Keepers' Diaries, January 2020

Voi Reintegration Unit



The Voi Unit has undergone a lot of re-shuffling recently. With the arrival of Emoli and Sagala from the Nursery last year to join Mbegu’s younger herd in Voi, there became a number of dependent orphans at the Voi Unit which perhaps spurred some of the older orphans to starting to feel out their independence. 

01 January 2020

After the morning milk feed, the Voi orphan elephants spent some time socializing around the compound before following Mbegu out for the mornings browsing activities.  

Along the way, Pika Pika and Rorogoi took a different path, separating from the rest of the group for a private browsing session before rejoining their friends later in the morning. Kenia, Ishaq-B and Mashariki who had spent last night out of the stockades joined the rest of the orphan herd as they browsed their way to the baobab tree water hole.

After the noon milk feed, Godoma led the orphans into the water for a mud bath. Kenia did not join them as she was busy drinking water at the water trough.

The orphans spent the afternoon browsing before returning to the stockades for the night. Kenia and her older friends did not return with the rest again, choosing to remain browsing in the Park.  

02 January 2020

The orphan elephants were in a playful mood this morning and were happily engaged in different games after the morning’s milk and supplement feeding was done.  Ndotto lay down in the path blocking the exit from the stockade, so Suswa had to come and move him out of the way!

Ex-orphan Laikipia arrived at the stockade compound together with Edie, Mweya, Eco, Mwitu, Panda, Naipoki, Nguvu, Bada, Mbirikani, Nelion and Lentili. They had a wonderful greeting and social with the dependent orphans before they all left for the Park. On arriving at the northern side of Msinga Hill, Laikipia and his ex-orphan herd members parted ways with the dependent orphans and headed towards the Voi River circuit.

During the day Mbegu was busy perfecting her leadership role making sure to keep all the younger orphans under her wing.  At noon the orphans headed to the noon milk feeding area after which they went to the baobab tree waterhole. Emoli jumped into the water to showcase all his mud bathing skills. The rest of the days browsing activities took place close to the waterhole.  

03 January 2020

After the morning feed, Rorogoi engaged Ndotto in a pushing game while Murit enjoyed an early morning dust bath. Edie and Mweya visited the stockade together with their adopted six Voi orphans. The stockade-dependent orphans and the graduate orphans had a lovely time interacting with each other before leaving for the Park.

After arriving at the northern side of Msinga Hill, Edie and the rest of the ex-orphan herd separated from the youngsters and made their way towards the middle water hole. The stockade dependent orphans joined up with Kenia, Kihari, Ishaq-B, and Mashariki, all of whom had spent last night out in the Park browsing. They all visited the baobab tree water hole where they encountered a big herd of buffalos that had been drinking from the water trough, nearly emptying it.  

The orphans had a quick wallow while they waited for some water to be brought for them. They then quenched their thirst at the water trough before resuming with their browsing activities for the rest of the day.

04 January 2020

It was fun and games as usual after the morning milk and supplement feeding.  Murit enjoyed an early morning dust bath with Godoma who displayed some of her skills while lying down. Tahri seemed to be enamored with her game and lay down on Godoma’s stomach to play with her.  Ngilai and Emoli were busy engaging one another in a play fighting wrestling match and Emoli was fully determined that he could win, even though he is younger than Ngilai.  

Rorogoi and Murit were engaged in their own strength testing game, which they played while lying down.  The orphans then headed out for the day, linking up with older friends Kenia and co once in the Park.  

At midday the orphans had their milk bottles after which they proceeded for a mud bathing session. Embu entered the water first and was the star of the mud bath. The afternoon browsing activities took place close to the waterhole.  

05 January 2020

The orphans exited their stockades and downed their milk bottle and enjoyed their supplement foods before engaging in a variety of games around the stockade compound.  Tahri enjoyed a buttock scratching session against the orphan’s favourite rock while Pika Pika stood patiently watching and waiting her turn.  Mudanda came over, ignoring the queue, and pushed Tahri out of the way and taking the scratching rock for herself.  

