We have recently seen many wild bulls drift in from far and wide to take up residence at Ithumba as the dry season starts to bite. These bulls are very much a part of the Ithumba orphans and ex-orphans circle now, and even the little dependent babies feel very comfortable in their presence. Some are familiar faces to the Keepers too, having passed through over the years, and are happy to join in the mud bath or even a dusting exercise where large piles of loose soil are kept beside the mud bath.
Mutara’s herd, which currently has twelve members, joined the dependent orphans as soon as they were let out this morning. Lemoyian engaged Tusuja in a strength testing exercise as a few orphans settled to have some water. Lemoyian and Tusuja's game came to an abrupt end when Suguta intervened by pushing the two boys out of her way. Ambo teamed up with his adopted sister Kamok, who takes care of him when Siangiki is doing other things. Later, Jotto, Karisa and Dololo spent some time scratching against some trees while Kuishi settled for soil dusting. Olsekki played with Lemoyian and later tackled Bomani. Orwa played with Turkwel and thereafter had his own game of rolling on the ground.
At mud bath time, Mapia, Maramoja and Olsekki relaxed under a tree before joining their friends to wallow in the mud bath. One wild elephant was present at mud bath and escorted the orphans and ex-orphans to continue browsing in the afternoon. Kauro spend some time playing with Namalok as Orwa played with Kibo. In the evening, seven wild bulls showed up at the stockade compound for water. The bulls left when they felt that they had taken enough.
Malima led the way out when the gates were opened as Ndiwa settled to scratch on the concrete bench. Karisa left with a branch in his mouth that he continued to enjoy as he made his way out to browse. Olsekki and Tusuja exchanged morning greetings by entwining their trunks before Olsekki moved to drink water.
Out in the bush Mundusi and Namalok had a fun time pushing each other, and later teamed up with Esampu and Mapia to browse. Dololo engaged Sities in a light pushing game which Sities handled carefully so as not to hurt him. Lemoyian played Tusuja while Olsekki played with Namalok. Shortly later, Turkwel brought Dololo to her side and slowly started moving towards the mud bath. On the way, the orphans were pleasantly surprised when they were joined by ex-orphan Kinna and her baby Kama – they were not with the rest of Yatta’s ex-orphan herd so the Keepers wondered where they might be! Kinna and Kama escorted the orphans to the mud bath and then left. In the evening, the orphans passed by the mud bath again and had an evening cooling-off exercise. On the way back to the stockades, Garzi and Bomani had a strength-testing exercise that didn't last for long as Kuishi led the way home.
Sities was there in the morning to take her favourite Dololo out for the day. Jotto started his days activities by engaging Karisa in a pushing game that didn't last for long as Sana Sana intervened by passing in-between them, thus pushing Jotto aside. Roi had her own game of rolling on the ground while Barsilinga engaged Garzi, who is now living wild, in a pushing game. Kainuk engaged Sattao in a light pushing game. Later, Sattao settled to browse with Turkwel as Enkikwe teamed up with Kuishi.
Kinna, Kama and a wild bull joined the orphans shortly before mud bath time again and decided to escort them there. On the way, Kamok and Ambo dodged the Keepers and failed to turn up for their milk bottles. The Keepers went back to look for them and half an hour later, found them and walked them to have their milk. The orphans had a quiet afternoon but on the way back to the stockades in the evening, ex-orphans Loijuk, baby Lili, Olare and Kalama showed up and joined the queue heading back to the stockades! We were very happy to see them. Three wild bulls showed up at the stockades for water as well and left when they were done.
Mutara and her group joined the orphans in the morning. Barsilinga teamed up with his former friends Kithaka, Lemoyian and Garzi and headed in a different direction to the dependent-orphans. Karisa found a fallen tree that he used to scratch his belly on before settling to play with Mapia. Mundusi played with Tusuja and after losing the game to Tusuja, proceeded to try his hand on Roi. Mundusi again lost but this time decided to concentrate on browsing to get enough energy to tackle his opponents. Rapa picked Tusuja for a strength testing exercise and ended up running away after being defeated by him.
