We are feeling the effects of the dry season here in Tsavo. While this is a challenging time for wildlife, it brought many of our ex orphans back home. Mutara’s herd remains anchored to the area, perhaps because so many of the girls are besotted with little Dololo. In addition, Galana and her herd took up residence, much to the delight of the dependent orphans. The junior girls got to practice their nannying skills on their wild-born babies — although they sometimes found these calves to be a bit more than they bargained for! Lenana and Loijuk’s babies, the rascal Lapa and Lili, are particularly guilty of playing rough with the orphans because they know they can get away with it.
Galana and her herd have become regular visitors to the stockade compound. Today they arrived early as usual and settled for lucerne with the orphans. The babies Lapa and Lili played rough with the orphans simply because they could with their mothers around, offering them protection! Malima was disappointed that Lili smacked her so hard with her trunk and for no reason, when she is only a little girl like her.
After feeding on lucerne, the ex-orphans left with Barsilinga, Tusuja, Siangiki, Olsekki, Oltaiyoni, Roi, Kamok, Naseku, Rapa and Enkikwe, only to show up at mud bath time, before leaving again. The Class Five members appear to be very much enjoying company of their older friends, even more than their stockade dependent friends now. Galla chose to stay behind with the dependent orphans and engaged Pare in a pushing game. When he was done Karisa chose to play with Pare too. Malkia and Maramoja spent a lovely time browsing together, while little Musiara browsed close by.
It was quite sunny today and at the mud bath twenty wild bulls came for water. Later they all made the same pilgrimage to the stockade water trough too where they enjoyed some more fresh water. Enkikwe teamed up with Kandecha, Chemi Chemi and two wild bulls who escorted him back early to the stockade compound, where he stood waiting for his friends to arrive a bit later.
Shortly after feeding on lucerne, Ambo led the way out to browse. The orphans headed east of stockades while the ex-orphans headed west. As usual, the ex-orphans took Barsilinga, Tusuja, Naseku, Roi, Oltaiyoni, Olsekki, Siangiki, Rapa, and Kamok with them, and today Galla from Class Four decided to accompany them too. The orphans browsed as they walked round the hill behind the stockade compound.
The orphans had a quiet morning as they browsed calmly without any major distractions. At mud bath time fifteen wild bulls turned up and settled to have mud bath on the left side of the water, which despite the drying weather is still impressively big and a number of wild bulls can comfortably enjoy a swim there. The dependent orphans chose to swim on the right side of the pool as well, and all could comfortably frolic in there together!
Malima and Malkia came out of the water and enjoyed rubbing their wet bodies against one of the bushes. Maramoja looked after little Musiara and escorted him into the shade for awhile after drying off with the others at the dust bath. Jotto went to scratch his tail on his favourite tree stump, while Sattao looked on in wonder at what he was doing!
In the afternoon, the orphans settled east of Ithumba Hill and browsed calmly throughout the remaining part of the day.
The orphans left the stockade early as usual and were met by Mutara’s herd just outside the stockade.
Out in the bush, Esampu, the drama queen, happened to spot two dik diks ahead of her. She was excited and ran towards the dik diks charging and trumpeting. Her excitement attracted Mundusi, Rapa and Pare who joined in the race of chasing the dik diks away too. The dik diks disappeared very quickly as soon as they saw the danger approaching! Their disappearing restored the peace and quiet though as the four orphans forgot about their chasing games and went back to browsing.
As the drought continues to bite, more wild elephants are now showing up at the mud bath and stockade compound to visit the water troughs. Fifteen wild bulls arrived at mud bath while twenty eight wild elephants showed up at the stockade later in the evening. The orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area later in the afternoon. In the evening, Nabulu led the first group back to the stockades. She is still doing very well at Ithumba since losing her friend Maisha, and is getting on very well in the company of the other orphans.
Sunyei and her baby Siku joined the orphans for lucerne in the morning. It is not clear where she has been for all this time but we were very happy to see her! Hopefully the rest of the ex-orphan herd will soon show up too, since it is getting drier with each passing day. Meeting Siku meant Nabulu had the wonderful opportunity to meet another wild born baby her age. Nabulu tried to make friends with Siku which Sunyei didn’t mind at all, and allowed the two to interact and socialise. Sunyei decided to join the dependent orphans to browse and Nabulu was happy to have a good time with Siku. Sunyei later escorted the orphans to the mud bath where they parted ways. Nabulu tried to follow Sunyei and her daughter but was called back by the Keepers.
The familiar wild bull referred to as ‘Dad’ and his friends paid a visit to the mud bath today and had some water before leaving. Dad is such a magnificent bull with beautiful tusks, and it is easy to see why he is the father to some of our wild born babies, as he is so impressive. Wild Dogs also attended the mud bath and there was drama when one of the wild bulls decided to chase the wild dogs away. The dogs were adamant and totally refused to go. They only left later at their own pleasure when they had drunk enough water too.
The afternoon was quiet and the orphans concentrated on browsing. Kamok settled to browse with Musiara and Sattao while Roi settled close by. Mteto and Maramoja were deep in conversation and then they suddenly turned away from one another to resume browsing with fervour, so we couldn’t help but think they were discussing how dry the vegetation was getting and how they should concentrate on filling their stomachs. In the evening, Galana and her herd in the company of some wild elephants came for water at the stockade.
Two wild bulls were drinking water at the stockade water troughs as the orphans settled for their lucerne this morning.
Shortly later, Musiara strolled down towards the water trough to try and find out who were these two gentlemen were, who weren’t interested in joining the orphans in feeding on lucerne. Musiara, in a slow measured walk, tried to squeeze himself in between the two wild bulls as he wasn’t quite sure how the bulls might react to him. The bulls didn't bother about the small boy joining them in drinking water though and just allowed him to carry on. We are sure if he had more brazenly approached them then their reaction might not have been quite so docile, but because Musiara was polite, they just allowed him to continue. Later, Musiara finished drinking water with the wild bulls and walked off to join Ambo and Dololo, and brag to them how brave he was to stand at the same water trough with grownups without any problem.