Ndotto took Arruba to task in a tough head butting wrestling match. When they were done they joined their friends who were leaving the stockade compound for the Park. While they were out browsing, they encountered the ex-orphan herd and the two groups spent some time browsing together. Sagala and Tahri enjoyed interacting with babies Eco and Mwitu during this time.  The two groups parted ways when it was time for the junior orphan herd to head to the baobab tree waterhole where a lot of fun was had playing mud bathing games. Emoli climbed on Godoma’s back and drove her out of the water!

06 January 2020

Emoli engaged Ngilai in a play fight early just after the early morning milk feed. Godoma was busy enjoying a dust bath while Lasayen and Ndotto were having fun scratching against different rocks around the stockade compound.  Sagala led the way out this morning followed by her friends and Kenia’s herd with Suswa bringing up the rear.  

Ex-orphan bull Laikipia was spotted browsing alone in the Park but he did not meet up with the junior orphan herd who slowly browsed their way to the baobab tree water hole where they had their noon milk feed and enjoyed a mud bath.  In the water Tahri lay on Arruba’s stomach, preventing Arruba from showcasing her mud bathing skills.  Araba and Mbegu sat in the water and rolled around like mud fish. Ngilai seemed to be jealous of the fun the two were having and went to disrupt their games by prodding them with his tusks, which had the desired result of Araba and Mbegu leaving the water.  

07 January 2020

It was an overcast morning which meant the warm sun was blocked out and it was a chilly day as a cool breeze was blowing. The orphans concentrated on their usual feeding activities before engaging in dust bathing games on the soil piles at the stockade compound.  

Tundani had a great time lying on top of one of the stockade terraces and rolling around. Embu lay down on the soil piles but quickly got up when she saw Ngilai coming towards her wanting to play.  

Mbegu felt that it was time to head out to the Park and trumpeted loudly to let the rest of the orphan herd know that it was time to wrap up their games and head out for the day. The morning was spent browsing before visiting the baobab tree water hole at noon where the orphans had a lot of fun playing mud bathing games. Arruba was busy stirring the water with her trunk and had to rush to catch up with her friends later who had resumed their browsing activities.  

08 January 2020

Another day began with the usual milk and supplement feeding. Tahri and Araba enjoyed a scratching session against an outcropping rock in the stockade compound before joining the others who were walking out to browse. 

The orphans browsed in single file for more than three hours with Tundani and Embu, Mashariki and Arruba separating themselves from the main herd for a private browsing session on the western side of Msinga Hill. The four utilized the morning hours for some serious browsing before rejoining their friends who were headed to the waterhole.  

After the milk feed, Godoma knelt down to test the temperature of the water with her trunk before plunging into the water for a bath. The weather was warm and the orphans enjoying swimming in the main water hole. Murit was playing with Pika Pika which made Mbegu jealous and she came to disrupt the game to claim Pika Pika for herself. Murit engaged Emoli in a strength testing game after which they all returned to their browsing activities along the northern base of Msinga Hill. Rorogoi and Arruba enjoying leading the orphan herd back to the stockades in the evening.  

09 January 2020

The day began like any other with the usual morning milk bottle followed by the Lucerne pellet feeding. Once the supplement feeding was over the orphans assembled around the stockade water trough for a drink of water before making their way to the Park. Ngilai and Murit engaged one another in fight which had to be broken up by Emoli as it had become a rather heated engagement.   

The orphan elephants spent the morning browsing peacefully before visiting the baobab tree water hole where they had a wonderful mud bath. Ndotto was busy rolling down the sides of the waterhole into the water when Araba came and pinned him down with her sharp tusks. Ndotto quickly got to his feet ready to engage Araba but returned to the water instead where Suswa came to watch over him and prevent anyone else from disrupting his game.

10 January 2020

It was a wonderful beginning to the day as the stockade dependent orphans concentrated on their milk and supplement feeding before proceeding towards the browsing grounds for the morning browsing session.  

The orphans visited the water hole in the afternoon and had a wonderful mud bath. Mbegu showcased her mud bathing skills as she rolled around in the water. Embu came and disrupted her game by rubbing her neck on Mbegu’s back preventing her from frolicking in the water.  