Later, the orphans were joined by ex-orphans Loijuk, Lili, Olare, Kinna, Kama and a wild bull. Kama played with Suguta before later catching up with her mother. Challa made a surprise visit to the mud bath and had a brief chat with Mutara and a wild bull before disappearing again. Barsilinga, Garzi, Kithaka and Lemoyian didn't turn up for the mud bath. Instead the four boys returned back to the stockades late at night. Barsilinga was allowed back into the stockade while his friends slept outside. Late in the evening, seven wild bulls showed up for water at the stockade compound.
Loijuk, baby Lili, Olare and Kalama in the company of Mutara’s herd were at the stockade compound in the morning. The herd briefly settled for lucerne, soon after the gates were opened. Karisa led the way out to browse, where he engaged Jotto in a strength testing game. The orphans settled to browse west of the stockade and had a quiet morning. Loijuk Lili, Kalama and Olare parted with the others on the way to the mud bath and rejoined them again in the afternoon.
In the evening as the Keepers gathered the orphans to take them back to the stockades, they realized Dololo was missing. Also Loijuk and her group couldn’t be seen either, which meant that it was only them who have made off with little Dololo. A thorough search was mounted by the Keepers and an hour later, Dololo was found with Loijuk’s group. Dololo didn’t want to walk back to the stockades without his new friends so Loijuk and her group sheepishly escorted Dololo back to his stockades, as he is still milk-dependent and needs to remain as a dependent orphan for a while longer. On arriving safely back, Dololo joined his friends in his stockade while Loijuk and the others remained outside. They were rewarded with a bag of lucerne pellets for accepting to escort Dololo home again.
The orphans had a quiet morning as they settled to browse east of the stockades. Mutara’s group as usual joined the orphans for the day. Later, Loijuk and her herd joined the orphans. Sities was very careful this time round not to lose Dololo to Loijuk’s herd like yesterday. At mud bath time, Sities stayed close to Dololo as Mundusi played with Roi. Loijuk took her baby Lili for a soil bathing exercise and later led the way back out to browse. Lemoyian and Tusuja had a brief strength testing exercise before parting ways.
In the afternoon when the temperature soared, Siangiki took her favourite Ambo for a cooling-off mud bath along the road, before rejoining their friends. In the evening, Loijuk and her team parted ways with the juniors, this time without managing to kidnap anyone!
It was a chilly morning with a clear sky this morning. Kuishi led the way out. On the way, Esampu settled to scratch against a rock while Kauro decided to have a pushing game with Kamok. Mutara and her herd, who were missing in the morning, joined the orphans around the Kalovoto area. Sattao enjoyed the attention showered on him by the three girls Mutara, Suguta and Sities. The three girls decided to keep him company right up to mud bath time. Zurura teamed up with the orphans briefly before disappearing again. Maramoja tried to bring herself closer to Dololo by sticking by his side and they even went for their noon bottle feed together.
After mud bath time, Suguta and Sities had a brief meeting with Karisa and Musiara before proceeding back to the browsing field. Shortly after the orphans went back to browsing, ten wild bulls showed up for water. In the afternoon, Mutara and her herd walked the orphans far away, meaning they all returned back to the stockades late in the evening. Several wild bulls showed up at the stockade compound for water and left later after drinking enough water.
Mutara and her herd were waiting outside in the morning. Soon when the orphans were let out, Sities rushed to meet Dololo and hugged him with her trunk before walking out together. The orphans headed east of the stockade where Sapalan teamed up with Sana Sana while Kamok settled to browse with Ambo. Later, Ambo moved to team up with Siangiki. Suguta and Sities settled to browse with their favourites Dololo and Sattao. Later, Kauro played with Namalok and when their game ended in a draw, he moved to play with Kamok.
