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In the early morning after the orphans settled out in the field, the big boys welcomed the new year with wrestling games. Mukutan took on Choka, Loldaiga took on Mageno and Kitich, and Shujaa was busy wrestling with Kamili (who has become one of his favourite playmates). 

As the boys (and Kamili) were playing, little Wamata (our spoiled baby!) was being given a state guard by almost all the girls, large and small. Latika, Sileita, Mushuru, Kerrio, Weka, Muwingu, Muridjo, Mzinga, Nyambeni and Talek all seemed to want to be next to Wamata! Of her gang of nannies, Latika and Sileita are the most caring and protective. 

Later in the morning near the mud bath, Taroha and Olomunyak began a wrestling match, pushing heads in a gentle contest of strength – until their game was disrupted by Pardamat. The naughty little bull ran at Taroha and headbutted him off Olomunyak in an (unsuccessful) attempt to draw Taroha away from Olomunyak. Pardamat brought their game to an end as the two bulls turned their backs and walked away. 

Translocation training of Mukutan, Choka, Loldaiga, Sholumai, Muwingu and Mushuru is going well. All six are enjoying their milk feeds in the truck. Initially, Sholumai and Mushuru refused to even approach the ramp – but now they stride in without hesitation.  

In the morning, the orphans settled out in the field and browsed calmly in small groups. No one was showing off or playing games! Even big boys like Mukutan, Choka, Loldaiga, Mageno and Kitich – who play wrestling games almost every morning - kept their heads down and browsed peacefully.

After filling their bellies, the orphans woke up properly. Muridjo, Shujaa, Pardamat, Talek, Mzinga and Nyambeni were busy charging warthogs that kept grazing alongside them. The elephants chased the pigs away with loud trumpets and flared ears. Moments later, the pigs were back and the game began again.

Our ‘under-graduates’ have got to know their new routine. As the time approached for the six big boys and girls to head back to the truck, they formed a group with no encouragement and walked away from the herd in the direction of the stockades. Led by Mukutan, they padded down the path and round the corner to the truck. The boys are ready to ‘graduate’ and the girls will be later in the year. 

Later in the morning, most of the second group of older orphans plunged into the mud bath. Loldaiga, Mushuru, Muwingu, Mageno, Weka and Kitich lay down in the thick mud, rubbing up against each other and waving their trunks, while Mukutan and Choka tried to clamber on top of them.

In the forest this morning, for no apparent reason, Mukutan began bush bashing, trumpeting loudly as he charged around in all directions. His behaviour affected the others and soon Sholumai, Muwingu, Loldaiga, Choka and Mushuru were all running randomly, trumpeting and kicking and knocking bushes. Others joined in and, before we had really grasped what was happening, the whole herd was rampaging around! In response, Talek, Pardamat, Olomunyak, Wamata, Nyambeni and Mzinga decided to head for home, charging in the direction of the stockades amid the chaos. Some of us intercepted them as others reassured the rest of the herd. Our solution was to lead all 22 orphans to another area of the forest where they calmed down and went back to browsing.

During the morning visit to the mud wallow, as always, the younger group of elephants padded first down the path, drank their milk and spread out around the wallow. Today, Mzinga was keeping the Keepers on their toes. Every time we turned our backs, the cheeky girl tried to pinch a bottle from the wheelbarrow which was full of milk for the second older group. Two Keepers were assigned to Mzinga duty!

The first group ambled back to the forest and the second took their place. Weka was at her most wayward today. Climbing out of the muddy pool, she ran at the rope cordon, giving the visitors a surprise. After we shepherded her sternly away, she knocked over the water buckets and kicked them around, refusing to stop when we whistled. Weka is secure in her position as the naughtiest girl in the Nursery – especially in the presence of noisy strangers!

In the morning out in the forest, the orphans spread out and settled down to browse quietly, twisting up clumps of green grass as they ambled along. When Sholumai pulled down a branch from a tall tree and broke it into tasty chunks, Loldaiga and Choka stretched out their trunks in an attempt to snatch the spoils. Sholumai may be close friends with Loldaiga but she was not sharing her branch! The big girl pushed him hard with her head – a reaction in great contrast to what happened next. When Olomunyak and Wamata toddled over to Sholumai, she welcomed them with trunk touches and allowed the two young ones to feed on her branch!

