowded with elephants in the early morning. Many ex-orphans and their wild-born babies mingled with our dependent orphans.

After the breakfast party, our herd headed out for their daily browsing adventures and settled to browse on acacia branches and shrubs on Msinga Hill. Baraka and Akina browsed quietly on their own while Ushindi and Epiya stood nearby with trunks entwined.

In the afternoon, the orphans returned to the stockades for their milk feed and mud bathing session as the water level in the baobab wallow was low. After drinking their milk, the orphans rushed over to the wallow. Lemeki and Losoito tumbled together and Kenderi play-mounted Itinyi next to them on the pile of red soil while the rest of the herd splashed in the mud. Some stood on the edge slapping the water with their trunks and other elephants submerged their bodies in the pool.

In the afternoon, we give the herd more supplementary lucerne in the bush. Today, they stood in the shade of a group of trees waiting for the lucerne and then resumed browsing on the hill before walking back to the stockades for the night.

On another busy morning, current and former orphans gathered at the feeding trough and on the terraces. Ex-orphans Mweya with babies Mwitu and Mwangaza, Edie with babies Eden, Eco, Enzo and Enid, Mbirikani with baby Mica, Panda with baby Panya, Kihari with baby Kiki, Arruba with baby Aura, Sagala with baby Sia, Mudanda, Tundani, Kenia, Ndii, Pika Pika, Ndoria, Mbegu, Ngilai, Ndotto, Tagwa, Godoma and Suswa mingled in the feeding area with our elephants.  

Hildana was play-mounting Ashanti on the pile of soil, Sileita and Busara were sparring next to the water trough, and Lemeki was showing love to adopted baby Losoito. Ex-orphan Ndotto rolled on the dust with several younger orphans before having a catch-up sparring match with Thamana.

Rokka led the herd out from the stockades towards the rocky Msinga Hill. Juni and Akina were left behind scratching on the famous rock and had to run to catch up with the others. The orphans spent the morning browsing over the open fields.

In the afternoon, we gathered the orphans for their milk feed and sent down Rokka, Losoito, Busara, Sileita and Mushuru in the first group to the feeding area. They padded on to the wallow and the second group took their place.

Showboating Kilulu rolled around in the mud wallow, Ushindi rubbed her body against Losoito, and Thamana massaged his backside against the wall. We were happy to see Serenget standing on the edge, slapping water on her sides. It is only her third day out of her stockade - but she is settling in very well.

The ex-orphans walked in soon after dawn this morning to join our orphans in the feeding area and on the terraces. Eden and Eco, two of Edie’s babies, lined up at the trough with our herd, Mudanda posed next to the famous rock, and Pika Pika and Mwitu babysat Aura while mama Arruba took a nap. Pika Pika, Kenia and Mbegu are Aura’s lead nannies. Arruba soon clambered to her feet and Aura moved to stand between her front legs.

Panda, Kihari and Sagala, with babies Panya, Kiki and Sia, gathered around the mound of dry soil for a dust bath with Juni, Ushindi and Seri. The older elephants hosed themselves with dust while their babies lay down for a rest and a roll around. Arriving late when the elephants had finished the pellets and lucerne, Laikipia stood outside the store staring at the door and hoping for a treat.

The elephants headed out in one enormous group but soon split up. Our herd spread out to browse over Msinga Hill while the ex-orphans walked away in the opposite direction.

As usual, in the afternoon the orphans visited the mud wallow. Many cooled off in the thick mud in the larger pool. Ashanti and Rokka lay in the middle while Baraka and Akina paddled on the edge. Kilulu and Thamana climbed on and off each other playfully in the mini wallow. Covered in mud, Lemeki climbed out of the pool, ran over to the baobab tree and massaged her sides against the tree.

The sun was already scorching when Mweya’s herd wandered in this morning for breakfast with our herd. Panda, baby Panya, Arruba, baby Aura, Dabida, Kihari and baby Kiki gathered around the large pile of lucerne. Minutes later, Mbirikani and baby Mica joined them after being pushed away from the feeding trough - Mweya wanted to keep all the pellets for herself and her two babies, Mwitu and Mwangaza. Edie and baby Enid stood quietly on the lower terrace, watching the drama caused by Mweya.

