01 January 2017

Mutara, Sities, Turkwel, Kainuk, Kanjoro, Suguta, Makireti, Kilabasi, Chaimu and Kilaguni were outside the stockade early before the juniors were let out. When the orphans were let out, Boromoko and Sirimon walked towards Kanjoro and exchanged morning greetings by entwining their trunks. The boys got into a playful mood as they headed to the browsing field. Enkikwe challenged Kanjoro and in less than a minute unfortunately lost to him! Orwa took over from Enkikwe and tackled Kanjoro as Sities worked on Vuria. Vuria could not withstand the strength of Sities though and so lost to her. Orwa, who likes to challenge his seniors, moved to play with Kilibasi and later Sities. Garzi tried his hand on Kanjoro, a game that ended in a draw. Out in the bush, Vuria spent some time in an exercise of pushing down trees which was one way of practicing how to handle his seniors. Soon after that exercise, Vuria engaged Chaimu in a pushing game that he ended up losing miserably to Chaimu. Narok settled to feed with Naseku, Kauro and Kamok while Lemoyian teamed up with Kilabasi and Makireti. Vuria engaged Barsilinga in a pushing game that ended in a draw. At mud bath time the junior Ex Orphans escorted the orphans to the mud bath. Two wild bulls that had arrived earlier at mud bath were feeding a short distance away. Soon after Oltaiyoni drank her milk, she headed to join the wild bulls and it took the intervention of the keepers for Oltaiyoni to come back and join her friends. She was hesitant at first and she kept following the bulls deeper into bush whenever the keepers called out her name. At last, the keepers managed to separate her from the wild bulls and bring her back. Shortly after mud bath, the orphans settled for soil dusting before returning back to the browsing field. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area. Vuria took a break from feeding and enjoyed a soil dusting exercise before resuming browsing. Naseku was quite comfortable and one would think she has been at Ithumba for several years unlike Kauro who browsed close to the keepers. Sometimes Naseku would take control of the group and steer them in whichever direction she wanted to go. In the evening, the junior Ex Orphans escorted the juniors back to the stockade and left to an undisclosed location soon when the orphans were locked into their stockades.

02 January 2017

Soon after leaving the stockade, Enkikwe settled for scratching against the water trough as Lemoyian attempted to climb on Boromoko. This angered Boromoko and he turned to defend himself. The pushing game went on for quite some time until Vuria intervened by pushing the two boys away. The orphans settled to browse in Kone area and had a quiet morning, browsing calmly without any major observation. On the way to the mud bath, the orphans were joined by Kasigau who escorted the juniors for their midday milk feed. At mud bath, the orphans were hesitant to get in the water. Even Bongo the water boy just stood in the water without actually wallowing, but only splashing water behind his ears. Barsilinga engaged Laragai in a pushing game while Lemoyian played with Sokotei. Kasigau interrupted Laragai and Barsilinga by separating the two, while Boromoko took advantage of Narok who was lying down and climbed on her. In the afternoon, the temperature was high making the orphans want to relax under the trees for awhile before browsing again. Sirimon engaged Olsekki in a strength testing exercise that ended in a draw. In the evening, Kasigau escorted the juniors back to the stockade and thereafter went to look for his group which consists of Makireti and Kilabasi.

03 January 2017

Kasigau was still waiting at the entrance when the orphans were let out in the morning. Boromoko and Sirimon were the first to come out and meet with Kasigau where they exchanged morning greetings by entwining their trunks. Lemoyian engaged Bomani in a morning warm up pushing exercise. Lemoyian, who is fond of pushing games, quit playing with Bomani then moved to play with Kithaka as Bomani walked to scratch on a nearby rock. At the browsing field, Bomani settled to browse with Teleki while Lemoyian had a pushing game with Boromoko. Shortly before mud bath time, Kithaka played with Barsilinga while Olsekki engaged Enkikwe in a pushing game. At mud bath time, the orphans were joined by Kasigau and a junior wild bull. Naseku, Lemoyian, Narok, Kasigau, Boromoko, Siangiki, Bongo, Tusuja and Garzi participated fully in the wallowing exercise. Orwa and the wild bull just stood in the water as Orwa put his trunk into the wild elephant’s mouth from time to time. After mud bath, the orphans briefly performed a soil dusting exercise on their way back to the browsing field. Lemoyian took an advantage of Narok lying down and came over to climb on her. In the afternoon, Kasigau and the wild elephant joined the orphans to browse again. Vuria spent some time learning new pushing tactics from the wild elephant.

