01 June 2017

Olsekki engaged Sokotei in an early morning strength testing exercise soon after leaving their stockade. Narok, Bomani and Vuria who had spent the night around the stockade compound went into the stockade soon after the orphans walked out and left with branches in their mouths. The orphans passed by the stockade water trough and drank enough water which would see them through their morning browsing session. Lemoyian attempted to climb on Roi but was brought down by Narok. Lemoyian got angry and decided to vent his anger on Boromoko but found that Boromoko was fully prepared to handle him. The orphans then settled to browse in Kone area where Oltaiyoni settled to feed with Sokotei. At mud bath time Tusuja led the first group to the noon bottle feeds. The sun was hot and this prompted the orphans to have a spectacular wallowing time in the mud bath. After wallowing, Kithaka engaged Vuria in a pushing game that lasted for quite some time. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area. Lemoyian teamed up with Tusuja and Roi to browse. Their friends scattered all over the area trying to get the best leaves that their trunks could find.

02 June 2017

Soon after leaving the stockade the orphans were given some hay. The orphans took the hay and started tossing it up in air, as if to ask what kind of feed we were we giving them when it's all nice green out in the bush. Shortly later, Orok showed up and joined the juniors at the stockade compound. Lemoyian engaged Sokotei in a pushing game while Barsilinga tackled Orok in an effort to acquire new pushing techniques that would help him take care of his fellow boys. Olsekki played with Boromoko while Garzi tackled Kithaka. Out in the bush, Barsilinga came across a bent tree that he used to scratch his chin on. Later in the mid morning, Mutara, Sities, Suguta, Kanjoro, Turkwel and Kainuk showed up close to the stockade in the company of the senior Ex Orphans. Mutara’s group had been missing since when the rain season began and we thought the missing orphans might have been with them, but here they were and we were happy to see them in good health. Soon after the eleven o'clock milk feed, Barsilinga, Garzi, Boromoko, Sokotei, Tusuja, Siangiki, Shukuru and Lemoyian all decided to go wallowing. Tusuja and Boromoko spent some time in the water engaged in a pushing game, while Sirimon and Olsekki who didn't go in the water played their pushing games on dry land. When Barsilinga quit mud bathing, he met with Vuria and tried to push him. Vuria in retaliation taught Barsilinga a lesson that he would not forget anytime soon. He pushed Barsilinga so hard until he screamed while running away for safety. In the afternoon, Roi settled to feed with Boromoko and in the evening the orphans passed by the mud bath again for another wallowing session.

03 June 2017

Mutara’s group and part of Narok’s group joined the orphans in the morning soon after leaving the stockade. The dependent orphan herd were in a playful mood. Sities engaged Orwa in a pushing game while Kithaka played with Barsilinga. Boromoko tackled Vuria but lost this wrestling match. Out in the bush the orphans were joined by Olare’s herd, a wild elephant and a wild orphan. Kalama and Barsilinga spent some time engaged in a light pushing game which continued when they were at mud bath. Later Barsilinga quit playing with Kalama and went to play with Sities. The no nonsense Sities didn't entertain Barsilinga's games and pushed him away. Barsilinga didn't give up though and went to play with Chemi Chemi as Garzi played with Kitirua. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area. Olsekki took some time off from feeding to engage Bomani in a strength testing exercise. Kilaguni and Chaimu, who have been missing for quite some time, showed up at the stockade in the company of a wild herd.

