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There was heavy rain and thunder throughout the evening, which can scare some of the Nursery herd. Maktao and Kiasa are two that seem to be very afraid as they were trumpeting and rumbling throughout the evening, seeking comfort from their Keepers. This morning, as the Keepers opened all the stockade doors, Maktao and Kiasa came charging out to greet the others, evidently very excited to be back with their friends. 

Whilst making their way out to the bush, Dololo and Mukkoka started playing and running up to Maxwell’s gate. Maxwell, who had been busy rolling around in the mud, came running over to the gate to greet the playful duo. Their game did not last very long as Dololo and Mukkoka were soon called by the Keepers to join the rest of the herd that was already making their way out to the field. 

Training to enter the translocation lorry began for another five orphans, Jotto, Ambo, Tagwa, Sagala, and Emoli. Most of them were quite relaxed about entering the truck but Tagwa and Jotto were very reluctant, Jotto would not even come close to where the lorry was parked. Each time Jotto would get close to Nabulu’s stockade it seemed as though he would realize what was happening and then he would run away back to the forest. 

Dupotto has quickly settled back into life at the Nursery, and Tamiyoi has remained very close to her as she can always be seen by her side. Since Emoli has begun his translocation training, he has been getting along very well with the older orphans. He and Ambo have been enjoying their wrestling games whilst in the field, which has also been a comfort to Ambo whose friend Mapia was recently relocated to the Ithumba Reintegration Unit. 

Since the weather has been cold lately, typical of this time of year, the orphans have not been having their mud baths. Today, however, was slightly warmer and this caused some curiosity amongst some of the younger orphans. Sattao was the first to approach the water, but he appeared very hesitant and kept just feeling the water as if to test the temperature. Musiara, on the other hand, walked straight into the water. He was soon joined by Tamiyoi, who was rolling around near little Larro who didn’t seem interested in getting in the water. Dololo, who was trying to play with Larro, was chased away by Kiasa, so he began to play with Tamiyoi. By the end of their midday feed majority of the Nursery herd were in the mud bath fooling around. 

Ziwadi has slowly been adapting to life at the Nursery, but she seems to be getting closer to some of the Nursery herd. It appears that she really enjoys the company of Maktao, Musiara, Luggard and Dololo, although Dololo can be a little unpredictable at times. 

The Keepers have still been struggling to get Jotto anywhere near the translocation lorry. This morning, however, the Keepers decided to take him to the truck from a different direction with the entire Nursery herd. As the orphans were being brought through the general parking area, Jotto seemed to realize where they were headed and darted off into the thicket, followed by the rest of the Nursery herd. Fortunately, the thicket led straight to the truck, where Jotto surprisingly agreed to take his bottle of milk in the truck, for the very first time. This success was short lived as he again refused to go near the truck when it was time for his midday bottle of milk. 

In the afternoon, the Keepers tried again with some of the older orphans such as Maisha, Enkesha, Tamiyoi, Ambo, and Nabulu escorting Jotto to the lorry. Again, he entered the truck without any trouble, and enjoyed the Lucerne pellets that had been laid down for him and Ambo. The orphans stayed near the truck for some time before heading back to the forest. Ambo was again being naughty and chasing some of the other orphans, especially Nabulu, Maisha, and Enkesha. It appears he knows that the older girls are no longer around to tell him off. 

With the departure of Sagala and Tagwa, the Keepers were worried that Larro would be very upset and would be missing them a lot. However, she seems to be doing really well and has adapted really well to Nursery life without them. Kiasa, Maisha, and Enkesha seem to have taken over Sagala’s role of protecting little Larro, and keeping her company. 

Mukkoka is still up to his usual antics of rumbling, trumpeting, and running for his milk. Today, while he was running down to get his midday bottle of milk, followed by Enkesha and Dololo, he came across a large bird feeding on some insects. As the bird saw them approaching it took flight and flew straight over Mukkoka’s back giving him a huge fright, and causing him to trumpet loudly and increase his pace down to the Keepers. Enkesha and Dololo were not bothered by the bird. 

During the 3pm feeding time, whilst at the mud bath, Nabulu, Musiara, Tamiyoi, and Maktao had a lengthy mud wallow whilst the rest of the herd watched along the edge. 

Jotto has excelled in his training and today he entered the translocation lorry without any trouble. In the morning, he was escorted to the lorry by the Keepers and Enkesha and Tamiyoi, and then at midday and the evening he was escorted by Sattao and Dololo. Each time, he majestically walked to the lorry and took his milk. 

During the orphans midday feeding time, it started to drizzle and the younger orphans, reluctant to get wet, all ran and huddled under an acacia tree. The older group, apart from Kiombo, seemed unbothered by the rain and chose to stay out feeding on the branches laid out for them. 

Since the departure of the older boys, Jotto, Ambo, Mapia, and Emoli, there is no one to keep the younger boys, Dololo, Sattao, Musiara, Kiombo, Maktao, and Mukkoka in check. Two of these boys, especially, seem to be taking advantage of this newfound freedom. Dololo and Sattao have become quite naughty and have been trying to push some of their friends and the Nursery visitors around. When the Keepers aren’t looking, they appear to enjoy running close to visitors trying to bump them and then run away back to their friends. The Keepers must now keep a closer eye on them. 

It was such a cold morning that some of the orphans like Luggard, Musiara, and Larro, refused to leave their stables to head out to the field. When their doors were opened, they did not move an inch, and when their Keepers tried to encourage them out, they rumbled in protest. The Keepers let them be, giving them space to make their own decision. Whilst the three were busy trying to decide whether to brave the cold or not, Maktao, Dololo, and Mukkoka were all happily chasing after each other as they started their new day. 

Maxwell, who is normally awake before the orphan elephants, was also warmly tucked in his bed, and also refused to get up. 

At the midday feeding and mud bath time, none of the orphans dared enter the water and they all kept busy enjoying their greens. Kiombo and Nabulu enjoyed a tug of war game over one of the branches, and Nabulu was cheekily blocking Kiombo’s way to the rest of the branches. Kiombo trumpeted and rumbled in protest before moving away. 

It was yet another cold day, and some of the orphans decided to browse close to one another in order to stay warm. Ziwadi, Dololo and Luggard all stayed close to each other, keeping warm and enjoying the fresh greens. Ziwadi seems to be doing well and appears to be stronger as she will often happily follow the other orphans around, as opposed to staying close to the Keepers. This has made the Keepers very happy as they enjoy watching her settle into a routine with the Nursery herd. 

Once the orphans were out in the field, most of them went on their way and started to browse. Kiasa and Larro enjoyed some quiet time together, with Kiasa making sure to look after little Larro and protect her against the others. Dololo and Luggard also enjoyed some quiet time, browsing together. 

When it was time for the orphans to head down to the mud bath area for their midday bottles of milk, Kiasa was sure to keep Larro by her side. At the mud bath, Kiasa seemed to be very curious and spent quite a bit of time smelling the visitors and walking straight past them. Eventually the Keepers called Kiasa back so that they could make their way back to the forest. 

It was a beautiful sunny morning as the orphans were busy browsing in the field. Luggard and Ziwadi were browsing together and seem to enjoy each other’s company as they have their midday bottles together in the field rather than heading down to the mud bath area. 

At the mud bath, Mukkoka was really enjoying his mud bath, splashing and rolling around. He was soon joined by Maktao and Musiara, whom also began to splash mud all over themselves and the surrounding visitors. Dololo and Larro decided to not partake in the mud bath and rather spent their time enjoying the greens that were laid out for them.