Keepers' Diaries, March 2014

Ithumba Reintegration Unit



Suguta’s group, (originally comprised of Melia, Tumaren, Chaimu, Murka, Kitirua, Naisula, Ishanga, Olare and Kalama along with bulls Kilaguni, Sabachi, Kibo and Chemi Chemi) no longer return to sleep in the Stockades at night, and have become part of the main Ex Orphan Unit, which, this month, has mainly joined the Junior Keeper Dependent Youngsters in Splinter Groups of just some, but not all, of the Ex Orphans. Suguta’s group returned to drink at the Stockades on the lst, on the 7th and again on the 8th, when they had Kasigau and Kilabasi with them.

01 March 2014

The orphans left the stockade in a jovial mood which they expressed by swinging their trunks! They settled for Lucerne and shortly afterwards were joined by a wild elephant. As they were feeding on Lucerne, Sities went for a scratch on a rock. An hour after the orphans left for browsing, Sugutas group including Melia and Olare showed up at the stockade and later the ex orphans checked in. At mud bath time the temperatures were moderate and only Bongo, Laragai and Narok enjoyed wallowing. The others splashed water on themselves before returning to the browsing field.

02 March 2014

Soon after leaving the stockade, the juniors were joined by the ex orphans with Kijana and two other wild elephants. Later, a mother with a few months old calf showed up at the stockade. After finishing the Lucerne, the orphans led by Shukuru left for browsing. Suguta and her group didn’t show up the entire day. It was a peaceful day for the orphans as they browsed calmly throughout the day.

03 March 2014

It was a quiet morning as the orphans settled for Lucerne. Shortly later the ex orphans showed up but without Buchuma and Napasha. Due to pushing from the ex orphans, the milk dependent group decided to give them some space and headed off into the bush. An hour later five wild dogs showed up at the stockade. During mud bath time, the juniors were joined by Wendi, Lenana, Challa, Kora, Sunyei, Orok and Sidai. All the juniors participated fully in the wallowing exercise. At one time Kanjoro had a wonderful time playing and learning pushing tactics from Lenana. Kora, Challa, Sunyei and Sidai all joined the orphans for browsing for the entire afternoon.

04 March 2014

Soon after enjoying the Lucerne in the morning, the juniors were joined by a lone wild bull. Narok, Shukuru and Laragai took some time to scratch on the nearby rocks before, Kasigau and Kilabasi, who belong to the Suguta group, joined the milk dependent group for browsing. At mud bath time, the orphans were joined by the same wild bull that joined them in the morning at the stockade, he enjoyed bathing with Laragai, Bongo, Narok and Kanjoro. Later the wild bull went to share the drinking water with the orphans before disappearing the same way he had come. Later the orphans scratched against the nearby acacia trees before Kilabasi led them back to the browsing field. Back at the stockade, Kilabasi and Kasigau joined a group of ex orphans that were drinking water at the stockade and later left with the group.

05 March 2014

The orphans had a peaceful morning as the ex orphans were not around. Shukuru as usual was doing her normal rounds since she doesn’t like the Lucerne. Shukuru also scratched on the nearby rocks as she waited for the group to finish Lucerne so that they can go off browsing together. At one time she passed near Makireti who irritated her by following her and subsequently knocked her down. The keepers reprimanded Makireti not to repeat such naughty behavior. Shortly later, Kilabasi and Kasigau joined the group. It is becoming more apparent that they are moving away from Sugutas group as this is the second day they have been browsing and returning back to the stockade with the milk dependent group. The duo spent the entire day with the juniors.

06 March 2014

It was a cloudy morning, as the orphans settled for Lucerne. Immediately after settling on Lucerne, Kilabasi and Kasigau joined them. Shortly later, the peace was disrupted by the ex orphans who reported in a hurry and started competing for the Lucerne. The ex orphans started pushing the juniors. The juniors opted to leave for a more peaceful environment without the ex orphans. The milk dependent group settled to browse at Kone area. Suguta and her group joined the ex orphans and later left to an undisclosed location. Missing as usual in the ex orphans group were Buchuma and Napasha. At ten o’clock in the morning, the clouds cleared giving way to sunshine. At mud bath time the sun was so hot that, Laragai, Narok and Bongo went straight to wallowing as soon as they had taken their milk. In the evening, light showers were received at least reducing the dust.