Laikipia strode in after the other ex-orphans – in musth. He nudged Suswa, laid his trunk on her back, and sidled up to her. She stood still, indicating her acceptance of his advances as she was in oestrus, and the two elephants mated. Some of the elephants were trumpeting – and we are hopeful of another baby in close to two years with ex-orphans for both parents!

Meanwhile, babies Mica, Panya and Kiki were playing in the lucerne area, Losoito was bonding with Mwitu and Mwangaza at the water trough, and many others were rolling around on the dust pile.

After browsing over the savannah in the morning, the orphans had their milk feed and visited the mud wallow in the afternoon. Kenderi scratched his sides against the baobab tree and Itinyi stood close to Serenget by the mini wallow.

Later in the day, Epiya posed next to some boulders, Hildana, Kilulu, Kenderi, Thamana and Sholumai continued browsing at the foot of the hill and the others clustered in the shade of a tree, sheltering from the hot sun.

The ex-orphans - Edie and babies Eden, Eco, Enzo and Enid, Mbirikani and baby Mica, Panda and baby Panya, Kihari and baby Kiki, Arruba and baby Aura, Sagala and baby Sia, Mudanda, Tundani, Kenia, Ndii, Pika Pika, Ndoria, Mbegu, Ngilai, Ndotto, Tagwa and Godoma - wandered into the stockades area for breakfast again, settling at the feeding trough or in the lucerne area. Suswa, Laikipia, Naipoki, Rorogoi, Tamiyoi and Lasayen were not with the herd today. Mweya arrived a few minutes later with babies Mwitu and Mwangaza and was not happy to find no range cubes left in the trough as they are her favourite.

After drinking from the trough, Mweya was ready to leave. She stood in the walkway waiting for the others who responded quickly to their matriarch. The ex-orphans headed out and our herd left the stockades sometime later, walking on the southern circuit of the hill towards the plains.

In the afternoon, the orphans streamed down to the feeding area in groups of five and on to the mud wallow. Lemeki came in last and hovered around the truck hoping for an extra bottle. When we ignored her, she gave up and padded on to join the herd.

Almost all the orphans covered themselves in thick mud today. Some climbed into the wallow while others stood on the edge, slapping water along their sides. Lemeki splashed on the edge, an excited Losoito paddled from one side to the other and back, Ashanti, Mushuru and Rokka wallowed in the middle, and Baraka showboated next to the pool.

After Rokka and the others climbed or crawled out of the water for dust bathing, Serenget enjoyed a solitary swim. Thamana and Itinyi played a wrestling game and Lemeki massaged herself against the tree while Serenget continued to wallow.

There was lots of commotion in front of the stockades this morning, probably because the area was full of Mweya’s herd of ex-orphans and our herd. The elephants were hungry and several were pushing at the feeding trough and around the pile of lucerne.

The dependant orphans soon headed out and settled to browse over the rocky Msinga Hill. Serenget is going out with the herd every day and is making many friends. Losoito is a bit jealous of Serenget and sometimes tries to push her away from Lemeki but our mini matriarch protects her and does not allow Losoito to be rough. The ex-orphans also left the stockades, walking to the airstrip and on to the river.

In the afternoon, the orphans came down the hill for a milk feed and padded on to the mud wallow. Many orphans plunged into the wallow on another sunny day. Itinyi, Akina, Losoito and Juni were wallowing in the middle while others splashed along the edges and Thamana and Kilulu played a pushing and wrestling game. Sileita, Mushuru, Rokka and Busara opted instead for a dust bath, rolling around together on the dry soil, while Serenget watched on from the sidelines. She is not yet confident enough to play in the wallow or on the pile of soil.

After breakfast, the dependant orphans walked out on their daily browsing adventures, leaving the ex-orphans behind finishing the lucerne. Epiya and Dabida tried (unsuccessfully) to sneak back to the stockades to spend more time with Aura, Arruba’s tiny baby.

Our herd settled to browse over the open fields, ambling towards the baobab mud wallow. Serenget was browsing side by side with Juni and Baraka, with Lemeki choosing to stay quite close. She was keeping an eye on the new member of the herd.

