January was a month of courtship, as many females were in season and bulls behaved accordingly.
It was a busy morning. Soon after the orphans had their milk, Choka led the way out. The orphans settled for lucerne as usual. Shortly later, the Queen's family showed up and joined the orphans in feeding on lucerne. The family was followed by Chaimu, Ishanga, Mteto, Lenana, Lapa, Laki, Roi, Dololo, Tusuja, Yetu, Yebo, and Yasmin. All settled for lucerne.
Mukutan took some time to engage Laki in a light pushing game but was disrupted by Lapa, who did not want his brother to be hurt by anyone. Mukutan abandoned the game and walked away. Choka played with one of Queen’s family members, while Suguroi spent some time with Yasmin.
When the orphans had had enough lucerne, Muwingu led the way to the browsing field, where Bondeni and Vaarti started their day’s activities by engaging in a pushing game. Muwingu settled to browse with Kinyei, Kindani, and Olorien. Later, Lodo and Suguroi came across a water pan, which they used for a bush mud bath.
At eleven o’clock in the morning, Mageno led the first group to the noon bottle feeds. After having their milk, the orphans settled for wallowing and thereafter returned to the browsing field. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area. Muwingu settled to browse with Weka and Kitich, while Choka browsed with Shujaa. Lodo kept himself busy by chasing a squirrel he had spotted. The squirrel disappeared into a hole, leaving Lodo with no option other than surrendering. In the evening, Weka led the way back to the stockade.
Wendi, Wema, Wimbi, Musiara, Sunyei, Siku, Saba, and Subiri joined the orphans for the morning lucerne feeding. Shortly later, Wiva arrived in the company of eight bulls and appeared to be in season. The senior bull turned on the others and began chasing them away. As time went on, more ex-orphans arrived, trumpeting loudly. The orphans could not cope with all the excitement and noise, and they followed to observe Wiva’s courtship.
The orphans then headed south towards the Kone area. At the browsing field, Kinyei began her day by rolling on the ground. Her play attracted Kindani, Olorien, and Muwingu, who joined her. Suguroi settled to browse with Mayan. Kitich took a break from browsing to engage Mageno in a strength-testing game, but it did not last long as Lodo passed by and pushed both boys out of his way.
At eleven o’clock in the morning, Weka led the first group to the mud bath, while Mayan led the second group. The orphans had their milk and later settled into wallowing. Sities, who has formed her own group with Sunni, Kuishi, Sattao, Larro, and Siangiki, appeared at the mud bath. Sities and Sunni walked past the orphans, while Siangiki, Larro, Sattao, and Kuishi joined the orphans briefly. Shortly after, Sities rumbled to signal her group that it was time to leave, and the four ex-orphans followed her.
On the way back to the browsing field, the orphans met the Nasalot group, consisting of Nasalot, Nusu, Noah, Nala, Mundusi, Naleku, and Maramoja. After briefly exchanging greetings, the Nasalot group headed north while the orphans headed east. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area. The rest of the day was quiet, with the orphans browsing calmly without any major observation. In the evening, Weka led the way back to the stockade.
The Nasalot group, which has become a regular morning attendant at the stockade compound, joined the orphans early for the morning lucerne feeding. Noah met with Kitich and had a brief interaction before Kitich turned hostile towards him. Noah decided to run to his mother for help. Kitich chose not to follow, knowing the consequences once Noah’s mother turned to face him.
Shortly later, Loijuk, Lili, Lisha, Lenana, Laki, Luki, Ishanga, Roi, Kilabasi, Kofi, Kanika, Neshashi, Mteto, Naisula, Nyx, Olsekki, and Musiara arrived and joined in feeding on lucerne. As the area became crowded, the orphans, led by Muwingu, began leaving one by one. Olorien and Suguroi lagged behind as they tried to catch up on the latest from Naleku. When it took them too long to disengage from the ex-orphans, the Keepers went back for them. Suguroi attempted to play a hide-and-seek game with the Keepers, unwilling to join her colleagues, but the Keepers eventually outwitted her and she walked off to rejoin the group.
At the browsing field, Kinyei, Kitich, Vaarti, and Mayan had a game of rolling on the ground. At mud bath time, the orphans were briefly joined again by the Nasalot group. After the orphans had their milk, only Choka, Roho, Lodo, Mukutan, and Esoit participated in wallowing.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. In the evening, Mageno led the way back to the stockade.
Nasalot, Noah, Nala, Nusu, Naleku, Mundusi, and Musiara reported early in the morning at the stockade compound. The group waited outside until the orphans had their milk and were let out. Lucerne was distributed, and the orphans shared the lucerne with the Nasalot group. Lodo shared his pile with Roho and Mundusi. Suguroi joined Naleku in taking care of Nala.
Shortly later, the brave Kitich walked to Mundusi and started engaging him in a light pushing game. Bondeni settled with Kindani and Kinyei before Makena, Merri, Ishanga, Sita, and Chaimu arrived.
After the orphans had enough of lucerne, Weka led the way to the browsing field. At the browsing field, Lodo settled to browse with Olorien, while Kitich engaged Mayan in a pushing game. The orphans browsed calmly as they slowly headed towards the mud bath.
At eleven o’clock in the morning, Kinyei led the way to the noon bottle feeds. Shujaa carried a stick with his trunk and dropped it when he arrived at the milk feeding venue. After the orphans had their milk, Vaarti sneaked into the milk van and pulled out a bottle, thinking it had milk. Vaarti was disappointed when he realised he had picked an empty bottle, having missed the chance to get one with milk. As he returned to try his luck again, Vaarti found the Keepers alert and was told to go back and enjoy the mud bath. Vaarti walked a few metres away and joined his colleagues in wallowing.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. The orphans browsed calmly throughout the remaining part of the day. In the evening, Mageno led the way back to the stockade.
