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The partially independent group led by Suguta, reported at the stockade in the morning. Kalama and Melia walked up to the stockade fence with their trunks held up and communicated to the juniors, the dependent orphans still in their night stockades. Once the stockade gates were opened, Kalama, Suguta, Melia and Tumaren entered into the stockade to scrounge around to see whether the babies had left anything to eat like left over green, the grewia bark which they love so much, or perhaps some Lucerne. Kalama left the stockade with a branch in her mouth having found something to her liking. She then tried to block Orwa from leaving the stockade and the keepers were forced to intervene before the situation escalated as Orwa was eager to get out and face the day. On her way out, Kalama met with Sities. Sities tried to engage her and play but Kalama was not interested and so she pushed Sities out of the way. Again the keepers had to reprimand her. Clearly she was in a mischievous mood. Semi dependent Chemi chemi picked on Orwa to play which was a thrill but soon Orwa surrendered. Kanjoro rumbled as she walked east of the stockade. The juniors followed him. Orwa and Bongo decided to stick with the partially independent group for some time before the keepers called them. Kibo followed the two boys and joined the juniors. In the browsing fields little Vuria picked a fight with much bigger Kibo but clearly this was no even contest and very soon Vuria sidled away and pretended he had better things to do. The baby bulls love their interaction with the older boys as strength testing games is very much part of their daily routines, infact outside of feeding that is there most favourite pastime. At mud bath time, all except Orwa participated in wallowing. After the wallowing, the orphans went for their red soil dusting and later Shukuru, Teleki, Kanjoro, Bomani, Garzi, Turkwel and Narok scratched against the nearby trees. Laragai and Vuria had a brief strength testing exercise that ended soon when Vuria surrendered. In the afternoon the sun was extremely hot, sapping the energy out of the orphans and their keepers. Turkwel, Bongo and Sities sensibly stood under a tree waiting for temperatures to go down. Shukuru continued to feed but she continuously flapped her ears in an effort to keep her body temperature down. In the evening, Shukuru led the way back to the stockades, setting a steady pace. The cooler temperatures were welcomed as the long shadows fell and the sun became gentle as she slipped low on the horizon. The orphans fed on their milk, savouring every drop and set about eating their grewia branches that the Keepers had cut for their night time snacks. The water trough in each of their stockades was frequented a lot, not just to drink but to splash on their backs. Later once they had their fill one by one they lay down to sleep with their heads resting on the freshly dug earth in their stockades. They were lined up in a row sleeping extremely deeply relaxed and happy knowing they were safe for the night.

Makireti, Kasigau, Kilabasi, Murka, Naisula, Kandecha, Chemi Chemi, Ishanga and Kamboyo joined the juniors in the morning. Vuria had a friendly pushing game with Kasigau and later moved to play with Kilabasi, with the older bulls being very patient and gentle with him, letting him feel he was getting the upper hand. This was very good for his confidence as afterwards it was clear he was feeling extremely good about himself. Garzi had a brief moment of scratching on rocks while Orwa and Sities shared the bush to browse. Garzi had an unusual thing going on this morning, sitting with his trunk stretched up and later rolled on the ground. Later he moved to where Turkwel was browsing and browsed close to her, communicating and hanging out together. The partially independent group of orphans walked to the trough to take their fill of drinking water, and later Chemi Chemi and Ishanga enjoyed a heated exchange, over what we are left pondering. At eleven o'clock in the morning, the temperatures where extremely high and the muddy water of the wallow did not come a moment too soon as all the orphans charged into the water and there they spent a good long time cooling down, wallowing, and generally having a very good time together. While still in water, Bongo and Vuria had a brief strength testing exercise that ended when Mutara called off the wallowing exercise through rumbling, and instantly all the orphans began to vacate the water. Mutara led the group for soil dusting and later Shukuru went to scratch against a nearby tree as Teleki and Bongo queued patiently waiting for Shukuru to finish before having their turn on the same scratching tree. Laragai picked a piece of stick that she used to scratch her neck and then used the stick to reach difficult places and spent a good long time relieving herself of any itches. The afternoon was quiet as the orphans spent much of their time relaxing under trees.