Mutara’s herd was at the stockades as well this morning, and Nabulu joined Mutara and Jotto to drink some water. Nabulu seemed to be turning to ask Mutara some questions from time to time, and it seemed for the most part as if Mutara were responding to her.
Galana and her herd showed up at the stockades shortly after the orphans had gone out to browse.
At mud bath time, Nabulu led the way for the noon bottle feed. It was chilly and the orphans opted for a soil bath instead of going into the waterhole for a swim. In the afternoon, Rapa engaged Mapia in a strength testing exercise that ended when Mapia surrendered. Later, Kauro played with Mundusi and after winning, he moved to tackle Enkikwe. Their game ended in a draw.
It was extremely cold in the early morning and this temperature continued for the entire morning. The orphans settled for lucerne as usual and were joined by the ex-orphans in Mutara’s herd including Kithaka and co. Kuishi walked down to drink water and was followed by Nabulu and Jotto. Later, Mundusi decided to challenge Kithaka but couldn't withstand his strength and so had no option other than to surrender.
Due to the cold weather, the orphans remained active and only concentrated on browsing. Enkikwe decided to take a break from browsing though to challenge Bomani. Perhaps he was feeling cold and felt like warming himself up with a pushing game! Bomani was very much willing for a warm up exercise and the two had a strength testing exercise that lasted for quite some time. By the end of it they had both warmed up significantly to resume browsing.
At mud bath time, the orphans had their milk bottles before walking over to the water troughs for a drink. Today they walked straight back out to continue browsing without any games in the water or on the soil piles. Only Barsilinga decided to have some fun with Kalama, playing and messing around on the loose soil before walking to catch up with their milk dependent friends.
The afternoon was a quiet one as the extreme cold weather continued to rule the day. The ex-orphans in Galana’s herd decided to visit the stockade compound early before five when the dependent orphans return. The little rascal Lapa played his usual tricks and wouldn’t allow the dependent babies back into the stockade compound as they returned, and he kept ambushing and charging at them. Mapia didn't take kindly to Lapa's game and since he didn't want to be late for his milk bottles, he decided to push Lapa out of the way for he was wasting his time. Quite out of character, as she can also be quite a hard little baby, Esampu pitied Lapa and decided to comfort him. She stretched her out trunk towards him and patted him to make him feel better. Lapa calmed down and walked back over to his mother. Esampu then walked into her stockade to have her evening milk bottles and settle down for the night.
As usual, Mutara and her herd were present at lucerne feeding venue this morning.
A wild bull was busy drinking water at the stockade water trough. Shortly later, some of the dependent boys led by Rapa walked down to the water trough to meet up with the wild bull. The wild elephant wasn’t unfriendly to Rapa, Mundusi, Wanjala and Galla and allowed them to share water with him. The inquisitive Rapa broke the silence by starting the conversation with the wild bull. The others joined in with their trunks pointed at the wild bull too. After sometime, the wild bull left after being satisfied that he had given the best answers to the inquisitive boys. Rapa, Mundusi, Wanjala and Galla escorted the wild bull a short distance then bid him farewell.
Out in the bush, Dololo continued to enjoy his special treatment from his elder adopted sisters in Mutara’s herd. By noon the sun had finally started to peak out from behind the clouds, and a few orphans decided to go into the mud bath to enjoy the water for a bit. Kamok joined two wild bulls who were drinking from the water troughs.
This afternoon, a wild herd consisting of a mother and her three calves showed up at the lucerne feeding area as if requesting for lucerne, since they have been used to finding it there whenever they are around. We noticed that not only the mother was pregnant but her first born daughter too, which was a wonderful sight. The Keepers gave the elephants some lucerne and the mother was clearly happy. Mutara and her herd just arrived in time to get to feed with the wild herd too. Later, Naseku, Oltaiyoni, Roi and Tusuja totally refused to get into their stockade and instead they joined the wild herd feeding on lucerne. They later went to knock at the gate for someone to let them in for the night and one of the Keepers dutifully obliged them.
It was a quiet morning. Only Kilaguni and Bomani were present to represent the ex-orphans today. As soon as the orphans were through with their lucerne feeding, Nabulu led the way out to browse. Jotto came across a bent tree that he used to scratch his belly on. The orphans browsed calmly up to mud bath time when Nabulu again led the way for the noon bottle feed.
The temperature was moderate and only Kilaguni participated in wallowing. The rest of the herd opted for a soil bathing exercise before going back to browsing for the rest of the afternoon.
Mapia and Mundusi decided to take a break to enjoy a strength testing exercise that ended in a draw. Later, Rapa settled old scores with Tusuja, but ended up losing to Tusuja.
In the evening, Galana and her herd visited. As the orphans were being let into the stockade compound, Makena sneaked in and retrieved herself a nice branch to munch on. On her way out, she met Enkikwe who tried to snatch the branch away from her. Enkikwe got the shock of his life when Makena used the same branch to smack him! Makena, who is pregnant, wouldn't take any embarrassment from a small boy like Enkikwe and wanted to teach him a lesson. Enkikwe ran for his dear life before Makena could lift the branch to whip him again.
Mutara and her team of kidnappers spent the night just outside the stockades and joined the orphans when they were let out this morning. Sities, Suguta, Kainuk and Turkwel, the most notorious kidnappers, welcomed Dololo out with excitement and walked him over to the lucerne feeding area. They seemed to be deliberating how they might abscond with their favourite little boy today, as it has been some time since they tried. The Keepers didn't see it coming as Mutara and her herd have been behaving so well recently, only escorting the older orphans in Class Five who are exploring their independence at the moment.
Two wild bulls then showed up. One of them joined the orphans to feed on lucerne while the other one remained at the water trough drinking water. Mundusi joined the wild bull at the water trough and tried to communicate with him but was a bit scared due to his huge size.