04 January 2017

Soon after leaving the stockade, Lemoyian and Bongo entwined their trunks in morning greetings. Narok led the way to the browsing field where Sokotei and Enkikwe opened up their day activities by engaging one another in a pushing game. Enkikwe surrendered making Sokotei look elsewhere for a playmate. Sokotei landed on Lemoyian who is always ready to engage in a pushing game but Sokotei ended up losing the game. Garzi invited Bomani to a pushing game but Bomani declined for fear of hurting himself where the skin has broken on the right hand side where his tusk will finally come out. Garzi then decided to have fun by rolling on the ground. At mud bath time Siangiki, Kithaka, Laragai, Barsilinga, Olsekki, Enkikwe, Bongo and Orwa got into the water and started wallowing. Bongo and Orwa had fun in the water as the two engaged each other in a pushing game. Enkikwe got excited when he left the mud bath and started charging around at something only he saw as nothing was spotted nearby. Barsilinga and Laragai had strength testing exercise while Bongo and Vuria had a brief pushing game as the rest of the group participated in a soil dusting exercise. In the afternoon, the sun was hot and therefore the orphans relaxed under a tree for awhile until it became cooler and they resumed browsing.

05 January 2017

Mutara, Kanjoro, Turkwel, Kainuk, Sities, Suguta and Kasigau reported to the stockade compound early before dawn. The junior Ex Orphans joined the juniors soon after they were let out. Vuria challenged Kainuk, a game that saw Kainuk emerge as the winner. Thereafter, Vuria moved to play with Sities but unfortunately also lost that game. Orwa engaged Mutara in a strength testing exercise while Teleki played with Kanjoro. Later, Barsilinga engaged Sities to pushing game that only lasted for few seconds when Sities gave him a knockout push in the first round. Oltaiyoni settled to feed close to Roi as Kanjoro fed with Enkikwe while Kasigau browsed with Tusuja. Turkwel had a brief chat with Naseku while Vuria spent some time in a soil dusting exercise. At mud bath time, the temperature was moderate and only Bongo, Boromoko, Lemoyian, Siangiki and Kanjoro participated in wallowing. The rest opted for red soil dusting. Lemoyian and Boromoko started their pushing game in the water and later transferred it to the dry land. Lemoyian attempted to climb on Boromoko, which Boromoko resisted by all means. In the afternoon, Boromoko engaged Suguta in a pushing game that was aimed at acquiring new pushing tactics that he would be able to use to tackle his fellow boys.

06 January 2017

It was a quiet morning as the orphans left the stockade and briefly relaxed at the stockade compound with Bomani, Siangiki, Barsilinga and Kithaka scratching on the nearby rocks. On the way to the browsing field, Barsilinga engaged Teleki in a pushing game but lost to Teleki. At mud bathing time, the temperature was moderate and Narok, Naseku, Lemoyian, Bongo, Boromoko, Barsilinga, Enkikwe, Shukuru, Laragai Garzi and Vuria participated fully in the wallowing exercise. Soon after mud bath, Lemoyian engaged Boromoko in strength testing exercise while Enkikwe tackled Garzi. Narok played with Barsilinga as Bongo dueled with Teleki. In the afternoon, the orphans were joined by Buchuma who spent nearly an hour with the babies. Later in the evening Vuria and Bomani took a break from feeding to participate in a soil dusting exercise.

07 January 2017

Tusuja, Bomani, Sirimon and Siangiki started the day’s activities by scratching on the rocks at the stockade compound. On the way to the browsing field, the orphans passed by the water trough and armed themselves with enough water to take them through the entire morning. The sky was clear in the morning and this was an indication of a hot day ahead. The orphans settled to browse in Kone area and shortly before mud bath time, Barsilinga and Laragai took a break from feeding and engaged each other in a pushing game. At mud bath time, the sun was hot making all the orphans participate fully in the wallowing exercise. When Laragai had enough of wallowing, she got out and tried to block Barsilinga from getting out too. Barsilinga fought his way out until Laragai gave up and allowed Barsilinga to step out. After mud bath, Shukuru, Bomani and Barsilinga participated in a soil dusting exercise. Vuria, Bongo and Garzi were the last ones to quit the mud bath. Vuria and Bongo had fun in the water as they tried to outdo each other through a pushing game. The afternoon was quiet and hot as the orphans concentrated on browsing as they walked under tall trees with shade whilst continuously flapping their ears.