Soon after receiving their morning milk, Sities tried to block Bongo from leaving the stockade. It took the intervention of the Keepers for Sities finally grant Bongo permissions to exit his night stockade. This was probably because she was hoping for his share of Lucerne this morning. The partially independent orphan group joined the juniors in the early morning, emerging from the east. Chaimu paid attention to Orwa, wrapping their trunks and pushing, with Orwa giving in quickly realising this was no even match. Kainuk picked a stick and carefully used it to scratch around her eyes. Teleki and Orwa entwined their trunks for few seconds and were about to have a good bout together but immediately disengaged when they saw Kandecha approaching. They did not want to take on independent Kandecha who is growing into a fine young bull, the offspring of those magnificent Dokota bulls with generous ivory, he has formidable genes. Another old bull called Kibo played with Vuria for some few minutes before Vuria ran to follow his colleagues who were on the way to the browsing field. Orwa, who loves to hang around with the ex orphans, remained with the partially independent group feeling good being around them. Its only after the keepers realized that Orwa was missing that they came back to the stockades looking for him. At mud bath time, only Teleki and Bongo participated fully in the wallowing exercise. Vuria tested his strength by pushing the acacia trees, but he was having little success so finally gave up the task. As the orphans moved off to browse, thirteen wild elephants showed up at mud bath. The wild bulls took water and wallowed with abandon, despite the fact that the Keepers were having their lunch under a shaded tree close by. The young dependent orphans looked on, with the young boys in awe of what they were witnessing. Eventually the wild bulls moved off disappearing into the dense bush. In the late evening when the dependent babies were safely in their night stockades, enjoying their cut greens and relaxing for the night the ex orphans appeared to report in, say hello and drink their fill of water. They stayed around, rubbing, pushing, communicating and generally relaxing, many sleeping on their feet for some down time with their human family and dependent friends.

Today Sities left the stockade in a charging mood. She trumpeted as she ran towards the water trough, and carried on beyond, circling with her head held high and her tail aloft. Her charging and trumpeting attracted Laragai who then joined in kicking up dust and charging in circles. Laragai pushed Bomani unsuspectingly as he was standing in her way. Bomani didn't react in any way but just accepted what had befallen him since by attempting to revenge would land him into trouble with Laragai who has been known to pack a mean punch. Kainuk participated in soil dusting and later scratched her buttocks on a nearby rock dislodging any unwanted ticks. The dependent herd then sped off in a jovial mood to their browsing fields with the keepers following closely behind. While in the bush two running dik diks sped nearby the orphans causing Kanjoro, Narok, Vuria and Teleki to charge after them. The dependent babies like to show off with anything smaller than them and can never resist the temptation to charge and trumpet with ears out in these situations. Led by Kanjoro, the juniors pursued the dik diks but the dik diks sensibly soon disappeared leaving the juniors charging and knocking thickets in search of them. Once the excitement was over the orphans resumed the serious business of finding good food in the dry season. At Ithumba the browse is plentiful, but finding tasty soft greens and delicious things still takes time and concentration. In the afternoon semi-dependent orphans Kilaguni and Chaimu came for water at the stockade water trough. It was lovely to see them both looking well. Both had spent a long time away from home this year, returning late in January having been away for nearly a month and a half. Soon after these two left, the ex orphans group came to the stockades to drink and rest under their familiar trees. This is home base for them. They did not linger too long and after all of them had their fill of water they headed off into the bush. Today Orwa spent almost twenty minutes dusting himself with soil. Turkwel and Sities decided to separate themselves from the rest of the group and moved further away where they settled to browse uninterrupted. Garzi kept on following his best friend Vuria wherever he went and in the evening Kanjoro led the way back to the stockade.

Mutara left the stockade with a branch in her mouth in the morning, and this branch dangled from her mouth for a good long time. Tail-less Kanjoro headed straight to the water trough and spent a good long time having his fill. When Mutara finally dropped the branch Teleki picked it up and continued to strip the remaining bark. Bongo stood at the main exit spring gate and tried to block Vuria from getting out. Its only when Bongo saw Turkwel approaching that he walked away. Vuria then walked to the water trough to join Orwa, Kanjoro, Narok, Bomani and Kainuk who were all having their fill of water before heading off for the day. Today appeared to be another scorching hot day, March being the hottest month of the year here at Ithumba. For the keepers keeping up with the elephants is hot work. At mud bath time, the juniors were joined by ex orphans Wendi and Rapsu which was enjoyable for the little ones. Orwa was pierced by a thorn from and acacia branch that had fallen on the path where he was walking but he carefully with his trunk fingers pulled the thorn out without needing the assistance of his keepers. He immediately then found a big tree to give himself a good scratch against. Teleki, Laragai and Shukuru had a very prolonged wallowing session today, sensibly preferring to be in the water than out; Teleki the last to finally come out. Rapsu who has grown into a very handsome big boy led the juniors to the big red soil mound and began to dust, with the little ones following his example and copying what he was doing. Sities was standing close to Wendi and opted to scratch herself against Wendi who obliged. Shukuru muddy and now dusted red went to finalize the ritual with a good scratch against a tree close to the soil dusting venue and Teleki, Bongo and Turkwel queued to do the same once she had finished. The scratching exercise was cut short when Wendi sidled up to use the same tree, and then out of respect for their elders the little ones gave way. Once the orphans had filed their way home the ex orphans arrived at the stockades to catch up with everyone, and to take a good long drink. Shortly before dark Suguta brought her whole group to drink so it was a full compliment of Ithumba orphans, dependent, semi dependent and ex orphans with the exception of Nasalot who remains on a walkabout.