04 June 2017

The juniors were welcomed outside by Narok’s group who had spent the night just outside the stockade. Orwa engaged Garzi in a pushing game, a game that attracted Barsilinga and Kithaka. Later Orwa played Vuria in a game that saw Orwa fall down when Vuria successfully dodged him when he was about hit him. Orwa fell down after missing his target and once he was up on his feet, Orwa decided to quit the game that caused him some embarrassment. Half an hour later, Galana’s group consisting of her baby Gawa, Loijuk, Lualeni, Sidai, Lenana and Naserian showed up at the stockade and left immediately after drinking water. Galana’s group met up with the juniors and Gawa spent some time greeting them all. As the orphans waited for the arrival of the new babies from Nairobi, they decided to keep themselves busy by participating in a mud bathing exercise at Kone dam. There was a delay because of a problem with the lorry but by 12.40 the lorry arrived and the orphans disembarked to be met by refreshing milk bottles. Boromoko, Lemoyian and Sirimon were the first ones to meet with new babies. Later, the entire group came and then Narok’s herd, who have only been independent for the last 2 months, followed by Mutara’s herd who have been in the wild for one year and three months. Also present was the wild orphan who kept its distance and was wary of all the keepers and elephants around, and Ex Orphan Rapsu too. Narok and Naseku settled with Wanjala as Sities and Suguta settled with Ukame. Rapsu briefly sniffed at Galla then walked to the water trough where he had some water before leaving the stockade area. The orphans settled to browse several metres away from the stockade compound. Out in the bush, Narok and Oltaiyoni spent some time with Wanjala while Mutara engaged Olsekki to a light strength testing exercise. Later, Kithaka climbed on Sirimon as Siangiki and Shukuru enjoyed a soil dusting exercise. In the evening, Wanjala, Galla and Ukame joined Kamok, Naseku, Tusuja and Roi to return back to the stockade for their milk and to go to bed.

05 June 2017

Soon after leaving the stockade in the morning, the orphans were joined by Yatta, Olare, Mutara and Narok’s Ex Orphan herds. They escorted the dependent orphans out of the stockades where Wanjala took some time to familiarize with himself Kibo. Sities became the nanny to Kama while Garzi tried to challenge Kitirua. Boromoko attempted to climb on Tusuja, which made him angry. Tusuja turned and tried to defend himself by engaging Boromoko in a strength testing exercise. An hour later, the Ex Orphans parted ways with the juniors. At mud bath time only Narok, Garzi, Vuria and Barsilinga decided to wallow in the mud bath. Later, Barsilinga, who is trying to establish himself as the most dominant bull, challenged Orwa, Narok, Vuria and Garzi. Out of the four challenges he only drew with Garzi but lost to the other three. In the afternoon, Galla spent some time communicating with Shukuru while Ukame settled for soil dusting. In the evening the orphans passed by mud bath where the orphans enjoyed an evening cool-off before heading back to the stockades.

06 June 2017

Mutara’s group in the company of a wild orphan joined the dependent orphans in the morning after spending the night just outside the stockade. Tusuja left the stockade with Ukame and Galla as the rest followed behind them. The orphans settled to browse in Kone area where Barsilinga engaged Kithaka in a strength testing exercise. Lemoyian tackled Olsekki as Galla settled to feed close to Sities. Sities allowed Galla to share the branches she was breaking from trees. Later the group was joined by Olare’s herd with Chaimu and Kilaguni. Sities played with Chemi Chemi while Wanjala settled for soil dusting. Kanjoro played with Murka as the wild orphan kept on raising her ears whenever she spotted a keeper. At mud bath time all the elephants decided to mud wallow. Eight wild bulls arrived at the mud bath when the orphan herd was walking back to the bush to browse. Later the bulls were joined by the senior Ex Orphans in Yatta’s herd. Later in the afternoon the orphans settled to feed in the Kanziku area where Galla settled to feed with Sirimon.

07 June 2017

The orphans headed straight to the browsing field soon after the gates were opened in the morning. Laragai, who is torn between staying a dependent orphan or becoming more independent and joining Narok’s herd, had opened the gate at night and let Kithaka, Garzi, Lemoyian and Barsilinga out. Out in the bush Kamok, Roi and Naseku spent some time soil dusting. At mud bath time, the orphans were joined by Olare and Mutara’s herds. Only Siangiki, Olsekki, Garzi and Kanjoro participated in wallowing at the mud bath. Barsilinga engaged Suguta in a strength testing exercise which he lost and moved to try his luck on Kanjoro while Kibo played with Laragai. Ex Orphans Zurura and Orok in the company of four wild elephants checked in at mud bath soon after the dependent orphans had left. The orphans settled to browse in Kanziku area where new arrivals Wanjala and Galla teamed up with Barsilinga to browse.