Lisha and Lili were sleeping comfortably outside the stockade compound while their mother, Loijuk, was keeping an eye on them. Soon after the orphans were let out, Lili and Lisha woke up and started interacting with the orphans. Shortly later, Olare, Ola, Sagateisa, Narok, Nasalot, Nusu, Noah, Nala, Naleku, Nabulu, and two wild bulls arrived and joined the others in feeding of lucerne.
The brave Kitich tried to challenge Narok. Narok understood that Kitich was only a kid, and so she handled him lightly. Suguroi joined Naleku in babysitting Nala, while Lodo and Olorien walked down to the water trough to drink water.
After the orphans had enough lucerne, Muwingu led the way to the browsing field. Vaarti settled to browse with Esoit, Kindani, and Loldaiga, while Weka and Kitich had a game of rolling on the ground. Muwingu had a brief strength-testing exercise with Choka, while Mayan played with Kitich. Later, Mukutan played Kitich while Lodo played Roho. Esoit had a strength-testing exercise with Mageno, as Kinyei and Bondeni had a game of rolling on the ground.
On the way to the mud bath, Mukutan attempted to ride on Kitich but was brought down by Olorien. At eleven o’clock in the morning, the orphans had their milk, then settled for wallowing before returning back to the browsing field. Suguroi, Loldaiga, and Mayan emerged as the stars of the day by having prolonged wallowing. They later quit to join their colleagues, who had long gone back to the browsing field.
In the afternoon, Mukutan engaged Mayan in a strength-testing exercise, while Muwingu played with Loldaiga. Vaarti played with Bondeni, but their game ended when Roho passed by and pushed the two boys away. In the evening, Mageno led the way back to the stockade.
The orphans had their morning milk at six o’clock in the morning. The gates were opened and Muwungu was the first to come out. Loldaiga and Mageno left with leftover branches in their mouths and only dropped them when lucerne was distributed. Roho and Weka walked down to the water trough and started playing with the running water, climbing into the trough.
Shortly later, Mageno engaged Kitich in a strength-testing exercise, which ended when Mageno attempted to ride on Kitich. No ex-orphans or wild elephants showed up in the morning. The orphans spent some time at the lucerne feeding area before Weka led the way to the browsing field.
At the browsing field, Lodo settled to browse with Suguroi and Olorien, while Kitich browsed with Shujaa and Mageno. Later, Mukutan and Kindani visited the Kone Dam for water, then led the way to the noon bottle feeds. At eleven o’clock in the morning, the orphans had their milk and thereafter participated in wallowing.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse at Kanziku area. Weka browsed with Shujaa, while Vaarti had a game of sitting and rolling on the ground. In the evening, Weka led the way back to the stockade.
At the stockade compound, Wendi’s family and Sunyei’s family were present. Kitich stopped before entering the stockade and threatened Wema, who was standing in his way. When Wema failed to move aside, Kitich pushed her. It took the intervention of the Keepers for Kitich to stop. Choka, who was following behind, tackled Saba, but Saba quickly ran away, allowing Choka to celebrate a win as he ran into the stockade.
More than thirty ex-orphans and wild elephants were present in the morning. They arrived early before dawn, took a break at the stockade compound, and waited for lucerne before leaving to an undisclosed location. The sky was clear, an indication that the rainy season is over until March, when we expect the next rains.
At six o’clock in the morning, the orphans had their milk before leaving to join the ex-orphans outside. The brave Kitich met Motomo, who was in the group of ex-orphans, and the two had a pushing game. When the going got tough, Motomo surrendered and ran away. Kindani had a brief meeting with Nabulu, as Bomani tried to chase Wendi away from the lucerne feeding venue.
The orphans did not stay long at the lucerne feeding venue, as they were being pushed around by their seniors. Weka led the way to the browsing field, leaving Suguroi, Olorien, and Kitich behind. The Keepers had to come back for the three orphans, as they were reluctant to join their colleagues, enjoying the company of the ex-orphans more.
The orphans settled to browse at Kone area. Loldaiga settled to browse with Vaarti, while Suguroi teamed up with Kinyei. Weka browsed with his friend Shujaa, as Roho, Lodo, Bondeni, Mayan, and Mageno visited the Kone dam for water. Later, the Keepers changed direction when they saw the ex-orphans approaching, as they were concerned that some might attempt to kidnap one of the orphans.
At 11 o’clock in the morning, Mukutan led the way to the noon bottle feeds. After having their milk, the orphans jumped into the wallowing water, as the sun was hot. Loldaiga was the last to quit wallowing.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. Bondeni took a break from feeding to engage Loldaiga in a pushing game. Mageno and Suguroi had a brief soil-dusting exercise before resuming browsing. Vaarti played with Mayan, while Lodo played with Roho. In the evening, Muwingu led the way back to the stockade.
The orphans settled for lucerne soon after leaving the stockade. Shortly afterwards, they were joined by Sunyei, Siku Saba, Subiri, Makena, Merri, Sapalan, Chaimu, Wendi, Wiva, Wema, Olare, Ola, Sagateisa, Nabulu, Roi, Nasalot, Nusu, Noah, Nala, Mundusi, and Musiara. The brave Kitich threatened to push Sagateisa when she picked a flake of lucerne that he had intended to take.
Bondeni had a brief meeting with Muwingu before heading to the water trough. Suguroi and Olorien exchanged morning greetings with Ola and later with Merri. Loldaiga, Mayan, Vaarti, and Choka followed Muwingu and Bondeni to the water trough, where they shared water before catching up with Weka, who had led the rest of the herd to the browsing field.
At the browsing field, Esoit engaged Kitich in a pushing game, while Shujaa tried to challenge Vaarti before moving to join Olorien in browsing. Kanjoro joined the orphans briefly at the field before leaving for an undisclosed location. Bondeni played with Kindani briefly, then moved to play with Mayan. Loldaiga played with Mukutan, while Choka tackled Roho.