Lasayen was busy enjoying a dust bathing game which was nearly interrupted by Ngilai who wanted to play a pushing game, but Lasayen was not interested so Ngilai joined in on the dust bathing fun instead. Tahri prevented Ndotto from exiting the mud bath by standing at the edge and pushing Ndotto back into the water whenever he attempted to come out.  

The afternoon browsing session took place on the northern side of that water hole with Kenia’s herd coming to join the juniors. The two groups browsed together until it was time for the stockade dependent orphans to return to the safety of the stockades for the night.  

11 January 2020

It was a beautiful beginning to the day as the orphan elephants exited their stockade in a happy mood, emptying a morning milk bottle and enjoying the supplement foods before engaging in some brief games around the stockade compound.

The orphans spent the morning browsing halfway up the eastern side of Msinga Hill, with Murit sticking close to Pika Pika. Later on in the day, Ndii and Kenia, who had joined the stockade dependent orphan elephants in the morning, went further uphill to browse alone and were left behind when the juniors moved downhill to make their way to the baobab tree water hole for an afternoon milk bottle and mud bath. The dependent babies arrived for their milk in groups of five, with the first group consisting of Ngilai, Emoli, Murit, Pika Pika and Lasayen. Murit enjoyed some mud bathing fun with Pika Pika and the two then spent the afternoon browsing next to one another.  

12 January 2020

It was a quiet beginning to the day with the orphan elephants hanging around the stockade compound after the morning milk and supplement feeding. Today Murit stuck close to Emoli as Pika Pika was with Arruba. Sagala wanted to come for Emoli, but Murit prevented her from getting to the youngster by engaging Emoli in a play fight.

The orphans formed a line as they made their way to the Park for the days browsing activities. Mbegu took the lead today choosing to take the group to the northern side of the stockade to browse. She maneuvered her way to the bushy northern side before heading to the baobab tree water hole. 

After the noon milk feeding the orphans had a drink of water from the water trough, after which they assembled around the waterhole and considered whether they should wallow or not, as it was a cloudy day. Pika Pika was the first to enter the water followed by Godoma then Ndoria. The rest moved back so as not to get wet and returned to their browsing activities.  

13 January 2020

The morning was cold when the stockade dependent orphan elephants exited their stockades for their morning milk bottle and supplement food, after which they had some fun playing dusting games before following Godoma and Mbegu out for the day.  

They spent the morning browsing on the eastern and northern sides of the stockade with Mbegu and Emoli initiating a dust bathing game deep inside a little erosion gulley. When they were done playing all the orphans walked to the big baobab tree waterhole where they had their milk and a drink of water, before returning to the eastern side of the stockade for the afternoon. Just before 5pm, Emoli, Rorogoi and Pika Pika decided to take the lead of the others and led the herd back to the safety of the stockades for the night.  

14 January 2020

It was a wonderful beginning to the day with the orphan elephants coming out of their stockades to down a morning milk bottle before settling for their supplement food. When they were full of the Lucerne pellets they all walked out to the Park where they would spend the day browsing. They browsed in single file with Mbegu and Godoma feeding close to Emoli and Pika Pika, while Kenia, who had joined the orphans at the stockade in the morning, settled with Araba.

The orphan elephants had their noon milk feed close to the baobab tree water hole then had a drink of clean water from the water trough. Embu, Rorogoi and Arruba tried to wallow but soon exited the water as it was a chilly day and the water was cold.  

The afternoon browsing session took place along the western foot of Msinga Hill where Kenia, Ishaq-B, Nelion, Ndoria and Araba maneuvered their way to the peak of the Hill leaving the rest downhill.  The four older orphans spent the afternoon browsing atop the hill and that is where they spent the night too, while the others returned to the stockades.  

15 January 2020

The morning was good with the earliest callers to the stockade being Kenia, Nelion, Araba, Ndoria, Ishaq-B and Tundani, all of whom spent last night outside the stockades before arriving at 6am today to join their younger friends for the Lucerne pellet feeding. Kenia went to greet Pika Pika and spent some time with the youngster. Arruba did her level best to keep Pika Pika close to her so that Kenia wouldn’t steal her away.  