In the afternoon, the orphans rushed down the hill for another milk feed. Serenget has a very special way of drinking milk. She still refuses to accept a bottle in her mouth but allows a Keeper to pour a little milk into the rim of her trunk. When the tip is full, she signals to the Keeper and tilts the milk from her trunk into her mouth!

Padding down to the wallow, Itinyi, Seri, Akina and Hildana gathered around the water trough, Losoito ran into the wallow, and Lemeki splashed in the mini wallow. After cooling off in the mud, Sileita climbed out for a dust bath followed by Lemeki and several others while Epiya scratched her body on the baobab tree.

Shortly after, the orphans walked off to resume browsing and enjoy their afternoon lucerne feed.

Ex-orphan Laikipia arrived for breakfast today. First, he scooped up range cubes next to Kenderi at the feeding trough and then the mature bull drank from the water trough next to Lemeki. Although he was not with Suswa, we think that the two elephants spent two or three days together.

On the other side of the stockades, Rokka was already leading the herd out to the browsing fields. The orphans settled to browse on the slopes of Msinga Hill for the morning.

In the afternoon, many elephants had a good time in the main mud wallow. Sileita climbed out to scratch herself on the peacock tree. When Sileita walked away, Rokka took her place next to the scratching tree and Kenderi massaged himself on the baobab tree.

Others opted for the mini wallow. Lemeki, Losoito and Thamana played together in the mud before Thamana walked away, Lemeki posed next to the wall, and Itinyi joined Losoito in the mud hole. Good friends Mushuru and Busara rolled in the dust while Akina stood next to them hosing clouds of dust over her body.

The orphans later walked away to continue browsing in the bush and on their afternoon lucerne treat.

On another bright sunny morning, dependent and independent orphans were enjoying breakfast. Arriving late and finding no pellets left in the trough, Laikipia stared at the range cubes store. Ashanti was using her front foot to lift up lucerne to her mouth and then decided to kneel to browse comfortably.

The dependant elephants headed out, leaving Laikipia and the other ex-orphans behind. They spread out over the hill, browsing in small groups or on their own.

In the afternoon, the herd visited the baobab tree wallow to cover their bodies in thick mud and dry soil. Ashanti, Kilulu, Ushindi and Baraka massaged their sides against the wall of the wallow while Juni and Busara scratched themselves on the peacock tree.

Later that afternoon we received a distress call. A male baby had been spotted in the Taita Hills sanctuary by himself. According to reports, the bull had approached several families of wild elephants over a period of three days but had not been accepted. We left immediately to rescue the elephant and bring him to the stockades. The little bull has an injured leg, likely the result of human-wildlife conflict. Lumo, as we named him, accepted a bottle and lay down to rest in a stockade.

The young bull rescued yesterday slept well in the night and was feeding on greens in his stable in the morning. Meanwhile, our herd was browsing on range cubes and lucerne with Mweya’s large herd of ex-orphans, their wild-born babies, and a wild bull (who arrived with them soon after dawn).

Today, Rokka led the dependent herd out from the stockades. They settled to browse on delicious shrubs over the slopes of Msinga Hill. Losoito followed closely by Ashanti and Epiya led some of the herd to the summit of the hill while Juno, Sholumai, Akina and Baraka remained at the bottom.

After the afternoon milk feed, the orphans sprinted down to the wallow to cool off in the muddy water. Sholumai, Dabida, Epiya and Thamana stopped off at the water trough before padding into the wallow as Itinyi attempted to climb into the trough and Serenget showboated next to the pool. Clambering out of the mud, first Itinyi scratched his sides against the baobab tree and then Lemeki and little sister Rokka.

Mushuru, Sholumai and Sileita led the herd back to the bush for the afternoon lucerne treat. Ashanti was rolling on the ground dusting and had to run to catch up with the herd. As soon as the elephants were out of sight, a group of zebras trotted in to drink from the trough.

This morning, dependent and independent elephants gathered as usual in front of the stockades. After being away for over a year, to our surprise, Nguvu arrived with Mweya’s herd of ex-orphans accompanied by two wild bulls! Little Busara walked over to greet the large bull with huge tusks, while Edie, with her babies Enzo and Enid, browsed on range cubes on the terraces with many of our herd. Mbegu – the former mini matriarch of the dependent herd - spent time bonding and catching up with Baraka next to the lucerne and then massaged her backside against the rock next to Rokka.