07 March 2014

A nice quiet morning without the ex orphans. The orphans settled on Lucerne and later Shukuru led the way to the browsing field. Shortly after the orphans had left, the ex orphans with Kijana and another wild elephant checked in at the stockade and later left again for browsing. At mud bathtime, the weather was chilly and therefore only Bongo bathed. Laragai and Narok scratched on the nearby acacia tree before Turkwel led the way back to the browsing field. In the evening Suguta and her group checked in at the stockade and later left to spend the night in the bush.

08 March 2014

During another quiet morning the orphans were joined by Tumaren, Ishanga, Chemi Chemi, Kilaguni, Chaimu, Kilabasi and Kasigau. Half an hour later, the milk dependent group left for browsing. The sun was hot again today and therefore Bongo, Laragai, Mutara, Narok and Kanjoro wallowed to their satisfaction. Sities, Kainuk, Shukuru and Turkwel scratched against the nearby trees before Laragai led the way back to the browsing field. At one o’clock in the afternoon Mulika with a few ex orphans together with Murka, Suguta and her group reported for water at the stockade. Soon after quenching their thirst, Kilaguni led the way back to the bush.

09 March 2014

The weather was chilly as the orphans left the stockade and settled for Lucerne. Soon after finishing the Lucerne, Sities led the way to the browsing field. At mud bath time, the weather was still chilly but this did not deter Bongo from carrying out his usual wallowing exercises. Turkwel, Kainuk and Shukuru scratched against the nearby acacia trees while the rest concentrated on drinking water. Shortly later, Laragai led the way back to the browsing field. At one o’clock in the afternoon, Suguta group that appeared to have integrated with the ex orphans came for water at the stockade. After drinking enough water, Yatta led the way back to the browsing field.

10 March 2014

It was a day with fewer activities as the milk dependent group concentrated on browsing. In the morning the group was joined by Madiba and Rapsu who disappeared twenty minutes later. At eight o’clock in the morning, three wild dogs showed up at the stockade and disappeared shortly later after taking water. At mud bath time, the milk dependent group was joined by Suguta group with Lualeni, Ololoo, Rapsu, Kamboyo, Tomboi and Madiba. Soon after mud bath, the milk dependent group parted ways with the ex orphans and went to Kalovoto area where they settled to browse until five o’clock in the evening.

11 March 2014

The day began without disturbance as no ex orphans or wild elephant showed up at the stockade in the morning. At seven o’clock in the morning, Shukuru scratched on the nearby rocks and later led the way to the browsing field. At eight o’clock in the morning, Suguta brought her group, including Sabachi, Kalama and Naisula to the stockade for water. At mud bath time five wild bulls joined the milk dependent group for a mud bath and drinking of water. Kanjoro and Bongo enjoyed every moment as they shared water with the wild bulls. Turkwel scratched on the nearby tree as Shukuru slowly led the way back to the browsing field. The others followed but Kanjoro and Bongo remained with the wild bulls. Later, they followed the others into the bush. In the evening Kora and Tomboi came at the stockade with Suguta and her group; they later left to an undisclosed location.

12 March 2014

The milk dependent group had a peaceful day as they went about their business of browsing. At eleven o’clock in the morning the group attended mud bath and later returned back to the browsing field. Suguta, Kibo, Kitirua and the rest of her group came for water at the stockade shortly before noon. In the evening, only a handful of the ex orphans showed up at the stockade.

13 March 2014

Shortly after leaving the stockade, the juniors were joined by Kijana, Kora, Meibai, Loijuk and Zurura. They later parted ways with the juniors. Mutara led the group to Kone area where they settled to browse. At nine o’clock in the morning, the juniors were briefly joined by Naserian, Kilaguni and Chaimu. At mud bath time, the sun was hot but only Bongo participated fully in the wallowing exercises. Later after mud bath, Laragai led the way to the slopes of the Ithumba hill where the group browsed till evening.