08 June 2017

Olare, Mutara and Narok’s groups spent the night just outside the stockade. Laragai repeated what she apparently loves doing most done what she loves most and opened the gate during the night to let everyone out. Galla had a brief chat with Tusuja as Kithaka and Barsilinga concentrated on picking leaves from the tall trees. Later, Barsilinga had a lone game of rolling on the ground. His game attracted Garzi though, who came over and started rolling close to Barsilinga. Lemoyian stepped forward and accidentally stepped on Garzi who was lying on the ground. As soon as Barsilinga was through with his game, he went straight to engage Kithaka in a pushing game. Kithaka surrendered, forcing Barsilinga to move to play a pushing game with Garzi, who was standing now, in a game that ended in a draw. Later, Kithaka tried his hand on Garzi but ended up losing miserably to him. Boromoko, who was feeding close to Kamok, tried to remove some leaves from Kamok's mouth. This annoyed Kamok but there was nothing she could do about it because he is older so she quietly left to feed somewhere else. Enkikwe engaged Sirimon in a pushing game, a game that saw Sirimon bow out when the going got too tough for him. Shukuru took some time off from feeding to participate in a soil dusting game. At mud bath time, the orphans were joined by the Ex Orphans and wild elephants totaling up to eighty in number. Orwa played with Olare while Kanjoro tackled Kalama as Bongo settled to play with Kainuk. Half an hour later, the mud bathing came to an end as the orphans headed to Kanziku area while the Ex Orphans headed towards the Imenti area. The afternoon was quiet as the orphans concentrated on browsing without any major observations.

09 June 2017

Narok and Olare’s groups spent the night just outside the stockade and joined the orphans as soon as they were let out in the morning. Naseku took Ukame, Wanjala and Galla a distance away from the rest. The keepers were vigilant since they didn't know what the four were planning and they might try to walk off. When the orphans had been with them for some time the keepers decided to call them to come and join their dependent friends. The four orphans heeded the call and came back. Out in the bush, Sokotei and Lemoyian took a break from feeding to participate in a strength testing exercise. Boromoko, who was feeding close by, stopped and tried to intervene to help Sokotei but he didn't succeed. At last Lemoyian won and to show his dominance he climbed on Sokotei’s back. At mud bath time, the orphans were joined by the senior Ex Orphans and a few wild elephants. The sun was hot but only the Ex Orphans and the wild elephants participated in wallowing. The orphans just stood at the edge watching how mud bathing is done. Taita took new arrivals Ukame, Wanjala and Galla to a shady spot where they relaxed for some time before the mud bathing was over. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse around the hyena’s hill. It was a quiet afternoon as the orphans browsed calmly without any major observation. In the evening, a wild herd consisting of four adult elephants and three juniors reported for water at the stockade and left immediately after having enough water.

10 June 2017

The orphans were joined by Mutara and her group as soon as they came out of their stockades. The groups were in playful mood and messed around for awhile before heading out to the bush. Garzi had a strength testing exercise with Kanjoro while Boromoko played with Lemoyian. Barsilinga tackled Sities while Kithaka played with Laragai. Later, Suguta had her own game of rolling on the ground. Her game attracted Garzi, Kanjoro Mutara and Boromoko. Garzi and Mutara started rolling down while Kanjoro decided to scratch on Suguta; Boromoko meanwhile tried to climb on Garzi. Ukame spent some time in a soil dusting exercise and at mud bath time the juniors were joined by Kilaguni, Chaimu, Kalama, Murka and Chemi Chemi. Soon after the orphans returned back to the bush, seven wild bulls showed up for mud bath. The afternoon was quiet as the orphans concentrated on browsing without any major observation

11 June 2017

After leaving the stockades in the morning, the orphans were joined by Mutara, Kanjoro, Sities, Suguta Turkwel, Kainuk, Chemi Chemi, Murka, Kalama and Kibo. Kalama started a game of rolling on the ground and Chemi Chemi took advantage by scratching on her and later riding on Kalama. When Kalama was up on her feet, Kanjoro came forward and engaged her in a pushing game that ended in a draw. At mud bath time, only Murka, Mutara, Suguta, Kanjoro and little Wanjala decided to go into the mud bath. Later Orwa engaged Sities in a pushing game with Sirimon standing to the side, acting as a referee. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area where Tusuja and Galla took a break from feeding to participate in a soil dusting exercise. Later in the evening the junior Ex Orphans like Murka parted ways with the orphans and left to go out into the Park.

