In Ithumba, the month began with the promise of new life: ex-orphans Kalama and Kitirua visited the stockades in the company of a wild female and her baby. While we don’t know her exact due date, Kalama looks to be very close to giving birth — she is huge! We cannot wait to meet her first baby.
It was such a nice morning as the babies woke up happily, waiting for their milk bottles. Exactly at 6 AM on the dot, they were fed with milk and walked out to feed on lucerne. They enjoyed the lucerne as they were alone, with no ex-orphans or wild elephants around today. Each one was busy feeding, and later they all walked to the bush for browsing.
In the bush, they all enjoyed the morning browse and later met a huge wild bull while browsing. The babies then walked to the mud bath for their milk bottles.
At the mud bath, they had their share of milk and later walked down to wallow. It was not too hot, so they just walked in and washed their feet. They then walked out and went straight back to the bush for browsing.
During the evening browsing, it was hot, but they all looked more active and were browsing well. Naleku was seen browsing with the new babies — Loldaiga, Mukutan, and Choka — together. Vaarti was browsing alone, separately, while the rest were browsing together. Later, Naleku led the whole group back home in the evening for their milk bottles again and then sleep.
Otherwise, we had Kalama and Kitirua with a wild female and her baby in the stockades this evening. Kalama seems to be very close to giving birth. All the rest are doing fine and are okay.
It was such a nice morning with a beautiful sunrise after the babies had their morning milk bottles and walked out to feed on lucerne. They all enjoyed the lucerne, with Naleku being more active as she rolled and played on the ground. Choka was scratching his neck on a rock, and later the babies walked out to the bush for browsing.
In the bush, Kinyei and Esoit started playing as they kissed each other. Other babies had lined up at the dam, drinking fresh water. Roho and Loldaiga started play-fighting, while Vaarti and Mayan were playing and kissing each other. The group later walked to the mud bath for their milk bottles and wallowing.
At the mud bath, they all had their milk bottles but did not feel like wallowing. Only Roho passed through briefly to wash his feet. Mutara and her group, with Sities and Sunni amongst them, came in and started playing in the mud bath. Sunni looked more active as he played a lot during that time. Mambo stayed close to his mum Mutara the entire time. Sunni also went in and started playing, with his nanny Malkia nearby protecting him from going deeper into the mud. The babies later returned to the bush for their evening browse.
Back in the bush, they all looked more active, with Naleku taking care of the three babies — Loldaiga, Choka, and Mukutan. She was always keeping an eye on them. The group later walked back home in the evening led by Vaarti.
Back at the stockades this evening, we received a large number of ex-orphans — almost 80 elephants — who came to visit. They drank water, hung around for a few minutes, and then walked back to the bush. Everything is good so far, with all the babies coming back home safely in the evening.
Beautiful morning as the babies were in happy moods today when they woke up and found some of the ex-orphans waiting for them outside to share lucerne. The babies had their peaceful milk feeding and later walked out to feed on lucerne. We had a mixture of wild elephants and ex-orphans waiting for them.
Out in the field, Sities and her baby Sunni were around, with Sunni scratching on a rock, while the other babies shared lucerne with the wild elephants and ex-orphans. The babies, however, started walking to the bush after feeding, leaving behind some ex-orphans still finishing up the lucerne.
Back in the bush, they all looked much more active, with some babies like Mayan, Esoit, and Vaarti walking to drink water at the dam near Kone junction road. Suguroi and Roho were walking and browsing together. Kinyei started playing with Lodo, and later Lodo shifted to Roho, where they started playing and kissing each other. The babies later started walking to the mud bath for their milk bottles.
At the mud bath, the babies had their usual share of milk bottles and walked to the water trough to drink. They didn’t feel like swimming today, except for Lodo and Roho, who jumped in and started swimming. The rest of the babies walked back to the bush for more browsing.
Back in the bush, they were all busy browsing this evening until they came out to cool their body temperatures in a dam along Tiva road. It was very hot, with a number of them getting into the mud to cool off. Suguroi and Roho were the most playful in the dam. The rest still enjoyed playing, but Vaarti — who doesn’t usually like the water — chose to roll in the dust instead. Funny enough, Bondeni also doesn’t like the water, but he was pushed in by Esoit and had no choice but to join in, playing vigorously with him. Later, Vaarti led the group back home in the evening for their milk and bedding.
Back at the stockade, we had a few ex-orphans come in with one wild female and her baby. Tomboi, Kitirua, Kalama, Chaimu, and Naboishu were the ones who came in for a short while and then left. Everything else is fine and okay.
A cold morning today, with the babies waking up happily and finding their milk ready for them. They had their share of milk and walked out to feed on lucerne. Out in the field, they were happily enjoying the lucerne until Naisula came in with her baby. They all shared the lucerne, with Naisula’s baby Nyx kissing Mayan. Lodo, Kinyei, and Esoit were sharing lucerne together. The babies later walked to the bush for browsing, leaving behind Naisula with her family.
In the bush, the babies were busy browsing and later went to drink water at the dam along Kone Road. They returned to the bush for more browsing until 10:30am, when Suguroi led the group to the mud bath for milk and swimming.
At the mud bath, the babies had their share of milk and walked straight to the waterhole to drink water. It wasn’t very hot, and no one bothered to enter the mud wallow. Mutara’s group came in and drank water, then settled under the tree shade. She was with Loijuk and her babies Lili and Lisha, as well as Sities and Sunni. The babies walked back to the bush, leaving them still resting under the shade.