At eleven o’clock, Mageno led the way to the noon bottle feeds. After having their milk, the orphans participated in wallowing before returning to the browsing field. Weka teamed up with Muwingu in browsing, while Suguroi settled to scratch her itching neck against a tree.
In the evening, on their way back to the stockade, the orphans passed Kone Dam and had a brief cooling-off exercise before Mageno led them back to the stockade.
Nasalot’s group, consisting of Nasalot, Nusu, Noah, Nala, Naleku, Musiara, and Mundusi, joined the orphans in the morning for feeding of lucerne. Esoit and Bondeni settled to scratch on nearby rocks while Lodo held a brief meeting with Mundusi. Later, Kilabasi, Kofi, Kanika, Orwa, and two other boys arrived and joined in feeding of lucerne.
After the orphans had enough of lucerne, Weka led the way to the browsing field. Suguroi remained behind to assist Naleku in taking care of Nala. The orphans settled to browse at Kone area. Later, they visited Kone Dam to drink water before slowly making their way towards the mud bath.
At eleven o’clock in the morning, Mageno led the first group to the noon bottle feeds. After having their milk, the orphans participated in wallowing. Shortly afterwards, Nasalot’s group joined them as they brought Suguroi to rejoin her colleagues after spending time with Nala. Olorien had a brief meeting with Mundusi, though the details of their discussion were unclear.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. Kinyei and Roho came across some bent trees and used them to scratch their bellies. The sun became hot, prompting Lodo, Mukutan, and Shujaa to take a break from browsing and relax under a tree. They resumed feeding later when temperatures dropped to a more favourable level.
At five o’clock in the evening, Loldaiga led the way back to the stockade.
Soon after getting their morning milk, Weka led the way out to the lucerne feeding venue. After settling on lucerne, the orphans were joined by Sapalan. Later, Sunyei, Subiri, Saba, Tumaren, Tembo, Melia, Milo, and Sita arrived at the feeding area. Suguroi welcomed Subiri and Saba, while Roho harassed Sita by pulling his tail. The Keepers intervened, shouting at Roho to stop biting Sita’s tail.
Mukutan and Kinyei interacted with Subiri before she ran back to her mother. Bondeni engaged Loldaiga in a strength testing exercise that lasted some time and ended in a draw. After the orphans had enough lucerne, Muwingu led the way to the browsing field.
At the browsing field, Vaarti and Bondeni took a break from browsing to engage in a pushing game, which ended when Kinyei intervened to separate the two boys. Suguroi settled to browse with Choka, while Olorien teamed up with Kindani and Esoit. Around ten o’clock in the morning, the orphans visited Kone Dam to drink water before proceeding to the noon bottle feeds.
At eleven o’clock, Mageno led the first group to the noon bottle feeds. After getting their milk, Loldaiga led the team into wallowing. After wallowing, Weka settled to scratch against a nearby tree while Vaarti engaged Kitich in a pushing game.
Shortly before the orphans left the mud bath, Olare, Ola, Sagateisa, Nabulu, and Maramoja arrived and joined the group. The brave Kitich mistakenly pushed Nabulu, thinking she was one he usually challenged. Nabulu became upset and punished Kitich by pushing him hard until he screamed and ran away. Moments later, Olare led her team north, but the orphans were turned back by the Keepers.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse at Kanziku area. They browsed calmly throughout without any major observation. In the evening, Weka led the way back to the stockade.
Early, before the orphans were let out, more than twenty ex-orphans showed up at the stockade compound. The orphans had their milk at six o’clock in the morning and thereafter walked out to join the ex-orphans. Lucerne was distributed, and all shared without any problems.
Neshashi had a misunderstanding with Olorien, which saw Olorien leave Neshashi and walk down to the water trough to drink. Kitich had a brief meeting with Kitirua before moving off to play with Mkuu. Garzi had an arrow wound on his right front leg, and it seemed he had already pulled the arrowhead out, as he had a small cut on his trunk.
When the orphans had enough lucerne, Vaarti engaged Kitich in a strength-testing exercise as they headed towards the browsing field. Rapsu met the orphans as he was heading towards the stockade compound. Vaarti and Kitich stopped fighting as a show of respect to their senior. The two boys raised their trunks in greeting to Rapsu, who responded by waving his trunk back at them. Vaarti and Kitich then continued with their pushing game, which ended when Vaarti jumped onto Kitich’s back for a free ride.
The orphans settled to browse at the Kone area and browsed calmly throughout the morning session. At eleven o’clock in the morning, Mageno led the way to the noon bottle feeds. After the orphans had their milk, Lodo led the team into wallowing. The sun was hot, prompting a prolonged wallowing session.
In the afternoon, Vaarti had a game of rolling on the ground but was disrupted by Roho, who came and tried to climb on him. Weka found a suitable tree that she used to scratch her belly. Kindani settled to browse with Bondeni and Kinyei, while Choka took a break from browsing to engage Mayan in a pushing game.
In the evening, Muwingu led the way back to the stockade for another night.
Karisa, Ithumbah, Iman, Iris, Kitirua, Nasalot, Nala, Noah, Nusu, Mundusi, Melia, Milo, Kandecha, Makireti, Turkwel, Kilabasi, Kofi, Kanika, Kibo, Musiara, and Ambo joined the orphans for the morning feeding of lucerne. It was unclear where Turkwel had come from, as she belongs to Mutara’s group.
Mukutan and Kitich had a brief meeting with Musiara, while Suguroi teamed up with Naleku in babysitting Nala. At the time of leaving for browsing, Suguroi was hesitant to move, wanting to spend more time with Nala. The Keepers finally managed to convince Suguroi to follow her colleagues.