12 June 2017

It was a quiet morning. The orphans strolled nonchalantly out from their stockades and settled to browse a few metres away from the compound. Boromoko settled to browse with Galla as Ukame teamed up with Narok as soon as she joined the group. Ukame extended her trunk to request of a branch Narok was holding in her mouth. Narok allowed Ukame to take the branch which she felt very happy about as she feasted on it. Wanjala settled to browse with Barsilinga and later he took some time off from feeding to participate in a soil dusting exercise. At the mud bath, the orphans were joined by Rapsu, Kibo, Mutara’s group of Chaimu, Kilaguni, Chemi Chemi, Murka and Kalama. Tusuja played with Sokotei as Galla settled to scratch his itchy ear against an acacia tree. Suguta tried to play with Rapsu but surrendered since Rapsu was so strong. The junior Ex Orphans escorted the dependent orphans back to the browsing field and two hours later parted ways. In the evening the weather changed with clouds covering the sky, giving way to showers. The showers activated the orphans playing mood. Galla, Lemoyian, Naseku, Barsilinga and Sokotei played in the wet soil for quite some time.

13 June 2017

The sky was clear in the morning, which was an indication of a hot day a head. Led by Shukuru, the orphans settled to feed in Kone area. The orphans mostly concentrated on browsing without any many games taking place. Enkikwe settled to feed with Roi while Lemoyian settled to feed with Wanjala. Ukame and Olsekki settled to feed on the same shrub as Shukuru teamed up with Garzi. At mud bath time, the orphans were joined by Mutara and Narok’s groups in the company of two wild bulls. Enkikwe briefly engaged Sities in pushing game as Sokotei played with Lemoyian. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area. Later in the evening, Wanjala led the way back to the stockade.

14 June 2017

Soon after leaving the stockade, the orphans passed by the water trough and armed themselves with enough water that would take them through the entire morning. At the browsing field, Shukuru teamed up with Garzi and Olsekki to feast from the same shrub while Ukame settled to feed with Galla. Later, Barsilinga invited Lemoyian to a pushing game, which Lemoyian declined and moved away. Barsilinga then moved to invite Garzi to a pushing game which he lost and he decided to give in and carry on with just browsing. At mud bath at noon, only Siangiki and Ukame decided to go into the mud bath. Shortly later, the orphans were briefly joined by a huge wild bull and Zurura as they headed out into the Park. In the afternoon the Sun was so hot making Wanjala and his friends want to relax under a tree as they continuously flapped their ears. The orphaned herd resumed browsing later when the temperature dropped down to a favourable level.

15 June 2017

Galana, her baby Gawa, Loijuk with Mutara, Makireti and Olare’s groups spent the night just outside the stockade last night. When the orphans were let out this morning, Sirimon walked straight to greet Gawa as Garzi had a strength testing exercise with Kasigau. Shortly later Gawa, under the escort of the wild orphan, moved to play with Wanjala. Their game was short-lived since the wild orphan intervened by taking Gawa away from Wanjala. Out in the bush, Barsilinga settled to browse with Shukuru while Kamok shared food with Tusuja. At the mud bath the area was flooded with senior and junior Ex Orphans in the company of fifteen wild elephants. There was some excitement as one of the big bulls chased Sidai who appeared to be in season. Only Siangiki was brave enough to join the Ex Orphans to wallow in the mud bath. Chemi Chemi engaged Ishanga to a pushing game while Tumaren played with Orwa. Half an hour later, the groups parted ways with the Ex Orphans and wild elephants heading east of mud bath while the orphans headed north, where they browsed calmly until five o'clock in the evening when Tusuja led the first group back to the stockades.

16 June 2017

The Ex Orphans in the company of wild elephants spend the night just outside the stockade and briefly joined the orphans in the morning. Garzi had the opportunity of playing with Bomani and later Kitirua. After losing to Kitirua, Garzi moved to tackle Chemi Chemi as Gawa played with Vuria. Shortly later, the Ex Orphans headed west as the dependent orphans headed east. Out in the bush, Barsilinga invited Garzi to a pushing game. Garzi was reluctant and this made Barsilinga unhappy which resulted in him charging at trees and knocking down small bushes. When he was tired, Barsilinga calmed down and resumed browsing. At mud bath time, the orphans were joined by Sidai and Mutara’s group. It appears that Sidai was tired of being chased by the bulls and so dodged them to come and join the juniors where she had a peaceful and quiet time to herself and the babies. After mud bath time, Sidai was challenged by Garzi and Barsilinga. She didn't take them seriously because they were still boys trying to throw their weight around. Later Sidai left while the juniors headed to Kanziku area where they settled to browse. In the evening Mutara’s group had new member as Chemi Chemi, who belongs to Olare’s group, came to the stockade together. They were followed later by Kilaguni, Chaimu and Kibo.

