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Today was a big day for Tagwa, Emoli and Sagala, as it was the day of their translocation to the Voi Reintegration Unit. The Keepers were up bright and early, around 2:30am, preparing their milk bottles and the lorry. At about 3:00am, the orphans were loaded onto the lorry and all of them got on without any trouble. At first the Keepers were worried that Emoli would be reluctant to get on, as he had refused to the day before, but he went on without any fuss whatsoever. By 3:15am, the orphans were all ready to start their journey to Voi. 

As opposed to when Malima, Kuishi and Mapia were moved, the other orphans were very loud this morning. The orphans were trumpeting and rumbling as Tagwa, Emoli and Sagala were being loaded into the lorry. Mukkoka, Larro, Kiasa and Maktao were the loudest of them all and only settled down once the truck had left and they were given their early bottles of milk. 

Once in the field some of the orphans appeared to notice the missing orphans as they kept running back and staying close to their Keepers. Enkesha, Tamiyoi, and Maisha have now taken on the role of looking after the younger orphans. 

Sattao’s personality seems to be changing and he seems to be gaining more and more confidence amongst the Nursery herd. He would normally stay close to Tagwa and his close friend Musiara, but today after his 9am bottle of milk he was seen starting a wrestling match with Ambo. They played for quite some time, before Ambo had to head off with Jotto to continue their training of getting into the translocation lorry. 

During their 11am milk bottle feeding time and mud bath, Sattao spent the entire time playing with the other orphans. He began a strength testing match with Maktao, and then moved to playing with Enkesha and Kiasa and finally ending with Musiara. He was so busy playing that he didn’t have any time to even think of having a mud bath before heading back into the bush for the afternoon. 

Jotto has been very reluctant to enter the translocation lorry and refuses to take his milk anywhere near the truck. The Keepers have to try their best efforts to get him to even go passed his stable to where the truck is parked. Jotto appears to be getting frustrated with this exercise and has seemed to be a bit grumpier around the other orphans. 

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. 

At almost 3 o’clock in the morning, Ambo and Jotto were all set to make their way to the Ithumba Reintegration Unit. Neither of the boys resisted to get into the translocation lorry, which was a great surprise to the Keepers whom were worried that Jotto may be reluctant to enter the truck. 

Sattao appeared to spend his day looking for Jotto and Ambo. He had gotten into the habit of escorting Ambo and Jotto to the translocation lorry that today when he did not have to do it he seemed confused and started to rumble as if he was looking for his two friends. Later on in the day he found Enkesha however and he browsed with her for the rest of the day, swinging his trunk and obviously feeling a little happier.

Maisha and Enkesha seemed to be enjoying the peace and quiet since Ambo has left, as he would often chase them around the field. Maisha would also be chased by Mapia, who was also recently translocated to the Ithumba Reintegration Unit, when they would make their way out to the field, can now walk peacefully. 

Since the departure of all the big boys (Mapia, Jotto, Ambo and Emoli) Sattao has started to play his strength testing matches with Luggard. The two continued to play until their 9am feeding time, and Luggard seemed to really enjoy the games. 

Little Larro is the smallest of the herd, but she is full of life and has quite the personality. Lately, she has been quite happy to lead the orphan herd whilst in the field, in the direction of her choosing. It is amazing to watch the older girls such as Tamiyoi, Maisha, Enkesha, Kiasa and Dupotto follow and respect her. At the moment, however, she keeps trying to take the orphans far out into the field and the Keepers have had to intervene and turn the orphans around. 

Tamiyoi, Maisha and Enkesha are always sure to stay close to Larro, keeping her safe. The little girl appears to know that the older girls will look after her, which is why she sometimes seems quite confident in taking charge of the herd. 

Luggard seemed to be in a good mood this morning. As the orphans headed out into the field, he quickly settled and enjoyed browsing in the warm sun. 

Enkesha and Kiasa appeared to be enjoying each other’s company today, even at their midday mud bath. During their mud bath they stayed very close to one another and both were being protective over little Larro. 

During the midday mud bath, Dupotto chose not to swim but rather enjoy the fresh greens that had been laid out for the orphans. She was enjoying the company of the Maktao and Maisha who were both calmly standing near her. Meanwhile, Mukkoka was happily splashing around in the mud bath, near some of the other orphans.