Kilaguni and Sabachi in pushing games
Daily updates
March 3rd
All concentrated on browsing today, only Kilaguni and Sabachi taking time out to have a Pushing Match. In the evening the group split into three, Kandecha leading the first group, Kalama the second and Tumaren bringing in the last.
Kandeacha leading
March 5th
It was a cool day, so the orphans bypassed the water trough and headed out to browse. Kilaguni and Sabachi engaged each other in a Pushing Match, while Suguta found a tree against which to scratch herself and Melia chose a suitable boulder. Kandecha again led the orphans back in the evening.
Kilaguni and Sabachi in a pushing match
Suguta scratching
Kandecha leading the group
March 6th
Today the orphans chose the Kanziku area in which to browse, Olare finding a wet patch of soil to enjoy, soon joined by Sabachi and Melia. Only Kilaguni opted for a mudbath, the rest scratching themselves against trees. Meanwhile, at l0 a.m. Yatta and the Ex Orphans came to drink at the Stockades, and in the evening a wild herd did the same.
Olare enjoying a dustbath
Sabachi, Melia and Olare
March 8th
Having taken water at the Stockade trough, the orphans headed out to feed, led by Tumaren. En route Kandecha engaged Kilaguni in a brief Pushing Game, Kilaguni emerging the winner. At around l0 a.m. the Ex Orphans accompanied by wild elephants came to the Stockade to drink.
Ex orphans arrive at the stockade
Wild eles with the ex orphans
Wendi and Yetu
March 10th
At the Stockade compound, Suguta, Melia and Kilaguni scratched against the acacia tree while Chaimu chose the water trough and Kibo had a go at pushing Kandecha. At the mudbath the Orphans were joined by all the Ex Orphans and some wild friends with whom they interacted for half an hour before the orphans left, heading for the slopes of Ithumba hill, where they browsed for the rest of the day.
Melia scratching
The ex orphans join the juniors at the mudbath
March 11th
Once at the feeding grounds, Kilaguni and Kandecha embarked on their usual Pushing Match, during which Kilaguni used every trick in the book to get topsides of Kandecha. At the mudbath only Chaimu, Kandecha and Kilaguni wallowed.
Chaimu near the mudbath
Kilaguni
March 13th
Following the usual Stockade scratching activity – (Kilaguni using the acacia tree, Melia and Suguta the nearby rocks and Ololoo, Chemi Chemi and Naisula the water trough), Tumaren led the orphans out to browse, settling at the Kone area. Since it was a cool day, the orphans opted for a soil bath instead of the mud, but on the way back in the evening waded through the mudbath to cool off their legs.
Ololoo
Chemi Chemi
March 15th
Kilaguni and Kandecha began the day with the usual Pushing Match until Tumaren led the Juniors out to browse. At the noon mudbath, the Youngsters were joined by 3 wild bulls. They browsed the slopes of Ithumba hill later before returning in the evening.
Three wild elephants at the mudbath
Kalama
March 16th
On the way out to browse Kilaguni and Sabachi were at it again, watched by Chaimu who was enjoying a dustbath. Later Kilaguni quit the game and Chaimu took his place briefly. At the mudbath the orphans were joined by more than l0 wild elephants who came with all the Ex Orphans. The Juniors had a wonderful time interacting with this large group until it was time to return to the feeding grounds.
Kilaguni and Sabachi
Wild elephants relaxing near the mudwallow
March 19th
It was another quiet feeding day, but for Kandecha and Kilaguni engaging one another in the usual Pushing Match. After taking their milk and water at noon, they had a brief dustbath and then returned to feeding.
Kilaguni dustbathing
Dustbathing time
March 21st
It was a lovely morning as the orphans headed out to browse, Kilaguni and Sabachi engaging one another again in the usual Pushing tussle. This ended abruptly when Sabachi tried to mount Kilaguni, forcing Kilaguni to run away. All had a lengthy wallow for about 30 minutes, until Kitirua exited the mudbath and headed off into the bush, followed by all the others.
Kitirua heading off
Melia and Ololoo
March 24th
Kibo and Sabachi scratched themselves against the tree while Kilaguni and Kandecha were at their usual Pushing Game which was interrupted by Tumaren. Chaimu then led the orphans out, heading to the Kalovoto area, followed later by Suguta Naisula, Chemi Chemi and Olare, who had lagged behind. Kandecha, as usual, led the way to the mudbath and milk venue, but since the day turned cool, none of the elephants wallowed. Instead they returned to feed.
Kibo scratching
Suguta climbs on Sabachi
March 25th
It was an uneventful day after the orphans had completed their Stockade scratching activity. At noon only Kandecha, Chaimu and Kilaguni wallowed.
Kandecha having a drink at mudbath
Kitirua in a playful mood