Back in the bush, the babies were more active and browsing well this evening. They later went to the waterhole along the road to Tiva River to cool down, as it was very hot. Afterwards, they made their way back home in the evening for their milk bottles and bedding.
Still in the stockade this evening, Loijuk came in with her two babies Lili and Lisha, together with Tumaren and Tembo. They were accompanied by Siangiki and Kama, the baby of Kinna. They drank water and left for the bush. No other animals were around this evening, and everything is good on this side.
The day was well spent, starting in the morning with the babies beginning their day with milk bottles and later lucerne before heading to the bush. They all love their milk.
Today they enjoyed their morning bottles and walked out peacefully to the field. They knew that after milk, there would be snacks. They enjoyed the lucerne too, as they were alone with no ex-orphans around. The group later started walking to the bush for browsing with their Keepers.
In the bush, the orphans met with Mapia and Sattao. They interacted for a while before the two moved off. Choka started playing, uprooting grass while kneeling down. Kinyei was seen kissing Mukutan, and later the babies began walking towards the mud bath for their next milk feed.
At the mud bath, it was very cold, and none of the babies wanted to go in. They had their milk and walked to the water trough for a drink, where they met Rapsu, the ex-orphan. They interacted briefly at the water trough, with Bondeni kissing Kindani and seeming to have a quiet conversation. Loldaiga was dusting himself nearby. The babies later returned to the bush for their evening browsing.
Back in the bush, they all looked more active and were browsing well despite the cold. Olorien was seen playing and rolling on the ground while the rest were busy feeding. The whole group, led by Vaarti, later began walking back home in the evening. We had a little rain today, about 3mm, and the area remains cool. Many ex-orphans have now disappeared deeper into the bush.
It was such a wonderful morning, with the babies enjoying their milk breakfast before walking out to feed on lucerne. They were peacefully enjoying the lucerne when Namalok, Galla, and Orwa arrived. They joined the babies in feeding and interacting. Bondeni started playing with Mukutan, and soon after, the babies walked off to the bush to browse.
In the bush, they looked happy and were browsing well. Suguroi was spotted browsing alone, while the rest browsed in a group. Loijuk, along with Lili and Lisha, joined the babies for a while before walking away. Orwa continued to follow the babies into the bush and browsed alongside them. The group later walked to the mud bath for their milk bottles and swimming.
At the mud bath, it wasn’t very hot, so nobody felt like swimming. Mutara’s group arrived with Sities and her newborn baby, Sunni. Yogi (Yatta’s second-born) was also with them. He was the only one who walked straight to the big dam and started wallowing. He enjoyed the activity a lot before walking out to rejoin his group. The babies later returned to the bush for their evening browsing.
They all looked more active and browsed well this evening. Although it wasn’t very hot, they later started walking back home for their milk bottles and beddings. We also had some ex-orphans come this evening with Mutara and Sities, along with their babies Mambo and Sunni. Rapsu was also in the stockades today. All the rest are doing fine and well.
Soon after leaving the stockade, the orphans were joined by Mutara’s group: Loijuk, Lili, Lisha, Melia, Milo, Esampu, Mapia, Kauro, Ambo, Galla, and Enkikwe. Naleku interacted with Lisha, while Suguroi settled near Sunni. The two groups shared lucerne for some time before parting ways. The orphans headed south, while the ex-orphans went west of the stockade.
At the browsing field, Vaarti teamed up with Esoit and Mayan to browse, while Kinyei settled with Kindani and Olorien. The orphans browsed calmly as they slowly made their way toward the mud bath.
At eleven o’clock in the morning, the orphans drank their milk and then joined three wild boys — Sities and Sunni — at the mud bath water trough. The three wild boys drank slowly and were gentle with the orphans. After they had enough water, one led the others to relax under a nearby acacia tree. Choka, Mukutan, and Loldaiga followed them.
After some time, the keepers called the orphans back to join their colleagues. Sities and Sunni headed south. Naleku and Suguroi attempted to run off to become nannies to Sunni but were turned back. Given the chance, these two girls would likely disappear with the wild-born babies without looking back.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area and browsed calmly throughout, with no major observations.
Only Sattao showed up in the morning and joined the orphans in feeding on lucerne. After feeding, Roho engaged Sattao in a pushing game that lasted for quite some time. The two boys later rejoined the rest of the group. Vaarti settled to browse with Bondeni, while Lodo took a break from browsing to play with Roho. This happened after Sattao decided to part ways with the orphans.
The orphans settled to browse in the Kone area. Mayan and Vaarti visited the Kone dam, which had only a little water left. The two boys were joined by a wild boy who shared the water with them. The wild boy left soon after drinking his fill.
At eleven o’clock in the morning, Olorien led the first group to the noon bottle feed. The weather was chilly, and no wild elephants or ex-orphans visited the mud bath. The orphans had their milk, then drank water before heading back to the browsing field.
The orphans browsed calmly west of Ithumba Hill throughout the rest of the day. On the way back to the stockade, they came across a warthog, which they charged and trumpeted at. The trumpeting scared the warthog away, and the orphans continued their journey back to the stockade for another night.
Kenze, Enkikwe, Mapia, Olsekki, Sities, Sunni, Sana Sana, Naboishu, Malkia, Roi, and Maramoja joined the orphans in the morning for lucerne feeding. Olsekki engaged in a brief strength-testing exercise with his longtime friend Enkikwe. About an hour later, the orphans parted ways with the ex-orphans and settled to browse near the stockades as they waited to welcome Muwingu, Mageno, and Kitich, who were en route from Nairobi to Ithumba.