Mushuru was in an especially playful mood at the mud bath today. She kicked the water, splashing it in every direction with her enormous feet, and lay down for a roll around and then sat up to pose with her bottoms on the edge and trunk twirling in the air. Her antics attracted the attention of Mageno. He paddled into the pool and leant against Mushuru and almost sat on top of her while she continued squatting. Meanwhile, Loldaiga and Muwingu, who were standing tall next to the wallow, decided to squat on the edge and slide on their backsides into the pool. Impressed with Muwingu’s lie-down-and-slide move, Muridjo tried to copy her but Weka got in the way. As Muridjo lowered her bulk to the ground, Weka pushed her into the pool!

As soon as they walked out of their rooms this morning, Sholumai, Loldaiga, Choka and Mukutan made a beeline for the translocation truck to hoover up any leftover range cubes. Choosing to enter the truck is a sign of great training progress. None of the six orphans is scared or nervous about getting into the truck – all run in happily and explore every corner with their trunks.

Later in the morning, the herd visited the mud wallow - but no one was keen on getting wet and all opted instead to feed on the supplementary greens. It was almost the same story in the afternoon. The orphans drank their milk and spread out – except for Shujaa who has become extremely fond of mud bathing! Our growing boy plunged into the pool for a solitary wallow.

Little Raha appears to be making a good recovery. Since her surgery, she has been well and growing in strength with no signs of another possible prolapse of her rectum. Today, Raha walked quite far in the forest before lying down for her customary nap on the warm rocks. Maxwell is also in good shape. Today, he grazed on lucerne pellets with a family of warthog friends in his large enclosure. He crunched up mouthfuls of pellets as the pigs knelt to nibble on them one by one.

When the babies arrived in the woods, most of them looked very quiet and subdued, probably because of the cold morning. They stood in a cluster to keep the little ones warm - big girls Sileita, Kerrio, Muridjo, Mzinga, Nyambeni, Weka and Muwingu surrounded Wamata, Olomunyak, Talek, Taroha and Pardamat, making sure that their small charges were cosy.

Meanwhile, Choka - who has always been an independent boy - was wandering away from the herd and deep into the forest. We expect this behaviour. Young bulls in the Nursery herd, when they reach a certain age, show signs of wanting to be by themselves. Rather than staying within sight of their Keepers, they purposefully walk away, returning almost always in time for the next milk feed. This growing independence also indicates a readiness to graduate.

Our mud pool star Shujaa had a fantastic time wallowing in the afternoon. He loves playing in the pool. Today, he lay down and rubbed bodies with Kerrio while Wamata paddled along the edge. Clambering out, he sauntered over to the naughty corner where several older orphans were feeding by the smaller extended water hole. Moments later, he persuaded Mageno, Kitich, Sholumai and Loldaiga to join him for a water wrestling match! Back at the main wallow, sweet Kerrio upturned a water bucket before plonking her foot in it and then kicking (and heading) it like a football!

When the orphans woke up this morning, the herd behaved as if there was no time to waste! Normally, the orphans take a few minutes greeting each other or maybe interacting with Max before heading out to the forest. Today, they all wanted to head out immediately. Muwingu was leading, trumpeting and chasing away baboons and impalas in the path of the herd. As her second in command, Muridjo ran after any baboons still hanging around. Ambling along at the back of the long line of elephants, Sileita kept close to Olomunyak and Wamata, making sure that an excited orphan did not barge into one of them. Infected by Muwingu and Muridjo, many of the older ones – including Mzinga, Nyambeni, Kitich, Mushuru and Mukutan – were running rampant in different directions, trumpeting loudly and having a great time! 

Eventually, the herd calmed down and the orphans began browsing in clusters in the forest. After filling their bellies, several played wrestling games. Shujaa and Kamili engaged in a lengthy pushing game while Loldaiga, Kitich and Mageno enjoyed a sizing-up game. 

The noisiest girl in the herd was at it again today! Weka was leading Kitich, Mageno, Sileita and Muridjo down the path to the mud bath for their mid-morning milk feed. A few steps away from the wheelbarrow, she came to a halt, lifted her head and burst into a series of screaming trumpets! 

Most elephants, like most human beings, are gentle to those younger and weaker than themselves. Talek always defends herself against agemates Pardamat and Taroha but, whatever the situation, she never fights back against Olomunyak. Today, as Talek was rolling on the ground, playing in the long grass in the forest, all of a sudden Taroha came over and sat on top of her. With difficulty (as he is heavier than her), she wriggled out from underneath the bull, climbed to her feet and began fighting Taroha. She was not happy with his behaviour. Watching on from the sidelines, little Olomunyak decided to stand up for his big brother. He toddled over and headbutted Talek. Much to our surprise, rather than push back, Talek just turned around and walked away from the two bulls.  