08 January 2017

The sky was partly covered by clouds when the orphans came out this morning. Narok led the way straight to the browsing field where the juniors were joined by Chaimu, Makireti, Kilabasi and Kilaguni. Vuria engaged Kilaguni in a pushing game while Orwa played with Kilabasi. Shortly later, Orwa quit playing with Kilabasi and walked to play with Kilaguni. Teleki briefly played with Kauro but Kauro surrendered in less than a minute as he is still small. This paved the way for Teleki to engage Makireti in a strength testing exercise which Teleki lost. Barsilinga held a brief meeting with Chaimu before moving to play with Bongo. At mud bath it was very hot so all the orphans went for a mud bath. Lemoyian took advantage of riding on those who lay down in the water as Barsilinga engaged Kilaguni in a light pushing game while still in water. After the orphans quit mud bathing, Barsilinga engaged Bomani in a pushing game while Teleki tackled Bongo. In the afternoon, Narok played with Lemoyian while Sokotei took some time off from feeding to perform a soil dusting exercise.

09 January 2017

Shukuru left the stockade with a branch in her mouth that she continued to feed on while her friends settled for lucerne. Lemoyian and Sokotei started their day by engaging each other in a strength testing exercise while Laragai had a lone game of rolling on the ground. The two boy’s game ended when Lemoyian attempted to climb on Sokotei. At around nine o'clock in the morning, the orphans were joined by Makireti, Chaimu, Kilaguni and Kilabasi. An hour later, the Ex Orphans left with Orwa only to reappear at mud bath later at around eleven o'clock in the morning. On the way to the mud bath, a troop of chattering baboons scared Oltaiyoni, Naseku and Roi. The three ran deep into the bush but came back when the keepers called them. Soon after getting their milk, the orphans had their mud bath that ended when Lemoyian raised a false alarm. The orphans competed between who would leave first as they hurried out of the mud bath and disappeared back into the bushes. Makireti and her group settled to feed with the orphans up to five o'clock in the evening when they escorted the orphans back to the stockade.

10 January 2017

It was a chilly morning with mist covering the Ithumba Hill. The orphans settled for lucerne soon after leaving the stockade where they were joined by Mutara, Suguta, Sities, Kanjoro, Kainuk and Turkwel. Shukuru, Naseku and Sirimon spent some time scratching on the nearby rocks. At the browsing field Olsekki, Bongo and Lemoyian settled to feed together while Roi, Boromoko and Bomani settled for soil dusting. Kithaka and Garzi had a misunderstanding that they ended up resolving through a pushing game. Shortly later, Garzi decided to have his lone game of rolling on the ground as Bongo went into a pushing game with Barsilinga. Shortly before mud bath time, the orphans were joined by Makireti, Kilabasi, Chaimu, Kasigau and Kilaguni. Mutara and the rest of her group disappeared into the Park when Makireti and her group joined the orphans. At mud bath time, the orphans had their milk then briefly participated in wallowing before returning back to the browsing field. Orwa engaged Kilaguni in a pushing game that didn't last for long as Barsilinga was standing close by waiting to have a pushing game with Kilaguni. Bongo spent some time scratching his buttocks against a nearby tree. In the evening, the orphans passed by mud bath to have an evening cool off while Galana, Gawa, Lualeni, Naserian, Ithumbah, Madiba, Sidai, Taita, Buchuma, Meibai, Ololoo and four wild elephants passed by the stockade compound where they briefly had water then disappeared again.

11 January 2017

The sky was crystal clear as the orphans left the stockade and settled for lucerne. It’s now evident that the dry season is now with us and has started earlier than usual. The orphans passed by the water trough and armed themselves with enough water that would take them through the entire morning. After arriving in the bush Sokotei and Lemoyian opened their day activities with a pushing game that ended when Bomani intervened by pushing the two boys away. The orphans had a quiet morning as they browsed calmly without any major observation. At mud bath time, the temperature was high and this prompted the orphans to fully participate in the wallowing exercise. Only Orwa boycotted the bath. On the way back to the browsing field Enkikwe engaged Lemoyian in a pushing game as Kithaka played with Bongo. In the afternoon, the orphans were joined by Makireti, Kasigau and Kilabasi. Kilabasi settled to feed with Boromoko as Orwa engaged Kasigau in a strength testing exercise. In the evening, Makireti and her group escorted the juniors back to the stockade. Shortly before dark, wild elephants, one by one started streaming into the stockade heading to the water trough; evidence of water holes they were depending on are either dry or drying up sooner than expected.