Lualeni and Ololoo were at the stockade water trough early in the morning. As the gates were opened for the juniors to leave the stockade, Lualeni met with them while going in to inspect whether there was anything left for her to feed on. Mutara left with a branch in her mouth as she walked to go and wait for lucerne. When Lualeni found out that there was nothing special for her to enjoy in the stockade, she turned and followed the juniors. Shortly later, Kilabasi, Makireti and Kasigau checked in at the water trough and joined Ololoo who was drinking water. Kasigau and Ololoo engaged in a strength testing exercise as Garzi stood behind Ololoo to spectate him. Ololoo didn't like it and as he was being pushed by Kasigau, Ololoo threw back kicks to Garzi. One kick landed on Garzi who left cursing Ololoo hoping that Kasigau would revenge on his behalf. Makireti and her group left an hour later to an undisclosed location. Ishanga, who previously had joined Makireti’s group appears to have shifted to another group since she didn't show up with Makireti. Kilaguni, Chaimu and Tomboi reported at the stockade shortly before eleven o'clock in the morning and left immediately after getting enough water. Lualeni always causes a stir whenever she shows up at mud bath, she tried to pick a bottle but she wasn't lucky as the keepers stood on guard until she passed. Lualeni headed straight to wallowing where she was joined by Bongo, Vuria, Teleki, Ololoo and Laragai. Orwa opted to keep himself busy by pushing an acacia tree as he waited for his colleagues to finish mud bathing. After bathing, Bongo went to scratch on a broken tree but later pushed away by Turkwel that wanted to use the same tree for the same purpose. In the afternoon, a wild herd consisting a family of six, came for water at the stockade. Lualeni and Ololoo spent the rest of the remaining part of the day with the orphans. Shortly before dark, six wild dogs that appeared to be in a hurry and came for water at the stockade. They took water quickly and then disappeared.

Kalama, Suguta, Melia, Naisula, Kitirua, Tumaren, Kibo, Chemi chemi, Ishanga, Kasigau, Kilabasi and Makireti reported at the stockade compound early before six o'clock in the morning. When the gates opened for the juniors to get out, Kalama stood at the spring gate and blocked the juniors from leaving. It took the intervention of the keepers for Kalama to clear the way. The partially independent group joined the juniors in feeding on lucerne. Orwa was pushed by Kasigau rudely while he was feeding on his Lucerne, which he was angered by, but instead of retaliating he showed his annoyance by leaving the scene and moving far away to browse alone and undisturbed. The orphans then headed out for the day walking deep into the bush, browsing at the foot of the granite Kopjes as they steadily made their way to the browsing fields. Kainuk and Vuria spent a long while scratching on some fallen trees they had stumbled upon, contorting their bodies to reach all their sensitive places, with much emphasis on scratching their tummies. Mutara broke a green branch which she shared with Sities and Vuria spoiled for a fight when he tried to forcefully take a branch from Bongo's mouth. Bongo resisted and this ended in a fight which the Keepers had to calm down. By eleven o'clock in the morning, the weather was chilly and only Bongo that wallowed. A Mount Kenya elephant, Bongo seems immune to cold temperatures, and not much daunts him or dissuades him from his favourite water games. The rest of the group headed for a soil bath soon after taking their milk and looked on at Bongo alone in the water. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse at Kanziku area. Vuria fed close to Shukuru and Garzi while Bongo isolated himself from the others heading further a field alone, only to rejoin the others again later. The ex orphans in the company of three wild elephants all came to drink water at the stockade shortly after the juniors returned back to their night stockades. The ex orphan group remain close at hand, communicating with the dependent babies, and having their fill of water, then they slowly slipped into the darkness out of view, with only the sound of breaking branches giving their position away. Later that night the hyenas called and we could not help but remember that fateful early morning when Sabachi was badly attacked and despite the Keepers intervention and the company of the ex orphans we could not save him. We were happy to know our babies were safely sleeping sounding, completely unperturbed by the hyenas.