The babies had a wonderful time at the mud bath today. Kamili (not one of our most frequent swimmers) plunged into the water in the wake of Taroha and Olomunyak. The three wallowed together, rubbing bodies and slapping trunks. After their game, they floated quietly in the middle of the pool! Although they were having a lovely rest, they climbed out of the wallow a few minutes before the end of the session, allowing themselves enough time for to dust and dry off on the fresh heap of soil before returning to the forest.

This evening, as usual, we sent the orphans back to their stockades in groups of three or four. The little ones tend to head back first with the oldest bringing up the rear. Today, Loldaiga, Choka and Mukutan, rather than running to their rooms, hung a left and jogged into the training truck. We had to persuade them to leave with offers of sugar cane.

As Raha plodded out to the forest this morning, a browsing Mzinga spotted her from a distance and immediately ran over to greet her. Seeing Mzinga wandering away, her browsing companions - Nyambeni and Taroha - decided to follow. Nyambeni went first and Taroha second. The three elephants greeted the rhino with rumbles, the rhino tolerated their presence, and they stood next to her for a few minutes before we shepherded them back to the herd. In the wild, the two species would have nothing to do with each other but some of our orphans like to bond with other orphans, whatever the species. Mzinga and Raha do have a friendship. 

On another hot day, many orphans cooled off in the mud bath later in the morning. As soon as she had finished her milk, Mzinga made a beeline for the pool, wallowing briefly before climbing out for soil dusting. Standing on the edge, Shujaa made large splashes with his trunk while Taroha paddled into the wallow, followed by Olomunyak and then Pardamat. The three boys played so much, wallowing and rolling over each other. Shujaa decided to join the bulls and not to allow the girls to join them! Our king of the pool blocked Nyambeni and Talek from getting into the water several times, pushing them away with his head. Nyambeni opted instead to massage her backside against the water bucket with Wamata and Latika standing next to her. Talek took refuge with Kerrio and Kamili who were close to the cordon. Before heading back to the forest, the orphans covered themselves with soil – today, it was muddy soil rather than dry dust because of all the splashing!

What magnificent animals elephants are! It is so surprising how they sense what is ahead of them, not just what is about to happen. Our three graduates – Mukutan, Choka and Loldaiga - seem to have realised that today was their last day with the herd, specifically with the younger bulls, and decided to spend most of the day with them. 

Translocation training has cemented the bond between our three oldest bulls. Since their training began, Mukutan, Choka and Loldaiga have been together almost all of the time, browsing close in the forest in between milk feeds in the truck. In contrast, today, the bulls were very friendly to the little boys in the herd, choosing to spend the morning with Taroha, Pardamat, Olomunyak and Shujaa. Mukutan, Choka and Loldaiga played wrestling, pushing and sizing-up games with the four young bulls. Moreover, they did so gently, being careful not to hurt Taroha, Pardamat, Olomunyak and Shujaa. The games seem to have been their way of saying goodbye to the boys.

Later in the morning, toddlers Taroha and Olomunyak had a squabble over a branch covered with tasty leaves. To our surprise, as they pulled the branch and pushed each other, Kamili intervened. She strode between them and pushed them away in different directions.

Naughty Pardamat was also disciplined by an older girl today. In the afternoon, he tried to grab Nyambeni’s bottle while she was drinking milk. She attempted to dodge him and then to block him while continuing to drink. He paid no attention and kept pestering her. Nyambeni finished every drop, turned to Pardamat and pushed him hard, knocking the little boy to the ground. Maybe she has taught him a lesson but, somehow, we doubt it!

In the early hours, we shepherded Mukutan, Choka, and Loldaiga into their translocation truck. The three bulls boarded without complaint, their minds on the milk bottles inside their compartments. We bid our three boys farewell as they set off on the next stage of their reintegration journey.

In the morning, the big boys’ neighbours – Kerrio, Mageno and Kitich – walked or stretched trunks into their friends’ rooms but then set off for the forest as normal. Our slightly smaller herd of 19 elephants settled down to browse on the abundant bush. For the time being, we have suspended translocation training for Mushuru, Muwingu and Sholumai. 

Olomunyak and Taroha were soon playing the pushing game. The boys sleep in neighbouring rooms and are often found playing together even though Taroha, who turns three in March, is a year older than Olomunyak who will be two in the same month. When Olomunyak is not in the mood to play, choosing instead to hang out with Kerrio or Sileita, Taroha trundles about with best friends Nyambeni and Mzinga or with independent Kamili. In recent weeks, Taroha and Kamili have spent lots of time together.

In the afternoon at the mud bath, not only Weka but also Sileita were trumpeting loudly as they ran down the path, for no good reason other than to announce their arrival. Olomunyak and Taroha, who had finished their milk, were already wallowing in the mud together.