The orphans visited the baobab tree water hole in groups of five. The first to arrive were Pika Pika, Emoli, Sagala, Araba, Murit and Ngilai. Araba, who sometime misses her milk bottle as a result of following Kenia around, was thrilled to get her share today.

After the milk feed Ndoria went to the waterhole and showcased her bathing skills as she made her way all around the waterhole. Mashariki, Arruba and Pika Pika ended up wallowing at the side of the mud bath as Ndoria was not leaving much space for anyone else. Kenia came over and led them further into the water, showing them that there was more than enough space for them all. The afternoon browsing session took place along the western side of the waterhole with Kenia remaining in the Park when the juniors headed home in the evening.

16 January 2020

The Voi dependent orphan elephants rushed out of their stockades this morning eager for their milk bottle. Tahri, Emoli and Pika Pika were the first to arrive with Godoma coming in close behind them. Godoma was impatient and didn’t want to wait; she managed to sneak behind the Keepers and steal a milk bottle!

Sagala took on the leadership role today and once out in the Park the juniors caught up with Kenia’s herd. The two groups spent the morning browsing on the flat lands of the northern side of Msinga Hill.  

The milk dependent orphans enjoyed their noon milk bottle on the northern foot of Msinga Hill after which Mashariki led them half way up Msinga Hill for the afternoon browsing session. Murit and Ngilai stopped to have a dust bath at the foot of Msinga Hill, after which they rejoined their friends.  

The orphans returned to the safety of the stockades in the evening together with Kenia’s group who spent some time at the stockades, before returning to the Park as the light started to fade.

17 January 2020

The stockade dependent orphans were filled with excitement when they woke up to begin their day.  They enjoyed playing hide-and-seek games around the stockade compound, following the milk and supplement feeding, before heading out for the day. When the Voi orphans left the stockade compound, Kenia and her herd were spotted browsing half way up the southern side of Msinga Hill.

At midday, Edie’s ex-orphan herd arrived at the stockades and spent some time with Kenia’s herd before returning to the Park and making their way to the Voi River circuit. Nelion chose to stay with Kenia’s herd while Kihari left with Edie, Eco, Mweya, Mwitu, Lentili, Naipoki, Panda, Bada, Nguvu and Mbirikani.

The Voi dependent orphan herd visited the baobab tree water hole after the noon milk feed. Mbegu was the first to enter the water followed closely by Embu, Arruba and Tahri who all joined her for a bath. Arruba left the wallow and headed straight to the dust piles where Sagala and some of the others were dusting. Murit was busy showcasing his mud bathing skills which were watched closely by Emoli and Mbegu.  

18 January 2020

This morning the orphans hung around the stockades for a while playing and bonding with one another following the milk and supplement feeding. Embu and Murit both lifted their trunks and made their way towards Tahri who was wary of what they were doing and walked away when she saw them approaching her. The two then tried to engage Rorogoi who took off running not trusting what they were up to either. Rorogoi went and joined Mashariki for a game of rolling around on the ground.

As it was a cold day, Mbegu and Arruba chose to forgo the mud bath and instead led the orphan herd to the dust piles following the noon milk feed.  Emoli and Murit, however, felt brave and plunged into the water, swimming around like mud fish. Ngilai and Sagala stood at the side of the waterhole admiring their mud bathing techniques.  Suswa also decided to brave the cold water for a wallow and was left behind as the others returned to the browsing fields, but she was soon able to catch up with them as the herd was moving rather slowly as they browsed.  

19 January 2020

After the morning feed, the stockade dependent orphan elephants left the stockade to catch up with Kenia’s herd who were browsing along the eastern foot of Msinga Hill. The two herds settled down to browse together amongst the thick bushes which provided a lot of tasty food that morning.  

The orphan herd left Kenia’s herd and made their way to the milk feeding area near the baobab tree water hole. After their milk bottles they had a drink from the water trough. As it was a cold day none of the orphans went into the water, choosing instead to resume with their browsing activities. 

