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Once out in the bush, the orphans were divided into three groups, because Chaimu kept pushing Kilaguni from behind, urging him to walk faster, which hurt his sore tail. Tassia and Taveta kept pushing Chaimu and Kilaguni out from the rest of the group, and this prompted the Keepers to separate the two.

Kenia’s group of older orphans enjoyed challenging a group of half-grown warthogs on their way back to the Stockades in the late afternoon. Only Kilaguni and Chaimu did not join in. They usually have their own agenda!

Little Kilaguni’s tail stump has become extremely itchy, which is a good sign of healing, but which has been causing him a great deal of discomfort. Today he spent all day trying to scratch his rear end against trees, and whilst sitting in the mudbath. Chaimu, who has become a close friend of his, but who is still inclined to be pushy, kept on pushing him from behind every time he stopped, and this also irritated him.

Today, the Keepers had a busy day trying to round up Kilaguni and Chaimu, and return them to the rest of the group whenever they wandered off. Chaimu kept on pushing Kilaguni from behind, so he kept on walking away. Suddenly the Keepers noticed them moving towards the Stockade, so one Keeper ran to round up Kilaguni and return him to the group, but Chaimu, who is still quite new, ended up back at the mudbath op her own, which left Mrs. Sheldrick very anxious.

Chaimu and Kilaguni are becoming good friends, and like remaining together apart from the main group. Chaimu comes behind Kilaguni, and helps him by rubbing his tail stump to alleviate the itching.

Both elephant groups joined up this morning and headed out into the bush together, Kenia leading the way, with Suguta leading her group of babies. They were happy to be together, and once out in the bush, began to play, rushing around and knocking down small bushes. From the Big Group only Kilaguni did not join in, but kept apart, while the small babies such as Kibo, Isiolo, Nchan, Olkeju and Kalama remained beside their Keepers, and were onlookers.

Isiolo was again put on a drip and kept in his stable. Meanwhile the body of Kidong was buried, because being a Sunday, there was no facility open to undertake an autopsy. The Vet believes that the cause of death was sheer milk deprivation coupled with vegetation starvation due to the prevailing drought conditions in Tsavo, coupled with competition from livestock illegally grazing in the Park. Hippos, Impalas, giraffes and zebra are also dying in Tsavo because of competition from illegal livestock. Tassia is also being very pushy to Baarwa because of him being close to Kenia. It has been difficult to try and separate Baarwa from Kenia. Kimana, Ndii, Taveta and Dida hang together in their own group while Shira takes Naimina and Kilaguni.