The morning carried on without incident and Mutara and her herd merely followed the dependent orphans as they browsed, but they picked their moment later at the mud bath when the Keepers were distracted with the milk feed and having their own lunch. Mutara’s herd watched the Keepers’ movements to pick their moment and flee with Dololo in a quiet manner without raising any suspicion. The Keepers soon realized something was amiss however as they couldn't understand why Mutara’s herd didn't stay for longer at the mud bath, and were convinced that something fishy was going on. They quickly did a head count of the milk dependent orphans and indeed Dololo was missing. After a quick search Dololo was located heading south with Mutara’s herd, gaily following behind his favourite girls. As the Keepers caught up to the group the kidnappers protested and rumbled their displeasure at having been found with their baby! Dololo was lead back to the dependent herd with Mutara and the others sheepishly following along behind.
The afternoon was quiet and in the evening seventy wild elephants reported for water. It's really getting quite dry now and more and more elephants are showing up each day in search of water. This will continue up to October/November time, when we expect our next rainy season. It feels like a long time ahead as we are only just at the beginning of the dry season still, and we know our water bowsers will be kept busy these next few months.
It was a cold and a quiet morning. The orphans settled for lucerne as usual before heading out to browse. Shortly after the orphans had left, ex-orphan Rapsu showed up with a wild friend who had an injury on the right hand side of his belly, seemingly caused by a spear or an arrow. The wild elephant was nervous and didn't stay for long, and vanished into the bush as soon as he saw the Keepers walking towards him. Rapsu didn't follow him but stayed behind after making sure that his message had well been delivered to the stockade that he had a friend who needed help.
At mud bath time, the weather was still cold. No wild elephants visited however, and the orphans had free roam of the mud bath without any disturbance. Kuishi and Malima had a nice dust bath while their friend Sana Sana watched on. Sattao walked over to the mud bath as if contemplating getting into the water for a moment, but then he thought better of it. Kauro walked by and the little bull decided to follow him to the loose soil for a dust bath instead. Mteto and Mundusi followed.
The injured wild bull was safely treated by our KWS/SWT Vet and awoke without complication. The Vet gave him a good prognosis, but Rapsu did an excellent job bringing his friend for treatment, otherwise things might not have turned out so well for him. In the evening, the stockade was flooded by both ex-orphans and wild elephants. More and more elephants are showing up for water and we will have to be well prepared to deal with this dry season.
The orphans woke up in a jovial mood this morning and happily guzzled down their milk bottles. Tusuja came out of his night stockade and walked down to the water troughs where he joined a wild bull that was drinking water, and engaged him in a lengthy conversation. Shortly later the ex-orphans in Galana’s herd showed up led up by the babies Lapa and Lili. Esampu and Mteto welcomed the babies with trumpets and rumbles. Sities forgot that she had Dololo to care of and instead joined the queue of following little Lapa around!
When the lucerne was finished, the dependent orphans headed east while the ex-orphans headed south.
At mud bath time, the sun was shining and hot. The orphans walked into the water of their own accord without even being directed there by the Keepers today. They were all too happy to enjoy a swim after all the cold weather, and even Kauro got into the water willingly. Twenty five wild bulls were present at the mud bath including Dad who looked very serene and calm. Also noticeable were four new wild bulls who had not visited the mud bath before.
Later the orphans came out of the water and had a soil bath to dry off. Namalok accidentally stood on Ambo’s trunk which made him yell out but Namalok soon moved away as it was only an accident. Sapalan came over to check on Ambo and he was fine. He stood up and dusted himself off and followed the others back out into the bush to continue browsing. Mutara and her herd left with the Class Five members (Barsilinga, Tusuja, Siangiki, Olsekki, Oltaiyoni, Roi, Kamok, Naseku, Rapa and Enkikwe) and brought them back later in the evening. Sixty wild elephants reported for water at the stockade water troughs this evening, including two wild breeding herds with their young ones.
It was a quiet morning without any wild elephants showing up. It seems one day we might have over 50 and the next they all disappear again. Only the girls Mutara, Sities, Turkwel and Kainuk welcomed the dependent orphans out in the morning. Later however, Lemoyian showed up leading the boys Orwa, Kithaka, Garzi and Bomani, and they joined the dependent orphans who were munching away on the lucerne grass provided for them by the Keepers that morning.
When it was time to head out to the bush for the day, Ambo volunteered to lead the way. Some poor unfortunate guinea fowls who were enjoying poking around in the grass looking for some breakfast were interrupted by Mundusi who loves a good chasing game. He spotted them and decided to run after them to make them fly up in all directions which he thinks is great fun. Mundusi was joined by other boys Pare, Wanjala and Tusuja as well, who thought this looked like a great game. The guinea fowls had no choice other than to fly away up into the branches of some nearby trees for safety. The Keepers couldn’t help but laugh and think that the guinea fowls must wonder why they have to go through the same ritual almost every day!
At mud bath time, five wild bulls were present but ten other wild bulls joined later. The bulls used the far west end of the waterhole for themselves and to enjoy their own wallowing games, while the little orphans used the other side so as not to disturb their seniors. Later, the orphans came out to dry themselves on the loose soil before heading back out to browse. The Class Five members decided to take a different direction from their friends, and in the company of Orwa and Bomani, they headed south of mud bath only to return back later shortly before seven in the evening.
Ex-orphan Kenze joined the orphans for lucerne in the morning in the company of a wild friend. Shortly later, the wild elephant walked to the water trough and settled for water with some of the dependent bulls. Mundusi, Wanjala and Rapa wondered when will might ever reach the size of their wild friend. Kenze, who was standing close to them, read their thoughts and informed them that they have to be patient as they have a long way ahead! Mutara and her fellow girls didn't show up this morning. Only Orwa, Lemoyian, Bomani and Garzi represented the ex-orphans this morning. Sana Sana led the way out to browse with little Ambo who seemed like he was on a mission this morning. Kuishi and Roi followed along behind them and kept lifting their trunks to smell the air as if they were catching the scent of another herd in the distance. We wondered if they could smell Mutara’s herd not that far away, or perhaps some of the other ex-orphans.