14 March 2014

The sky was cloudy early in the morning. Soon after the orphans took their morning milk, it started to rain heavily making it impossible for the orphans to leave the stockade. The orphans sheltered under the stockades shades until the rain stopped. By the time we had the last drop from the sky; 40mm of rain had been received. The orphans then strolled nonchalantly out from the stockade looking forward for nice day. As soon as they were out, Kinna, Lualeni, Ololoo, Orok, Kamboyo, Kora, Mulika, Mwende, Madiba and four wild elephants joined them. They parted ways later when Mutara led the way to the browsing field. Water had collected in water pans and the orphans enjoyed every moment as they played in the puddles. At mud bath time, the orphans only took milk, then immediately returned back to the browsing field.

15 March 2014

It was drizzling in the morning and still wet following a 28mm of rain received over the night. It was cold and the orphans only concentrated on browsing. There was no need of for a mud bath since the orphans had bathed in the four hours of continues drizzle. At eleven o’clock in the morning, the orphans took milk then continued to browse.

16 March 2014

It was still wet though no rain was received this day. The orphans settled to browse at kone area soon after leaving the stockade. It was a day without fun as the orphans only concentrated on browsing. After noon milk feed the orphans settled at the slopes of the ithumba hill where they browsed till evening.

17 March 2014

Eight ex orphans joined the juniors at mud bath but they parted ways soon after wallowing. The orphans headed to Kanziku where they settled to browse for the rest of the day without any major observation.

18 March 2014

The orphans were joined by the ex orphans in the morning. Soon after sharing Lucerne, Sities led the milk dependent group to Kanziku area where they settled to browse. The ex orphans headed to Kalovoto. At eleven o’clock in the morning, Laragai led the first group to the mud bath, Sities led the second group while Kanjoro led the third one. Soon after taking their milk, the orphans drank water then returned back to the browsing field.

19 March 2014

It was a cloudy day as the orphans left the stockade. Shortly after feeding on Lucerne, Shukuru led the way to the browsing field. The temperatures were low and thus the milk dependent group concentrated on browsing throughout the entire morning. At mud bath time, the orphans took their milk then water before Laragai lead the way back to the browsing field.

20 March 2014

Kora, Challa, Sunyei, Nasalot, Wendi, Tomboi, Kamboyo, Lualeni, Taita, Meibai, Kilabasi, Kasigau, Zurura and Galana reported early before dawn and waited for day break so as to join the milk dependent group. At six o’clock in the morning, the juniors were let out and joined the ex orphans that were waiting for them outside. The herd shared Lucerne and an hour later parted ways. At mud bath time, the weather was chilly and therefore the orphans only took milk and water then returned back to the browsing field. In the evening the temperatures had risen so the orphans passed by the mud bath and enjoyed an evening wallow.

21 March 2014

After a peaceful morning without the ex orphans Laragai led the way to the browsing field. At eleven o’clock in the morning, Laragai again led the first group to the mud bath while Sities led the second one as Kanjoro led the third group. Soon after their feed, the milk dependent group headed for mud bath. It was hot at the time and the orphans had a spectacular wallowing session. As usual soon after the mud bath, Laragai led the way back to the browsing field.

22 March 2014

Another quiet morning as the orphans settled for Lucerne soon after leaving the stockade. Shukuru as usual paced up and down as she waited for her colleagues to finish Lucerne as she doesn’t like the taste. She kept moving between the water trough and her colleagues and eventually when all was done and she led the way to the browsing field. The orphans settled to browse at Kone area. Shortly before eleven o’clock in the morning, the ex orphans led by a pregnant Kinna arrived at the mud bath where they waited for the juniors. In their company were Kasigau and Kilabasi who have recently joined the wild. The juniors intermingled with the ex orphans for half an hour before parting ways. At one time there was a drama when Laragai tried to push Mwende. Mwende didn’t take this lightly and quickly retorted! Mwende pushed Laragai who ran away. Later, Mutara led the juniors to the slopes of the Ithumba hill while the ex orphans settled near the mud bath for browsing.

23 March 2014

Madiba, Zurura, Kamboyo, Lualeni, Tomboi and Kora were at the stockade early before the juniors were let out. Soon after leaving the stockade, the milk dependent group joined the ex orphans. The herd parted ways half an hour later and met again at mud bath. There, the herd was also joined by Kasigau, Kilabasi and Ololoo. The sun was hot again today and therefore the orphans had an enjoyable time in the water. The only ex orphan to partake in the wallowing was Lualeni. The rest of the day was quiet as the orphans browsed calmly throughout the remaining part of the afternoon.