At the browsing field, Kitich and Esoit paused from browsing to engage in a pushing game. A buffalo emerged from the nearby thickets and approached the orphans. The Keepers shouted at the buffalo, and the orphans joined in trumpeting to scare it away. The buffalo disappeared the same way it had appeared.
Kinyei settled to browse with Choka, while Weka browsed with Shujaa. Muwingu teamed up with Mayan, and Mageno browsed with Loldaiga. Suguroi settled to browse with Roho, while Olorien teamed up with Bondeni.
Around ten o’clock in the morning, Roho, Vaarti, and Bondeni visited the Kone Dam for water before proceeding towards the mud bath. At eleven o’clock, Muwingu led the way to the noon bottle feeds. After the orphans had their milk, Loldaiga led the team into wallowing.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse at Kanziku area. Lodo, Olorien, and Suguroi had a soil dusting exercise, while Muwingu teamed up with Kitich to continue browsing. At five o’clock in the evening, Weka led the way back to the stockade.
The orphans settled for lucerne soon after leaving the stockade. Lodo walked down to the water trough for a drink. Choka shared a pile of lucerne with Mukutan as Nusu emerged from the eastern side and joined the orphans in feeding on lucerne. Esoit met Kitich and entwined trunks with him in morning greetings. Muwingu joined Lodo at the water trough and shortly afterwards returned to join the others feeding on lucerne.
Half an hour later, Nasalot, Nala, Noah, Musiara, and Naleku arrived. Suguroi, Weka, and Vaarti welcomed the Nasalot group and went straight to Nala. Nala was excited by the attention and started running around, followed by Suguroi, Naleku, Weka, Kinyei, and Vaarti. Esoit spent some time playing with Noah, while Roho engaged Musiara in a light pushing game. Mundusi had a brief meeting with Vaarti and Bondeni. Nasalot walked down to the water trough with Nala and Suguroi. Suguroi clearly enjoyed every moment with Nala, as Naleku allowed her the time.
Before heading out to browse, Olorien, Kinyei, Choka, and Mayan passed by the water trough for a drink. At the browsing field, Kindani played with Kitich while Mayan played with Choka. Vaarti played with Loldaiga, while Roho, Esoit, Weka, Mageno, and Bondeni visited the Kone Dam for water.
At eleven o’clock in the morning, Muwingu led the way to the noon bottle feeds. On the way, Suguroi found a broken tree and used it to scratch her neck. After the orphans had their milk, Loldaiga, who has become a star in wallowing, led the team into a cooling-off exercise.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. An ostrich passed close by, drawing the attention of Shujaa, Weka, and Mageno. The three orphans raised their heads and ears while facing the ostrich. The ostrich walked past slowly and disappeared into the thickets. The three orphans relaxed, lowered their heads, put their ears back, and resumed browsing. Lodo settled to browse with Kindani, while Vaarti played with Choka.
In the evening, Weka led the way back to the stockade.
The Nasalot group, consisting of Nasalot, Nala, Noah, Nusu, Mundusi, Musiara, and Naleku, were waiting outside the stockade when the orphans were let out. Shortly later, Loijuk, Lili, and Lisha arrived and joined in feeding on lucerne. Lodo had a disagreement with Lisha that resulted in a fight. When the going got tough for Lili, she opted out and surrendered.
Shujaa settled to scratch his belly on a nearby rock, while Bondeni engaged Loldaiga in a pushing game. Weka interacted briefly with Lisha as Suguroi helped Naleku with babysitting Nala.
An hour later, the orphans headed south while the Nasalot and Loijuk groups headed west. The orphans settled to browse at the Kone area. Weka browsed with Mayan as Vaarti teamed up with Bondeni, with the two boys later engaging in a pushing game. Kinyei held a meeting with Mukutan and later decided to have a strength-testing exercise by pushing each other.
At eleven o’clock in the morning, Mageno led the way to the noon bottle feeds. The orphans had their milk and then headed for a mud-bathing exercise. After the orphans had enough wallowing, Vaarti engaged Mukutan in a pushing game, while Mayan had a solo game of rolling on the ground.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse at the Kanziku area. The sun was hot, so the orphans took a break from browsing and sought shelter under well-shaded trees. They resumed browsing later when the temperatures dropped to a favourable level. In the evening, Weka led the way back to the stockade.
Mulika, Mkuu, Moe, Kandecha, Orwa, Kibo, Yetu, Yebo, Yoyo, Barsilinga, Neshashi, Mwende, Mala, Mundusi, Ithumbah, Iman, Iris, Naisula, Nyx, Ishanga, and Kitirua reported early in the morning at the lucerne feeding venue. The orphans had their milk at six o’clock in the morning and were then let out to join the ex-orphans.
As lucerne was distributed, Barsilinga was spotted with a swelling on his side belly. Upon moving closer, it dawned on us that Barsilinga had been shot by an arrow, with the arrowhead still in the wound, and he needed urgent treatment. As the orphans left for browsing, Barsilinga was enticed to get into the stockade. By then, the vet had arrived. The vet managed to treat him and removed the arrowheaed.
The orphans settled to browse at the Kone area and browsed calmly until eleven o’clock in the morning, when Muwingu led the group to the noon bottle feeds. After getting their milk, the orphans settled for a mud-bathing exercise before returning to the browsing field.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse along the upper Kalovoto River. Mukutan engaged Kitich in a pushing game, while Loldaiga played with Bondeni. Lodo had a game of rolling on the ground as Muwingu teamed up with Weka in browsing. In the evening, Mageno led the way back to the stockade
Orwa, Makireti, Naisula, Nyx, Neshashi, Tusuja, Kilabasi, Kofi, and Kanika joined the orphans in feeding on lucerne in the morning. Suguroi, Kinyei, and Olorien moved over to interact with Kanika, who appeared to be enjoying their company.