At mud bath time it was all quiet again. Only wild bull Dad and his friend showed up. It was a cold day again today so the orphans didn’t go into the water to wallow, but had a soil bath instead so as to keep warm. Later Rapa decided to walk up to the mud bath and test the water with his trunk, and much to our surprise he decided to go in for a short while, followed by Wanjala. It was only these two who were brave enough to go into the water today.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area. Thirty wild bulls showed up for water from the stockade water troughs in the evening. The Class Five rebels (Barsilinga, Tusuja, Siangiki, Olsekki, Oltaiyoni, Roi, Kamok, Naseku, Rapa and Enkikwe) arrived later in the company of Lualeni and Lulu. The Keepers were not even sure when they managed to sneak off and meet up with Lualeni and her baby, but we are delighted to see them after such a long time away. Perhaps this is who Kuishi and Roi smelled in the distance this morning!
Shortly after the dependent orphans settled for their lucerne breakfast this morning, Lualeni and her baby Lulu accompanied by Lemoyian, Garzi and Bomani arrived and joined in too. When Karisa was through, he decided to lead the way out to browse, closely followed by Wanjala. On the way, Kauro, Kuishi, Jotto and Musiara came across some rocks that they used to scratch their bellies on. Dololo went for a second day without his escorts from Mutara’s herd and we’re not sure where Mutara, Sities, Turkwel, Suguta, Kainuk and Kithaka might have gone for now. Perhaps they have joined up with some of the other ex-orphans like those in Galana’s herd because of the delightful little babies in that group.
Out in the bush, Kauro came across some guinea fowls and he ran at them to make them fly up in the air out of his way. The guinea fowls flew away leaving Kauro happy with the result of his game. He ambled along swinging his head and trunk in satisfaction. Pare and Mundusi decided to have a warm up exercise through a pushing game, but their game didn't last for long as Oltaiyoni intervened by pushing the two boys out of her way.
In the absence of Mutara’s herd, Roi volunteered to look after Dololo and teamed up to browse with him throughout the morning, which Dololo seemed to like. Jotto engaged Galla in a pushing game but was disrupted by Siangiki who saw it as a waste of time as it is drying out and she felt the two boys ought to be busy feeding instead of playing. Karisa and Mteto decided to share food from the same shrub, plucking the green leaves with their trunks, while Kamok teamed up with Enkikwe to kick grass at the roots with their feet and pull the clumps up using their trunks. Lemoyian seemed to have a disagreement with Oltaiyoni about how to share a branch that had fallen on the ground. Oltaiyoni decided to surrender and let Lemoyian have it.
Just before it was time to head to the mud bath for the noon milk feed, Kauro decided to leave the group early and head there to wait for the milk vehicle. Kauro has a funny habit of picking up sticks and walking along with them, and today was no exception as he was stood standing there holding one of his sticks waiting for his milk bottles.
There were several wild bulls at the mud bath today one of them joined the orphans for a soil bath, almost acting as a supervisor making sure that the orphans made sure to have their dust bath properly.
In the afternoon, Lemoyian, Garzi and Bomani snatched Nabulu, Sattao, Malkia and Ambo and set off with them to the stockade compound. They had spent the entire morning with the dependent orphans, and now felt the need to go back to the stockades to see if they could find any lucerne there to enjoy! To succeed in their mission, the three boys evidently saw it wise to recruit a few dependent orphans to accompany them. To their credit, their plan worked! For as soon as the Keepers spotted the group they immediately put out some lucerne for them to enjoy and keep them there as they radioed to the other Keepers in the bush to come and retrieve this break-away group.
In the evening, Kenze, Taita and Tomboi were among several wild bulls that reported for water at the stockade compound.
Ex-orphans Loijuk, baby Lili, Makena, Lenana, baby Lapa, Kilabasi, Kilaguni, Chemi Chemi, Kitirua, Naisula, Ukame, Mutara, Sities, Turkwel, Suguta, Kithaka, Garzi, Lemoyian and Bomani were present in the morning for the lucerne feeding time. The little rascal Lapa engaged Esampu in a pushing game. Esampu tolerated Lapa as she understands that he is still a baby, but this wasn’t the case with Mapia! Mapia didn’t seem to care about Lapa’s age and he pushed Lapa hard when the youngster came to tease him. Mapia didn’t seem to mind the fact his mother and nannies were there too, and didn’t seem to fear being potentially reprimanded for pushing the little baby. Perhaps the elders knew that Lapa was being a little rascal and got what he deserved for playing with the older babies.
Out in the bush Kuishi teamed up with Barsilinga to browse and have a conversation with him. Lemoyian had a disagreement with Sapalan and threatened to push him, but after a second thought, Lemoyian decided to go and team up with Siangiki to feed instead. Lemoyian is a funny little elephant as he never seems to grow very much and he is still small in stature for his age.
It was quite chilly as the orphans walked to the mud bath and only one wild elephant bull showed up to join them. The orphans had their milk bottles and some water before heading for a soil dusting exercise. Malkia and Sana Sana entwined their trunks as they tried to reflect on their lives for the past two and half years since arriving at Ithumba.
Later, the dependent orphans marched back out browse led by Nabulu. Ndiwa, Mundusi, Kauro and Rapa lagged behind as they pondered whether to remain with the ex-orphans or follow their dependent friends. Eventually they unanimously agreed on following their dependent Ithumba friends and save spending time with the ex-orphans another day. Meanwhile all Class Five members Kamok, Barsilinga, Naseku, Roi, Olsekki, Oltaiyoni, Tusuja and Siangiki decided to stick with the ex-orphans but managed later to return to the stockade compound in the evening of their own accord.
Ex-orphans Lualeni, baby Lulu, Melia, Kitirua, Naisula, Kalama, Kilabasi and Mutara with her herd were present in the morning to join in the lucerne feeding. Soon after finishing, the orphans headed east while the ex-orphans lagged behind but later followed the orphans. An hour later, the ex-orphans parted ways. Class Five members Kamok, Barsilinga, Roi, Naseku, Tusuja, Oltaiyoni Olsekki and Siangiki all followed the ex-orphans. Maramoja, without realizing, ended up following the ex-orphans too as she was trying to play with Lulu.