Later in the afternoon it grew a lot warmer and the orphans decided to return to the waterhole for a bath. Godoma and Arruba had a lovely time rolling around in the water. Mudanda seemed to be jealous of their fun and pinned Godoma with her long sharp tusks, driving Godoma out of the water. Arruba followed Godoma and the two enjoyed a wonderful game on the dust piles. Mudanda again came to spoil their fun driving Godoma away from the red earth piles.  

Arruba went to the water trough for a drink together with Pika Pika while Suswa went for a swim. When she came out she teamed up with Rorogoi for a dust bath followed by a scratching session against an acacia tree.  Once all the fun and games were over the orphans followed Mbegu and Sagala back to the stockades for the night.

20 January 2020

The stockade dependent orphans began their day as usual downing their milk bottles before settling to enjoy the Lucerne grass pellets that the Keepers had put out for them. There were some brief games around the stockade compound with Ndotto engaging Rorogoi in a pushing game before climbing onto Rorogoi’s back. Suswa intervened to get Ndotto down, but Rorogoi retaliated by climbing on Ndotto’s back which made it seem like it was part of their game. Suswa enjoyed a scratching session against the favoured rock before following the reset of the orphan herd who were heading out for the day.  

Out in the Park the orphans spent their time browsing and joined up with Kenia’s herd for a spell on their way to the waterhole where there was a lot of fun mud bathing games following the milk feed. Godoma and Suswa teamed up to lie on Mbegu and prevent her from shining in any mud bath games, and she soon left the water.  Araba took Pika Pika for a soil bath close to the waterhole; the red earth piles were a hive of activity as the orphans rolled around on the loose soil.  

21 January 2020

The morning was cold as the stockade dependent orphans exited their stockades for their morning milk bottle and supplement food. They then engaged in some wonderful soil dusting games on the red earth piles before following Embu and Mashariki out to the Park. Kenia’s herd was seen browsing on the peak of Msinga Hill, and they did not seem to be in any hurry to come down.  

The orphan herd visited the baobab tree water hole for their noon milk bottle which they downed in a matter of minutes. After, they walked over to the water trough as usual to quench their thirst. Emoli plunged into the waterhole, spraying water all over his body. Due to the cold weather his friends were reluctant to join him in the water. Murit, Ngilai and Mudanda took a partial mud bath on the periphery, splashing themselves with water using their trunks. Emoli fell behind when the orphan herd left the waterhole to resume their browsing activities but he was able to run and catch up with them. Sagala spent the afternoon browsing side by side with Pika Pika.

22 January 2020

The Voi babies this morning teamed up for some stockade games following the morning’s milk feed. Ndotto saw that Mashariki was taking a long scratching session at the big rock boulder and went to engage her in a pushing game.  Mudanda came over to the rock wanting to intervene and join in. Ndotto ran off and Mashariki got to continue with her scratching session. Ndotto then went to climb on Rorogoi’s back while Rorogoi was busy enjoying a soil bathing game.  

The orphan elephants left the stockade compound for the bush. They arrived at the western foot of Msinga Hill where Lasayen and Embu, who were leading, encountered Ndoria and the other members of Kenia’s herd all of whom have taken to spending the nights out of the stockades. They all settled to browse together, feeding in that spot until it was time for the noon milk feed at the waterhole.  

Later on in the mud bath, Embu, Ndotto and Lasayen enjoyed a game of rolling and lying on each other while Ndoria stood behind them keeping guard. Godoma came to the water’s edge and used her trunk to check the temperature before joining her friends for a bath, while Murit engaged Sagala in a pushing and strength testing game.  

Once everyone was done wallowing they all enjoyed a wonderful dust bath. Tundani, Ndotto and Mbegu lay at the top of the dust hill, relaxing there for a few minutes, after which Mbegu engaged Ndotto in a sparring match.  The afternoon’s browsing activities took place close to the waterhole.