17 June 2017

The orphans left the stockade in a jovial mood. Lemoyian started his day’s activities by engaging Boromoko in a strength exercise while Sirimon tackled Tusuja. Kithaka briefly engaged Garzi in a pushing game, a game that ended quite quickly when Kithaka surrendered. Later at the browsing field Kithaka tried to attack Garzi but again ended up losing to him. Barsilinga settled to browse with Enkikwe while Naseku settled to browse with Olsekki as Kithaka settled to feed with Wanjala. Shortly before mud bath time, Olsekki took a break from feeding to participate in a soil dusting exercise while Kithaka and Lemoyian had a game of pushing one another. Olsekki quit the soil dusting game and walked to meet Sirimon where they briefly enjoyed a strength testing exercise. At the mud bath the orphans were joined by Galana and her group consisting of her baby Gawa, Zurura, Kenze, a wild orphan, Loijuk, Lualeni, a wild bull, Mutara, Kanjoro, Sities, Kainuk, Suguta and Turkwel. Gawa threatened to push Wanjala, something that annoyed him. As Wanjala prepared to push her, the wild orphan and Lualeni came to her rescue and escorted her to join her mother. Gawa didn't like it and turned to go and play with the orphans again. Mutara took charge and escorted Gawa to play with the orphans. Tusuja was the first one to entwine his trunk with Gawa but again Lualeni and the wild orphan came and took Gawa away. Galana and her group headed south of the mud bath while the orphans and Mutara’s group settled to browse in the Kanziku area. An hour later, Mutara and her group parted ways with the juniors and left back into the park.

18 June 2017

Mutara and her group were sleeping soundly just outside the stockade when the orphans were let out. The group woke up when they heard the orphans walking out. Galla and Naseku walked to Sities just to say good morning. With their trunks stretched towards Sities, Naseku and Galla rumbled but Sities wasn't interested in their greetings as she tried to push away. Galla moved to play with Siangiki and later tried to challenge Shukuru. Barsilinga challenged Sities and when he was about to lose to Sities, Garzi came in to help him out. Out in the Park Roi and Olsekki took a break from feeding to scratch against the nearby trees. Later, Olsekki tried to settle scores with Sirimon through a pushing game while Garzi engaged Kanjoro in a strength testing exercise. Barsilinga moved to challenge Turkwel but their game ended prematurely when Mutara intervened by pushing Barsilinga away. At mud bath time, only Suguta, Turkwel and Kainuk participated in wallowing and later soil dusting. In the afternoon, the orphans in the company of Mutara’s group settled to feed in Kone area and in the evening were escorted back to the stockade by Mutara’s group. Chaimu, Kilaguni and Kibo showed up at the stockade shortly before dark and later disappeared into the Park.

19 June 2017

It was a quiet morning as the orphans strolled nonchalantly out from their stockades. Led by Laragai the orphans headed straight to the browsing field apart from Boromoko, Barsilinga and Sirimon who opted to pass by the water trough to drink enough water to see them through the entire morning. At the browsing field, Wanjala settled to browse with Sirimon while Ukame teamed up with Olsekki in feeding. The rest of the morning was quiet as the orphans concentrated on browsing without any major observation. At mud bath time, the weather was cloudy and none of the orphans dared to get into the mud bathing water. Olsekki kept himself busy by engaging Sokotei in a pushing game. Lemoyian played with Kithaka while Enkikwe tried his hand on Shukuru. Shortly later Kalama, Kibo, Kilaguni, Chaimu, Chemi Chemi, Suguta, Kanjoro, Kainuk, Turkwel, Sities and Mutara showed up at mud bath. Kanjoro, Kalama, Chemi Chemi and Kilaguni went straight into wallowing. After mud bath, the junior Ex Orphans escorted the babies back to the browsing field. Shukuru spent some time testing her strength by pushing down a dry tree while Sokotei engaged Lemoyian in a pushing game. Galla settled to feed close to Sities and at one point engaged Sities in a light strength testing exercise. In the evening, the Ex Orphans escorted the juniors back to the stockade.

