The orphans heading to the bush
Daily updates
June 2nd
The day was extremely hot, so the orphans thoroughly enjoyed their mudbath today, Kilaguni and Sabachi engaging one another in a Pushing Match. The orphans concentrated on browsing, since the dry season has set in.
Sabachi and Kilaguni wrestling
June 3rd
Today Kandecha, Sabachi, Kilaguni and Kibo – all little boys – enjoyed a warm-up running around the bushes, trumpeting. At the mudbath only Chaimu, Tumaren, Naisula and Kitirua went into the water, the rest opting for a soil bath instead. Later the orphans encountered a lesser kudu which scared them, again triggering a mass retreat to the Keepers who calmed them down.
Chaimu charging
Kandecha, Kibo & Naisula.jpg
Kibo
June 5th
Ithumbah led the Juniors out today, en route all enjoying a loose soil bath. At 9 a.m. a pack of wild dogs passed the Kone road. At the mudbath Kilaguni sat on top of Kandecha, who bellowed for help, so the Keepers shouted a reprimand to Kilaguni, who got off Kandecha. The orphans fed peacefully for the rest of the day before returning to the Stockades in the evening.
Ithumbah leading the group
Kilaguni & Ithumbah
June 6th
As the dry season begins to bite, the Juniors have to concentrate more on finding sufficient browse to fill their bellies. At 2 p.m., after the mudbath, all except Kilaguni, Sabachi and Kandecha took to shade since it had turned very hot. Kilaguni, Sabachi and Kandecha are more acclimatized to the heat of Tsavo than the other relative newcomers.
The ex orphans escorting the babies home
June 8th
Led by Suguta, the Juniors settled down to browse at the Kanziku area. At 11 a.m. Kibo led the group to the milk and mudbath venue where they were joined by Sunyei and Galana who wallowed with them. Afterwards Sunyei led the Junior group to an area with loose soil share she showed them how to roll, while Galana remained at the mudbath water trough with Kilaguni, and then escorted him to join the others. The Keepers were watchful, suspicious that the two Ex Orphans had been sent back by Wendi to repeat a “Snatch”, and were relieved when the two left the Juniors in the evening, heading East.
Suguta & Murka
Sunyei & Kandecha
Galana escorting Kilaguni
June 9th
Today the Juniors browsed the Kone area and at the noon mudbath were joined by Wendi, Galana, Meibai, Sunyei, Kora, Lualeni, Chyulu, Kenze, Madiba, Rapsu, Lenana, Sidai, Naserian and two wild elephant friends. All enjoyed a wonderful wallow together, Galana taking a particular interest in Kilaguni while Wenbdi focused on Ithumbah. Later the Ex Orphans left the Youngsters who browsed the slopes of Ithumba hill for the rest of the day.
The ex orphans
Galana, Ithumbah & Kilaguni
Meibai, Ithumbah, Kilaguni & Galana
June 10th
Once out in the field Kilaguni and Sabachi engaged one another in a Pushing Game that didn’t last long. Both Wendi’s and Yatta’s groups of Ex Orphans, accompanied by wild elephants, checked in twice at the Stockade water trough, once in the morning, and again in the evening.
The ex orphans
Kilaguni
June 14th
The orphans again browsed along the Kalovoto seasonal watercourse where Kilaguni and Ithumbah dug up roots. By noon it had turned very hot so all enjoyed the mudbath.
Ithumbah scratching as she is watched by Nasalot
Ithumbah having a scratch
Kilaguni
June 15th
On a cool morning, Suguta led the Juniors out to browse in the morning, all following in slow measured strides. It was too cold for a mudbath today, so the orphans opted for a soil bath instead. In the evening Kilaguni and Sabachi enjoyed a Pusing Bout as they waited for the Keepers to initiate the return journey to the Stockades.
Orphans enjoying red soil bath
June 18th
The Juniors were joined at the mudbath by Kinna, Nasalot, and Sunyei who wallowed alongside them. Sunyei was particularly interested in Kitirua, while Nasalot remained close to both Ithumbah and Kilaguni before the four Ex Orphans separated, heading Eastwards.
Kitirua & Nasalot
Kitirua after mud bath
Sunyei & Kitirua
June 21st
Ithumbah led the Juniors to a different part to browse today, steering them North east of the Stockades. Once at the field Kilaguni and Sabachi indulged in a strength testing exercise that went on for some time. Again it was too cool for a mudbath, so the orphans enjoyed browsing instead.
The ex orphans taking water at stockade
Kenze plays with Sidai
Ithumbah
June 24th
After the Stockade games, when Sabachi and Kilaguni had their usual Pushing bout, the Juniors headed out to browse the kalovoto area again. Since the day turned hot by midday, all participated fully in wallowing after their noon milk feed. They enjoyed a dustbath before heading off to feed again.
Galana with Kilaguni
Kamboyo with the babies
Napasha
June 26th
Kora, Lualeni, Loijuk, Rapsu, Zurura and Makena checked in at the Stockade water trough and hung around for 2 hours after the Juniors had left for the field. At the mudbath Chaimu, Kandecha, Ithumbah and Kilaguni put on a good mudbath show, later joining their colleagues taking water at the mudbath waterhole.
Loijuk
Rapsu
Zurua
June 27th
It was the chilliest day of the year today, so the orphans enjoyed the cooler weather, Kilaguni and Sabachi busy Pushing one another as the Juniors prepared to head out in the morning. Light showers fell around noon, so the mudbath was not popular. The orphans soil dusted instead before returning to the browsing area.
Soil bathing