The ex orphans reported at the stockade compound early before six o'clock in the morning and joined the juniors and left the stockade all together. Boldly Orwa had a strength testing exercise with Mwende but unfortunately their game ended prematurely when Sidai emerged from nowhere and pushed Orwa away with much force. She was determined that no harm came to Mwende who is much smaller that Orwa, who despite coming into our care emaciated and close to death has grown into a big strong bull. Due to competition and disturbances from the Seniors, the Juniors didn't stay for long and parted ways. On their way to they new browsing field, Bongo absent minded bumped into Narok's buttocks. This didn't go down well with Narok who turned ready to tackle Bongo. Bongo when seeing the aggressive way Narok turned, immediately retreated with his trunk on his head regretting his actions. Narok pointed her trunk for a long time in his direction to warm Bongo never to repeat such a thing again. Teleki picked a fight with Vuria over what we are not quite sure. The pushing and bashing went on for quite some time until both of them got tired and eventually resumed to browse. Shukuru took some time off from feeding to have her own quiet soil bath then later resumed to browse. At mud bath time, the weather was chilly and only Bongo, Teleki and Laragai braved the mudbath. The rest took their drink of water, then Mutara led them back to the browsing field leaving the mud wallow rompers to themselves. The afternoon was quiet as the orphans concentrated on browsing. In the evening shortly before the return of the juniors back to the stockade, Chaimu and Kilaguni came to the stockade water trough to drink water. After drinking the two best friends left without delay.

The orphans settled for lucerne immediately after leaving the stockade. Shukuru scratched her belly on the rock while Bongo took a flake of lucerne and moved some metres away where he enjoyed feeding on it uninterupted. Orwa passed by and Bongo thought that Orwa was coming for his Lucerne so he positioned himself in an aggressive stance, with spread ears and head raised, only to see Orwa walk by. It might be that Orwa saw his stance and thought better of it and then pretended he never had any ill intent. Shukuru tried to steal some of Kainuks pile of Lucerne forcing her to pick her pile and move else where. Like yesterday at mudbath time the juniors were joined by their ex orphan friends and eight magnificent wild elephants. All the orphans had a wonderful time as they mud bathed together, shared the drinking water together and dust bathed together. The Keepers kept a distance under the trees watching this jovial scene of very happy elephants. Shukuru went to scratch against her usual tree but later was forced to leave when a wild elephant wandered in and wanted to use the same tree to scratch himself. Shukuru has learnt her elephant manners and knows that in elephant society the young always give way to their elders. The afternoon was hot and Shukuru found a suitable tree that she used to shelter herself and at the same time plucking some leaves to eat, and she remained undisturbed. In the evening, Makireti’s group of semi independent orphans reported for water at the stockade. It appeared that this group of orphans had recruited a new wild elephant, maybe just for the day. The wild elephant was nervous and was not use to the stockade set up and it left soon after taking water. Makireti, Kilabasi and Kasigau aware of their friends discomfort followed their wild elephant friend.

Mist covered the top of the Ithumba Hill today and gave the day a cool beginning. While the orphans settled for lucerne, Mutara raised her trunk up which was an indication of something approaching. Within three minutes, the ex orphans appeared from the dry comiphera bush, and this disrupted the peace. The juniors hurriedly picked up their piles of lucerne and started leaving. Orwa remained behind and had a strength testing game with Ololoo. Later, Orwa surrendered and followed his colleagues. At the browsing fields the weather was cool and the sky was covered by rain clouds, an indication that the rainy season is just round the corner. At mud bath time it was quiet with only the dependent orphans in attendance. As all the other orphans headed straight to drink water at the water trough, Bongo did the opposite by starting with wallowing. Our little water baby was in there and soon when the orphans went down to have a mud bath, Bongo met with them as he moved up going for a drink. After bathing, Vuria and Garzi stood and started conversing in low tones as they inserted trunks in each others mouths. Later, the orphans headed for soil bath and Kanjoro was the last to quit the soil bathing, spending hours in the soft red powder. Vuria and Shukuru spend some time scratching against trees before resuming to browse. In the afternoon, the sun was hot and Bongo, Narok, Mutara and Orwa converged under the same tree to hide from the scorching sun. In the evening, the ex orphans were back at the stockade water trough and remained at home base for a good long time, resting, taking their fill of water and then silently moving off for the night, leaving their little dependent babies safely tucked up in their stockades.