At mud bath time, the orphans took their milk bottles and had some water before heading back out to browse. The orphans came across some water on the roadside and had a cooling-off exercise before venturing deep into the bush. In the afternoon, the orphans were joined by Kitirua who was happy to meet the juniors after being away for some time. She wasn’t with the rest of her herd. Later in the evening, the orphans were joined by Rapsu on their way back to the stockades. The temperature was still high and the orphans made a brief stop at the main mud bath for an evening cool-off, then after having enough proceeded back to the stockade.
It was cloudy and drizzling in the morning when the orphans were let out of their night stockades and they headed straight out to browse. Ndiwa, Roi and Sattao at one time came across a tree stump that they used to scratch against.
Out in the bush, Ambo, Malima and Mapia came across some loose soil that they rolled in and dusted themselves with. Later, Mapia had a brief chat with Wanjala while Oltaiyoni engaged Enkikwe in a strength testing exercise that didn't last for long.
Shortly before mud bath time, the orphans were joined by Loijuk, Lili, Olare, Kalama, Zurura and a wild elephant. The weather was still chilly and none of the orphans dared to step into the mud bathing water. In the afternoon, Loijuk and her small herd parted ways with the orphans. In the evening shortly before it was time to head back to the stockades, the chilly weather changed to drizzle. The orphans got excited and walked to the nearby road where they enjoyed dusting themselves with the cool soil. In the evening, two wild bulls showed up at the stockades and left immediately after drinking enough water.
It was drizzling in the morning still and the ground was slippery when the orphans were leaving for browsing. The orphans headed west of the stockade compound where they were joined by Mutara and her group. Sities walked straight to Dololo to find out how was his morning was. Kamok settled to browse with Kitirua while Ambo teamed up with Karisa. Mutara had her own game of rolling on the ground while being watched by Kainuk. Shortly later, the orphans were briefly joined by a wild bull.
At mud bath time it was still fairly cloudy and chilly and the elephant orphans saw no need for a mud bath, so they had their milk bottles and some water before going back to browsing. The afternoon was also a quiet one as the dependent orphans and Mutara’s group browsed calmly throughout without any major distractions. Barsilinga, Kithaka, Lemoyian and Garzi parted ways with the rest of group, only to return to the stockade late at midnight.
The sky was clear in the morning as the orphans strolled nonchalantly out from the stockades. Led by Karisa, the orphans headed to Kone area where they settled to browse. Lemoyian teamed up with Malkia while Mundusi picked a fight with Namalok that ended in a draw. Their game also attracted Karisa and Sapalan who settled for a pushing game. At mud bath time, the orphans only had their milk and some water then returned back to browsing. In the afternoon Karisa played with Mapia while Kamok played with Olsekki. On the way back to the stockades, the orphans were joined by Loijuk, Lili, Olare and Kalama.
Out in the bush this morning, Mapia settled to browse with Ndiwa while Malima teamed up with Lemoyian. Mutara’s herd was here and Sities played with Orwa and later turned on Kainuk. Olsekki later played Lemoyian. The rest of the morning was quiet. At mud bath time, the orphans were joined by Meibai who had brief interaction with Mutara and Orwa. The Ithumba dependent orphans went round the mud bath but were not interested in wallowing due to a cold blowing wind. Only Kilaguni jumped into the water and had fun before coming out when he was done.
In the afternoon, the orphans headed west along the slopes of the Ithumba Hill where they settled to browse for the rest of the day. In the evening, Sunyei, baby Siku, Lenana, Ishanga, Kinna and Kama showed up at the stockade and teamed up with Mutara’s herd. After sometime, the herd left back out into the bush.
Loijuk, Lili, Olare, Makena and Kalama were at the stockade compound where they had joined Mutara and her herd. The orphans intermingled with the ex-orphans soon after they were let out. Shortly later, the dependent orphans left for browsing leaving Loijuk and her herd at the stockade compound. Kauro and Sapalan took a break from feeding to scratch against some trees and rocks while Suguta took care of Sattao. Shortly before mud bath time, Lemoyian played with Mapia while Tusuja tackled Wanjala. Jotto and Karisa were not left out either but engaged in a strength testing exercise.