When the orphans had enough lucerne, Muwingu led the way to the browsing field. The orphans settled to browse at the Kone area. Suguroi teamed up with Olorien, Kindani, and Bondeni in browsing. Muwingu, Esoit, Mageno, and Choka came across loose soil that they used for soil dusting. Loldaiga engaged Vaarti in a soil dusting exercise that lasted for quite some time.
At eleven o’clock in the morning, Mayan led the way to the noon bottle feeds. The orphans had their milk and thereafter participated in wallowing before returning to the browsing field. The orphans then settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. Mayan settled to browse with Roho, while Olorien teamed up with Bondeni and Kitich. Kindani held a brief meeting with Weka and Muwingu and thereafter parted ways.
In the evening, Mageno led the way back to the stockade.
Ithumbah, Iman, Iris, Malima, Mulika, Mkuu, Moe, Lualeni, Lulu, Lexi, Luki, Ambo, Enkikwe, Tusuja, and Sapalan joined the orphans for feeding on lucerne in the morning. Choka interacted briefly with Iman as Mukutan engaged Bondeni in a morning warm-up pushing game. Kindani settled to scratch her belly on a nearby rock.
Half an hour later, Suguroi led the way to the browsing field. The orphans settled to browse north-east of the stockade. Suguroi browsed with Lodo, while Olorien teamed up with Mayan and Mageno. Muwingu convinced Weka, Shujaa, and Loldaiga to dodge the Keepers and take a different direction. As Muwingu led the way, the Keepers spotted them and shouted at her. Muwingu looked embarrassed, having thought she had succeeded after getting about fifty metres away. Shujaa and Weka turned quickly and returned to join their colleagues, with Muwingu following slowly, seemingly not believing that her plan had failed.
Vaarti took a break from feeding to engage Mayan in a light pushing game. Mukutan, Mageno, and Kitich held a brief meeting, though it was not clear what the three boys were discussing. On the way to the noon bottle feeds, the orphans were joined by Mteto, who emerged from the bushes. Mteto escorted the orphans for a few metres, but near the mud bath she changed her mind and headed towards Kalovoto Dam. Mukutan, Esoit, Bondeni, and Olorien tried to follow Mteto but were blocked by the Keepers.
At eleven o’clock in the morning, the orphans had their milk and then returned to the browsing field. They skipped the mud bathing exercise as the weather was chilly. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse at the Kanziku area. Mayan and Mukutan engaged in a pushing game, while Kinyei had a light pushing game with Roho. Mageno, Lodo, Kindani, and Bondeni came across loose soil, which they used for a soil-dusting exercise.
At five o’clock in the evening, Weka led the way back to the stockade.
Up to forty ex-orphans and their wild-born babies were present in the morning during lucerne feeding time. The orphans enjoyed interacting with the wild-born babies for nearly one hour before making their way to the browsing field.
Mayan and Loldaiga started their day by engaging in a pushing game, while Mukutan had a game of rolling on the ground. Mageno and Kitich took a break from browsing and engaged in a pushing game that lasted for quite some time before Lodo came in and separated the two boys. Kinyei came across an anthill and began digging the soil with her tusks, using the loose soil to dust herself.
At the browsing field, the orphans were briefly joined by Lualeni, Lulu, Lexi, Luki, and Olsekki. Suguroi, Olorien, Kindani, and Kinyei tried to snatch Luki from Lualeni, but Luki’s sisters were very alert and ran forward to block their brother from leaving with the orphans.
At eleven o’clock in the morning, Mageno led the first group to the noon bottle feeds. Shujaa, as usual, carried a stick, which he dropped when he was offered his milk. The weather was again chilly, so the orphans had their milk and water and then returned to the browsing field.
In the afternoon, the orphans were joined by Enkikwe, Rapa, and a wild elephant. Mukutan challenged Rapa to a pushing game, while Vaarti engaged Esoit in a strength-testing exercise. Enkikwe entwined his trunk with Suguroi in afternoon greetings. Half an hour later, Enkikwe, Rapa, and the wild elephant left for an undisclosed location.
In the evening, Barsilinga and Garzi, who had been treated for arrow wounds, showed up at the stockade and shortly afterwards headed towards Kalovoto. At five o’clock in the evening, Weka led the way back to the stockade.
The ex-orphans reported at the stockade compound early before dawn. Some of them chose to relax by lying on the ground to take a nap. The weather was chilly, and the orphans were let out soon after taking their morning milk.
Muwingu walked down to the water trough and joined Kitirua in drinking water. Suguroi met with Sunni and exchanged morning greetings before moving on to spend time with Kapuki. Shortly afterwards, Tomboi, who had been missing for nearly three months, showed up at the stockade with an arrow wound on the left side of his belly. Tomboi remained at the stockade compound until the vet arrived to treat him. After treatment, Tomboi headed west, the same direction from which he had arrived.
The orphans settled to browse north of the stockade. Vaarti had a game of rolling on the ground, and later Mageno came and tried to push him up. Muwingu settled to browse with Esoit, while Weka settled to browse with Shujaa. Loldaiga, Mukutan, and Mayan came across loose soil, which they used for a soil-dusting exercise.
At eleven o’clock in the morning, Weka led the way to the noon bottle feeds. The weather was chilly, and none of the orphans participated in wallowing. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse at the Kanziku area. Olorien settled to browse with Vaarti and Esoit, while Kitich teamed up with Mukutan. Kinyei settled to browse with Kindani, as Choka teamed up with Mayan.
The orphans were briefly joined by Makena, Merri, Kuishi, Sana Sana, Sities, Sunni, Melia, and Milo. The ex-orphans and their wild-born babies then headed west. Loldaiga, Choka, Muwingu, and Kitich tried to run off with them but were blocked by the Keepers.