The truck carrying the three new babies arrived at Ithumba shortly before nine o’clock in the morning. Mukutan, Choka, and Loldaiga were the first to meet Muwingu, Kitich, and Mageno. Choka greeted Mageno first before approaching the others. He seemed to recognise them instantly and tried to show he now held a more senior position.
The Keepers led the orphans south of the stockades. Vaarti and Mayan were among the first to approach Muwingu, who appeared quite settled. They later greeted Kitich and offered their own warm welcome to Ithumba.
During mud bath time, although the weather was chilly, Muwingu, Mageno, and Kitich — accustomed to cooler Nairobi temperatures — felt it was warm enough to get into the water and splash behind their ears to cool down. Afterward, the orphans drank water and had a dust bath before returning to browse, this time directed by the Keepers toward the Kone area.
Mageno and Kitich followed Naleku closely, eager to learn more about their new environment. Muwingu stayed near Choka, who repeatedly tried to entice her into a pushing game. Muwingu, however, showed little interest and ignored him. Later on, the three new arrivals reunited and visited a muddy area they had noticed earlier in the day. There, they splashed muddy water behind their ears to cool off.
Loldaiga and Choka seemed puzzled as to why the newcomers were enjoying the mud despite the cool weather, forgetting that they had done the very same thing when they first arrived from Nairobi. After cooling off, Muwingu joined Suguroi, Mukutan, and Loldaiga to browse.
In the evening, a wild herd visited the stockade water trough. Muwingu and Mageno ran toward them, despite the Keepers persistently calling them back. Mageno responded to the Keepers and returned, but Muwingu was more reluctant. Eventually, she came toward the gate but refused to enter, causing a bit of a scene. A bottle of milk was used to coax her in, and she finally joined Mageno and Kitich. After their evening bottles, the three new babies settled in to enjoy the fresh greens provided for the night.
It was the first morning waking up in Ithumba for Muwingu, Mageno, and Kitich. Everything felt completely different from what they had grown used to in Nairobi. After receiving their morning milk bottles, the trio followed Loldaiga, Choka, and Mukutan, who led them out to begin another day.
Makena, Moe, Mkuu, and Mulika soon emerged from the eastern side and joined the orphans during lucerne feeding. Muwingu, Kitich, and Mageno felt intimidated by Mulika’s large size and chose to keep their distance. Meanwhile, Moe wandered off from his mother to interact with the orphans. He attempted to bully Esoit, but Esoit stood his ground and pushed Moe back.
Curious, Mageno came closer to check on the young calf who was bold enough to challenge his elders. But Moe turned his aggression on Mageno and charged. Mageno didn’t hesitate — he whipped Moe with his trunk and calmly walked away.
Soon after, Naleku led the herd out to the browsing fields. Choka teamed up with Esoit and Mukutan, while Kitich settled in to browse alongside Vaarti. Later in the morning, Olorien took Kitich, Mageno, and Muwingu under her wing and gave them a bit of orientation around their new environment.
At eleven o'clock, Suguroi led the first group to the mud bath. The orphans had their milk and water before heading back out to browse. For the rest of the day, the group browsed calmly to the north of the mud bath.
Olsekki, Mapia, and Enkikwe joined the orphans in the morning for lucerne feeding. Mayan had a brief meeting with Mageno, and the two entwined their trunks in a morning greeting. Kitich shared his lucerne pile with Muwingu, showing the bond forming between the new arrivals.
Shortly after, Kuishi and Larro emerged from the western side and joined the orphans. Esoit was especially pleased to see the two girls, who had been away for quite some time. After exchanging greetings with Esoit, Kuishi and Larro headed toward Kalovoto. Esoit tried to follow but was gently blocked by the Keepers.
At the browsing field, Kitich browsed with Mukutan and Mageno. Vaarti teamed up with Mayan, while Olorien settled to browse alongside Lodo.
At eleven o’clock, Suguroi led the first group to the mud bath, followed by the second group led by Kinyei. The weather was chilly, and only Muwingu ventured into the water to wash her feet. After their milk, the orphans settled for a drink at the water trough. Olorien and Bondeni were the last to finish drinking. Muwingu and Kitich briefly took time for a soil dusting session before catching up with the rest of the herd.
Vaarti later returned to the water trough for another drink. Soon after, Sapalan appeared from the western direction and joined Vaarti for a drink. After exchanging greetings, Vaarti rejoined his friends, and Sapalan was joined by Ithumba, Iman, Sidai, Silas, Sid, Sita, and Mteto.
In the afternoon, the orphans browsed west of Ithumba Hill. Suguroi came across a suitable tree and used it to scratch her neck.
In the evening, Mageno initially led the way back to the stockade, but midway through the journey, he was overtaken by Muwingu.
Mutara, Mambo, Sities, Sunni, Naboishu, Sana Sana, Turkwel, Kainuk, Maramoja, Mapia, Olsekki, and Chaimu joined the orphans in the morning. Muwingu decided to establish a good relationship with Sunni by staying very close to the little boy. After sharing lucerne with the orphans, Mutara and her team headed west, while the orphans headed south of the stockade.
Mayan and Bondeni found a nice rock that they used to scratch their buttocks. Mageno, Suguroi, and Muwingu took a break from browsing to participate in a soil dusting exercise. The orphans browsed calmly and slowly as they headed towards the mud bath.