At the mud bath the orphans were joined by one wild bull. The weather was chilly and none of the orphans dared to bath in the cold water after having their milk bottles. In the evening Loijuk, Lili and Olare arrived at the stockade compound followed by some wild bulls. Loijuk, Olare and Lili looked tired. The bulls were following Loijuk and were trying to win her over since it appears that she is in season. This is surprising considering Lili is only eleven months old now. Loijuk took the opportunity of being close to the stockades to relax and Lili chose to have a nap before the pursuit of her mother continued. Twelve wild bulls showed up to drink some water while others were looking for Loijuk. Shortly before dark, Lili woke up and Loijuk led her and her herd away out into the bush as some of the bulls followed after her.
The orphans left the stockade early as usual and headed west. The orphans had a quiet morning as they concentrated on browsing without any major distractions. Shortly before mud bath time the dependent orphans were joined by ex-orphan Rapsu who didn't stay for long as he appeared to be in hurry to meet a friend probably somewhere in the bush.
At mud bath time, the orphans had their milk and water before returning back to the browsing field. Tusuja and Wanjala had a brief strength testing exercise that ended in a draw. A wild bull visited the mud bath then left immediately after drinking some water. The orphans settled to browse in between Ithumba Hill and Imenti area and in the evening had a roadside mud bath before returning back to the stockades for the night.
The orphans headed straight to the browsing field soon after the gates were opened. Sapalan came across a nice rock that he used to scratch his buttocks on. Lemoyian settled to browse with Malkia and after some time Malkia walked to team up with Dololo and Suguta. Tusuja attempted to climb on Ndiwa while Olsekki played with Sities. At mud bath time the weather was cold and none of the orphans wanted to step into the water hole. Instead they headed straight back out to browse. On the way Tusuja, Olsekki and Mundusi did some soil dusting and later Mundusi engaged Roi in a strength testing exercise while Olsekki played with Kamok. In the afternoon, Roi had a brief chat with Wanjala and shortly afterwards, the orphans headed for a road side mud bath.
The sky was clear and it was a cold morning when the orphans left the stockade. As usual the orphans were joined by Mutara and her herd. The herd settled to browse in the Kone area and had a quiet morning. At mud bath time, though the sun was shining, there was a cold wind blowing that hindered the orphans from taking a bath. The orphans had their milk bottles but then one by one filtered back out into the bush to browse, instead of walking towards the waterhole for a bath. Jotto and Tusuja had a brief soil dusting exercise while Pare settled for a pushing game with Lemoyian. The afternoon was quiet and the elephant orphans concentrated on browsing. In the evening, ex-orphan Tomboi, who was last seen in December last year, showed up at the stockade compound with two wild friends looking extremely well.
The orphans settled for some bales of Lucerne soon after leaving their rooms. After feeding on Lucerne, the orphans headed to Kone area where they settled to browse. Mutara’s herd was with the dependent orphans again today and Sities had a game of rolling on the ground while Garzi played with Kilaguni. Mundusi had a brief chat with Pare before resuming browsing. Mapia had a light pushing game with Kamok and later tackled Rapa as Lemoyian played with Ukame. Kainuk decided to have fun by rolling on the ground while Naseku took the opportunity to use Kainuk as a scratching post.
Shortly before mud bath time, Namalok played with Pare as Barsilinga started his journey to the mud bath to be the first one to have his share of milk. Three wild bulls showed up for water while the orphans were there and later disappeared again. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse along the western slopes of Ithumba Hill and later in the evening returned back safely to the stockades.
As usual after a long night, the orphans were eager to enjoy some Lucerne soon after leaving the stockades early in the morning. Shortly later Mutara’s herd, who spent the night quite far away, arrived in the company of Melia, Tumaren, Chemi Chemi, Kibo and Kandecha. A wild bull, who appeared to be interested in Melia, was also trailing behind them. After feeding on Lucerne, dependent orphan Sattao led the way out to browse for the day. On the way he stopped to enjoy a scratch, a game that also attracted Mapia. Olsekki settled to feed with Karisa as Sities engaged Kibo in a pushing game. Later, the ex-orphans accompanied the orphans to the mud bath. Barsilinga didn't show up for his noon milk feed and then also the evening one, as he seemed to be enjoying his time out in the bush. In the afternoon, Dololo spend most his time feeding in the company of Suguta and Turkwel. In the evening as the orphans returned back to the stockade compound for the night, four wild bulls showed up for water as well, before wandering off back out into the Park.