With Choka, Mukutan and Loldaiga having graduated yesterday, we have just 19 orphans in our herd – 11 in the first group of younger orphans at the mud bath in the mornings and eight in the second group of older orphans. As a result, we have moved Latika from the first group to the second, making 10 in one group (Kerrio, Kamili, Shujaa, Nyambeni, Mzinga, Taroha, Pardamat, Talek, Olomunyak and Wamata) and nine in the other (Sileita, Weka, Muwingu, Sholumai, Mageno, Kitich, Muridjo and Mushuru). This morning, she accepted the move placidly – as she only has to be away from little Wamata for one hour!

This afternoon in the forest, Weka was browsing with good friends Sileita and Muwingu. When the two big girls wandered into the bush, Weka walked in the direction of Wamata, Olomunyak, Talek and Taroha, trunk touching the four younger elephants in greeting. Our naughty girl has a strong maternal streak! 

Pardamat continues to gravitate towards the older orphans. Today, he marched off behind Mageno, Mushuru, Sholumai and Kitich. The five elephants walked deep in the forest but returned in good time for the next milk feed.

This morning in the forest, Olomunyak and Pardamat were playing the pushing game, clashing heads with ears flared. When the contest became serious, Kerrio separated the two young boys and sent them off in different directions. Muridjo was wrestling with Taroha, taking care not to push over the younger orphan. Having learned many skills from Kerrio, Shujaa is an accomplished wrestler and is happy to engage anyone in the herd. Today, the growing bull was playing with Kitich.

In the afternoon, the herd browsed some more and then began playing. Kerrio was doing her play-cushion thing, lying on her side while Olomunyak and then Nyambeni and then Mzinga took it in turns to clamber onto her bulk. Little Wamata watched on calmly from the sidelines. Latika and Kitich enjoyed several rounds of pushing, trumpeting as their tiny tusks clinked, before Kitich broke away to play with best friend Mageno. The two bulls – who have become the two oldest in the herd – kept up their contest of strength for a long time, having to be persuaded to return to the stockades!

This morning, Maxwell stood in the sunshine, crunching large mouthfuls of pellets with two oxpeckers perched on top of his head. After eating his fill, he trundled around his large enclosure and then lay down in the shade of a tree.

Many orphans wallowed in the mud bath again today. Latika paddled and splashed while Muridjo rubbed her face, Kamili rested her belly on the edge, and Nyambeni and Mzinga wallowed in the middle. The two best friends tumbled like enormous puppies in the water. When it was time to head back to the forest, we had to persuade them to climb out of the wallow.

In the afternoon, Sileita was sticking close to Olomunyak and Wamata, refusing to move more than a couple of metres away while the babies browsed. Our mini matriarch was at her most protective today, blocking or chasing away anyone who dared approach her babies! Weka tried and failed to join the huddle of three.

Sholumai and Loldaiga were good friends. Since he left, she has spent more time on her own. Today, we were happy to see her browsing with Mushuru and Muwingu.

As the orphans browsed peacefully in the forest this morning, twisting up clumps of grass and pulling down branches of trees, several impalas ran through the middle of the herd and startled the elephants. The younger members of the herd ran towards their Keepers while three of the oldest took charge of security. Mushuru (in the absence of Mukutan, Choka and Loldaiga) led the charge, trumpeting loudly and flaring her ears as she hurtled in their general direction. She was supported by wingman Kitich and wingwoman Kamili who ran along in her wake. As always, the impalas sidestepped the elephants every time they came close and went back to grazing. The chase was brought to an end by Olomunyak. When he trumpeted in alarm for his big sister, Mushuru ground to a halt, about turned and ran back to her little boy.

On another hot afternoon, many elephants cooled off in the mud wallow. Some paddled and splashed while others submerged their bodies in the thick mud. Weka kicked water in every direction and then rubbed her face and trunk in the gloop. First into the wallow, water babies Mzinga and Shujaa rolled around together while Wamata stood on the edge, watching her big sister and brother and thinking about getting in the water.

Sharing is caring, even if your name is Weka! This morning, Weka and Pardamat were together in the forest, browsing peacefully. Weka not only trunk hugged Pardamat at every opportunity but also shared her branches with him. After pulling down several from a tall tree, she placed a few next to the little boy. 

Since the three big boys graduated, Kitich and Mageno have become the best of playmates. Mageno used to wrestle against Choka or Loldaiga almost every day. Since their departure, he has turned his attention to the younger bull. Kitich seems happy to accept his daily invitation and is browsing less and playing more. Today, they played many rounds of the pushing game.