At eleven o'clock in the morning, Olorien led the way to the noon bottle feeds. At mud bath time, the orphans were joined by Lualeni, Lulu, Lexi, Luki, Malkia, Yatta, Yetu, Yoyo, Yogi, Yebo, Yara, Sidai, Silas, Sita, Sid, Olare, Ola, Mapia, Mwende, Mala, Makireti, Kilabasi, Kofi, and Mapia. Vaarti engaged Lulu in a brief conversation before leaving to catch up with his colleagues.
In the afternoon, Esoit engaged Bondeni in a strength-testing exercise, while Muwingu teamed up with Kitich and Mukutan in browsing. The remaining part of the day was quiet, as the orphans browsed calmly throughout without any major observation.
Chaimu, Tumaren, Tembo, Sidai, Sita, Sid, Silas, Chyulu, Cheka, Charli, Olsekki, Barsilinga, and Enkikwe joined the orphans in the morning for feeding on lucerne. Later, Naleku led the way to the browsing field. Loldaiga engaged Bondeni in a strength-testing exercise that lasted for quite some time. Ckoka found a suitable rock that he used to scratch his itching neck, as Kinyei settled on a nearby tree scratching her itching ear. Naleku teamed up with Suguroi and Roho in feeding, while Mukutan settled to browse with Muwingu.
At eleven o'clock in the morning, Mayan led the way to the mud bath. Soon after getting their midday bottles, the orphans were briefly joined by Tumaren, Tembo, Melia, Milo, Tusuja, and Pare. The orphans participated in wallowing and thereafter did a soil dusting exercise before heading to drink water. Naleku and Esoit were the last ones to quit soil dusting.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area. Vaarti and Bondeni took a break from browsing to engage in a strength-testing exercise that didn’t last long, as Kinyei passed by and separated the two boys. The rest of the day was quiet as the orphans concentrated more on browsing.
In the evening, the ex-orphans showed up for water. Makireti had her baby missing. The main suspect would have been Neshashi, who is the main nanny, but Neshashi was present. It’s not clear what might have happened. We will continue monitoring to see if Makireti might get reunited with her baby.
Sities, Sunni, Turkwel, Olsekki, Enkikwe, Sana Sana, Naboishu, and Galla joined the orphans in the morning and settled to share feeding on lucerne. Muwingu and Suguroi seemed to be in competition over who would win over Sunni. Sunni also appeared to be enjoying this competition, as he ran around the two girls. At last, Sities left with her baby towards the water trough. Suguroi and Muwingu followed Sunni, with Muwingu’s intention of snatching Sunni. Shortly later, Muwingu nearly succeeded in walking away with Sunni. Suguroi foiled the attempted snatching of Sunni as she blocked Sunni from following Muwingu. The Keepers decided to walk the orphans to the browsing field in order to stop these two girls from fighting over Sunni.
The orphans settled to browse in the Kone area, where Lodo engaged Bondeni in a strength-testing exercise. Bondeni lost the game to Lodo. Bondeni later moved to play with Vaarti. Mayan had a game of rolling on the ground. Loldaiga took advantage of Mayan lying down and decided to ride on him. Kitich settled to browse with Mageno as Mukutan joined Loldaiga in riding on Mayan. Mayan complained bitterly because he couldn't bear the weight of the two boys. The Keepers intervened by shouting at Loldaiga and Mukutan. Mukutan and Loldaiga dismounted from Mayan and ran away.
At eleven o'clock in the morning, Olorien led the way to the midday milk feeds. After having their milk, the orphans participated in wallowing and thereafter headed to drink water. At the water trough, the orphans were joined by Chyulu, Cheka, Charli, Malkia, Kuishi, Sities, Sunni, Kainuk, Turkwel, Sidai, Silas, Sid, Sita, Mapia, Naseku, Narok, Lenana, Lapa, and Laki. After a brief interaction, the orphans returned to the browsing field while the ex-orphans headed east.
In the evening, the orphans returned safely to the stockade. The ex-orphans showed up at the stockade compound shortly before dark. Makireti, for the second time, reported without her baby. It’s not clear where the baby is or how they got separated. The ex-orphans slowly slipped away under the cover of darkness after getting enough water.
Kibo, Teleki, Kandecha, Sities, Sunni, Karisa, Olsekki, Garzi, Lualeni, Lulu, Lexi, and Luki joined the orphans in the morning and settled for lucerne. Naleku and Suguroi took over the care of Sunni from his mother, Sities. An hour later, the orphans left for browsing, leaving the ex-orphans behind.
The orphans settled to browse in the Kone area. Bondeni and Vaarti took a break from feeding to engage in a strength-testing exercise. Their exercise ended when Naleku passed by and pushed the two boys out of her way. Bondeni then moved to play with Mukutan.
At eleven o’clock in the morning, Mageno led the way to the noon bottle feeds. After getting their milk, the orphans briefly settled for wallowing and soil dusting, and thereafter passed by the water trough to drink. At the water trough, the orphans were joined by Challa, Sities, Sunni, Sana Sana, Naboishu, Yebo, Yetu, and Ishanga. Muwingu went to Sities and tried to help her in taking care of Sunni.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. Mayan practised how to take bark off trees as he prepared for the coming dry season. The rest of the day was quiet, as the orphans browsed calmly throughout the remaining part of the day.
Orwa, Yatta, Yara, Yogi, Yoyo, Wendi, Wiva, Wema, Wimbi, Mwende, Mala, Kinna, Kama, Kaia, Kito, Sunyei, Siku, Saba, Subiri, and Olsekki joined the orphans in the morning. The two groups settled for lucerne. Muwingu went around greeting some of the wild-born babies. Muwingu started with Wema, then Wimbi, and later exchanged morning greetings with Kaia. After exchanging greetings, Muwingu tried to pull Kaia’s trunk. It’s not clear what Kaia had said to Muwingu that angered her. Muwingu even kicked Kaia using her front leg, then when leaving, she threw a back kick at her.