While the rest of the group settled for Lucerne in the morning, Mapia and Musiara settled for scratching. Mutara and Melia’s herds joined the dependent orphans’ moments after they settled for browsing. Galla teamed up with Jotto to browse while Rapa settled with Maramoja. Three bulls attended mud bath but as soon as the Ithumba dependent orphans arrived just before 11am, the bulls walked off into the bush. Sities accompanied Dololo for his milk feed where she stood guard next to him, and when he was done she escorted him away. Siangiki kept Ambo company but when Kamok arrived, Siangiki excused herself to attend to something else, leaving Kamok with Ambo for a short while.
Later in the afternoon, Melia took half of the dependent orphan herd and went to hide with them around the Ithumba Hill lodge area! Those who took off with Melia and her herd were Sattao, Karisa, Kuishi, Ndiwa, Maramoja, Sapalan, Rapa, Roi, Ukame, Namalok, Olsekki, Siangiki and Galla. The Keepers managed to locate them at six o'clock in the evening and brought them back to the stockades for the night. Barsilinga, who had spent the night out with Garzi, also showed up and was ushered into the stockades.
The orphans settled for Lucerne as usual soon after leaving the stockades. Shortly later, Naseku led the way out to browse. Kilaguni and Kibo started their day activities by engaging in a pushing game. Their game attracted Lemoyian who tackled Olsekki while Naseku played with Kainuk. Garzi and Barsilinga parted ways with the rest of the group and disappeared into the bush.
At mud bath time around noon, the sun was shining but the orphans didn't feel like wallowing in the main water hole, however a few enjoyed a soil dusting exercise before heading back out to browse. Pare engaged Jotto in a pushing game that ended in a draw. In the afternoon, Pare tried to bully Sattao but was cautioned by the Keepers. In the evening, four wild bulls showed up for water from the stockade water troughs. Barsilinga and Garzi didn't return to the stockades tonight and spent the night out in the Park.
When the orphans settled for Lucerne in the morning, Tusuja decided to have a warmup exercise rolling on the ground. After he had enough of rolling, Tusuja held a brief meeting with Kauro, before proceeding out to browse. Kauro then engaged Wanjala in a strength testing exercise while Tusuja played with Rapa. Kamok played with Olsekki as Esampu played with Jotto. Later, Tusuja tackled Galla. Sattao enjoyed feeding in the company of Suguta while Siangiki took care of Ambo.
At mud bath time, Jotto decided to relax under a tree soon after finishing his share of milk. Only one wild bull showed up to the mud bath today while the orphans were there. Olsekki and Tusuja were the last ones to leave the mud bath, and that was after being engaged in a strength testing game for quite some time. The afternoon was quiet as the orphans concentrated on browsing without any major distractions.
Bomani engaged Garzi in a strength testing exercise as the rest of the herd concentrated on feeding on Lucerne. Maramoja and Mapia decided to walk under the acacia tree in the stockade compound to pick the acacia seed pods they found on the ground, which had been dropped by monkeys and birds
Out in the bush, Dololo enjoyed feeding in the company of Sugata and Turkwel as Mapia shared the same shrub as Kamok. At mud bath time, Sugata and Sities escorted Sattao for his milk bottles, then stood a short distance away waiting for him. The two girls then escorted him once he had finished his share of milk. The orphans and ex-orphans had a brief mud-bath, which some of them had not done in a while, and after they enjoyed soil dusting before walking off to continue browsing for the afternoon. Karisa led the way as Sapalan lagged behind, still enjoying his soil bath. The orphans settled east of the Ithumba Hill and in the evening, returned back safely to the stockades.