20 June 2017

It was a very active morning today as a group of Ex Orphans visited the stockade in the morning to meet their fellow orphans. We had Mutara’s group, Narok's group, Olares's group and Wendi's group. The orphans came out of their stockades to meet the Ex Orphans and they enjoyed some fun and games. Wiva was actively playing with the dependent orphans when they came out and she later followed them leaving behind her mum. She later realised that her mum was not around and went straight running back to Wendi’s group. For the rest of the morning she played between the orphans and the Ex Orphans out in the bush. After Wendi's group left, the orphans went on browsing and Olsekki was play fighting with Sokotei while the three new babies were busy browsing. Two of the new ones Wanjala and Galla are settling down slowly but Ukame has not yet fully settled. When she meets with the Ex Orphan groups she wants to accompany them. Later on, the orphans met with Kilaguni and Chaimu and they accompanied them on the way to the mud bath. On the way, they also met with Narok's and Mutara's group who joined them at the mud bath too. It was not a very hot day so not all the orphans wanted to go into the mud bath but Siangiki, Enkikwe, Laragai, Lemoyian, Roi, Olsekki, Kilaguni and Chaimu all played vigorously until they left the area. They got a bit of a fright when a group of 9 wild bulls came running in for water, and they all left the mud bath quickly out of respect. Murka started scratching her bottom on the visitor’s seat while the rest of the group headed back to the bush for browsing. Back in the bush, Teleki was seen greeting Wanjala and communicating with him. Galla on the other side was scratching his leg and head on a tree simultaneously, with his ears wide open. Wanjala then started scooping and tossing chunks of soil in the air. Later on, Tusuja led the group to the stockade in the evening.

21 June 2017

It was a cool morning today as the dependent orphans walked down to the lucerne field and met with the Ex Orphans from Wendi's group .They all started interacting with Zurura play fighting with Orwa and Wendi playing and carrying big bunches of lucerne in the air with her trunk. Wiva started playing with Wanjala and followed him as he headed out to the bush. Wiva was being guarded by Nasalot and Narok while Wendi was eating lucerne separately. Chyulu on the other side was play fighting with Barsilinga and the orphan group later walked back to the bush for browsing. Out in the bush all the elephants were busy browsing while Shukuru was busy soil dusting. Barsilinga was having a chat with Garzi and started sharing food from one branch. Galla on the other side was scooping and tossing soil in the air and on his back, while Olsekki watched him. Later on, Olsekki walked to the same dust bathing area and started playing and rolling on the ground while sitting. The group later headed to the mudbath area. At the mud bath area a wild bull came in first for water, he was followed by the Ex Orphans led by Galana and her baby Gawa, Lualeni and Narok's group. Afterwards Sidai came in running as she was on heat and being followed by a wild bull. She came and hid amongst the younger Ex Orphan group near us, so that she couldn’t be reached easily. When they went back out to the bush all the dependent orphans were busy browsing. Ukame is not as settled as the others and is often moving around and walking away from the rest of the group. Galla and Wanjala are settling slowly however, into their new environment. The group later headed back home in the evening. Back in the stockade Kinna's group arrived with her baby Kama and with Yatta and Mulika’s group with their babies. They all drank water and went back to the bush.

22 June 2017

The orphans came out of their stockades this morning and met with the Ex Orphans from Mutara and Olares's group. The two groups interacted with Wanjala communicating both Sokotei and Lemoyian. Tusuja was carrying some lucerne on his head and Sirimon was taking it from his head and eating it. Barsilinga on the other side were play fighting with Kithaka and later the group headed to the bush for browsing. Out in the bush, everyone was busy browsing and Galla scratched his neck on a tree stump while Ukame scratched her hide. Later on, Kithaka, Enkikwe and Ukame were browsing together. Ukame started scooping and tossing soil chunks in the air and some on her back. Roi and Boromoko browsed together too. Barsilinga and Tumaren started play fighting and Wanjala scratched on a tree and played with Tumaren too. The group later headed to the mudbath for their noon milk feed. At mud bath there was fun and games when the Ex Orphans in Kinna’s group with her baby Kama came in with some wild bulls and started playing in the mudhole. It was so nice to watch baby Kama rolling on the ground and scratch against the visitors seat in the mud bath. We had a total of 58 elephants there with 12 wild bulls included. Some of the elephants came out of the mudhole and started enjoying a dust bath with Chaimu rolling on the ground and going on to play fight with Barsilinga. The group left awhile later, led by Boromoko, back to the bush to browse, leaving the wild bulls comfortably enjoying mudbath. Back in the bush, everyone was busy browsing except for Barsilinga who was busy rolling in the dust as Lemoyian watched him. Wanjala enjoyed browsing high in the trees for green leaves. Kamok later led the group back home in the evening. At the stockade today we had Mutara's group and Tumaren who came to drink water before leaving again; they all looked happy and in good health.