A short while later some of the dependent orphans came across an ostrich which confused them a bit, as they weren’t quite sure what it was. The boys Mundusi, Sattao, Musiara, Enkikwe and Galla approached the ostrich with their trunks raised, smelling. When it saw the elephants approaching however the ostrich started to run off, which set the young elephant bulls off in a charging mood. They started running and trumpeting trying to scare the away ostrich. As the ostrich ran off into the bushes, even though it had already started to leave, the elephants saw this as a victory and started charging about and stamping their feet in celebration, before settling down to continue with their morning of browsing.
Karisa and Pare settled for a strength testing exercise that lasted for quite some time, but it ended in a draw. This meant that the two boys would have a rematch another day.
Shortly before mud bath time, Maramoja led the ex-orphans to the stockades in search of her friends but also to get her noon milk feed. However when they arrived they found that the car carrying the milk had already left for the mud bath. Maramoja and her team including Lualeni, Lulu, Mutara’s herd and the Class Five members, had some water from the troughs instead and then walked back out to the bush.
Meanwhile at the mud bath it was quite hot and the dependent orphans got into the water to wallow after having their bottles without any encouragement from the Keepers. Twenty five wild bulls were present at the mud bath today. Challa showed up later and joined the orphans to wallow too. Esampu left the water all excited and ran off trumpeting into the bush. Mteto, Wanjala and Mundusi followed to check what the excitement was all about but they couldn’t find anything; sometimes Esampu just does that! Kauro, Malima and Galla skipped the wallowing exercise entirely. Kauro has never been a big fan of the water.
The afternoon was quiet as the orphans browsed calmly throughout the rest of the day. Just before five in the evening and time to return home, Jotto, Wanjala and Ambo settled for a short soil dusting exercise on the side of the road and shortly later, Nabulu led Malima and Musiara in the first group back to the stockades for the night.
It was a cold morning today as the orphans awoke for their milk bottles and walked out to have their lucerne breakfast. Challa was also there with a wild friend who is very friendly and doesn’t mind the orphans and the Keepers at all. He joined the orphans to feed on lucerne too. Mutara’s herd also arrived with the naughty boy Kithaka for some lucerne too.
After finishing lucerne the orphans walked down to the water trough together with the wild bull and after they had enough water they walked straight out to browse, leaving the wild bull and Challa behind, still feeding on lucerne.
The orphans were very busy browsing when all of a sudden they came across Lualeni, Lenana and Sunyei with their babies Lulu, Lapa and Siku. The ex-orphans didn’t stay but carried on walking through the bush.
It was a cold day today so the orphans decided not to wallow in the water after having their milk bottles. Sana Sana and Ndiwa escorted Musiara to the dusting pile instead and the orphans all enjoyed dusting and keeping warm. Lualeni, Lenana and Sunyei visited the mud bath with their babies to have some water and then they carried on.
The afternoon was just spent busy browsing. Enkikwe enjoyed browsing next to Mteto from the same tree and later Nabulu led the herd back home in the evening.
It was a beautiful but cold morning today as the orphans had their milk bottles before walking down to have their lucerne supplement breakfast. They enjoyed the lucerne without any ex-orphans or wild elephants showing up to interrupt them today.
Out in the bush a big wild elephant bull came to greet the orphans and he was very friendly. A herd of four buffaloes passed by as well. Eventually the wild bull walked away leaving the babies behind.
At noon the orphans walked to the mud bath for their milk bottles, where they were joined by a large group of wild bulls who came to drink water and some of them wallowed in the waterhole as well. The orphans had their milk and also went into the waterhole to swim as well as it was a hot afternoon. Some of the wild bulls came close to the orphans while they were wallowing but they didn’t seem to mind, and when they were done they walked straight out of the water and over to the piles of loose soil where they rolled to dry off.
Back out in the bush, Kauro, Mteto and Sattao were busy browsing together away from the others. Karisa and Kauro browsed together and Jotto came over to join them. Sapalan and Namalok, who have been friends since they were in the Nursery together, also spent the afternoon in each other’s company. At one point they took a break from browsing to enjoy a wrestling game, but it didn’t last for long. Nabulu and Pare led the orphans back home in the evening for the night.
A large herd of ex-orphans and wild elephants including Lualeni, Sunyei with their babies Lulu and Siku visited the stockade compound for water this evening and they drank a lot.
It was a beautiful sunrise this cold morning as the orphans had their milk bottle breakfast as usual and walked down to feed on lucerne. No ex-orphans or wild elephants appeared this morning to share lucerne with them. Naseku was being quite funny with the lucerne and just rolling it around with her trunk and playing with it. Later the orphans walked down to the water trough for some water before heading out to the bush. Sattao started scratching his back leg on a rock while Barsilinga and Malkia scratched their bottoms against the same rock. Kauro was scratching his bottom on a different rock.
Just after the orphans left the compound, a group of wild bulls came to drink water. A short while later ex-orphans Sunyei, Lenana, Lualeni and Loijuk with their babies and Ukame, Ishanga, Chemi Chemi, Kalama and Kandecha among some others arrived at the compound for some water too. As the Keepers were watching the ex-orphans they saw Ishanga had a wound on her left foreleg with some puss coming out. They notified the Field HQ Kaluku who then coordinated with Angela Sheldrick to send the Tsavo Vet to come and attend to Ishanga. The Vet found she had a deep wound from an arrow, which had since fallen out. She was treated and awoken to rejoin her friends, and the Vet said she would be fine. The Kaluku HQ will coordinate with our anti-poaching teams to formulate a plan on how to address this issue.
Meanwhile the dependent orphans spent a busy morning concentrating on browsing. Barsilinga and Class Five separated from the other orphans and walked off into the bush to spend the day on their own. The other orphans came across with one wild elephant bull who wasn’t very friendly, but he walked away.
At the mud bath some of the orphans decided to wallow after having their milk bottles. They enjoyed and later walked to the dust bath and finally back out to the bush to browse. There were also two bulls energetically playing in the water. Two ostriches walked past the orphans but got a fright and ran off. The orphans continued browsing until evening when Nabulu led them back home again. Barsilinga and the Class Five orphans returned just after the others too and they went into their stockade for the night.