Sities together with her herd were outside the stockade compound this morning and welcomed Dololo outside when the gates were opened. Both orphans and ex-orphans settled for Lucerne before heading out to browse. Out in the bush, Kauro and Kuishi settled for scratching while Rapa engaged Tusuja in a pushing exercise. Jotto played with Pare while Karisa tackled Namalok. Suguta managed to steal Dololo away from Sities, a game that we have been observing with these big girls who compete over who is the most competent nanny, as they try to outdo each other in taking care of Dololo and Sattao. Kainuk had her own game of rolling on the ground while Kilaguni played with Mutara. Later, Suguta and Turkwel had a game of rolling on the ground too.
Shortly before mud bath time, Sana Sana and Mapia passed by the Kone dam and had some water before catching up with their friends. The orphans decided not to mud bath in the main waterhole again. Turkwel took Dololo under her wing and walked with him back out to continue browsing. Naseku had a brief chat with Ambo before escorting him to browse too. The afternoon was quiet as the orphans concentrated on browsing throughout the rest of the day.
On the way out to browse today, Ambo found a suitable rock that he used to scratch his belly on, while surrounded by Siangiki, Mutara and Kamok. Tusuja engaged Lemoyian in a pushing game that lasted for quite some time, before they realized that it was getting late and they needed to recharge their energy and concentrate on browsing.
Later in the day, Roi settled to play with Mundusi while Kamok played with Kauro. Sapalan tackled the streetwise boy Karisa as Jotto played with Namalok. At mud bath time, Sugata and Sities escorted Dololo to have his milk again. Shortly later, four wild bulls showed up and one them headed straight to join the orphans to drink water from the water troughs; it obviously wasn’t his first visit to the mud bath and he was evidently used to the orphans and their Keepers! In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill and in the evening, attended a roadside mud bath before returning to the stockades for the night. Challa showed up at the compound in the evening and shortly before dark, the wild bull known as ‘Dad’ came for a drink at the stockade water trough too.
The orphans settled for Lucerne soon after leaving their stockades this morning. Sities headed over to her Dololo who she loves so much. After feeding on lucerne, Naseku, Karisa and Kamok settled for scratching as Malkia held a brief chat with Kauro as she passed by in search of nice vegetation. Ambo, who was lagging behind, rumbled and Maramoja, who was close by, ran to check what Ambo was saying. Perhaps Ambo was lonely and was asking the others to wait for him, as Maramoja then settled to browse with him and offered him some company.
Karisa engaged Rapa in a pushing game while Enkikwe played with Tusuja. Later, Tusuja had a game of rolling on the ground that attracted Kamok who came forward and used him as a scratching surface. Ambo walked over to join Kilaguni to feed on some acacia pods. Since Ambo is much smaller and couldn't reach the pods in the tree, he decided to pick the ones fallen ones from the ground as Kilaguni enjoyed plucking the fresh ones from the tree. Naseku had a brief strength testing exercise with Olsekki as Kibo played with Kilaguni.
At mud bath time, Kuishi led the way down for the milk bottle feed. Only one wild elephant was present at mud bath and left immediately when the orphans left for browsing. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to feed in the Imenti area and in the evening, they passed by the mud bath where they had an evening cooling-off session.
After feeding on lucerne, the orphans headed north east of the stockade compound where they were joined by ex-orphan Tomboi and three wild bulls. Sities as usual stayed close to her Dololo as Olsekki had a brief chat with Tomboi. Later, Olsekki settled to play with Kamok as the rest of the herd concentrated on browsing. Three hours later, Tomboi and his wild friends parted ways with the juniors.
At mud bath time, the Ithumba milk-dependent orphans had their milk bottles and some water from the water troughs before slowly wandering back out to the bush. Wanjala tried to climb on Rapa but was forced down by Kainuk. Naseku, who has developed an interest in Ambo, joined Kamok and Siangiki in walking together with Ambo back out to browse too.