The two herds headed out in different directions from the stockades. Kilulu and Kenderi had a strength competition, pushing heads and tusks together, at the bottom of the hill; Kenderi and Itinyi ambled over the slopes; Mushuru and Serenget played in an erosion trench; and Juni, Baraka and Busara climbed to the top in search of acacia branches.

In the afternoon, the orphans enjoyed another milk feed and visited the baobab tree water hole for a mud bath.  

This morning after their milk feed, Seri and Hildana were standing with trunks entwined and Lemeki’s favourite baby, Losoito, was pushing Serenget away from the feeding trough while Lemeki browsed on lucerne at the far end of the stockades. Arruba, baby Aura, Ndoria, Mwitu, and Eco were sucking up trunkfuls of range cubes on the terraces, Mweya and Mwangaza were grazing from the trough, and Mbirikani, baby Mica, Panda, baby Panya, Edie and Eden were next to the pile of lucerne with many of our orphans.

After filling their bellies, Panya and Aura played next to the water trough and Edie hung out with Eden, Enzo, Enid and Ndoria. When Mweya rumbled and walked away with trunk waving and Mwangaza just behind her, all the other ex-orphans responded. They followed her in a long line back to the bush.

The orphan rescued a few days ago, who has been named Lumo, is recovering well. He remains in his stockade but is eating and drinking lots and regaining some strength already.

In the afternoon, Rokka, Busara, Losoito, Sileita and Mushuru were the first group sent down for their milk feed. They emptied their bottles, jogged on to the wallow and gathered around the water trough. The rest of the herd joined them minutes later and many plunged into the muddy wallow. While the others cooled off, Ushindi chased away some warthogs every time they approached the wallow. Epiya crawled out of the wallow with Dabida rubbing against her backside and Ashanti was last to climb out of the water.

Later in the day, the elephants went up the hill to browse before returning to the stockades for the night.

The orphans were out of their stockades and enjoying breakfast when Mweya arrived with her herd of over 20 ex-orphans, several wild-born babies, and two wild bulls. Their arrival caused commotion all over the area as the older visitors displaced the younger ones from their feeding positions. Recent rescue Lumo continued browsing on pellets and lucerne in his stable while observing all the pushing and shoving.

Led by Sileita, our herd walked off and settled to browse on the slopes of Msinga Hill. Later in the morning, Lemeki, the matriarch of the herd, decided to go further afield and led the others to the northern side of the hill.

In the afternoon, Rokka was first to be sent down to the feeding area followed by noisy Losoito, cheeky Busara, Mushuru, Sileita and Sholumai in that order. They gulped their milk and padded on to the wallow and a second group took their place. Losoito thought about trying for an extra bottle but shook her head and ran on down.

The orphans gathered in and around the main water hole. When a family of warthogs ran out of the bushes towards the wallow, the startled orphans scattered all over the place, trumpeting and shaking their heads. As soon as we had calmed them down, we led them away from the water hole towards the afternoon lucerne feeding area – to avoid the risk of another panic.

This morning, Mweya’s herd did not visit and so the dependent orphans had the area to themselves. There was a lot of order and calmness as the elephants lined up at the feeding trough and around the pile of lucerne. Epiya led the herd out to browse in the bush. She led them up the rocky hill and they spent the morning around the summit.

In the afternoon, the orphans had their milk feed at the stockades rather than at the baobab water hole. After drinking their milk, many played around the terraces and the mound of dry soil. Itinyi and Kenderi had a wrestling match in the bushes while Dabida posed on a large boulder, stretching up high to pull down a tree branch. Kilulu massaged his backside against the terrace wall while Hildana used the famous rock and Rokka opted for the boulder next to the feeding area. Akina lay relaxing on top of the pile of soil as Ashanti rolled around next to her and sprayed dust in every direction.

Afterwards, Lemeki, Hildana, Busara, Ashanti and Seri drank from the water trough and the others stood quietly in the shade of the trees at the entrance. As dusk approached, they padded up the path and into their stockades for the night.

