Ithumba Reintegration Unit

July 2023

Daily updates

July 2023

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July 11th

The ex-orphans in the company of the Queen's family showed up at the stockade compound. The herd joined the orphans for lucerne, but we were most excited to see Kilaguni appear out of the bush and wander up towards the compound — he has been away for quite some time! He arrived and was welcomed by little Lodo first. Lodo had a brief conversation with Kilaguni as he wanted to find out where he had been all this time. Yogi engaged Naleku in a pushing game as Bondeni decided to have a stretching exercise by going down with his knees and raising his trunk up in the air. Suguroi settled on a nearby rock for a scratching session where she was joined by Roho who engaged her in a pushing game. Naboishu ran into trouble with Ambo when he refused to share lucerne with him. Ambo pushed Naboishu from the back as he tried to forcefully take some lucerne from Naboishu's mouth. Naboishu resisted and ran away.

On the way to the browsing field, Bondeni engaged Roho in a pushing game that ended when Mukkoka passed by and pushed the two boys apart. Sattao teamed up with Sagateisa to browse while Olorien settled to browse with Lodo and Esoit.

It was another hot day while the orphans were at the mud bath, but none of the orphans felt like swimming apart from Naleku, who just washed her feet in the shallows. Yatta and Mulikas' family were also at the mud bath. Enkikwe, Nabulu, Ithumbah, baby Iman and Ishanga arrived too.

Eventually the orphans began to wander away to continue with their afternoon of browsing. They chose the Kanziku area to spend the afternoon. Musiara teamed up with Neshashi while Sagateisa settled to browse with Jotto, Kuishi and Dololo.

In the evening we once again saw Motomo in the company of some wild bulls who he left with again. Having been found alone deep in community land, we are happy he now has the guidance and company of these friendly senior bulls.

A wild bull found with an arrow wound was treated by our SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit at the stockades. He had showed up earlier in the week, and this time, he stuck around the compound, clearly seeking help. Ex-orphan Zurura remained close by and observed the whole procedure, as the bull happens to be a friend of his. He stood by until the treatment was over and his friend was safely back on his feet.

Naleku washing her feet

Mulika Mwende and Mkuu cooling off in the shade

Zurura staying close to his wild bull friend

July 12th

Mutara’s group spent the night outside the stockade compound last night. The orphans left the stockades soon after finishing their milk bottles and joined Mutara’s group. Wendi, Wiva, Wema, Wimbi, Galana, Gawa and Kilaguni showed up later. Kindani, Kinyei and Bondeni settled to scratch against the stockade compound wall before joining their friends already feasting on lucerne. Mambo had a brief interaction with Suguroi as Sagateisa shared lucerne with Suguta. When the orphans had enough lucerne, Kinyei led the way out to the bush. While in the lead she was overtaken by Naleku and Neshashi who wanted to take the orphans in a different direction, towards the Kone area.

It's drying out in the Ithumba area now and quite a few of the water holes are drying up. The orphans were in a very relaxed mood but concentrated mostly on browsing. It was as if they knew that they shouldn’t waste time or else they might return to the stockades in the evening without filling their stomachs.

Kuishi and Larro escorted Esoit as Roho and Suguroi competed to see who would get to the mud bath first. Suguroi, being a bit lighter, won the race. After finishing their milk, the orphans settled for water with several wild bulls, then Kindani led the way back out to the bush. The afternoon was quiet as the orphans concentrated on browsing again. Just before heading home, Bondeni challenged Esoit but their game didn't last for long as Kuishi intervened by collecting her favourite Esoit and leading him back to the stockades.

Mambo with Mutara

Kilaguni in the Kone area

Larro following Kuishi

July 21st

A few ex-orphans showed up early in the morning. Melia, Milo, Chemi Chemi, Lemoyian, Kitirua, Kilaguni, Mapia, Oltaiyoni, Naseku, Malkia, and Kalama joined the orphans in feeding on lucerne. Esoit walked over to Milo for morning greetings, but instead of accepting Esoit's greetings, Milo decided to play rough. Esoit wondered why a small baby like Milo would choose conflict over peace. Naleku passed by, and Milo turned and pushed her. Naleku didn't wait; she pushed Milo out of her way. Esoit moved on to play with Lodo. Kuishi had a brief conversation with Kitirua, while Lemoyian settled for a strength testing exercise with Chemi Chemi.

When the lucerne feeding was over, Kindani led the way to the browsing field. The orphans settled to browse in the Kone area. Malkia, Mapia, and Naseku followed the orphans but later went their separate ways. Esoit settled to browse with Kinyei, and Jotto had a brief meeting with Malkia. Olorien teamed up with Bondeni, but Roho passed by and attempted to take some food from Bondeni's mouth. Bondeni didn't wait; he turned and walked away. The rest of the morning was quiet, and at mud bath time, Olorien led the way to the mud bath. The ex-orphans Yatta and her family, Challa and Narok, showed up at the mud bath. Ambo said hi to Challa before giving him space to have a mud bath.

In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area. Naleku and Naboishu found a branch broken by a wild elephant and picked it. They shared it, each holding one end, until it broke, leaving each with a piece. Jotto settled to browse with Roho, while Esoit teamed up with Sattao. 

In the evening, there was a dramatic incident when Wimbi, Wendi's baby, was forgotten by her mother somewhere in the bush. Wimbi came running back to the stockade compound, trumpeting and calling for her mother. Wherever Wendi was, she didn't respond. Wimbi turned and ran towards the south. Two young wild females heard the cries and followed Wimbi to help her locate her mother. Eventually, they found Wendi at the Kone dry dam. The two wild females then returned to the stockade and continued drinking water after successfully reuniting the baby with her mother.

Malkia browsing

Kithaka looking for his friends

Siku Saba and Sunyei

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