23 January 2020

On the rocky side of Msinga Hill, not far from the stockade, the Voi orphan elephants settled to browse. A short while later Ndotto and Suswa took a break from browsing to enjoy a scratching session against a rock and when they were done they rejoined the browsing activities. Mbegu was enjoying feeding on the soft and fresh acacia shrubs, as was the rest of the orphan herd. 

The weather was cold and chilly and the orphans did not visit the waterhole today choosing instead to head deep into the dense bush and shrubs to feed. Later in the day the independent orphans, led by Mashariki, joined the dependent group for the browsing session, leading them towards the northern side of Msinga Hill. The browsing activities continued till late in the evening at which time the orphans had to return to the safety of the stockades for the night. 

24 January 2020

It was cold and drizzling as the orphans exited their stockades for the morning milk bottle. When they finished their share they snuggled up to one another for warmth before leaving and making their way to the southern of Msinga Hill for the morning browsing session.

At noon they visited the baobab tree waterhole where they had their noon milk bottle and a drink from the water trough before heading to the dust piles where Arruba, Ndotto and Tahri lay at the top of the hill relaxing while the rest of the orphan herd were busy rolling around on the hill and spraying themselves with dust.  Pika Pika knelt down on her knees, digging the dirt with her small tusks before getting back to her feet and engaging Ngilai in a sparring game.  

After the orphans had enough of the soil bathing they headed back to their browsing activities, leaving Mbegu and Rorogoi behind as the two had decided to take a nap atop the dust piles. Mbegu and Rorogoi rejoined the orphan herd later in the day for the afternoon browsing activities. Mbegu was seen lying down frequently which the Keepers attributed to an upset stomach. She was treated accordingly was soon feeling much better.  

25 January 2020

The stockade dependent orphans exited their stockades for their milk and supplement food after which they engaged in numerous activities around the stockade compound. Mudanda enjoyed an early morning dust bath, while Godoma and Suswa had fun playing at the edge of the terrace wall. Sagala, Ngilai and Ndotto joined Mudanda for a dust bath after which Sagala climbed the terrace wall and enjoyed a scratching session against the rock next to the water trough. Tahri also came up the terrace wall while Rorogoi sat on the ground posing until Suswa came over and disrupted her fun. Sagala engaged Murit in a pushing game which Murit won and he then went on to engage Suswa.

Rorogoi enjoyed a dust bath before joining Mudanda for a scratching session against the scratching rock. Ngilai and Sagala also went for a dust bath while Ndotto and Suswa played a pushing game.  Mbegu tried to climb the terrace wall while Ndotto took on Embu for a pushing game just before the orphans left the compound for the day.  

The orphan herd spent the morning browsing along the foot of Msinga Hill with Arruba, Rorogoi and Suswa climbing up to the top of the hill to browse. The orphans made their way to the baobab tree waterhole where they had their milk bottles before wallowing in the mud bath.

26 January 2020

The orphans walked out of their stockades ready for the morning feed. Godoma, Tahri, and Emoli were the first ones to finish their milk bottles and then they went to the water trough for a drink, before coming back to beg for more milk from the Keepers!

Ngilai enjoyed scratching against the rock next to the water trough before taking on Pika Pika in a wrestling game. Mudanda took Ngilai’s place at the scratching rock and a pushing game between the two erupted.   

Emoli lead the orphans out to the bush where Sagala engaged Murit in a play fighting game.

The orphan herd settled to browse along the rocky side of Msinga Hill before heading to the waterhole for the noon milk feed. As it was a cold day the orphans did not wallow, choosing instead to have a dust bath. Rorogoi spent some time around the baobab tree putting her trunk into any hole or crevice she could find to look for some tasty water, before joining her friends at the dust bath where Sagala and Murit were once again engaged in a pushing game.  

As the orphans resumed with their browsing activities Mbegu stayed at the waterhole, where she was relaxing atop the dust hill. She later rejoined the orphan herd and they browsed until it was time to return home for the night.

27 January 2020

The orphans rushed out of their stockades this morning excited to begin the day. As soon as they had their milk and supplement food they headed to the Park leaving Rorogoi behind as she was drinking from the water trough. She had to rush to catch up with the rest of the group and once she caught up to them she engaged Ndotto in a pushing game.