24 March 2014

Lualeni, Ololoo, Kilabasi, Kasigau and Kamboyo spent last night just outside the stockade. They were woken up by the milk dependent group as it left the stockade to settle for the Lucerne. It appears Lualeni wants to form her own group as for the last few days she has been spotted with this small group. After sharing Lucerne, the orphans headed to Kone where they settled to browse. At mud bath time, Laragai led the first group while Kanjoro led the last one. Another hot session at the mud bath so the orphans enjoyed a cooling down.

25 March 2014

Lualeni and her small group, consisting of Ololoo, Kasigau, Kilabasi, Kamboyo and Tomboi joined the juniors in the morning. Soon after sharing Lucerne, Lualeni and her group left to undisclosed location while Shukuru led the milk dependent group to Kone area where they settled to browse. The day was cloudy and the orphans loved the cool weather. At eleven o’clock in the morning, Laragai led the group to the mud bath where they took milk and immediately returned back to the browsing field. In the evening Mulika, Yatta and their group who had been away for few days showed up at the stockade. Missing were Napasha, Buchuma and Suguta with her group.

26 March 2014

It was a cool morning following showers of 3mm received over the night. The juniors settled for Lucerne and later headed for browsing. The orphans browsed calmly up to eleven o’clock in the morning when the keepers started gathering the orphans to take them for mud bath. To the keepers’ surprise, Bongo was missing; he had dodged them. Some of the keepers took the rest of the group to the mud bath while two keepers remained behind to continue the search of Bongo. Fifteen minutes later, they had found him and headed to join the others. At mud bath, only Mutara, Kanjoro, Shukuru and Laragai frolicked in the water. The rest drank and then returned to the browsing field.

27 March 2014

In the morning, Buchuma who had not been seen for several months was at the stockade with Tomboi, Rapsu, Madiba, Orok, Kasigau and Kilabasi. The ex orphans joined the juniors briefly before heading off into the bush. Later after the orphans had left for browsing, Suguta brought her group to the stockade where they quenched their thirst and returned to the browsing field. Later in the evening, they came back again in the company of Loijuk, drank and again disappeared into the bush.

28 March 2014

Kamboyo, Lualeni, Ololoo, Madiba and Orok were just outside the stockade, early in the morning, when the orphans were let out. The ex orphans joined the juniors in feeding of Lucerne. Soon when they finished feeding, Shukuru led her group to the browsing field. The five ex orphans remained at the stockade and shortly later were joined by their peers. The ex orphans stayed within the stockade compound for almost half an hour before heading back into the bush. At mud bath time, the weather was chilly and this made it difficult for the orphans to wallow. The orphans only drank their milk and some water before returning back to the browsing field.

29 March 2014

The orphans woke up at five thirty as a gregarious flock of weaver birds announced the dawn of another day with chorus of songs and chortles. They patiently waited for the keepers to prepare the milk and at six o’clock in the morning the orphans left the stockade. The orphans settled for Lucerne for almost an hour as there was none of the usual disturbances from the ex orphans. At seven o’clock in the morning, Mutara led the group to the browsing field. It was a day with moderate temperatures and the orphans browsed calmly up to eleven o’clock in the morning when Sities led the first group to the mud bath. At mud bath, only Sities entered the mud wallow and splashed water under her ears before heading for a drink of water.

30 March 2014

Ithumba hill was partly covered by mist as the orphans strolled nonchalantly out from the stockade. The orphans settled for Lucerne and shortly later were joined by the Mulika and Yatta groups. Missing were Napasha and Sugutas group. Later the ex-orphans parted ways with the juniors. At mud bath time, the temperatures were low and so none of the orphans dared to wallow; they only drank their milk and water before returning back to the browsing field. Later in the evening as the earth said farewell to the sun, Laragai led the way back to the stockade for the night.

31 March 2014

Only a handful of ex orphans reported at the stockade in the morning, shortly after the juniors had left for browsing. The orphans settled to browse at Kone area until it was time for their mud bath. As usual Laragai led the first group. It was a quiet session at the mud bath as the orphans only drank their milk before returning back to the browsing field. The rest of the afternoon was also quiet as the orphans browsed calmly without any major observations.