The orphans had a brief peaceful time at the stockade compound in the morning before the arrival of the ex orphans. Immediately the ex orphans appeared, Sities was the first one to see them. Sities hurriedly collected her pile of lucerne and left. Bomani did the same but the rest were caught unawares and they had no option other than sharing their Lucerne piles with the ex orphans who were eager for some of the supplements. Later Bomani and Garzi who haven't been seen playing a pushing game for a long time, had obviously woken up in a pushing mood. The two engaged each other in a light strength testing exercise until Kainuk interrupted their game by knocking both of them away. The baby herd moved away to browse and wander deep into the bush and Turkwel and Sities had a friends pushing time with Orwa and Teleki. Teleki lay down and Orwa took advantage of the situation by climbing on him. Later Vuria and his playmate Bongo were engaged with their usual strength testing game that ended when Teleki intervened. Towards eleven o'clock in the morning, Mutara isolated herself from the rest and went to feed under a tree some distance away. On the way to the mud bath, the Keepers counted the orphans and realized that one was missing. After cross checking, they found out that it was Bongo that had dodged them. Two Keepers went to look for Bongo while the rest took the present orphans to the mud bath. Bongo was located twenty minutes later and he was taken to the mud wallow to join his colleagues. Bomani and Garzi were still in playful mood and they started a pushing game that didn't please Laragai prompting Laragai to push Garzi away. In the afternoon the dependent herd moved to feed further up Ithumba Hill, and Orwa browsed with his hind legs crossed in a casual stance while Narok and Laragai came across loose soil which they then spent a good long time dusting themselves with. The babies then formed a line with Turkwel in the lead and headed back to their stockades, browsing along the way.

Lualeni, Ololoo, Tomboi, Chaimu, Kilaguni and a junior wild bull reported at the stockade early before the orphans were let out. The reason behind the early reporting of Lualeni was to make sure that they were included in the ration of lucerne. Yatta and her group reported when the orphans had already finished the lucerne and were preparing to leave for browsing. Kainuk and Orwa spent some time scratching on the nearby rocks. At the browsing field, Shukuru came across loose soil and spent much time dust bathing with Mutara joining in. They then resorted to lying in the soft cool dust for a short nap. Orwa who was feeding close by came forward and scratched his belly against Mutara. Mutara seemed to like the attention and remained lying down while Orwa enjoyed his scratch. Sities developed an itchy ear and since she wasn't close to any tree she used Garzi as a scratching post by scratching against him rigoriously. Garzi understood it was an emergency and let her continue understanding her predicament. Shortly after taking the the mid day milk, the juniors were joined by Suguta and her group. Suguta and her group have been spending time further a field and have not been arriving at the stockades predictably every day, but while together Kibo taught Orwa some pushing tactics while Murka threatened to push Laragai when Laragai happened to pass too close to her. In the afternoon, the temperatures were low and the orphans browsed calmly throughout enjoying the company of the semi independent orphans. Shortly before returning back to the stockade, Orwa knelt down with his front legs to try and pull a shrub out of the ground. He was unable to do it standing so resorted to another style. It was obviously something her really wanted, and finally he was successful. In the evening only Lualeni showed up at the stockades to take her fill of water, without Kilaguni or Ololoo. The Keepers are suspicious of her intentions. Lualeni likes to snatch our dependent babies and whisk them off for nights out.

Lualeni had been joined by Ishanga and appeared to have spent the night just outside the stockade. This was unusual as Ololoo was not with Lualeni, and Ishanga is an elephant who bounces between groups. Their motives are suspicious and given that they two were just relaxing waiting for the juniors to come out of their night stockades and join them at the Lucerne area. We think she is looking to see who might be ready in the dependent group to transition. Lualeni led the way to the browsing field. It was a day without much activities as the orphans browsed calmly throughout up to mud bath time when Lualeni and Ishanga escorted the juniors to the mud bath. Lualeni was the first one to get into the mud followed by Teleki, Shukuru, Vuria, Narok, Bongo and Laragai. Orwa, Kainuk and Bomani boycotted the exercise. Mutara and Sities walked up to the water trough and got into the water trough to bath and soiled the water. In the afternoon, the sun was hot and Kanjoro, Vuria, Bomani and Laragai participated in a soil dusting exercise and thereafter went to relax under a tree. They resumed to browse later when the temperatures went down.