In the evening, Mageno led the way back to the stockade.
Ukame, Mundusi, Ishanga, Olare, Ola, Sagateisa, Tusuja, Kibo, Barsilinga, Orwa, Larro, Mutara, Mambo, Mango, Gawa, Mukkoka, Suguta, and Sapalan joined the orphans in feeding on lucerne in the morning. One of the surprises of the morning was the presence of Mukkoka, who had been missing for over seven months. Vaarti and Mayan decided to interrogate Mukkoka about his long absence from the area, although it was not clear what answers Mukkoka gave the two boys.
After the orphans had enough lucerne, Suguroi led the way to the browsing field. Mukkoka followed at a distance, keeping space between himself and the orphans, before later taking a shortcut to the mud bath. Muwingu settled to browse with Mageno, while Kinyei took a break from browsing to participate in a soil-dusting exercise. Loldaiga engaged Vaarti in a soil-dusting exercise, while Mukutan played with Kitich.
At eleven o’clock in the morning, Weka led the way to the noon bottle feeds. At mud-bath time, the orphans were joined by Mutara, Mambo, Mango, Suguta, Sullivan, Malkia, Sagateisa, and Mukkoka. Mayan and Vaarti held a meeting with Mukkoka as they fed from the same shrub. The meeting ended with Mayan and Mukkoka entwining their trunks. Mayan then left to catch up with his colleagues, who had already returned to the browsing field.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse at Kanziku area. In the evening, they passed by Kone Dam for a cooling-off exercise before returning to the stockade for another night.
Nasalot, Nusu, Noah, Nala, Naleku, Mundusi, Sapalan, Tusuja, Roi, and Orwa joined the orphans in the morning for lucerne feeding. Choka settled close to Sapalan as they enjoyed the lucerne together. Suguroi attached herself to Nala and helped Naleku take care of her. Later, Kinyei, Kindani, Weka, and Mukutan joined Naleku and Suguroi in babysitting Nala.
Kinyei and Kindani then started pushing Nala towards the browsing field, appearing to attempt to kidnap her. Naleku tried to resist but was overpowered by Suguroi, Kindani, Kinyei, and Mukutan. The four orphans walked east with Nala as Naleku tried to block them. The Keepers noticed what was happening and stepped in to help Naleku take Nala back to her mother. Nala herself seemed very pleased by all the attention she was receiving.
Suguroi wanted to go back with Naleku and Nala, but the Keepers blocked her so that she would continue on with her colleagues. The question now remains how long she will be held back from joining the young ones she clearly loves so much. Only time will tell when she might eventually break away from her group, as Naleku once did, and join the group she truly prefers.
The orphans settled to browse north of the stockade. Vaarti took a break from browsing to engage Bondeni in a pushing game, while Kindani had a light pushing game with Kinyei. Muwingu settled to browse with Weka and Shujaa, while Mageno played with Esoit. Olorien briefly took part in a soil-dusting exercise before resuming browsing with Roho.
Shortly before ten o’clock in the morning, the orphans were joined by Kuishi, Ndiwa, Sities, Sunni, Kainuk, Sana Sana, and Mundusi. Mukutan and Roho interacted briefly with Sunni, while Choka exchanged morning greetings with Sana Sana.
At eleven o’clock in the morning, the orphans headed for their midday bottle feeds and later returned to the browsing field. In the afternoon, they settled to browse at the Kanziku area, where Mukutan and Esoit engaged in a pushing game that lasted for quite some time. At five o’clock in the evening, Weka led the way back to the stockade.
Olare, Ola, Sagateisa, Namalok, Nabulu, Orwa, Kilabasi, Kofi, Kanika, Makireti, and two wild elephants joined the orphans for the morning feeding of lucerne. Suguroi was happy to see Kanika and followed her closely wherever she went. Choka engaged Kofi in a light pushing game, while Ola interacted with Weka.
After the orphans had finished with the lucerne, Muwingu led the way to the browsing field. The orphans settled to browse at Kone area. Lodo, Suguroi, and Roho visited the Kone dam for water before returning to browse. Orwa joined the group briefly while on his way to an undisclosed location.
At eleven o’clock in the morning, Weka led the way to the noon bottle feeds. The weather was chilly, so the orphans had their milk and then returned to the browsing field.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill, where Mukutan engaged Bondeni in a pushing game. Kinyei settled to browse with Kindani, Weka, Shujaa, and Olorien. Shortly before five o’clock in the evening, Lodo engaged Roho in a pushing game. At five o’clock, Shujaa led the way back to the stockade.
Roi and Ndiwa arrived at the stockade compound early, before dawn. At six o’clock in the morning, the orphans had their milk and then walked out to join Ndiwa and Roi. Esoit and Suguroi settled to scratch their buttocks on a nearby rock before moving on to feed on lucerne.
After the orphans had had enough lucerne, Muwingu led the team to drink at the stockade water troughs before heading to the browsing field. There, Bondeni and Loldaiga began their day with a pushing game. Their play attracted Mageno and Kitich, who started their own pushing game. Mageno’s game ended when he decided to ride on Kitich. In the other game, Loldaiga lost to Bondeni and comforted himself by engaging in a soil dusting exercise. Later, Kitich played with Choka, which ended in a draw. He then tested his strength against Roho but surrendered when the challenge became too tough.
Lodo had a light pushing game with Kindani while Mayan played with Shujaa. At eleven o’clock in the morning, Kinyei led the way to the noon bottle feeds. The weather was chilly, and only Roho, Kitich, Esoit, and Mayan participated in partial mud bathing, while the rest returned to the browsing field.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse at Kanziku area. Vaarti took a break to play with Bondeni, while Choka played with Mayan. On the way back to the stockade, the orphans stopped at Kone dam and splashed water behind their ears before resuming their journey back.