 The sun was out and so were the orphans. This morning, the elephants had the area to themselves for a short time before the ex-orphans ambled up to the stockades. Mweya walked in with wild-born babies Mwitu and Mwangaza, Kihari and little Kiki, Panda and little Panya, Sagala and little Sia, Mbirikani and little Mica, Ndoria, Mudanda, Ndii, Kenia and many other ex-orphans. As the range cubes were finished, they joined the orphans in the lucerne area.

The visitors did not stay long. Mweya and Mwangaza led the herd back to the bush with Mbirikani and Mica the first to follow, Sagala, Sia and nanny Mwitu in the middle, and Kihari, Kiki and Mudanda the last to leave. Epiya tried to sneak away with them, but we brought her back to her herd.

Our dependent orphans spent the morning browsing over the grasslands at the bottom of Msinga Hill. In the afternoon, they visited the baobab water hole for wallowing and dusting and then browsed again on their way back to the stockades. 

On a wonderful sunny morning, current and former orphans were playing all over the area in front of the stockades after breakfast. Kenderi and Losoito played the pushing game until Kenderi tried to mount Losoito and she decided that she’d had enough of the game. Next, Kenderi walked up to Busara on the upper terrace, greeting her with a trunk touch. She turned around but moved away quickly when the older orphan began wrestling.

Ex-orphan Tagwa joined Lemeki, Thamana, Ashanti and Akina at the water trough while ex-orphan Mbegu browsed on lucerne with Dabida and Sileita at the far end of the stockades. Busara walked over to greet Mbegu with trunk touches and stood close to her big sister while also browsing on lucerne. Meanwhile, new arrival Lumo was enjoying greens in his stable.

The ex-orphans left first today, heading off towards the river. Led by Lemeki and Rokka, our herd walked out to browse over the northern slopes of Msinga Hill for the morning. On a hot afternoon, most of the orphans cooled off in the wallow, submerging their bodies in the thick mud. Afterwards, they wandered deep into the woods before returning to the stockades for the night.

On a cool and cloudy morning, only Murit, Ndotto, Ngilai and Mbegu joined the dependent elephants for breakfast. Our herd headed out first today, leaving the visitors to finish all the lucerne.

The orphaned elephants browsed in single file for most of the morning before visiting the baobab tree wallow in the afternoon. As the weather was still cloudy, the orphans did not cool off in the wallow. After dusting and drinking, they walked to the western top of Msinga Hill for browsing.

In the afternoon, the clouds disappeared and Losoito sought shelter in the shade of a large rock. With Baraka waiting for her outside, brave Juni explored a cave in the side of the hill while Sholumai and Mushuru found a patch of dry soil for dust bathing.

Later in the day, there were some wonderful rain sprinkles. Several orphans climbed into the muddy erosion trenches to play. Amazing Kilulu was sliding from the top of the trench to the bottom while several friends watched. Kenderi and Itinyi rubbed bodies and faces in another trench. Serenget stood under a rock enjoying a rainwater-run-off mud bath!

Ndotto, Murit and Ngilai arrived for breakfast but Mweya’s large herd of ex-orphans did not turn up for a second consecutive day. The three bulls had a peaceful supplement feeding session with the dependent orphaned elephants. Brave little Seri playing some sparring games with Murit until a left-out Thamana came over to push away Seri and take her place with Murit.  

Led by Rokka and Sileita, our herd soon headed out to the browsing fields. The visitors followed the orphans to the field before veering off towards the river circuit.

In the afternoon, the orphaned elephants quickly drank their milk and rushed down to the mud wallow. Hildana and Kilulu took centre stage today – the two friends wallowed in the middle of the pool, splashing water in every direction. Meanwhile, Busara rubbed her backside against Juni while she lay in the mud and Dabida rolled up against Sholumai.

Ex-orphans Mbegu, Godoma, Tagwa and Ngilai padded into the compound this morning and joined the dependent orphans for breakfast. Busara was happy to be feeding on lucerne close to big sister Mbegu and Baraka was happy to be with Tagwa.

This morning, Lemeki was in a hurry to lead the herd out to the field – perhaps so she could enjoy being mini matriarch away from the older elephants. After finishing all the lucerne, the visitors also left the stockades. Both herds browsed at a very slow pace, twisting up every clump of browse they could find.