The orphans seemed to be very excited this morning and they ran around trumpeting loudly and rolling around on the ground. Suswa went down on her knees digging at the ground with her long tusks. Ndotto intensified the pushing game with Rorogoi while Godoma engaged Murit in a strength testing game. Mbegu intervened with Ndotto and Rorogoi’s game and took on Ndotto herself.  

After the noon milk feed the orphans went straight to the water trough for a drink of water before resuming with their browsing activities. They all avoided the water hole with only Embu stopping to splash herself with some water.

28 January 2020

The orphans left the stockade compound immediately after the morning milk and supplement feed. One out in the Park Ndotto, Godoma and Mbegu rolled around inside a small erosion gulley, sand bathing, as Murit and Pika Pika relaxed under a tree before joining their three friends to dust themselves too.  

At the noon mud bath, Ndotto rested his trunk on the huge baobab tree smelling it as the rest of the group had a drink from the water trough. Mbegu and Ngilai had their trunks up as they communicated with one another, leading the group to the dust piles, while Emoli and Murit were engaged in a sparring match. Godoma and Tahri seemed to strike a pose as they both stood with their front feet on the water trough as they drank. When they were done they walked over to the dust piles to play there too, and Tahri climbed over Godoma and Ndotto as they all had a lot of fun there.  

29 January 2020

Ndotto and Rorogoi began their morning with a strength testing game at the stockade compound while their friends were heading out for the days browsing activities.  Pika Pika rolled around in an erosion gulley where she was joined by Sagala and the two enjoyed playing before rejoining their friends who were browsing at the foot of Msinga Hill. Arruba led most of the herd up the Hill while Ndotto and Murit remained downhill browsing close to the Keepers.

At noon, the orphans had their milk bottle and then went for a drink of water from the baobab tree water trough. They quenched their thirst before resuming with their browsing activities leaving Embu standing by the baobab tree waterhole where she remained for a few minutes before rejoining her friends.  

The afternoon browsing session continued until late in the evening with the stockade dependent group linking up with Kenia’s herd as they made their way back to the stockades for the night. Mudanda, Suswa and Arruba chose to spend some time browsing with Kenia’s herd, returning to the stockades twenty minutes after the rest of their friends.

30 January 2020

After the morning feed the orphans hung around the stockades before leaving for their daily bushwalks. Ngilai and Murit engaged one another in a sparring game before Lasayen came to intervene. Embu enjoyed an early dust bath and was joined by Ndotto and Mbegu.  

Sagala took the lead out to the Park today with Emoli and Pika Pika coming to join her as they made their way to the rocky side of Msinga Hill. Along the way, the orphans linked up with the independent orphans led by Kenia and they all proceeded to the northern side of Msinga Hill to browse. 

At noon the orphans came down for the midday feed and went straight to the baobab waterhole for a wallow. Embu, Godoma, Arruba and Rorogoi went directly into the mud hole without stopping at the water trough. The orphans wallowed for a while before resuming with their browsing activities.  Kenia later gathered her group and headed off to other browsing pastures while the stockade dependent orphans headed back to the safety of the stockades for the night.  

31 January 2020

The stockade dependents left for the browsing grounds in the Park as soon as they finished their morning milk and supplement feed. Sagala lead the way for a short distance before Emoli took over and led the group to the peak of Msinga Hill.  

The orphans spent the morning browsing a top the hill and only came down when the Keepers called them for their noon milk bottle. Ngilai came running down eager to have his bottle and downed the contents quickly before begging for more. When he realized he would not be given any more than his fair share he headed to the waterhole where he was joined by Suswa and the others.  

Pika Pika, Embu, Mbegu and Rorogoi went directly into the water and had a quick bath before coming out and going to the water trough for a drink. Sagala came out of mud bath for a scratching session against the baobab tree where she was joined by Pika Pika. The orphans spent the afternoon browsing, returning to the stockades later in the evening for their milk bottles and to go to sleep.