It was a quiet morning. Only Karisa joined the orphans in the morning. After some time, Roho challenged Karisa to a pushing game. Esoit settled to scratch his belly on a nearby rock, while Lodo, Kindani, Kinyei, Vaarti, and Olorien walked down to the water trough to drink. Karisa escorted the orphans to the browsing field and then left for an undisclosed location.
The orphans settled to browse west of Kalovoto. Esoit engaged Vaarti in a pushing game, while Mayan played with Mageno. Weka scratched her belly on a short shrub and later teamed up with Shujaa and Choka in browsing. Kinyei and Suguroi had a game of rolling on the ground.
At eleven o’clock in the morning, Mageno led the way to the noon bottle feeds. After having their milk, Esoit, Muwingu, Lodo, Weka, and Shujaa participated in wallowing before settling into a soil dusting exercise. Before returning to the browsing field, the orphans were briefly joined by Lenana, Lapa, Laki, Sunyei, Siku, Saba, Subiri, Mundusi, and Mukkoka. Kitich, Loldaiga, and Muwingu attempted to join the ex-orphans but were blocked by the Keepers.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. It was a quiet afternoon, with the orphans focusing on browsing without any major observations. In the evening, Weka led the way back to the stockade.
Mukkoka, Nabulu, Makireti, Kilabasi, Kofi, Ukame, Mteto, Ndiwa, Kanika, Loijuk, Lili, Lisha, Olare, Ola, Sagateisa, and Neshashi joined the orphans for the morning feeding of lucerne.
Moments later, a massive wild bull emerged from the western side and singled out Loijuk from the herd. Loijuk resisted and began to run away, with her young daughter Lisha following closely behind as the bull pursued them. They soon disappeared from sight, and what happened afterwards remains unknown. Lili stayed behind with the orphans and the ex-orphans, as she is old enough to understand why her mother was singled out by the wild bull.
Kitich engaged Mukkoka in a strength-testing exercise, while Loldaiga played with Mayan. After the orphans had enough lucerne, Suguroi led the way to the browsing field. Mageno and Mayan had a disagreement that resulted in a pushing game, while Bondeni challenged Vaarti, their game ending in a draw. Lodo, Roho, Weka, and Shujaa took a break from browsing for a soil-dusting exercise, as Mukutan played with Esoit.
At eleven o’clock in the morning, Muwingu led the way to the noon bottle feeds. The sun was hot, and soon after finishing their milk, the orphans moved into the wallowing water before settling into another soil-dusting session.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area and remained calm for the rest of the day. In the evening, Weka led the way back to the stockade.
It was a quiet morning. Soon after the orphans had their morning milk, Loldaiga led the way out. The orphans settled at the lucerne feeding venue, where lucerne was distributed and enjoyed.
Shortly afterwards, Orwa emerged from the western side and joined the orphans. As the orphans were preparing to leave for browsing, Lualeni, Lulu, Lexi, Luki, Makena, Merri, and Sapalan arrived. Kitich decided to test his strength against Lulu, while Suguroi settled to interact with Luki. Kindani, Kinyei, and Olorien joined Suguroi in interacting with Luki.
The three girls almost succeeded in walking away with Luki towards the browsing field, were it not for Lexi, who raised the alarm. Lualeni and Lulu reacted immediately, running towards the girls as they walked away with Luki. On seeing his mother, Luki changed his mind. Lualeni then walked back to the lucerne feeding venue with her three calves.
The orphans settled to browse north of the stockade. Shujaa, Mageno, Roho, Olorien, and Weka took a break from browsing for a soil-dusting exercise, while Loldaiga engaged Esoit in a pushing game. Shortly before mud-bath time, Lodo held a brief meeting with Vaarti, while Muwingu teamed up with Suguroi in browsing.
At eleven o’clock in the morning, Mageno led the way to the noon bottle feeds. The sun was hot, and soon after finishing their milk, the orphans jumped into the wallowing water. After they had enough of wallowing, they participated in a soil-dusting exercise.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse along the upper Kalovoto seasonal river. They browsed calmly until five o’clock in the evening, when Weka led the way back to the stockade.
Soon after the orphans left the stockade in the morning, a wild bull joined them just outside. Esoit met Shujaa and the two entwined their trunks in morning greetings as they waited for the distribution of lucerne. Olorien, Mukutan, Choka, and Kitich joined the wild bull at the stockade water troughs for a drink.
Shortly afterwards, Namalok and Galla arrived and joined the orphans for lucerne feeding. Roho walked close to Galla and engaged him in a light pushing game. After the orphans had enough of lucerne, Muwingu led the way to the browsing field. The orphans settled to browse at the Kone area.
Kitich browsed with Esoit and, at one point, the two had a disagreement. This resulted in a brief fight that was stopped by Kinyei, who was browsing nearby. Esoit then left the area and met Weka, whom he engaged in a light pushing game before resuming browsing. Lodo settled to browse with Olorien, while Suguroi, Roho, and Choka took a break from browsing to participate in a soil-dusting exercise. Mukutan engaged Mayan in a strength-testing exercise, which ended when Roho passed by and pushed the two boys out of his way.
At eleven o’clock in the morning, Mageno led the first group to the noon bottle feeds. After having their milk, the orphans passed through the wallowing water without bathing, as the weather was chilly. Only Loldaiga, who has become something of a water boy, participated fully in wallowing. The rest settled for a soil-dusting exercise before returning to the browsing field.
In the afternoon, Bondeni played with Loldaiga, while Kitich played with Vaarti. Weka settled to browse with Shujaa, Suguroi, and Mageno. At five o’clock in the evening, Weka led the way back to the stockade.