In the afternoon, we sent the orphans down in groups as usual for their milk feed. Today, Ashanti, Hildana and Kenderi sprinted at top speed, competing to be first to reach a Keeper with a bottle.

After mud bathing in the wallow, the orphans settled to browse once more over Msinga Hill. Hildana scratched his belly on a boulder and Kenderi massaged his backside against another one. Later in the day, there were some light rain sprinkles which cooled the elephants as they went on browsing.

On a wonderful morning, the orphaned elephants drank their milk, fed on range cubes and lucerne grass and walked out to the bush at the beginning of another day. They spread out over the hill to browse in small groups. Serenget was staying close to big sister Rokka. It was a peaceful morning interrupted only by Kilulu approaching a Keeper in his favourite photo-me pose with ears tilted at a funny angle and legs crossed.

It was a cloudy afternoon and so, when the herd visited the water hole, only a few had a mud bath. Kenderi did some impressive rolling tricks in the mud until his friend Itinyi spoilt the performance by rubbing his bottoms on Kenderi’s back. Ashanti and Losoito paddled along the edge, kicking water in every direction. Thamana scratched himself on the peacock tree and then the baobab before catching up with the herd as they wandered away from the wallow.

Mbegu, Tagwa, Godoma, and Ngilai arrived again early in the morning without the rest of Mweya’s herd of ex-orphans, probably because it has been raining over the past few days. The dependent orphans were happy to join them and the two groups browsed peacefully together on another overcast morning.

When our herd headed out to the field, their four friends followed for a time before ambling away towards the middle water trough on Msinga Hill. Our orphans continued on towards the baobab tree mud wallow. They spread out over the hill. Juni was looking after Busara and Baraka while Mushuru, Sileita and Rokka stayed close to Serenget.

The sprinkles of rain in the past few days have already led to tiny new leaves and shoots. With her shortened trunk, Ashanti is able to browse on small soft leaves but finds tough branches very difficult. Today, she was pulling up new leaves while wandering along with Lemeki and Losoito.

On a cooler afternoon the orphans visited the baobab tree water hole but did not climb into the muddy water. They drank from the trough, massaged their bodies against trees and boulders, and walked back out to browse some more over the hill.

Recent rescue Lumo is feeding well and is still recuperating in his stockade.

The orphaned elephants sprinted out of their shared stockades this morning to assemble for their milk feed. Lemeki – the only member of the current who is not milk dependent - stood in a strategic position hoping that a Keeper might offer her a bottle. Tagwa was the only visitor today.

When Lemeki led the herd out to the browsing fields, Tagwa followed along at the end of the line. Baraka and Busara were happy to browse close to the older female who helped look after them when they were first rescued. Rokka is getting on very well with newbie Serenget. Today, she was browsing close to her for the whole day and trunk touching her often.

In the afternoon, Tagwa came to the water hole with our herd and then walked away towards the pipeline to rejoin her herd of independent orphans. In the early evening, the orphans browsed over the summit of the hill while matriarch Lemeki and favourite baby Losoito remained at the bottom.

On a bright sunny morning, the elephants jogged out of their shared stockades and down the path to the feeding area. They gulped their milk and moved on to the feeding trough. As usual Serenget was the last to finish her bottles. Her very special way of drinking does work but takes time! She arrived at the trough when there were only a few cubes left – so we brought out some more for her (and her greedy friends).

Our herd headed out to the bush where they met Mbegu, Godoma, Tagwa and Ngilai on the way in to the stockades. The two herds stopped for brief greetings and then continued walking on in opposite directions. The four visitors padded in to drink from the trough and browse on lucerne.

Meanwhile, Lemeki’s herd settled to browse over Msinga Hill. Rokka was with Serenget again. Today, she detached herself slowly from big sister Lemeki and little sister Losoito to be with the new member of the herd.

In the afternoon, as the weather was cloudy, the orphans drank from the water trough but did not have a mud bath. Itinyi itched himself against the baobab tree while Kilulu massaged his neck against Hildana’s back. Before long, the herd ambled out to browse on their way back to the safety of the stockades for the night.