The orphans awoke in a jovial mood today. They had their bottles and went to feed on the lucerne supplements. They have enjoyed the last few days without being interrupted by any ex-orphans or wild elephants as they have their lucerne in peace.
It is becoming very dry out in the bush and all the orphans are searching and jostling for enough browse to eat. The orphans always know the time and just before their noon milk feed they started to walk towards the mud bath area where they get their bottles. Nabulu led the orphans to the mud bath with her friend Malkia.
Some of the orphans decided to go into the mud bath after having their bottles. Sana Sana, Naseku, Dololo, Musiara, Sattao, Enkikwe, Esampu, Mteto, Maramoja, Ambo, Rapa, Jotto, Namalok and Sapalan all went in the water. It wasn’t because it was very hot but just that they felt like playing! There was one wild bull also playing in the water, and a group of wild bulls standing around the water trough drinking. Enkikwe, Esampu, Mteto, Musiara and Maramoja were the most playful today. When they were done in the mud bath they walked to the piles of loose soil to dry off.
This afternoon the orphans all looked tired and they all concentrated on browsing. None of them were very active or playful, and just before 5pm they all returned home for their milk and to go to bed.
This evening a wild elephant herd visited the compound with some babies. Some ex-orphans from Lualeni's herd also came, along with Ishanga who was treated yesterday. She looks very strong and the wound is healing nicely. They all came to drink water and later they walked back out to the bush. Barsilinga’s group of the Class Five orphans who separated from the other Ithumba babies earlier in the day also arrived, and they were shut into their stockade for the night.
It was a lovely morning as the orphans woke up early for their breakfast milk bottles. At 6am exactly, they started rumbling and making a fuss, and we knew they were ready for their bottles! As soon as they were done they came out of their stockades and walked straight to the lucerne feeding area for their supplement food during this dry weather. Naseku is becoming a very maternal and caring little girl, as she is preparing for her life back in the wild and becoming more independent. Often she is spotted looking after Ambo, Sattao and Musiara. This morning she spent her time protecting Sattao and Ambo as they fed on lucerne, and no one was allowed to push or bully the two boys. There was a very beautiful sunrise today.
Out in the bush all the orphans concentrated very much on browsing. A little later Ambo and Malima started a play fight while their friends were busy browsing. Later all the orphans walked to the mud bath for their noon milk bottle and to wallow in the water as it was quite hot morning. Some wild bulls joined the orphans in the water too, and others were drinking from the water trough. Rapa decided to climb on Malima while they were swimming. Pare and Ndiwa were having a lovely time wallowing next to Malkia as well. All the orphans came out of the water around the same time, and went straight to dust bath to play and dry off. Jotto, Kuishi and Malima had the best dust bath ever and really enjoyed. Esampu, Rapa and Musiara were also enjoying rolling around on the dust bath separate to the others. When they were done playing and wallowing, the orphans walked back out to the bush to continue browsing. They browsed right up until the last minute when Pare led the herd back home for the night at 5pm. Enkikwe and Sapalan were left behind but arrived back half an hour later.
When the orphans arrived back at the stockades they found a couple of wild bulls drinking water there. Barsilinga and the rest of Class Five, including Tusuja, Siangiki, Olsekki, Oltaiyoni, Roi, Kamok, Naseku, Rapa and Enkikwe, who walked off this morning after the mud bath, arrived back an hour after all the others. They are doing so well honing their wild instincts and learning to become independent.
A buffalo came in to drink water with the orphans this morning, and shared the trough alongside Siangiki, Kamok and Barsilinga. There were a lot of guinea fowl birds around who came to drink water too, and later a group of wild elephant bulls arrived for some water while the babies were still feeding on lucerne. Sapalan started playing with Galla while Enkikwe was playing with Oltaiyoni. Karisa and Mundusi also were busy playing their own wrestling game, before eventually they all walked out to browse for the day.
While they were browsing, Garzi and Orwa came to greet the dependent babies. Malkia was enjoying rolling on the ground and dusting herself.
Later on at the mud bath there were some wild bulls enjoying the fresh water from the water trough and wallowing in the mud bath to cool down. Our orphans had their milk bottles and then some join the wild bulls to wallow, but they swam in their own area and left the wild bulls to their own corner of the mud bath. Dololo had fun climbing on Jotto while they were in the water. Esampu and Ndiwa were having their own conversation while in the mud bath too. When they came out of the mud bath Mundusi, Kauro and Jotto had a lot of fun rolling around on the piles of loose soil.
While the orphans browsed in the afternoon, Musiara enjoyed being looked after by Maramoja. Pare stopped to scratch his neck and trunk on a rock. Karisa and Rapa escorted each other when it was time to return home to the stockades in the evening.
This evening a big group of wild bulls came to drink water from the stockade compound. Orwa, Garzi and Bomani came to join them and later they all walked out into the night together.
The orphans enjoyed feeding on lucerne this morning and it has been relaxing for the past few days without being disturbed by any ex-orphans and wild elephants. Mundusi started play fighting with Sapalan while Esampu scratched and enjoyed playing around a big rock. At one point it looked like she was trying to jump over it! Mapia was enjoying some morning exercise as he squatted down to scratch his belly on a rock. The dependent orphans later walked to the water trough to have some water before it was time to head out for the day.
Mundusi took a break from browsing to start a play fight with Karisa. Malima was busy playing and scratching against some rocks as the others started to make their way towards the mud bath for their bottles. The orphans looked quite tired this morning and walked slowly towards the feeding area, and none of them jostled to be in the front groups.
We came across some ex-orphans at the mud bath with Mutara's herd among them. Kalama was spectacularly enjoying wallowing in the mud wallow while the wild bulls were at the far end of the pool. A wild young bull got in to play with Kalama and they enjoying playing and swimming together. Some of the dependent orphans got in the water as well and relished the company of their older and wild friends. Kibo was among some of the ex-orphans playing in the water, but he decided to get out and follow the orphans to the dust bath to dry off. Later, the orphans walked back out to the bush to browse.