Suguta, Sullivan, Chyulu, Cheka, Charli, Sidai, Sid, Silas, Sita, Ndiwa, Sities, Sunni, Sattao, Mukkoka, Maramoja, Makireti, and Sana Sana joined the orphans for lucerne feeding in the morning. Kinyei interacted with Sullivan, while Suguroi attached herself to Sunni and Sities. Sita played with Sattao, and Kitich engaged Ndiwa in a light strength-testing exercise. Later, Sidai chased Suguta away for no clear reason. Suguta and her baby ran off to avoid being bullied by Sidai.
After the orphans had enough of lucerne, Muwingu led the way to the browsing field. The orphans settled to browse at the Kone area. Mayan took a break from browsing to roll on the ground. Loldaiga settled to browse with Mukutan, while Kitich engaged Choka in a pushing game. Weka browsed with Suguroi and Kinyei, while Mageno scratched on a nearby rock.
At eleven o’clock in the morning, Esoit led the first group to the noon bottle feeds. The orphans had their milk and then walked through the mud-bathing water, as the weather was chilly. They settled into a soil-dusting exercise, which was disrupted by a wild bull in musth that passed nearby. The orphans stopped dusting and raised their trunks into the air, checking the direction of the bull. Shortly afterwards, they moved off to browse, avoiding the direction of the bull in musth.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse at the Kanziku area. Vaarti engaged Lodo in a pushing game that lasted for quite some time, while Roho played Kindani in a light pushing game. Vaarti ended the day’s activities by attempting to get a free ride from Kitich. At five o’clock in the evening, Shujaa led the way back to the stockade for yet another night.
Narok, Tusuja, Sapalan, Rapsu, Karisa, Siangiki, Sagateisa, Olare, Ola, Chyulu, Cheka, Charli, and Sana Sana joined the orphans in the morning at the stockade compound. The ex-orphans shared lucerne with the orphans, and an hour later the orphans, led by Suguroi, moved out to the browsing field.
Esoit settled to browse with Mayan, while Olorien spent most of her time debarking trees. Kinyei teamed up with Kindani, Bondeni, and Suguroi in browsing, while Loldaiga engaged Kitich in a light pushing game. Roho came across loose soil and used it for dusting. His dusting exercise attracted Mukutan, Vaarti, and Shujaa, who joined him.
At eleven o’clock in the morning, Mageno led the first group to the noon bottle feeds. After getting their milk, the orphans joined Sattao, Lorro, Mambo, Mutara, Mango, Naboishu, Maramoja, and Sana Sana, who had arrived earlier. Kitich picked on Naboishu for a pushing game but surrendered when Naboishu played rough.
Roho, Loldaiga, Kindani, Kinyei, and Lodo jumped into the wallowing water for a cooling-off exercise, then later joined their colleagues in soil dusting. Half an hour later, Mutara and her team headed south-west, while the orphans moved south and settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill.
Kindani took a break from browsing to engage Roho in a pushing game, while Mayan settled to play with Mukutan. At five o’clock in the evening, Weka led the way back to the stockade.
Only Zurura joined the orphans in the morning for feeding on lucerne. Vaarti attempted to greet Zurura, but Zurura was not interested and pushed Vaarti aside. Mukutan engaged Loldaiga in a morning strength-testing warm-up exercise. Kinyei, Kindani, and Mayan settled to share a pile of lucerne.
Once the orphans had enough lucerne, Olorien led the way to the browsing field. While browsing, Mukutan took a break to engage Kindani in a light pushing game, while Mayan played with Esoit. The orphans browsed calmly as they slowly made their way towards the mud bath.
At eleven o’clock in the morning, the orphans had their milk and then jumped into the wallowing water. Loldaiga and Lodo were the last to leave the wallowing pool. The orphans then settled for a soil dusting exercise when Kilabasi, Kofi, Kanika, and Makireti arrived.
Suguroi quickly walked to the water trough to join this group and interacted with Kanika. Shortly afterwards, Kinyei and Olorien joined them. The three girls managed to convince Kanika to join the orphans for a soil dusting exercise. Kanika clearly enjoyed the experience and became the centre of attention.
When Kanika had enough of soil dusting, she walked back to her family with a heavy escort from the orphans. After Kilabasi and her team finished drinking, Makireti led the way heading north. Kinyei and Suguroi followed Kanika, but the Keepers intervened when the two girls almost disappeared with the Kilabasi team.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area and browsed calmly for the remainder of the day. In the evening, Mageno led the way back to the stockade.
It was a dramatic morning. A wild bull in musth that was pursuing Mteto followed her as she tried to find a place to hide. Mteto ran into the stockade compound, where guests usually stand to view the elephants. Everyone ran for safety as the bull charged while attempting to follow her inside.
The Keepers quickly grouped together, stamping their feet on the ground and shouting at the bull. He retreated, giving the Keepers space to drive Mteto out of the compound. However, while lucerne was being distributed, the wild bull returned with full force, forcing the Keepers to pause the feeding and run for cover.
Fortunately, a young bull picked on Mteto and the two ran eastwards, with the wild bull giving chase to teach the younger bull a lesson for interfering with his chosen female. The orphans trumpeted loudly, and some attempted to run back into the stockade in fear. Calmness resumed shortly afterwards when the bull in musth chased after Mteto, leaving everyone relieved after such a frightening encounter.
After the orphans had enough lucerne, Muwingu led the way to the browsing field. Bondeni settled to debark trees while Kindani played a rolling game on the ground. Mayan engaged Choka in a pushing game as Vaarti played with Esoit.
At eleven o’clock in the morning, Mageno led the way to the noon bottle feeds. Mutara, Mango, and Kainuk arrived while the orphans were taking their milk. Mutara went as far as begging the Keepers for some milk but was unsuccessful, as there was only enough for the orphans. Suguroi immediately went to Mango and began acting as his nanny.