12 January 2017

Chaimu, Kilaguni, Makireti, Kilabasi and Kasigau were relaxing outside the stockade when the orphans were let out. Lucerne was served and the five Ex Orphans joined the orphans in feeding. Kasigau tried to attract the small boys to a game when he lay down but no one was interested in his game apart from Orwa, who passed by and briefly entwined his trunk with Kasigau then moved away. The orphans passed by the water trough and armed themselves with enough water that would take them through the entire morning. Out in the bush Barsilinga settled to feed with Kamok while Naseku went down on her knees to cut a shrub that she was unable to pull using her trunk. The orphans were then joined by Taita, Lualeni and two wild bulls that escorted them to the mud bath. At mud bath, the orphans wallowed briefly then headed back to browsing field leaving Lualeni, Taita and the two wild bulls still mud bathing. The afternoon was quiet as the orphans concentrated on browsing without any major observation.

13 January 2017

Galana, who appears to be in a process of forming her own herd of sorts, reported to the stockade compound early in the morning. The Ex Orphans joined the juniors for lucerne once the juniors were let out. Gawa ran into trouble with Roi when she tried to take lucerne from Roi's mouth. Roi pushed her away lightly as if telling her that there was so much on the ground and she should learn to pick it up for herself. Turkwel had a light pushing game with Orwa while Kithaka engaged Lemoyian in a light strength testing exercise. Later, Orwa tackled Kainuk but ended up losing the game to him. In the browsing field Boromoko tried to learn some pushing tactics from Ololoo by engaging him in a strength testing exercise. An hour later, the Ex Orphans left only to show up again at mud bath. Wendi with a few members of the Ex Orphan group also showed up with four wild bulls chasing Lualeni, who appears to be in season. The sun was hot and both the dependent orphans and the Ex Orphans participated in wallowing. Orwa had a brief chat with Wiva before proceeding to play with Ishanga. After mud bath, the orphans headed to feed on the western side of Ithumba Hill while the Ex Orphans headed towards Imenti. In the evening, the orphans passed by the mud bath where they had an evening cooling off before returning back to the stockade for the night.

14 January 2017

The Ex Orphans consisting of Wendi, Wiva, Galana, Gawa Loijuk, Lualeni and her boyfriend Taita, as well as Lenana, Chyulu, Zurura Meibai, Sidai, Makena, Naserian, Ithumbah, Ololoo and Tomboi were at the stockade compound early in the morning. Babies Gawa and Wiva were in a playful mood and as soon as the orphans were let out, Wiva engaged Roi in a pushing game. She later played with Olsekki Laragai, Bomani and Narok. Orwa played with Ololoo for a while and later Orwa and Oltaiyoni tried to leave with the Ex Orphans. The keepers intervened and took them back to join their friends. Out in the bush Kithaka played with Barsilinga as Vuria soil dusted. At mud bath time, the sun was really hot and all the orphans participated in wallowing. Two Egyptian geese also attended mud bath and this brought a standoff between them and Bongo. The geese stood their ground by not moving away which made Bongo surrender his mission of chasing them away and continue his business of wallowing. After mud bath Lemoyian participated in a soil dusting exercise where he was joined by Barsilinga. Orwa and Shukuru scratched against nearby trees. Later Lemoyian and Boromoko relaxed under a tree that had good shade but kept themselves busy with a pushing game, while enjoying the cool shade. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse north of the mud bath. In the evening they passed by mud bath again where they participated in an evening cooling off.

15 January 2017

It was a clear sunrise this morning as the orphans busily fed on their lucerne. Shukuru was busy scratching on the rocks nearby. Yatta’s group of Ex Orphans then arrived to join them. They interacted together for some time and later the orphans headed to the bush for browsing. In the bush, Mutara’s herd also join the orphans in the bush. Barsilinga was charging and playing with Suguta while browsing, while Teleki and Mutara were not far away also communicating with each other. It was very hot for the new elephants from Nairobi who were hiding in the shade in the bush. Later on the other elephants joined them as the day got very hot. The group later headed to the mudbath for milk. At mudbath it was still very hot and all the elephants were playing in the mudhole to cool their bodies. All the new elephants were playing very actively except Kauro who did not want to play in the mud. Naseku was the most playful one! Shukuru also played vigorously and looked really well. They all later came out and Sokotei started scratching on the bent tree. The group later walked back to the bush to continue browsing. After a while they all walked into the shade again and then headed back to mudbath to cool down before they returned to the stockades for the evening. Naseku, Bongo, Laragai, Shukuru and Sokotei were the most active and playful elephants in the evening as well. We had also Wendi’s group with Gawa and Wiva too who came to drink water before leaving back into the Park.