Shujaa’s behaviour has also changed, if anything in a more noticeable way than Kitich’s. He has become assertive. Although he is six months younger than Mageno and Kitich, he is showing signs of pushing for dominance! Today, he was standing up to matriarchs Kerrio and Sileita, refusing to do their bidding.

Matriarch-in-the-making Nyambeni was at her most responsible today. She was browsing with Wamata and Talek, trunk hugging the younger girls and keeping them firmly in her sights. Nearby, Mushuru was glued to Taroha and Olomunyak, following them wherever they wandered. The two boys are great friends in the forest and at the mud bath but rivals by night. They sleep in neighbouring rooms and often push at their shared partition or stretch their trunks through the gaps to pinch each other’s greens.

Our budding matriarchs and best friends were squabbling over Wamata this morning! As soon as her door was open, Nyambeni headed straight for Wamata’s stable, stretched her trunk over the stable door in greeting and waited for her to toddle out. Mzinga joined her and the two girls jostled for position. When the little girl toddled out, they both lavished trunk hugs on her while continuing to push each other! Feeling uncomfortable, Wamata made a beeline for the safer space of Mushuru as soon as they got to the forest.

After browsing for a time, many orphans began playing. Muridjo and Nyambeni rubbed their backsides against tree stumps while Sileita fussed over Olomunyak and Taroha, standing with one boy on either side. Kerrio lay down on a rocky area while Kitich pushed against her and rested his forelegs on her belly.

On a sunny afternoon, little Raha visited the mud bath with Keeper Simon. She rolled around in a puddle of muddy water, lying on her sides and then on her back with legs aloft. Afterwards, Simon shovelled dry soil along her back – Raha stood still, enjoying the attention!

It was a peaceful morning at the Nursery – the orphans padded out of their rooms, greeted each other and meandered up the path led by Muridjo and surrounded by Keepers. The herd seems quieter without big boys Choka, Mukutan and Loldaiga. Since they graduated a week ago, big girls Sholumai and Mushuru have become closer – today, they walked side by side up the path and browsed next to each other in the bush.

After visiting the mud wallow later in the morning for a milk feed, the herd headed back to the forest. Today, Mzinga led many of the older elephants deeper into the woods. They ambled along in a line and then spread out to browse, pulling down branches from trees and twisting up clumps of grass. Muridjo and Kamili wandered around together, trunk touching each other occasionally. 

In the afternoon, the herd cooled off in the mud wallow. Water baby Taroha was the first to plunge into the mud, lying on his belly with trunk twirling. Latika, Shujaa, Mzinga, Nyambeni, Kerrio and Muridjo joined him minutes later and the orphans rolled around in the water together. Little Wamata paddled for a short time with Sileita standing close. After a quick splash, she climbed out while Shujaa play mounted Kerrio, and Taroha rubbed his forelegs and Nyambeni her face on the edge.

On another morning with clear skies, we led the herd out to the forest to browse. Many were in playful moods today. As some focused on feeding, others played pushing games or ran around or rolled on the ground and play mounted each other. Kerrio was lying down hosing herself with dust while Shujaa clambered onto her belly and slid off and climbed up again. The game continued until Muwingu interfered, pushing away the boy. Shujaa (who possibly thinks he is stronger than he really is) stood his ground and began fighting Muwingu. Realising that the game was serious, Kerrio stood up and ran away to join the others, leaving brave Shujaa doing his best against feisty strong Muwingu. 

Elephants love mud in the sunshine. In the afternoon, they played or cooled off in large muddy puddles in the forest. Latika and Sholumai were together in one patch of thick mud. Latika lay down and then climbed out, leaving Sholumai resting her bulk on the edge while twirling her trunk. Sileita contented herself with a massage in a small puddle while water babies Muridjo, Kerrio and Talek played in a large wallow. Muridjo slapped mud in every direction while Talek and Kerrio swam and then rubbed bodies on the edge.

Raha the rhino enjoys sunny mornings almost as much as our herd of elephants. When the sun is shining, she is rarely reluctant to leave her comfy stable. This morning, a blue-blanket-clad Raha marched up the path with her Keepers, heading for her favourite part of the forest. Reaching the open rocky area, she browsed on fresh grass and then lay down for a nap.

Best friends Kitich and Mageno were playing another sizing-up-strength-contest game today. Kitich is sturdy and Mageno is tall but they are well-matched in strength. They were so busy playing that they ignored our calls for the mid-morning milk feed. The first group visited the mud bath for their milk. They left and the second group padded down the path for their bottles. It was only when Kitich and Mageno saw the others sprinting past them that they broke apart, realising what they were missing. The two big bulls ran for the wallow, trumpeting indignantly with ears flared and trunks aloft.