Vaarti had a brief conversation with Wema as Mayan engaged Saba in a light pushing game. Kitich and Mageno were busy with lucerne, as their friend Muwingu walked down to try and establish a relationship with Subiri. Subiri didn’t show any interest in Muwingu and ran to her mother, Sunyei.
After having enough lucerne, Naleku led the way to the browsing field. Muwingu was hesitant to follow her fellow orphans, as she wanted to spend more time with the wild-born babies. The Keepers could not leave her behind, and so made her follow her colleagues.
At the browsing field, Suguroi took a break from browsing to participate in a soil dusting exercise. The orphans settled to browse in the Kone area. Choka settled to browse with Mukutan, as Esoit engaged Loldaiga in a strength-testing exercise.
At eleven o’clock in the morning, Mageno competed with Kitich over who would lead the way to the mud bath. Mageno won the competition and led the way to the noon bottle feeds. After getting their milk, the orphans jumped into the water for a cooling-off exercise. After wallowing, the orphans settled for soil dusting and thereafter headed to drink water.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill, where Vaarti engaged Bondeni in a strength-testing exercise. Muwingu settled to browse with Mageno, while Kitich teamed up with Olorien.
In the evening, the orphans were joined by Kuishi, Sattao, and Larro. The three new ex-orphans escorted the orphans back to the stockade.
Pare, Melia, Milo, Naseku, Naserian, Njema, Olare, Ola, Tumaren, and Tembo joined the orphans in the morning for feeding on lucerne. Kindani shared her pile of lucerne with Naseku, while Olorien shared hers with Tembo. An hour later, the orphans were led away to the browsing field by Kitich.
The orphans settled to browse in the Kone area. Esoit settled to browse with Mukutan, while Choka took Mageno, Muwingu, and Kitich a distance away from their colleagues and taught them how to get bark from trees.
Bondeni came across two dik-diks who were pushing each other. Bondeni decided to end their game by running towards them. The dik-diks couldn’t wait for Bondeni, since they understood what was on Bondeni’s mind. The two dik-diks ran away as fast as their legs could carry them. Bondeni followed them, charging and trumpeting. His trumpeting attracted Roho, Lodo, Mayan, and Loldaiga, who followed Bondeni to help look into what was bothering him. At last they got tired — the dik-diks were long gone. The boys then returned to join their colleagues in browsing.
At eleven o’clock in the morning, Vaarti led the way to the mud bath. The orphans had their milk, then jumped into the water for a cooling-off exercise. After mud bathing, the orphans settled for a soil dusting exercise. Esoit was the last one to quit soil dusting. Sapalan emerged from the nearby bushes and escorted Esoit to join his colleagues.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. Mayan browsed with Naleku, while Esoit played with Bondeni and later with Loldaiga.
In the evening, Mageno led the way back to the stockade.
Wendi, Wema, Wimbi, Mwende, Mala, Yatta, Yara, Yogi, Yoyo, Mapia, Loijuk, Lili, Lisha, Sunyei, Siku, Saba, Subiri, Mulika, Moe, Mkuu, and Enkikwe arrived at the stockade compound at dawn. The ex-orphans waited until morning when the orphans were let out. Lucerne was distributed and all settled to share.
Muwingu tried to make friends with Subiri but was blocked by Siku and Saba. Suguroi went for Yara, while Naleku went for Lisha. An hour later, Kindani led the way to the browsing field. The orphans settled to browse in the Kone area.
As the day progressed, the sun became hot, prompting Kinyei, Kindani, and Bondeni to seek shelter under a tree with good shade to escape the scorching sun.
At eleven o’clock in the morning, Loldaiga led Mukutan and Choka in the first group to the milk feeds. Vaarti led Mayan in the second group, while Suguroi led Naleku and Lodo in the third group. After getting their milk, the orphans participated in wallowing and then settled for a soil dusting exercise.
Challa, Sana Sana, Sities, Sunni, Naboishu, Lenana, Laki, and Lapa joined the orphans in drinking water. Olorien had a misunderstanding with Lapa that ended in a fight. Roho and Lodo stepped in to help one of their own — the two boys assisted Olorien in driving Lapa away.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. Mageno and Vaarti came across a nice rock that they shared to scratch their buttocks. The sun was still hot, and the orphans took a break from feeding to relax under a tree until the temperatures dropped to a more favourable level.
In the evening, the orphans were joined by Sattao and Larro, who escorted them all the way back to the stockade.
The morning was quiet as the orphans left the stockade and settled for lucerne. Shortly after, Larro and Sattao emerged from the eastern side and reported at the water trough for a drink before joining the orphans in feeding on lucerne. Muwingu, Kitich, and Mageno walked down to meet Larro and Sattao. They later walked back with the two ex-orphans and settled for lucerne.
After the orphans had had enough lucerne, Suguroi led the way to the browsing field. Sattao and Larro accompanied the orphans but later parted ways. Vaarti and Lodo decided to have a warm-up exercise through a pushing game, since the weather was chilly. Bondeni came and asked Lodo to include him in the game, but Lodo declined. Bondeni left and teamed up with Mayan and Choka in browsing. Muwingu teamed up with Kitich and Mageno, while Mukutan settled to browse with Loldaiga and Kinyei.