23 June 2017

It was a quiet morning for the orphans and they only stayed a short time around the compound as there was not much lucerne for them. They went straight to the water hole and drank water and later walked out to the bush to browse. Everyone busied themselves with foraging. Roi chose to browse with Laragai that morning until Barsilinga also came in and started interacting with Laragai before they walked further into the bush. Galla was scratching his back leg on a fallen tree and Ukame was seen busy browsing before they headed to the mud bath for their milk bottles. The mud bath was much full of Ex Orphans and wild elephants. Nasalot was on heat and was being followed by a huge and aggressive wild bull who was scaring all the others around the mud bath. We had also Wendi with Wiva, Kinna with Kama, Mulika with Mwende and Yatta with Yetu. There was lots of fun and games going on amongst all the orphans and the young wild babies. Wiva was very excited when she met Wanjala and started following him in to the mud bath. Kama started playing and rolling on Wiva while surrounded by Yatta, Sidai, Lenana and some others. The orphans walked back to the bush, leaving a big group of Ex Orphans and wild elephants still playing. Back in the bush the orphans were very busy browsing on green pastures before they walked back home in the evening. No Ex Orphans or wild elephants visited the stockade today except for Mutara's and Narok's group in the early morning.

24 June 2017

This morning Garzi and Orwa started play fighting for some morning exercise whilst the other elephants went straight to the bush to browse. They met with a few Ex Orphans along with Bomani, Orwa, Vuria and Narok. The dependent group was busy browsing while Bomani sprayed himself with dust. Orwa play fought with Barsilinga and Laragai came in to separate them but they started charging as she tried to cool them down. Vuria was digging at the ground to get fresh loose soil to throw on his back, later he finished that and started play fighting with Kithaka while Naseku and Wanjala browsed up on top of the rock together. The orphans later met with Makireti's group of Ex Orphans including Kasigau and Kilabasi and started interacting with them. Lemoyian later led the whole group to the mudbath. It was not a very busy or very hot day so not many of the orphans played in the mud bath but there was good interaction between the dependent orphans, the Ex Orphans and Buchuma, the big Ex Orphan bull around the mud hole. Later the group went to the soil mound to dust themselves and then they went out into the bush again.

25 June 2017

The orphans came out of their stockades today and there were no Ex Orphans to meet them this morning. The orphans walk straight to the bush for browsing and Wanjala was seen to be concentrating very hard on this activity. Tusuja was scratching his bottom and belly on the tree. Galla was spotted trying to reach leaves very high up in the trees before scratching his neck on some rocks. Laragai was having dust bath as Galla also scratched his neck and trunk. Lualeni joined the group before they headed to mud bath. On the way there the dependent orphans raised their trunks up in their air as smelt their Ex Orphan friends who were passing 20m away and were also heading towards the mud bath. Naisula played with Vuria at the mud bath before Kinna came in with her baby Kama and baby Wiva with their security guard of Nannies. After few minutes Galana with her baby Gawa came in too and they were followed by Yatta and her baby and Mulika. They all joined their fellow elephants to play in the mud bath. Kinna was seen mothering her baby Kama and little Wiva at the same time, as Wiva’s mother Wendi was off doing other things. There was lots of fun and games in the mudwallow as wild elephants also joined the Ex Orphans. Back in the bush all the orphans were busy browsing. Lemoyian was excited when he saw Ukame being pushed away by Laragai. Galla browsed with Naseku while Kithaka with Sirimon ate from the same tree; later Kithaka led the group back home in the evening.