16 January 2017

This morning when the orphans came out, Vuria went straight to the scratching rock and started scratching with Lemoiyan coming over to do the same thing. Sokotei was also scratching his bottom. The new arrivals liked the lucerne very much, but Shukuru went ahead to browse on fresh grass instead. After they had enough lucerne, all the orphans walked out into the Park to browse. In the bush Shukuru and Vuria were scooping and tossing chunks of soil in the air and some on their backs. The new elephants Oltaiyoni, Kamok, Roi, Tusuja, Naseku and Kauro were browsing together and staying around the keepers. Boromoko then led the group to mudbath. Again at mud bath it was very hot but not all the orphans went into the mud hole. The majority of them did though and then Wendi's group came in with Galana, Gawa and Wiva among them. Wiva started playing in the mudhole but was scared of the orphans and walked out. Gawa was busy breastfeeding from her mother Galana. Wiva started trying to play with Gawa who greeted Wiva before going back to sucking from her mother. The dependent group then walked back to the bush to browse. Out in the bush again Orwa, Naseku and Barsilinga were playing as they rolled on the ground. Shukuru on the other side was standing in the shade. It was very hot and later the group walked back to the mudbath to cool down. Laragai was chasing Olsekki towards the mudbath to play in the mud. The orphans played vigorously and later a few Ex Orphans came to join them. The dependent orphans walked away from the mudbath and made their way back home.

17 January 2017

The elephants came out of their stockades this morning after their milk to eat some lucerne. Shukuru finished her share of two bottles of milk and joined the others. Kithaka distanced himself from others after he was knocked by Orwa and chased away. Kamok and her new group were really active and interacted with other orphans like Olsekki, Sokotei, Boromoko, Siangiki, Sirimon and Enkikwe. Makireti's group came in and joined them for a bit. After a while, they headed to the bush. In the bush all the orphans were all busy browsing; Roi and Naseku browsed together and scooped chucks of soil to throw in the air, scratching their trunks on the tree stumps in the bush. Oltaiyoni and Kamok were also browsing together. Enkikwe was sharpening his tusks on some rocks nearby. Roi was scratching on Kauro before they headed to the mudbath. At mudbath it was not very hot and some of the elephants like Naseku, Bongo, Lemoiyan and Roi played vigorously in the mud; Shukuru joined them for a short time and then got out. Wendi's group came in with Tomboi joining them. Garzi started playing and kissing Challa the Ex Orphan with his trunk outside the mud hole. The baby Wiva became really active and was playing with some of our orphans. Naseku came out of the mud hole and started rolling on the ground playing. Only Tomboi was left in the mudbath enjoying and playing in the mud. Garzi and Ishanga the Ex Orphan started play fighting. Wiva was running here and there accompanied by Lenana the body guard and Narok the dependant orphan. She was very jovial and playful and with the keepers as well! She was later surrounded by the Ex Orphans with Lenana among them and they all walked away when the orphans started to return to the bush as well. Back in the bush they were all active and busy browsing despite the hot sun. Shukuru was seen actively browsing and having a dust bath as well so she is feeling much better. The group later headed back to the mudbath to cool themselves down. They all played in the mud with Kamok's group feeling settled and interacting with the other orphans in the mud hole. Teleki started dust bathing, and later the group made their way heading home in the evening.

18 January 2017

It was a bright morning with a clear sky when the orphans strolled nonchalantly out from their stockades. Soon when they settled for lucerne, the orphans were joined by Mutara and her group. Garzi and Kanjoro had a brief strength testing exercise as Orwa and Tusuja settled for soil dusting. Mutara and her group escorted the juniors to the browsing field where Barsilinga and Suguta had a light pushing game. Two hours later, Mutara’s herd parted ways with the juniors and left to an undisclosed location. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in Kone area. The sun was really hot prompting the orphans to converge under a tree until the temperature dropped to a more favourable level. The orphans concentrated only on browsing and weren’t very active for the rest of the day.