All the orphans enjoyed browsing in the afternoon despite it being so dry. Wanjala, Karisa, Rapa, Ambo and Mundusi were all playing together. Later Sapalan went to scoop and toss soil into the air and onto his back. The orphans later walked back home in the evening for their milk and to go to bed. Very few wild elephant bulls appeared at the compound for water today.
It was a bright morning today as the dependent orphans had their morning milk bottles and walked down to the lucerne feeding area. Only ex-orphan Kilaguni decided to join them this morning. They had their lucerne and walked out to the bush to browse.
Galla and Wanjala started play fighting while the others were busy browsing. Later the herd walked to the mud bath for their noon milk bottles. They found only a few wild bulls there today who were very friendly towards the orphans. They were happy to share water from the same water trough. Some of the orphans like Rapa, Esampu, Mundusi, Enkikwe and Sapalan were busy enjoying wallowing in the mud bath.
This afternoon Esampu and Mapia browsed together while others browsed as a group. Ambo and Jotto enjoyed sparring with each other. Naseku enjoyed looking after Musiara as he browsed. Namalok found a tasty bush which he loved feasting on, as it is hard to find good browse these days. Later, Nabulu led the herd back home for the evening.
The orphans had their milk bottles as usual and then walked out of their stockades to feed on lucerne. Some of the orphans took breaks from feasting on the lucerne pellets to go and have some water from the water trough. Eventually, when they were all ready, the orphans started to head out to the bush to browse. On the way, Pare and Karisa started play fighting. Galla lagged behind as he was scratching his bottom on a rock close to the stockades. Kauro stayed with him and chose to scratch in the same spot when Galla was done, and then they followed their friends.
All the orphans concentrated on browsing in the morning, as they all searched for enough browse to fill their tummies in this dry climate at the moment. Barsilinga and his group chose to go their own way, and browse on their own separate to the milk-dependent orphans at Ithumba. Later, ex-orphan Melia joined the orphans out of nowhere, but later walked off in the direction of the mud bath before the orphans started to move in that direction too.
At noon, all the babies had their milk feed. All except Enkikwe who decided had decided to follow Kilaguni earlier. When they were done the orphans walked to have a drink of water from the water trough, and the wild elephants bulls that were standing there were very respectful, and moved back to allow the babies to have some water. Some of the babies went for a dust bath instead of wallowing in the mud bath. Nabulu had a great time rolling on the mounds of loose soil, with Malkia and Naseku coming to check on her. Musiara and Sattao splashed themselves on the side of the mud bath but didn’t venture in to swim properly. Jotto came past and initiated a pushing game with Sattao but then both the boys went to roll and enjoy a dust bath. ‘Dad’ was one of the wild elephants bulls that was present at the mud bath today, who is believed to have fathered some of our adult orphans’ babies.
Lualeni's herd visited the stockades during the day today, along with Ishanga. Ishanga is doing very well and recovering well, looking strong and active which is wonderful.
The orphans at Ithumba had their delicious milk bottles in the morning before walking out to have some lucerne, where they found ex-orphans Loijok, Sunyei, Lenana and Galana with their babies Lili, Siku, Lapa and Gawa waiting for them. They all shared lucerne together before the orphans walked away to begin their day of browsing.
Out in the bush, the dependent orphans enjoyed browsing together despite it being very dry at the moment. Wanjala and Enkikwe started play fighting, before leading the way to the mud bath. When they arrived the orphans found some wild bulls there wallowing and some drinking water from the water trough. While the wild elephants were really enjoying the mud bath, our orphans decided not to join them because they felt it was too cold. Instead they had a dust bath on the loose soil. Wanjala was scooping and tossing soil in the air and some on his back. Esampu and Mundusi were running around playing, while Malkia rolled on the soil with Nabulu and Mapia and Jotto had a pushing game just off to the side. Sapalan is a very quiet elephant and he just enjoyed rolling on the soil peacefully. Later, when the orphans were browsing again, Sapalan enjoyed browsing with the little boy Sattao. They seemed to be having their own private conversation. Nabulu was also busy browsing, stretching her trunk high to try and reach the greener leaves up top. When it was close to 5pm, the orphans started their walk back to the stockade compound for their last milk feed of the day, and to go to sleep.
Today only a few wild elephants visited the stockades, but it wasn’t as hot today so not as many came for water it seems.
It was quite a bright morning today, as the orphans had their milk bottles as usual around 6am, and walked out to start their day. They has some lucerne provided for them by the Keepers which they all enjoyed. Some, like Wanjala, Kuishi, Barsilinga and Siangiki, walked to the water trough to drink water before heading out to the bush. We had a beautiful sunrise which brightened everyone’s day, even the elephants as they walked out to browse.
Today the Keepers endeavored to walk the orphans to some different browsing areas with more vegetation for them to feed on. It is so dry at the moment but there is still enough food, the Ithumba orphans and Keepers just have to walk to find it! Sana Sana walked with Ambo and Sattao, while Roi walked along with Musiara, checking on him every few minutes and making sure he was getting enough to eat.
It was quite busy at the mud bath today as we had quite a big group of wild bulls enjoying wallowing in the water. The orphans had their milk and walked into the mud bath to wallow as well, which they all thoroughly enjoyed on this warm day. Nabulu then lead the group out to go for a dust bath. The orphans had fun drying off there. Jotto especially had fun rolling with his friends Wanjala and Rapa. Later they all walked back out to browse.
Mundusi and Malkia were spotted stretching high to reach some green fresh leaves as the orphans browsed along the Kalovoto seasonal river. Sattao was stripping acacia bark for food, while Pare was busy browsing from the same delicious acacia tree. Karisa was resting his trunk on the broken branch of the same tree too.
The babies met with some wild bulls on their way home in the evening, and when they got back to the compound they found Barsilinga's herd, being the rest of Class Five - Tusuja, Siangiki, Olsekki, Oltaiyoni, Roi, Kamok, Naseku, Rapa and Enkikwe too today - already waiting there ready to be safely locked in for the night. Ex-orphans Zurura and Kibo were also at the water troughs with some of the wild bulls. The orphans went into their stockades for their milk and settled down for the night.