Kilaguni joined the orphans for lucerne in the morning. Rapa took his share and moved to scratch on a nearby rock. His scratching attracted Dololo and Musiara who settled to scratch on different rocks. Musiara rumbled and this made Maramoja, who has really developed her nurturing skills recently, to attend to Musiara without delay. Maramoja held a brief chat with Musiara before the two of them walked together out to browse.
Sapalan engaged Namalok in a pushing game while Roi tackled Mundusi. Mutara and her group arrived and Kandecha intervened in Sapalan and Namalok’s game, forcing them to quit. Jotto engaged Pare in a strength testing exercise that lasted for quite some time. Enkikwe, who is now able to defend himself in most pushing games despite his bad leg, had a pushing game with Kamok that ended in a draw. At mud bath time, the orphans were joined by ex-orphans Loijuk, baby Lili and Ishanga. In the afternoon Loijuk and the others parted ways with the dependent orphans and later the orphans had a roadside mud bath before returning back to the stockades for the night.
Soon after leaving for browsing, ex-orphan Chemi Chemi engaged Mutara in a pushing game that lasted for quite some time. The rest of the herd settled for browsing and later Wanjala played with Tusuja while Kamok engaged Olsekki in a strength testing exercise. The sky was partly covered by clouds so it wasn’t a very hot morning.
At mud bath time Challa, who arrived earlier, was busy wallowing in the main water hole as the orphans drank their milk and had some water before going to dust on the large piles of loose soil. Once Challa had enough of wallowing, he started trumpeting as he left the water in an excitable mood, and ran off into the thicket. Rapa had fun with Tusuja, pushing each other and rolling on the ground. Later, Tusuja turned on Kainuk and had a pushing game that didn't last for long. In the afternoon, the orphans were joined by ex-orphans Loijuk, Lili, Olare, Ishanga and Melia.
Malima left the stockade with a branch in her trunk which she continued to enjoy feeding on as she waited for Lucerne. Orwa and Bomani checked in at the stockade compound with their new found wild friend. The three joined the dependent orphans to feed on Lucerne. After feeding on Lucerne, the boys settled for pushing games. Sapalan played with his best friend Namalok while Mundusi played with Tusuja. Rapa attempted to climb on Jotto, something which annoyed Jotto who turned and tried to fight Rapa. Shortly later, a wild bull joined in and walked with the orphans out to the bush. Kuishi settled to browse with Sana Sana while Rapa played with Galla. Later, Enkikwe engaged Namalok in a strength testing exercise while Kamok settled for a scratching exercise.
Sattao led Dololo and Malima in the first group for the noon milk feed. In the afternoon the orphans settled west of Ithumba Hill where they browsed calmly without any major distractions. Loijuk’s herd with Mutara’s group visited the stockades later in the evening.
Tomboi with a wild friend visited the stockade compound in the morning and joined the dependent orphans who were feeding on their Lucerne grass supplement. After feeding on Lucerne, Rapa walked down and settled under an acacia tree to help himself to the fallen acacia pods. Karisa came across a nice rock that he used to scratch his buttocks on. The rest of the morning was quiet as the orphans concentrated mostly on browsing. At mud bath time, the temperature was moderate and the orphans participated in soil dusting soon after having their milk bottles. In the afternoon, Suguta teamed up with Sattao to browse while Namalok settled to browse with Musiara. In the evening Kuishi led the way back to the stockades for the night.
The bulls were in a very playful mood in the morning as they engaged in pushing games. Mutara and her group were missing in the morning for the Lucerne feed, but later they joined up with the dependent babies where they were browsing in the Kone area. Kanjoro, who comes and goes as he likes, was also present. The orphans concentrated on browsing for the best part of the morning before Sattao led the first group for the noon milk bottle feeds. Ten wild bulls were present at mud bath and this is a sign that the dry season is really starting to set in. Kanjoro headed straight for wallowing in the big water hole and was later joined by Tusuja and Mutara. One of the wild bulls present joined the orphans who were soil dusting, as Olsekki walked to say hi to another junior wild bull. The afternoon was quiet as the orphans settled to browse along the western slopes of the Ithumba Hill.