26 June 2017

This morning Lemoyian started play fighting with Sokotei and they pulled vigorously at each other’s trunks. Some Ex Orphans from Mutara's group with Orwa, Vuria and Bomani in the group arrived. They drank water and joined the orphans. After few minutes Kilabasi, Makireti and Kasigau also came to join the orphans group too. Orwa was being friendly with Garzi and then they started playing. A while later the whole group walked to the bush for browsing. They all browsed together until Olare's group came to join them. Now the big family was all together and they all spread out to interact with each other. The orphans were very happy and comfortable in their company. Roi later led the group to mudbath. There were a few wild elephants wallowing and some of the orphans joined them, however it was not very hot today and most of the elephants chose not to swim. Bomani, Vuria and Narok came in later and join the wallowing group. Olare was rolling on the ground playing. Boromoko started play fighting with Lemoyian and he was enjoying the wrestling game as his tusks are longer than Lemoyian’s. Kithaka and Garzi were busy scratching on the fallen trees while Orwa and Kitirua started play fighting again. The group later headed back to the bush.

27 June 2017

The juniors were joined by Mutara and Olare’s groups soon after leaving the stockade. Lemoyian had a brief strength testing exercise with Kalama as Kanjoro settled for a pushing game with Garzi. The orphans settled to browse in Kone area where Ukame teamed up with Barsilinga to feed and Kithaka with Galla. The rest of the morning was quiet as the orphans concentrated on browsing. At mud bath time, the orphans were joined by Buchuma, Loijuk, Mutara and Olare’s groups as well. Only the Ex Orphans went into the mud hole though. Sirimon tried to play with Sities while Garzi tackled Kanjoro. Later, Olsekki moved to play with Kitirua. In the afternoon, Wanjala took a break from feeding to participate in a lone soil dusting exercise.

28 June 2017

Mutara and her group in the company of Olare, Murka, Chaimu and Kalama spent the night just outside the stockade and joined the juniors in the morning soon after they were let out. Lemoyian started his day's activities by riding on Olsekki while Tusuja tackled Kanjoro to try and enhance his pushing skills. Later Galla took over from Tusuja and engaged Kanjoro in a brief strength testing exercise. Kalama played with Siangiki as Sirimon tried his hand on Murka. At the browsing field, Naseku came across a dead log that she used to scratch her buttocks on. Garzi came across a bent tree and used it to scratch his chest. Later, Sokotei and Olsekki took a break from feeding to participate in a strength testing exercise that ended in a draw. At mud bath time, the orphans were joined by Mutara’s group and a lone wild bull. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in Kanziku area. The temperature soared encouraging Ukame, Galla, Sirimon, Naseku and Sokotei to relax under a tree until the temperature dropped to a favourable level.

29 June 2017

Zurura, Makireti and Kilabasi spent the night just outside the stockade. As they waited for the juniors to come out, Zurura and Kilabasi entwined their trunks in morning greetings. As soon as the orphans were let out, Barsilinga engaged Zurura to a brief strength testing exercise and Lemoyian initiated one with Tusuja. Kilabasi played with Sirimon as Roi preoccupied herself with a soil dusting exercise. At the browsing field, Galla came across a big baobab tree that he used to scratch his buttocks on as Wanjala took a break from feeding to participate in a soil dusting exercise. At mud bath time the orphans were joined by five wild elephants, Zurura, Melia and Tumaren. Amongst them was Half Trunk who had been away for so long. After the orphans had enough of wallowing, Shukuru led the group to a soil dusting session. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in Kanziku area. Lemoyian settled to feed with Siangiki as Sirimon had a brief strength testing exercise with Sokotei. In the evening, Naseku led the first group back to the stockade while Ukame led the second group.

30 June 2017

Olare and Chaimu’s groups had spent the night just outside the stockades and were joined by the orphans in the morning. Olare had a brief strength testing exercise with Garzi while Olsekki gauged his strength against Kilaguni. An hour later, the group parted ways. Wanjala settled to feed with Roi and from time to time they could be seen communicating with each other by touching each other with their trunks. At mud bath time, the orphans were joined by all the Ex Orphans and fifteen wild bulls. There was so much excitement in the air as one of the bulls, who has been in musth for a month now, tried to chase any one in sight, even Mulika who a six year old baby. Despite all that, Olsekki managed to briefly play with Kitirua while Vuria played with Kalama. The mud bath was brief for the orphans as they left soon after drinking their milk and water. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to feed in Kone area where Boromoko took some time off from feeding to play with Kamok and Galla played with Oltaiyoni.