At eleven o’clock in the morning, Suguroi led the way to the midday milk feeds. After taking their milk, the orphans were joined by Tumaren, Tembo, Naisula, Nyx, Challa, Mutara, Mambo, and two wild bulls. The orphans didn’t participate in wallowing due to the weather conditions, but instead did a soil dusting exercise.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area, where they were briefly joined by Zurura. Muwingu, Kitich, and Mageno walked towards Zurura with their trunks up, curious to learn more about him. Upon reaching close to Zurura, the trio got scared by his height and quickly retreated to their Keepers.
In the evening, Loldaiga led the way back to the stockade.
Mulika, Moe, Mkuu, Pare, Nabulu, Suguta, Olsekki, Dololo, and Ambo joined the orphans in the morning. The ex-orphans settled to share lucerne with the orphans. Muwingu had an opportunity to mingle with Moe for some time before leaving with his mother.
Suguroi led the way to the browsing field. The orphans settled to browse in the Kone area. Loldaiga settled to browse with Lodo and Choka, while Bondeni engaged Kitich in a strength testing exercise. Kitich surrendered when the going got tough for him.
Roho came across a shrub that he really liked, to the point of digging up its roots. The weather was cool, and the orphans browsed calmly up to eleven o’clock in the morning, when Vaarti led the first group to the noon bottle feeds. After getting their milk, the orphans skipped the wallowing exercise due to the chilly weather. The orphans settled for water and then attended a soil dusting exercise before returning to the browsing field.
Soon after the orphans left, Lualeni, Lulu, Luki, Esampu, Kinna, Kaia, Kama, Kito, Challa, and two wild bulls showed up at the mud bath and had water and a soil dusting exercise before heading towards the stockade direction.
The orphans settled to browse along the upper side of the Kalovoto seasonal river. They browsed calmly throughout without any major observation.
In the evening, Mukutan led the way back to the stockade.
Olsekki was sleeping outside the stockade when the orphans were let out. Dad, who is in musth, was enjoying water at one of the water troughs in the stockade compound. Mageno, Kitich, and Muwingu, with their trunks up, walked down and stood a short distance away from Dad, admiring his size and wondering why he had that strong odour. The trio then turned back and joined their colleagues feeding on lucerne.
Shortly after, the orphans were joined by Kalama, Melia, Milo, Kitirua, a wild elephant, and her baby. Muwingu challenged the wild baby, who surrendered and ran to its mother.
After the orphans had enough lucerne, Suguroi led the way to the browsing field. Mayan and Bondeni took a break from feeding to engage in a strength testing exercise, while Lodo engaged Roho in a pushing game. Kindani settled to browse with Kinyei and Olorien, while Kitich, Muwingu, and Mageno teamed up with Kinyei.
At eleven o’clock in the morning, Loldaiga led the first group to the midday bottle feeds. After having their milk, the orphans headed to drink and were joined by Kibo at the water trough.
Ishanga, Lenana, Lapa, Laki, and Maramoja were relaxing under one of the acacia trees around the mud bath area. Muwingu, Mageno, and Kitich briefly joined Lenana’s group, hoping to interact with Laki, but they were blocked by Lapa. The trio decided not to waste time where they were not welcomed. Muwingu, Mageno, and Kitich felt disappointed by Lapa but hoped to meet with Laki another time.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. Vaarti and Naleku came across loose soil, which they used for a soil dusting exercise. Roho took some time off from feeding to roll on the ground. Mukutan and Loldaiga came by, started scratching against Roho, and later joined him in the game of rolling on the ground.
In the evening, Mageno led the way back to the stockade.
Esoit, Naleku, and Mayan settled to share a pile of lucerne soon after leaving the stockade. Shortly later, Tusuja, Sities, Sunni, Turkwel, Mutara, Mambo, Siangiki, Nasalot, Noah, Nusu, Kilabasi, Kofi, and Malkia showed up and joined the orphans in feeding on lucerne.
Kinyei had a brief meeting with Naleku and had a conversation which no one understood — what they were discussing remained a mystery.
After having enough of lucerne, Suguroi led the way to the browsing field. Suguroi settled to browse with Kitich, Muwingu, and Esoit, while Olorien teamed up with Roho, Choka, Bondeni, and Kindani.
The orphans were briefly joined by Zurura, who was on his way to an undisclosed location.
At eleven o’clock in the morning, Mageno led the way to the mud bath. The orphans had their milk and thereafter headed to drink water. The weather was chilly, which is why the orphans skipped the wallowing exercise.
After drinking enough water, the orphans settled for a soil dusting exercise and thereafter returned to the browsing field.
As soon as the orphans returned to the browsing field, Loijuk, Lili, Lisha, Ishanga, Lenana, Lapa, and Laki emerged from the southern side of the mud bath, settled for water, then returned through the same way they had appeared.
Mukutan took a break from feeding to challenge Lodo, but their game was disrupted by Bondeni, who wanted to have a pushing game with Lodo. Later, Lodo moved to play with Esoit, while Olorien engaged Suguroi in a light pushing game.
In the evening, Loldaiga led the way back to the stockade.
More than forty ex-orphans and ten wild elephants were present during the morning lucerne feeding time. Muwingu, Mageno, Kitich, Suguroi, and Naleku interacted fully and to their satisfaction with the wild-born babies.
An hour later, Olorien, who sometimes likes doing things independently, led the way to the browsing field. The orphans settled to browse in the Kone area, where the naughty boy Bondeni engaged Loldaiga in a strength testing exercise. The quiet Vaarti settled to browse with Mayan, Kinyei, and Kindani, while the ever-active Suguroi settled to browse with Roho, Lodo, and Muwingu.