19 January 2017

Soon after leaving the stockade, the orphans were joined by Wendi, her baby Wiva, Challa, Nasalot, Meibai, Ololoo, Sidai, Makireti three wild elephants and Kilabasi. Narok shared her lucerne with Wiva as Ololoo engaged Orwa in a pushing game that ended when Ololoo attempted to ride on Orwa. After quitting the game, Orwa moved to play with Kilabasi while Sokotei tackled Ololoo. An hour later, the Ex Orphans parted ways with the juniors. The area is now drying out fast and the orphans didn't waste any time which would amount to them arriving back home without getting enough food. Roi, Naseku and Sirimon were the first ones to go for their midday milk feeds. After Roi and Naseku had enough of wallowing in the mud bath after their milk, the two girls headed for soil dusting. They were later joined by their friends before wandering back to the browsing field. Barsilinga settled to feed with Shukuru and later moved to feed with Laragai. Later in the evening the orphans crossed the Kalovoto River and were lucky that there was still some water left in small pools. The orphans opted to cool off there before returning back to the browsing field.

20 January 2017

When the orphans were through with the lucerne this morning Narok led the way to the browsing field. On the way, the orphans met with Mutara and her group. There was some excitement as members from both groups exchanged morning greetings by entwining their trunks. Barsilinga exchanged morning greetings with Suguta while Vuria did it with Kainuk, Turkwel with Bomani while Sities greeted Teleki. Kanjoro briefly engaged Kithaka to a light pushing game. Half an hour later, the groups parted ways. Out in the bush, Roi took a break from feeding to participate in a soil dusting exercise and on the way to the mud bath, the orphans were joined by Chaimu and Kilaguni. Chaimu engaged Garzi in a light pushing game that ended when Garzi surrendered. Later, Chaimu also tackled Kithaka but Kithaka surrendered. After mud bath, the orphans participated in a soil dusting exercise before going back to the browsing field. Chaimu and Kilaguni were left at mud bath where they were shortly later joined by the senior Ex Orphans. Noticeable were wild born babies Wiva and Gawa who are growing stronger each passing day. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse on the western side of Ithumba Hill. At one time, the sun became so hot making the orphans want to relax under a tree until the temperatures dropped. In the evening, the orphans passed by mud bath on their way back to the stockade and had an evening cool-off by wallowing.

21 January 2017

The sky was partly covered by clouds when the orphans were let out. Kilaguni, who had reported at the stockade compound early before dawn, joined the orphans for lucerne. Shortly later, Mutara and her group showed up and joined the juniors for lucerne. Tomboi emerged from the western side of stockade and also joined in feasting on the lucerne. On their way to the browsing field, Kanjoro engaged Garzi to a pushing game while Kilaguni had strength testing exercise with Orwa. At the browsing field, Barsilinga briefly engaged Garzi in a pushing game that ended in a draw while Enkikwe played with Olsekki. Naseku came across a nice tree that she used to scratch the left side of her belly on. At mud bath time, Shukuru emerged as the star of the day as she rolled and splashed water with her trunk while sitting in water. Sirimon got a free ride from Roi and later Sirimon climbed on Olsekki. After mud bath, Lemoyian engaged Kithaka in a pushing game that ended soon when Kithaka surrendered. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in Imenti area. Orwa and Olsekki took a break from feeding and relaxed under a tree. Laragai and Kithaka then did the same. In the afternoon the sun was still hot prompting the orphans to pass by mud bath for an evening cool off. Shortly after five o'clock in the evening, wild elephants in the company of a few Ex Orphans started trickling into the stockade to drink from the water trough. Members of the Ex Orphans present included Yatta, Yetu, Mulika, Mwende, Lualeni, Orok, Buchuma, Makena, Nasalot and Ololoo. Soon a total of fifty elephants were at the stockade drinking water and as soon as they had enough, the elephants left back into the Park.

22 January 2017

Lualeni who had spent the night just outside the stockade was sound asleep when the orphans were let out this morning. The commotion made by the orphans when they were let out woke her up though. Lualeni joined the juniors to feed on the lucerne. Shortly later, the Ex Orphans showed up and joined the orphans in their feeding. Wiva and Gawa were in a jovial mood. Wiva walked amongst the orphans as she greeted them. She started with Roi and ended up with Bomani. Wiva, who is quite like her mother, started a show-off game of sitting and rolling on the ground, a game which attracted Gawa who came over to climb on Wiva’s back. An hour later, the Ex Orphans parted ways with the juniors. It was a cloudy day and the orphans enjoyed the low temperature. At mud bath time, the weather was still chilly and none of the orphans went into the mud bathing water. In the afternoon, the clouds cleared giving way to sun shine. The orphans briefly converged under a tree as Naseku, Kauro, Oltaiyoni, Roi and Kamok participated in a soil dusting exercise