Shujaa was not in the mood for sharing today. After emptying his bottle, he walked around the wallow and paddled in the water and finally lay down in the middle. Shujaa is a friendly chap but also a confident bull! Today, he blocked his friends from joining him in the muddy puddle. Even Mzinga was given a strong head nudge when she tried to join her best friend in the pool.

Later in the afternoon, the herd browsed peacefully in the forest. Olomunyak wandered a way off on his own before Sileita called him back with a rumble while Latika stayed close to Wamata and Pardamat browsed with Kamili and Mageno, happier as usual in the company of older elephants. 

Last night, Pardamat was kicking up a fuss about nothing. When he heard us preparing a milk feed and distributing bottles to the stables, the impatient bull began head-butting his door. Neighbour Talek tried to calm him down – when her rumbles were unsuccessful, she took advantage of the situation. As Pardamat continued pushing at the door, Talek stretched her trunk through the gaps in their partition to pinch some lucerne. We gave the two orphans their bottles and both gulped them down in seconds. Clever little Talek is more than a match for naughty Pardamat. Rivals at night, they are friends during the day in the forest – although she avoids playing wrestling games with him, choosing instead to push him off and run away. 

In the morning, Maxwell browsed on his pile of pellets with several oxpeckers perched on his back and three warthogs sharing his breakfast. After grazing together for some time, the pigs trotted back to the bush, using their tunnel under the fence, and Max lay down on his side in the sunshine.

In the afternoon, the herd browsed and played in the forest. Kerrio and Sileita both lay down and invited the others to clamber all over them. Mzinga play mounted Sileita and then Nyambeni took her place. Weka made the most of a prone Kerrio, resting her head against her belly. When Kerrio raised herself into a sitting position, the two friends rubbed bodies and entwined trunks and, finally, lay down next to each other. Taroha joined them, pushing his head and leaning against them.

Weka had a taste of her own medicine this morning. As the others pottered out of their rooms soon after dawn, Muwingu stood in the door of Weka’s room, refusing to allow her out to join the others. When the herd headed to the forest, Weka and Muwingu were left behind. Even when Weka began trumpeting and pushing, obstinate Muwingu stood still, blocking the door with her bulk. Hearing the shouts, some of the others – including Sileita – ran back from the bush. The matriarch strode into the stable, laid her trunk along Weka’s back, and shoved Muwingu away. Weka marched out as Sileita chased Muwingu to the forest. We were impressed to see our mini matriarch take charge of the situation, even though it involved two females only a few months younger than her.

In the afternoon, it was Mushuru’s turn to play with Kerrio. When Kerrio lay down, Mushuru trunk touched and leant on her but did not mount her friend (as they are the same size and Mushuru could hurt her). Sholumai browsed peacefully in the lush forest while good friends Kitich and Shujaa tumbled around together. They played the pushing game and then they climbed on top of each other with trunks twirling in excitement. 

In the morning, the herd ambled up the path and browsed peacefully in small groups in the forest. As the day became warmer, some massaged themselves against tree stumps as others covered their bodies with dry soil or played games. Best friends Kitich and Mageno enjoyed yet another contest of strength, pushing heads and twisting apart and clinking tusks again. Many of the others rolled around on an enormous bed of old hay. With Pardamat standing by, Kamili, Muridjo, Shujaa and Mzinga frolicked in the hay. After all the games, Mzinga relaxed on her side and the other three rested their heads on her. Minutes later, toddlers Talek and Pardamat lay down for a nap.

Latika is still besotted with Wamata. Today, her love for the little girl – and for Olomunyak and Taroha - led to a problem at the mid-morning milk feed at the mud wallow. When the big boys left earlier this month, we moved Latika to the second older group of orphans. In the morning, the younger group visits the mud bath first and then the older group. On some days, Latika tolerates this new arrangement - but not on others. This morning, as always, the first group walked away and we sent the second group down for their milk in groups. Latika drank her milk and left! Two Keepers intercepted her but she pushed past them, refused to respond to their whistles, and jogged after the first group. We let her have her way and found her happily browsing with Wamata, Olomunyak and Taroha.

The youngest boy in the herd is growing up! Much to our surprise, when several warthogs began grazing next to the elephants this morning (as they do on regular occasions), Olomunyak – rather than Muridjo or Mzinga or Nyambeni – gave chase! He did his very best imitation of a mock charge – sprinting towards two pigs with legs flailing and ears flapping. Much to his disappointment, the warthogs did not move out of his way and so little Olomunyak ground to a halt, and returned to the herd.