Kanjoro was knocking the gate using a stick as his colleagues were taking the early morning milk. When the gates opened, Kanjoro headed straight to the water trough where he was joined by Turkwel. At Lucerne feeding time, the guest of honour was Kilaguni who arrived without his companion Chaimu. As the juniors were feeding on lucerne, Mutara pushed Laragai which impacted Orwa and made him mad. To display his anger, Orwa quit the feeding of the lucerne and went to relax at the water trough. The ex orphans arrived just as the dependent orphans were leaving. It was lovely to see them all looking so well. At the field, Garzi fed close to Mutara while Orwa isolated himself from the others and went to feed a few metres away. Bomani and Teleki shared the same shrub while feeding but Sities came and pushed both of them away so as to feast on the shrub. After getting their milk, Teleki, Vuria and Orwa headed straight to drink water while Shukuru, Narok and Laragai headed for mud bathing before joining Orwa, Vuria and Teleki in drinking water. After drinking water, Teleki headed for wallowing where he was joined by Bongo, the king of the wallow, and his friends Kanjoro and Mutara. Shukuru headed for soil dusting which she was extremely vigorous with today, and later peeled away for her usual tree scratching routine. Three warthogs that attended mud bath, faced it rough when they were spotted by Sities who spotted them and charged, trumpeting, ears out meaning business. The warthogs disappeared as fast as lightening extremely unnerved by it all. Shortly later, Vuria raised his trunk up and he was looking hard towards the Ithumba mountain. When he lowered his trunk Lualeni, Kenze and Orok emerged from the exact direction Vuria was pointing with his trunk. The three ex orphans greeted the others, but headed straight to drink water, they were obviously extremely thirsty. Having spent time together the dependent orphans slowly ambled back into the bush to browse, each on intent on feeding. It was an extremely hot day with temperatures getting even hotter in the afternoon, so much so that the juniors retreated to just waiting under trees with ears flapping. It was even too hot to feed, so instead they dozed off for a siesta. That evening Suguta’s group of partially independent orphans reported for water at the stockade but left immediately after having their fill, without too much time spent interaction with the juniors, who on their return home had an evening cool off at the waterhole, this is becoming more of their routine these days with the brutally hot days.

Makireti, Kilabasi, Kasigau, Chaimu and Ishanga were sleeping outside the stockade overnight and were there when the babies came out of their stockades. The noise made by the opening of the gates woke them up. It appears, the five arrived at night and opted to sleep and wait for the others until morning. This is a second time of Chaimu being seen without her friend Kilaguni. Only time will tell if they had a misunderstanding that made Chaimu to quit and join Makireti. It looks like she is taking her cue from Ishanga, she is always changing groups and only time will tell. As the orphans settled for lucerne, Narok, Teleki, Orwa, Bomani and Garzi kept themselves busy by scratching on the nearby rocks. Chaimu exerted her authority over the juniors as she moved around taking their lucerne by force. Shortly later, Makireti and her group left to drink water and thereafter disappeared heading towards east. At the browsing field, the quiet Garzi defended himself from Bomani when Bomani attacked him from the back. Garzi turned and faced Bomani. Their pushing went on for quite some time until Orwa intervened and separated the two boys. Suguta with a team of eleven members arrived at the stockade for water shortly before eleven o'clock in the morning. The group consisted of Suguta, Melia, Tumaren, Olare, Kibo, Kitirua, Murka, Naisula, Kandecha, Chemi chemi and Kalama. They took water, relaxed in the shade, dusted themselves and greeted their Keepers before heading back into the bush. Meanwhile at the midday mudbath site soon after eleven o'clock milk feeds, the orphans headed for wallowing with an exception of Orwa, Kainuk and Bomani who boycotted the exercise. Teleki and Narok were the last to leave the wallowing as they had been enjoying lying on top of each other. After wallowing, Shukuru, Bongo, Turkwel and Kanjoro spent some time scratching against the nearby acacia trees. In the afternoon, the sun was really hot causing Shukuru, Turkwel and Bongo to flap their ears continuously as they moved from one area to another in search of better pastures. In the evening, the weaver birds who are our signal for the start of the rainy season, arrived and perched in the acacia tree at the stockade compound. Shortly before dark, heavy clouds opened up and we received a welcome 4mm of rain. Nothing too dramatic but it was a welcome respite from the heat and settled the dust.