23 January 2017

It was a chilly morning and mist covered the Ithumba Hill as the orphans settled for lucerne. Tusuja walked straight to a nearby rock where he started his day’s activities with a scratching exercise. Shortly later, he was joined by Roi. Makireti, Kilabasi and Kasigau emerged from the western side of the stockade while Chaimu and Kilaguni emerged from eastern side and joined the orphans to feed on lucerne. Kilabasi engaged Narok in a brief pushing game in which Narok surrendered, making Kilabasi move on to play with Bomani. Kilaguni and Kasigau had a brief strength testing exercise before parting ways. The orphans took advantage of the nice weather and concentrated on browsing. Only Kithaka took a break from feeding to scratch on a fallen tree that he came across. At mud bath time it was still quite windy and none of the orphans went into the mud bathing water. In the afternoon, the clouds cleared giving way to sunshine. The orphans went on with browsing right up to the evening when they passed by the mud bath for an evening cool off.

24 January 2017

It was a quiet morning as the orphans settled for lucerne. When they were through, Narok led the way to the browsing field. Shukuru walked shoulder to shoulder with Roi. At the browsing field, Bongo engaged Barsilinga in a pushing game that ended soon when Barsilinga surrendered. Lemoyian settled to feed with Sirimon while Kamok settled to feed with Naseku. Shortly before eleven o'clock in the morning, Kauro led the way to the mud bath where the juniors were joined by Wendi, Wiva, Kilaguni, Kilabasi, Makireti, Rapsu, Orok, Ololoo and wild bull Half Trunk. Some of the orphans joined Half Trunk in drinking as Garzi tried to challenge Ololoo to a pushing game, while baby Wiva joined the rest of the group in soil dusting. In the afternoon, the sun was still hot making Boromoko and Bongo want to relax under a tree for sometime before resuming browsing.

25 January 2017

The orphans had a quiet and peaceful morning. Half an hour after the orphans had settled for the lucerne, Yatta and Mulika’s groups showed up. The orphans had almost finished the lucerne and to avoid being bullied by some of the Ex Orphans, the juniors left for browsing. Orwa settled to browse with Sirimon while Boromoko came across a fallen tree that he used to scratch his belly on. The sun was really hot and at one time the juniors converged under a tree to hide from the scorching sun. At mud bath time, all the orphans participated fully in the wallowing exercise. Bongo, the water boy, was the last one to quit the mud bath. Shortly later, Teleki engaged Lemoyian in a pushing game that ended quickly when Lemoyian surrendered. Narok and Olsekki spent some time scratching against the nearby trees while Garzi settled to play with Kithaka. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse on the western side of the Ithumba Hill and in the evening they passed by mud bath to cool off. Only Bomani boycotted the wallowing exercise.

26 January 2017

Shortly after the orphans settled for lucerne in the morning, Buchuma emerged from west and Tomboi emerged from east and the two Ex Orphans joined the juniors in feeding of lucerne. Buchuma had a brief chat with Orwa as Laragai escorted Tomboi to the water trough where they both drank water together. Garzi and Boromoko spent some time scratching on the nearby rocks. An hour after the orphans had left for browsing, the Ex Orphans reported for water at the stockade. The orphans settled to browse in Kanziku area and it was all quiet up to mud bath time when Naseku led the first group to the mud bath. The juniors were again joined by Buchuma and Tomboi. Lemoyian joined Tomboi at the water trough in drinking water. Later, Lemoyian headed for soil dusting as his friends returned back to the browsing field. Lemoyian followed them later when he felt that he had done enough soil dusting. In the afternoon, Teleki and Orwa took a break from feeding to relax under a tree as they felt the temperature really was too much. In the evening the temperature was still high prompting the orphans to pass by the mud bath for an evening cool off.

27 January 2017

Wendi and Wiva spent their night just outside the stockade. In the morning, the juniors joined them outside the stockade and they shared lucerne together. Roi and Wiva spent awhile in a rolling game. Shortly later, Naseku, Garzi and Oltaiyoni came to assist Wiva in getting up thinking that she was unable to stand up. After feeding on lucerne, Wendi and her baby disappeared back into the Park, only to reappear again at mud bath time. In the afternoon, the Ex Orphans briefly joined the juniors and made away with Narok and Bongo off into the Park! The keepers realized later that the two had been snatched by the Ex Orphans and they tracked their footprints until dark but to no avail. Later when it was just after dark, Narok and Bongo returned back to the stockade after testing half the night out. Only time will tell if the experience they had was a nice one or if they decide they need more time to be with their human family.