Taroha and Olomunyak sleep in neighbouring stables and have become close friends. On most days, we find them together in the forest and at the mud bath. This morning, they padded down the path in the same group, gulped their milk and began a sizing-up game, pushing heads to see who was stronger. Olomunyak is smaller than Taroha but today his determination led to a victory! He won the pushing game, Taroha lay down and Olomunyak rested his forelegs on his friend’s belly.

Later in the morning, Pardamat was testing our patience. The third youngest boy wanted an extra bottle of milk. Trumpeting loudly, he tried to grab a bottle from other orphans and then from the wheelbarrow. Lovely Mzinga took control of the situation, pushing the little boy away and knocking him over. Pardamat got the message loud and clear – he stood up and walked away with his head (almost) between his legs.

This morning, the orphans had a milk feed in the forest (rather than at the mud bath). Some Keepers gathered them into small groups and sent them down to other Keepers waiting with bottles held aloft. Most of the time in the forest, the orphans amble around slowly but, when it is milk time, they sprint through the trees with trunks held high in anticipation. Mini matriarch Sileita, Latika and Wamata were in the first group today. The older females gulped their milk and went back to fussing over the baby. Olomunyak ran in first in his group followed by Muridjo (at her most maternal) and then Shujaa. Kitich led the last group with Talek charging along behind him, doing her very best to keep up.

Later in the day, Mzinga was looking after Wamata, having seen off Sileita, Latika, Mushuru, Muridjo and Nyambeni to win the coveted prize, for a few hours at least! Aware that she could not reach some tasty green leaves in a tree, Mzinga was pulling down branches for them both to share. After she had pulled down a pile, Mzinga and Wamata browsed on them, standing so close that they were touching.

In the afternoon, many orphans cooled off in the mud bath. Kerrio stood with one foot in the water bucket while Latika, Muridjo and Taroha rolled around in the wallow slapping the water with their trunks, and Nyambeni and Kamili dusted themselves after a dip. Unusually, shy Sholumai, who generally does not like to be touched, was greeting a Keeper today. She stretched out her trunk and allowed him to touch her in response.

Maxwell is often found standing next to one of his gates early in the morning. This is because Mzinga, Nyambeni, Taroha or Olomunyak often stop off to greet him on the way out to the forest. Today, Nyambeni came to see the enormous rhino, stretching her trunk along his back for a minute. She continued up the path and Max trundled over to enjoy his pile of pellets. Today, he was happy to share them with not only the warthogs but also three baboons. He even allowed one small pig to scratch herself against his under belly.

In the afternoon, Sileita led the herd back to browse in the forest. They spread out in small groups, wandering further afield than on most days. Mageno, Mushuru and Kamili browsed together, with Pardamat following along behind them. Not far away, Muridjo was behaving like a model nanny – rather than dashing around being feisty, she was looking after Taroha. She stayed close to the younger boy for a long time, touching him between mouthfuls with her trunk. Good friends Mzinga, Talek and Kerrio also stood close while expertly twisting up clumps of green grass. When Nyambeni approached the three girls, best friends Mzinga and Nyambeni went off together while Kerrio remained with little Talek.

Most of the pools of rainwater in the forest have dried up but some patches of thick mud remain. After browsing for a time this morning, Shujaa paddled in one of the puddles and slapped cooling mud on his body. Following his solitary wallow, he squatted in the sunshine. Sholumai and Nyambeni walked over to join him, standing in the mud and pushing against the growing bull.

Later in the morning, the first group of younger orphans visited the mud wallow for a milk feed. First down the path, little Wamata drank her milk and toddled over to the wallow. She stood on the edge and did her best to suck up mud with her trunk and squirt it on her back. While she was doing this, several older elephants, including Mzinga and Nyambeni, plunged into the mud pool. Frustrated with her efforts to cool herself down, Wamata then attempted to paddle in the wallow but found her path blocked by two bodyguards. Mzinga and Nyambeni would not allow her to put even one foot in the water. They knew she was not strong enough to join a large group of orphans and so they pushed her away. A Keeper came to Wamata’s rescue and helpfully shovelled mud along her back.

In the afternoon, the herd spent time on the enormous bed of discarded hay. Gentle bull Mageno and not-so-gentle Weka played the pushing game with Mageno sitting on the hay and Weka standing over him. Kerrio was on her own – she lay in the sun twirling her trunk and, for once, no one was tempted to join her!

It is almost two years since Mzinga joined the Nursery herd. When she arrived, she was very little and used to follow the Keepers wherever they went. She is still friendly and clever but not as obedient! This morning at the mud bath, Mzinga kept demanding another bottle of milk and putting her trunk in the wheelbarrow and then refused to get out of the wallow when it was time to return to the forest. Our sweet baby is growing into a strong girl!