Five junior wild bulls under the leadership of Kijana a wild bull who has spent so much time with our orphans that we have given him a name, were taking water at the stockade water trough when the dependent orphans left the stockade. As soon as the juniors settled for lucerne, Kijana joined his little friends with another wild friend, but the three elephants disappeared into the bush when they saw the Keepers. Vuria, Teleki and Garzi surrounded Kijana and shared lucerne with him as the other orphans tried to avoid him for fear of being pushed. Laragai that was feeding a few metres away, saw the three boys having a good time with Kijana and decided to come and join them. When she joined them, Laragai pushed Garzi away and to show dissatisfaction of Laragai's action, Teleki and Vuria took Garzi and left to drink water. Laragai was uncomfortable having been left with the two wild bulls and so she soon left to join her colleagues. Shortly after the orphans left for browsing, Mulika’s group arrived, consisting of Mulika, with her wild born baby Mwende, Kinna, Nasalot, Galana, Naserian, Galana, Meibai, Wendi, Makena, Loijuk, Lualeni, Ololoo, Rapsu, Orok and Lenana checked in at the stockade compound. It appears that Lualeni has dissolved her group. For the past few days she has been seen in Mulika and Yatta's groups but we will have to wait and see what happens in the next few months. Later at the browsing field, Sities took a break from feeding and performed a soil dusting exercise. She resumed to browse later when she had enough of her soil dusting. Mutara concentrated on the shrubs with green leaves while bongo fed on whichever good shrub and grass that happened to be on his way. At mud bath time, only Bongo the water boy and Teleki participated in wallowing. The rest went up to the water trough where they spent allot of time in drinking water. Bongo joined them and as if he had not taken enough bath, he started splashing water behind her ears. Sities wasn't happy about what Bongo was doing and so she pointed him with her trunk to stop him from wasting water. Sities forgot that she is the worst together with Mutara when it comes to wasting water. they sometimes even get into the water trough and start kicking the water using their dirty feet. Bongo didn't take her seriously and did two more splashes then went to scratch against the nearby acacia trees where Teleki was still doing the same exercise. In the afternoon, the sun was hot and Sities, Narok and Kanjoro converged under a tree while continuously flapping their ears. On the way back to the stockade, Shukuru led the first group, Narok led the second group while bongo led the last group. Inside the stockade, Orwa pushed Teleki when he stepped on the coconut Orwa was feeding on.

The ex orphans reported early in the morning while the juniors were still in the stockade. Narok left the stockade with a branch in her mouth since she knew that it will be difficult for them to have the lucerne while the ex orphans were present. Laragai met with Mwende Mulika’s wild born baby and threatened Mwende with dire consequences if she blocked her way. Mwende stepped aside and let Laragai who appeared to be in a hurry to pass. Mwende who is now three years and four months headed to her mother to nurse and we think probably report to her mother how Laragai had threatened her. At the browsing field, Laragai browsed close to Kainuk and from time to time Kainuk relaxed her trunk on Laragai's back while Shukuru browsed with Mutara. Later, Sities, Garzi, Orwa and Teleki showed their road side antics when they came across loose soil. Laragai, Bongo and Vuria were pleased with what their colleagues were doing and so they joined in all having a fun dust filled time. Laragai mounted onto Teleki and Teleki rolled on the soil. At the end, Vuria and Bongo were locked into a fight because of reasons that only the two of them could explain. On the way to the mud wallow, the weather changed and clouds that had been gathering opened up and gave way to rain that poured down for almost half an hour. The orphans took their milk while it was still raining and thereafter returned to the browsing field enjoying how fresh everything seemed. In the evening, the juniors were joined by Nasalot and Naserian. Naserian went to feed close to Teleki while Nasalot showed her interest on Garzi spending much time with him. When the orphans headed towards their night stockades Naserian and Nasalot said their goodbyes and parted ways heading off to an undisclosed location.