Naleku, who has become a bully to the juniors, walked over to Mukutan and pushed him without any meaningful reason.
At eleven o’clock in the morning, Mayan led the first group, while Kinyei led the second one. The orphans had their milk, then tested the water temperatures by walking through it. The water appeared to be cold, as expressed by the raising of their tails while wading through the water. The orphans then dried their legs by participating in a soil dusting exercise.
Twenty-one wild bulls had occupied the mud bath water trough, making it impossible for the orphans to get a chance to drink. The Keepers led the orphans to the water trough. The wild bulls started walking back when they saw the Keepers approaching. The bulls understood the message from the Keepers and stepped back to give the orphans room to have a drink. Mayan and Vaarti were the last ones to stop drinking.
In the afternoon, Lodo engaged Mukutan in a pushing game, while Esoit teamed up with Loldaiga in browsing. Mukutan challenged Roho, while Muwingu had a brief meeting with Kinyei, as she tried to learn one or two things from Kinyei.
Esoit had a light pushing game with Kindani, and shortly before five o’clock in the evening, Mageno rumbled, informing his colleagues that it was time to go back for the evening milk.
On the way back to the stockade, Choka engaged Kitich in a pushing game that ended in a draw.
Tumaren, Tembo, Kilabasi, Kofi, Siangiki, and Naseku joined the orphans in the morning. Muwingu and Mageno had a brief interaction with Tembo before Roho passed by and pushed Tembo away. Muwingu and Mageno were left wondering why Roho had pushed the innocent boy.
The ex-orphans headed north while Suguroi led the orphans towards the south. Esoit teamed up with Vaarti and Kitich in browsing, while Lodo settled to browse with Kindani and Kinyei. The orphans were briefly joined by a wild elephant that was heading east. The wild elephant just raised its trunk up as if waving to the juniors. The juniors responded by raising their trunks up, directing them towards the wild bull. The wild bull left and slowly disappeared out of sight of the orphans.
The orphans browsed calmly and slowly, heading towards the mud bath. After having their milk, the orphans jumped into the water for a cooling-off exercise. Mageno emerged as the star of the day by having a prolonged wallowing. The orphans settled for a soil dusting exercise and thereafter headed to drink water, where they were joined by Sities, Sunni, Turkwel, Kainuk, Maramoja, Naboishu, Sana Sana, Chaimu, Kuishi, and Malkia.
Muwingu greeted Sunni before drinking water, as Roho engaged Naboishu in a strength testing exercise. Esoit was happy to see Kuishi again, though Kuishi had now shifted her focus to Sunni. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill and browsed calmly throughout the remaining part of the day.
Galana, Gawa, Gala, Wendi, Wema, Wimbi, Barsilinga, Kinna, Kama, Kaia, and Kito joined the orphans in the morning for lucerne feeding. Naleku, Suguroi, and Muwingu competed to have the attention of Kito and Gala. It wasn’t easy for Muwingu, Suguroi, and Naleku, since the sisters to these babies were a bit hesitant to allow them access to Kito and Gala.
After lucerne feeding time, the orphans headed south while the ex-orphans headed west. At the browsing field, Kitich settled to browse with Mukutan, as Bondeni settled to browse with Vaarti and Mayan. Later, Bondeni engaged Vaarti in a strength testing exercise, as Kindani concentrated on feeding by debarking a tree that appeared to have had delicious bark.
Shortly after, the orphans browsed calmly as they slowly headed towards the mud bath. Four wild bulls were at the mud bath when the orphans arrived for the midday bottle feeds. The orphans had their milk, then skipped the wallowing exercise that was being enjoyed by the wild elephants.
The orphans settled for drinking water and thereafter soil dusted before returning to the browsing field. The afternoon was quiet as the orphans browsed calmly throughout the remaining part of the day without any major observation.
The orphans settled for lucerne soon after leaving the stockades. One wild bull showed up at the stockade water trough. Vaarti walked down to meet and get to know the wild bull. Muwingu and Kitich settled to share a pile of lucerne. The wild bull didn’t bother with Vaarti, but soon after having enough water, the wild bull left the same way he had appeared.
Kindani joined Vaarti at the water trough and later settled for a scratching exercise. An hour later, the ex-orphans started trickling in. The number was too big such that the Keepers were scared of losing Muwingu, Mageno, and Kitich, who always show so much interest in the ex-orphan groups. The Keepers decided to take their orphans to the browsing field and let the ex-orphans have the leftovers of lucerne.
At the browsing field, Kindani engaged Lodo in a pushing game, while Vaarti played with Bondeni. After Lodo and Kindani went to a draw, Lodo decided to go and tackle Roho. Lodo found Roho ready and had a prolonged pushing game that finally still ended in a draw.
Olorien and Kinyei took a break from browsing to participate in a soil dusting exercise. At eleven o’clock in the morning, Kitich led the first group to the mud bath. Four buffaloes had visited the mud bath but left immediately after the orphans arrived.
The orphans had their milk, then skipped the wallowing exercise and headed for a soil dusting exercise. After soil dusting, the orphans settled to drink water, where they were joined by Ishanga and Teleki. Ishanga was the first one to quit drinking water. Muwingu, Mageno, and Kitich decided to follow Ishanga as she was leaving. The Keepers intervened and blocked the trio from following Ishanga.
The orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill and browsed calmly throughout the remaining part of the day.