On an overcast afternoon, the herd stayed close to the stockades. Several found a patch of dry soil that was perfect for dust bathing. As Nyambeni and Mzinga rolled on their backs with legs in the air, Mageno massaged his face against the ground. Latika was looking after Wamata, Weka was with Talek, Mushuru was with Taroha, and Sileita was looking after Olomunyak. Meanwhile, Kitich and Shujaa were playing the pushing game again. Despite the many contests of strength, no boy has taken on the role of dominant bull of the herd since Mukutan, Choka and Loldaiga graduated. Kitich and Mageno are the oldest in the herd - thus one of them is likely to take over Mukutan’s role but we do not yet know which one. They play sizing-up games almost every day without a clear winner.

The weather was cool and wet this morning even though it is January, normally one of the driest and hottest months of the year. And it is not only the weather that is unpredictable – Weka’s behaviour is also erratic at the moment. At the mud bath today, she was demure one minute and kicking a Keeper the next, greeting a guest one minute and pushing them away the next. No one could ever accuse Weka of not being a handful! The final straw was when she grabbed Wamata’s tail and would not let go as the little girl tried to run away. Sileita strode over, saw Weka off and comforted everyone’s favourite baby.

The sun came out in the afternoon and the elephants browsed peacefully in the forest. Buddies Shujaa and Kitich spent time together, playing the occasional game while filling their bellies. Gentle boy Taroha was in an independent mood, choosing to explore on his own rather than stick close to Olomunyak and Wamata. And our naughtiest orphans were hanging out together. Weka browsed with Pardamat, touching him affectionately while wandering deep into the forest. We felt that they deserved each other after her behaviour this morning and his antics every other day!

Not far away, Raha was enjoying a nap in the sunshine on the bed of old hay. When her Keeper whistled, she stood up obediently and waddled back to her stable in the stockades where a bunch of soft greens was waiting.

This morning, our budding mini matriarchs and best friends were both looking after Wamata, sharing the coveted role without squabbling. At first light, Mzinga and Nyambeni walked out of their stables and straight to Wamata’s door – which was still closed. Wamata’s stable is between their rooms. The two older girls both turned around and went back into their own rooms, putting their trunks through the gaps to check on Wamata. One trunk stretched in from the left and a second from the right! A Keeper opened the door, the baby toddled out, and Mzinga and Nyambeni scooped her up. The three orphans padded up the path together, the younger girl sandwiched between her big sisters.

After the orphans settled down in the field, Shujaa challenged Kamili to a wrestling match. They played happily together until Mushuru interrupted their friendly game. When she walked over, Kamili walked away and Mushuru took her place. Kamili has a soft spot for Shujaa and is often found playing with the young bull but she is reluctant to play with just anyone. Shujaa has no such qualms and got stuck into a contest of strength with Mushuru.

Our four water babies were wallowing in the mud bath this morning. As soon as they had finished their milk, Talek, Mzinga, Shujaa and Taroha paddled into the water to splash and roll around. While Talek kicked water in every direction, Taroha and Shujaa clambered on and off Mzinga. Pardamat is less keen on wallowing – he prefers to stand on the edge and to play mount his friends when they are dust bathing on the mound of dry soil. 

Raha walked far afield in the forest this morning with her Keeper. On some days she refuses to move further than the rocky area close to the stockades. Today, however, the little rhino was keen to explore her territory, leading her Keeper into the forest for a long walk. After a restorative nap in a clearing, he led her back to the stockades for a milk feed.

Sholumai has expanded her circle of friends and is spending more time with the herd, rather than wandering deep in the forest. Before the three bulls graduated, Sholumai, Loldaiga, Choka, Mukutan and Mageno would often disappear into the bush. But no more. Her three friends have left, Mageno is spending most of his time with Kitich, and Sholumai is hanging out with the herd.

Nowadays, Muridjo is often found looking after young babies like Wamata, Olomunyak and Taroha. This morning, naughty Pardamat headbutted Olomunyak next to the mud bath, knocking the younger boy over. Muridjo responded immediately. She ran over, stood close by and guarded Olomunyak as he stood up. Then, Muridjo trunk touched the little boy while we gave Pardamat a time out in the bushes.

Today, all the elephants fed quietly on the extra greens at the mud wallow. No one was showing off or swimming or playing games. No one – not even Weka or Pardamat – was misbehaving. Instead, the orphans drank from the water buckets or twisted up branches of lucerne or just stood peacefully with their friends.