The orphans had a peaceful morning soon after leaving the stockade. They settled for lucerne without any interference from an outsider. Narok, Shukuru, Garzi, Orwa and Bongo went straight to scratch on the nearby rocks soon after finishing their lucerne. Later, Kanjoro led the juniors to the water trough to drink water. As the orphans were drinking water, Tomboi emerged from the eastern side of the water trough and headed straight to the venue where the orphans settles for lucerne. Mutara and Kanjoro escorted Tomboi to the venue as they touched and sniffed at him with their trunks. Tomboi was disappointed when he found out that at the venue there was nothing to eat. Tomboi turned and went to the water trough to help himself to a good waterfill. At the browsing field, Orwa and Bomani played with wet soil. Later, Sities, Mutara, Bongo and Kanjoro came across water that had collected on a rock and spent some time drinking the rain water. At mud bath time, the weather was chilly and none of the orphans participated in wallowing. in the afternoon, Mutara, Shukuru and Sities teamed up and isolated themselves from their colleagues and browsed some metres away. The clouds cleared and gave way to sun shine and this prompted Bongo and Orwa to stand under a tree with shade. They resumed their feeding later when the temperatures dropped to a favourable level. The rest of the evening was quiet as the orphans browsed calmly without any major observation.

It was a cold morning when the orphans left the stockade and settled for lucerne. Shukuru after taking enough lucerne, she started throwing the lucerne up and Kanjoro was happy to wait for it to fall so as to collect it. At the browsing field, Teleki came across a tree stump that he used to scratch his belly. Moments later, Kanjoro came and pushed Teleki away and used the tree stump to scratch his belly. With the rains have come more ticks. At mud bath time, the juniors were joined by Mulika, Mwende, Sidai and Lenana. They enjoyed the juniors company and later parted ways in the afternoon, when the juniors came across new water holes and started playing in them. Mutara, Laragai, Orwa, Narok, Vuria and Kanjoro were the most playful as the rest of the group watched on.

Mulika and Yatta groups were at the stockade compound in the morning when the orphans were let out. Wendi, Loijuk, Kinna and Nasalot were facing the store where the lucerne is kept. Soon the juniors joined them and stood close to the fence eagerly waiting for the lucerne. When the lucerne was distributed to them, the juniors starting with Kanjoro picked piles of lucerne and started leaving with their piles knowing full well that the ex orphans will forcefully make their presence felt and muscle in on some of the delicious supplement. Shortly later, Mutara led the way to the browsing field. Vuria and Garzi had a great time today rolling on the loose soil they had come across. Mutara rumbled and all the orphans followed her up to the Kanziku area where they settled to browse. At mud bath time, the temperatures were high though the sky had been covered by heavy clouds. Only Bongo, Shukuru, Teleki and Laragai participated in wallowing. After wallowing, Bongo went to drink water, Shukuru headed for scratching while Laragai headed for soil dusting. Later, Orwa, Turkwel and Kainuk teamed up in soil bathing exercise. In the afternoon, the clouds cleared and this gave way to sunshine. Bongo and Kainuk sought shelter under the same tree as they continuously flapped their ears. Laragai, Garzi and Sities continued to browse normally without minding about the sun. In the evening, the juniors were joined by Rapsu. Kanjoro, Garzi, Vuria and Orwa came close to Rapsu and browsed as they trailed him. At five o’clock in the evening, Rapsu escorted the juniors back to the stockade and after putting them to bed he then wandered off to an undisclosed location. Shortly before dark, a wild herd consisting of eight elephants reported for water at the stockade. In the group there were two babies tiny babies and two one tusked elephants.

Kanjoro was the first one to leave the stockade. Laragai waited until the keepers started distributing the lucerne, then instead of using the gate to access the place where they feed on lucerne, Laragai used a shortcut. she knelt down and went under the fence. The keepers only knew she had gone under the fence when they heard the wires clicking. Laragai then pretended to be busy going round picking the lucerne. Unfortunately she happened to bump on Kanjoro. Kanjoro was upset by Laragai and decided to teach her a lesson by turning to push her. Before he could turn, Laragai had sensed danger and she was long gone. As they wandered away from their night stockades to face the day Orwa knelt down with his fore legs and dug at the damp soil using his tusks. Vuria played with Teleki as Garzi stood aside and watched the two and their pushing game. After Shukuru and Teleki finished taking their milk, they resorted to sucking their trunks as they walked towards mud bath. This is when we are reminded that they are still just little babies. The weather was sunny but only the water baby bathed, Bongo. As the orphans walked back to the bush, two wild elephants emerged from the western side of the mud bath and headed straight to drink water. Sities and Garzi browsed together and then wandered closer to the big bulls and watched from a distance. When the sun got hotter, the pair moved to a shade where they relaxed for some time before resuming to browse. Turkwel paired with her best friend Kainuk while Mutara browsed a distance away from the rest of the dependent herd. In the evening, the orphans had mudbath and all had a cool down before proceeding to their night stockades to settle down and have a good rest and sleep safe from harms way.