It was a busy morning today as we had a big group of wild elephants visiting the stockade water trough. The orphans had their milk bottles and then came out of their stockades to begin their day. They almost couldn’t find any space, the Ithumba stockade compound was so full of elephants! It was so full some of the orphans decided to walk straight out to the bush without having any lucerne, although the Keepers tried their best to convince them to stay and have some. Ex-orphans Ishanga, Sunyei, Galana, Loijuk, Lualeni and Lenana with their wild born babies were among the wild elephants too. Ishanga seems fine and is improving every time we see her. The veterinarian did a wonderful job. Before Esampu left for the bush, she decided to do some morning exercises by kneeling down and pushing her head on the ground, and generally just messing around! Jotto stayed behind as well stretching his legs and they later they walked out to the bush together.
Mapia was browsing together with Galla before Galla decided to join his friends in Barsilinga’s herd, who wanted to go their own direction as usual. They walked away from the dependent orphans just before mud bath time. Malima was busy playing with a stick for a short while, and then she decided to chew on it as she walked along.
Barsilinga’s herd in Class Five met up with the other orphans at the mud bath again. Some of Mutara's herd also appeared today. Suguta, Sities, Kainuk, Bomani and Orwa all decided to visit the mud bath, and they started wallowing in the water hole with pleasure. Slowly, once they were done visiting the mud bath and had finished with all the various activities, the orphans made their way back out to the bush, leaving Mutara's herd behind together with Barsilinga's group.
Malima browsed together with Mundusi while Dololo was busy play fighting with Pare. The rest of the herd were concentrating on browsing and filling their tummies, and later Nabulu and Dololo led the herd back home in the evening.
We are well into the dry season now. The orphans settled for their lucerne supplement in the morning as usual. Orwa and Bomani joined the orphans and later escorted them out to browse. Musiara teamed up with his friend Maramoja. Enkikwe came across a suitable tree that he used to scratch his belly on. Malkia and Sana Sana teamed up with Nabulu and Malima and had a girls talk while feeding. Two dik dik antelope’s darted out of a nearby bush, startling Mteto, Mundusi, Sattao and Ambo and the four orphans ran towards the Keepers. Esampu, also known as the drama queen, couldn't understand why the four orphans were scared off and decided to trumpet and charge in the direction they had come from – she might be a drama queen but she is also brave! She didn’t find anything there though, so came running back to the rest of the herd where she settled down and continued browsing.
At mud bath time the orphans were joined by thirty eight wild bulls. ‘Dad’ was among them, who has the biggest tusks of all and he is such an impressive bull. Wanjala and Pare walked straight over to join the wild bulls at the water trough. One of the junior wild bulls wasn’t happy about Pare and Wanjala approaching them without what he thought was enough respect, and so he decided to chase them away as a lesson for not respecting their elders. The Keepers felt bad for the two youngsters, who were just thirsty, and intervened by requesting the bulls to kind step back and make way for the young orphans to have some water, as they only spend an hour or so at the mud bath. When all the orphans were done having some fresh water, they walked over to the loose soil for a dust bath. Esampu and Malima decided to enjoy by relaxing on the soil, almost as if they were having a little nap.
In the afternoon the orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area where they looked for as much vegetation as they could to fill their tummies before returning home. In the evening, as usual, Nabulu led the way back to the stockades for the night.
It was a quiet morning today. The orphans settled for their morning lucerne without any other elephant visitors. Kauro picked up a small bale of lucerne grass and moved away from his friends to enjoy it on his own. Kauro understands very well that because he is missing the tip of his trunk, he can’t feed as fast as his friends, and so if he is to enjoy his breakfast in peace it is best to move away from them. Wanjala, Mundusi, Galla and Rapa spotted a lone buffalo coming for water, and so, with their ears wide open, they slowly walked towards the buffalo. The buffalo was in no mood of a confrontation with these young elephants, and so walked away to come back for water a bit later. The young elephant bulls seemed pretty pleased with themselves at having told the buffalo what to do!
On the way out to the bush, the orphans met with ex-orphan Tomboi, but Tomboi didn’t stop to socialize with anyone. He seemed thirsty and his goal was getting to the stockade water trough. Pare, Tusuja, Dololo and Enkikwe tried to wave at Tomboi with their trunks up but Tomboi walked past without saluting them today.
Pare and Karisa later had a small conflict over a shrub they both wanted, which turned into a fight, but it didn’t last for long as Pare decided to surrender. Maramoja and Musiara found a suitable rock that they both used to scratch on. Later in the morning the orphans were joined by ex-orphans Kalama, Melia, Chemi Chemi, Garzi who were also with a wild elephant. They decided to browse with the orphans for a little while. The wild elephant was quite shy, but friendly, and didn’t mind the orphans and their human Keepers.
At mud bath time only two wild bulls showed up while the orphans were there. Jotto and Mapia had a strength testing exercise while Maramoja picked up a stick and used it to scratch in between her front legs. The orphans had a quiet afternoon with Barsilinga, Tusuja, Naseku, Oltaiyoni, Kamok, Roi, Olsekki and Siangiki choosing to part ways with the rest of the group, only to show up later in the evening at the stockades again.
The orphans were joined by some ex-orphans in the morning. Loijuk, Kibo, baby Lili, Ishanga, Tumaren, Chemi Chemi, Orwa, Bomani, Kilabasi, Kanjoro, and Mutara’s herd too, joined the dependent orphans for the morning lucerne feed. About an hour later, the ex-orphans parted ways with the youngsters. Barsilinga, Oltaiyoni, Olsekki, Kamok, Siangiki, Tusuja, Roi and Naseku left with the ex-orphans.
It was a quiet morning for all the orphans as they concentrated on browsing without any major distractions. At mud bath time, forty wild elephant bulls, led by ‘Dad’ who had skipped visiting the mud bath the previous day, showed up and joined the dependent orphans as they arrived there for their noon milk feed. The weather was chilly and none of the orphans dared to step into the mud bathing water. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area until five o'clock in the evening when Nabulu led the first group back to the stockades for the night. Musiara, Sattao and Dololo were the first into their room with Nabulu.