28 January 2017

The orphans settled for lucerne soon after leaving the stockade. Shortly later, the juniors were joined by Mutara, Suguta, Sities, Turkwel, Kanjoro and Kainuk. Kanjoro exchanged morning greetings with Narok before settling for lucerne. An hour later, the orphans parted ways with Mutara and her group. At the browsing field, Bongo engaged Vuria in pushing game that lasted for quite some time. Later Bongo moved to play with Barsilinga as Enkikwe settled to browse with Siangiki. Kithaka came across a bent tree that he used to scratch his chest on. At mud bath time the temperature was moderate and none of the orphans dared to step into the mud bathing water. In the afternoon, Vuria settled to feed with Siangiki while Sirimon teamed up with Sokotei. At around two o'clock in the afternoon, the clouds cleared giving way to sun shine. Shukuru, Boromoko and Laragai took a break from feeding and relaxed under a tree for a bit. In the evening, the orphans attended an evening mud bath before Kamok led the way back to the stockade.

29 January 2017

This morning was quiet as Garzi, Kauro and Barsilinga took some time off from feeding to scratch on the nearby rocks. Later Kauro moved to Kamok and he tried to scratch his ear against her body. Half an hour later the Ex Orphans reported to the stockades and joined the orphans to feast on lucerne. Gawa was very active and for some time engaged Roi and later Bomani in a light pushing game. Garzi settled to play with Ithumbah who was also with the Ex Orphan group. Orwa, who was standing close by, joined Garzi in driving Ithumbah away. Later Garzi tried his hand with Ex Orphan bull Taita but he couldn't withstand Taita’s strength and so surrendered. The orphans parted ways with their seniors and settled to feed in the Kanziku area. The orphans browsed calmly throughout the day without any major observation. Siangiki teamed up with Sirimon to browse and in the afternoon the orphans settled to browse in Kone area. The sun was hot and this prompted the orphans to take a break from feeding to relax under trees with good shade. They only resumed browsing when the temperature dropped to a more favourable level.

30 January 2017

Makireti, Kilaguni, Kasigau, Kilabasi and Chaimu reported at the stockade compound early before dawn. The five junior Ex Orphans joined the orphans soon when they were let out. Sokotei, Boromoko, Lemoyian, Roi and Oltaiyoni started their day activities by scratching on the nearby rocks. Shukuru headed for water and later moved a distance away for a soil dusting exercise as she rumbled to signal her friends that it was time to leave for browsing before the sun got hot. Kamok heeded the call and led the rest of group in walking to join Shukuru. At the browsing field, Roi took a break from feeding to participate in a soil dusting exercise. At eleven o'clock in the morning when it was time for mud bath, the orphans were joined by a wild bull that shared water with them so peacefully. Four warthogs emerged from the nearby bushes and scared Oltaiyoni. Kithaka spotted the warthogs and decided to scare them away! The warthogs kept dodging Kithaka and at one stage, Narok tried to help Kithaka in driving the warthogs away but to no avail. The warthogs stood their ground making Kithaka and Narok give up. In the afternoon, the sun was still hot making Kamok and Kauro want to relax under trees. Later, the orphans settled to browse in the lower Kalovoto area where Tusuja, Sokotei and Sirimon decided to cool off by getting into a pool of water in the seasonal Kalovoto River. In the evening, the Ex Orphans reported for water at the stockade compound. Shortly after the Ex Orphans left, ten wild elephants reported for water as well.

31 January 2017

It was quiet and a peaceful morning when the orphans left the stockade and settled for lucerne. Soon after feeding, Shukuru, who is now feeling a lot better and is active like her friends, led the way to the browsing field. Shukuru settled to feed with Olsekki while Enkikwe teamed up with his greatest friend Siangiki. The weather was cloudy and temperature appetizing as the orphans concentrated mainly on browsing. At mud bath time the Ex Orphans in the company of three wild bulls joined the orphans. The juniors intermingled with the Ex Orphans; Enkikwe engaged Chaimu in a pushing game while Boromoko played with Lemoyian. Barsilinga tried his hand on Makena but ended up losing the game terribly after Makena pushed him so hard he shouted. Garzi engaged Zurura in a light pushing game while Boromoko moved to play with Makena. Makena was gentle with Boromoko and she didn't handle him in the same ruthless manner as with Barsilinga! Laragai kept herself busy by babysitting Gawa. Later, Lemoyian wound up the mud bath activities by engaging Garzi into a strength testing exercise. The orphans parted ways with the Ex Orphans and headed to Kanziku area where they settled to browse for the remaining part of the day.