The Queen’s family reported very early in the morning to make sure they didn’t miss the lucerne feeding time. Choka and Mukutan were the first ones to leave the stockades. The two boys went straight to greet the young members of the Queen’s family.
Namalok, who had been missing in action for some time, arrived and joined the orphans for lucerne feeding. Namalok was in the company of Tusuja. Olorien shared her pile of lucerne with Naleku, while Mageno settled to feed with Tusuja.
Muwingu decided to scratch her belly on a nearby rock, while Loldaiga had a brief strength testing exercise with one of the wild-born juniors.
At the browsing field, Roho engaged Lodo in a strength testing exercise that lasted for quite some time. Loldaiga teamed up with Choka and Mukutan for feeding, while Esoit had a meeting with Mageno.
At eleven o’clock in the morning, Vaarti led the first group to the midday milk feeds. After having their milk, the orphans got into the wallowing water, apart from Vaarti and Bondeni, who boycotted the wallowing exercise.
After wallowing, the orphans settled for a soil dusting exercise. Esoit engaged Vaarti in a pushing game, as Roho decided to get a free ride from Naleku. Mayan picked a stick from the ground and used it to scratch in between his front legs, and thereafter moved to catch up with his colleagues.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse along the upper Kalovoto seasonal river. The orphans browsed calmly throughout without any major observation.
In the evening, Kitich led the way back to the stockades.
The orphans settled for lucerne soon after leaving the stockades. Muwingu settled by a nearby rock for a scratching exercise. Yatta, Yogi, Yara, Kinna, Kama, Kaia, and Kito arrived and joined the orphans for lucerne feeding.
Suguroi had a brief interaction with Yara, while Kitich spent some time with Kaia. An hour later, Naleku led the way to the browsing field.
On the way to the browsing field, Mukutan engaged Lodo in a pushing game, while Mayan played with Roho. At the browsing field, Mukutan and Roho spent most of their time getting bark from trees. Muwingu settled to browse with Esoit, Mageno, and Kitich.
Shortly afterwards, Esoit engaged Mageno in a strength testing exercise that ended in a draw.
At eleven o’clock in the morning, Olorien led the way to the midday milk feeds. The weather was chilly, and soon after the orphans had their milk, Loldaiga led the team into a soil dusting exercise.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse at the Kanziku area. Esoit settled to browse with Vaarti and later engaged Choka in a strength testing exercise.
Lodo held a brief meeting with Muwingu and Mageno but was disrupted by Kinyei, who passed by and picked Muwingu. Lodo got disappointed and left to join Roho in browsing.
In the evening, Muwingu led the way back to the stockades.
The orphans had their milk at six o’clock in the morning. Kanjoro, with a wild friend, was relaxing outside the stockade compound, waiting for the orphans to come out and share lucerne together.
Shortly after, a wild mother with her two kids showed up for water. Vaarti, Muwingu, Kitich, and Mageno walked down to check on the two juniors accompanying their mother. The juniors turned hostile to the orphans, and one of them sucked water in his trunk and sprayed it at Vaarti. The orphans retreated to avoid running into trouble with the kids’ mother.
Esoit entwined his trunk with Mukutan in morning greetings, and thereafter they had a brief strength testing exercise.
After the orphans had enough lucerne, Naleku led the way to the browsing field. The orphans settled to browse at the Kone area, where they were briefly joined by Chemi Chemi and Kandecha. Loldaiga and Mayan took a break from browsing to engage in a pushing game that lasted for quite some time.
At eleven o’clock in the morning, Kindani led the first group to the midday milk feeds. The sun was hot, and soon after the orphans had their milk, Lodo led the team into wallowing and later into a soil bathing exercise. Mutara’s group showed up briefly at the mud bath and thereafter headed south of the mud bath.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area. Four wild bulls passed by, drawing the attention of Muwingu, Mageno, and Kitich. The two boys and one girl attempted to follow the wild bulls, but they were blocked by the Keepers.
In the evening, the orphans returned safely to the stockades for yet another night.
Chyulu, Cheka, Charli, Chaimu, Sities, Sunni, Tumaren, Tembo, Ishanga, Sidai, Sid, Silas, Sita, Neshashi, Naseku, Kainuk, and Oltaiyoni joined the orphans for lucerne feeding in the morning.
Ishanga resorted to bullying the orphans around but was stopped by the Keepers. Sunni interacted with Muwingu, Suguroi, and Naleku before his mother, Sities, took him away. Sunni left with his mother, leaving the three orphans wondering why Sunni was in such a hurry, since on other days, he usually stays longer with them.
After the orphans had enough lucerne, Suguroi led the way to the browsing field. The orphans settled to browse at the Kone area and had a peaceful, quiet morning.
The sun became hot as the day progressed. Muwingu settled to browse with Kitich and Mageno.
At eleven o’clock in the morning, Loldaiga led the first group to the noon bottle feeds, while Suguroi led the second one. The sun was hot, and soon after getting their milk, the orphans jumped into the wallowing water before settling into a soil dusting exercise.
Mageno, Roho, and Lodo emerged as the stars of the day, as they had a prolonged wallowing session.
While drinking water, the orphans were joined by Sities, Sunni, Turkwel, Kainuk, Maramoja, Mutara, Mambo, and Malkia. Shortly later, the ex-orphans parted ways with the orphans and headed north, while the orphans headed east.
Vaarti engaged Lodo in a pushing game that didn’t last for long. Later in the evening, the orphans were briefly joined by a wild bull that was heading east.
At five o’clock in the evening, the orphans returned safely to the stockades for yet another night.