Ithumba was a hive activity during March, with different groups of ex-orphans and various familiar faces visiting throughout the month. We were delighted to see ex-orphan bulls Challa, Tomboi, and Zurura, all of whom are in their mid- to late teens and looking very impressive. Another frequent guest was ‘Dad,’ a magnificent wild tusker and father to a number of our ex-orphans’ babies, including Yetu and Mwende. With so many visitors filtering through, it was often hard to know who was wild and who was an orphan during the midday mud bath. The afternoons were so hot that the orphans added a second mud bath to their routine, taking every opportunity to cool off. Storm clouds began to build towards the end of the month, which is always a welcome sign that the rains are on their way.
The sky was partly covered by clouds when the orphans came out of their stockades this morning. Ambo was left behind as he tried to see if he could get an extra bottle. When he realized that an extra bottle wasn't forthcoming, he left complaining and asking why Enkikwe always gets an extra bottle whenever he comes for treatment, yet he is older and bigger than him. The big girls Naseku and Kamok heard his complaints and ran back to pick up their little brother Ambo, and escort him out to the browsing field.
Barsilinga had a light pushing game with Oltaiyoni while Karisa picked on Mundusi to play with.
At around ten o'clock in the morning, the orphans were joined by Mutara’s ex-orphan herd. In the process of preparing to go to the mud bath, Suguta and Turkwel snatched Dololo and left with him. The Keepers couldn't understand how it happened, because it happened so fast! It appears it was a well-calculated move carried out by the two girls. The Keepers knew very well that since the rest of Mutara’s herd stayed with them that Suguta and Turkwel would come back to reunite with their friends later on, bringing Dololo with them too! At around three o'clock in the afternoon, the two ex-orphans with Dololo showed up at the mud bath where they met with all their friends. The Keepers took their Dololo and safe guarded him until they made sure that he returned back to the stockades with his age mates in the evening; for he is still too small to be out in the wild.
Challa visited the mud bath and the two boys Jotto and Mundusi stood close to him, wondering when they will ever reach Challa's size. After admiring him for some time, the two boys left looking forward to the day they might reach Challa’s mighty size.
Mutara and her group slept outside the stockades and joined the orphans in the morning. The Keepers remained very alert because they knew very well that with Suguta around, she might try and take some of the youngsters off with her again.
Out in the bush, Suguta took Dololo and Sattao by her side. The Keepers kept an eye on Suguta to see what she was up to. Suguta is very clever though and she knew that the Keepers were watching her and so she played it cool.
Olsekki settled to play with Lemoyian. Although Olsekki is bigger than Lemoyian, Lemoyian wouldn’t allow himself to be the loser in their game and used all the experience he has acquired over the years to emerge as the winner. Pare had a brief discussion with Jotto and later they had a light pushing game.
At mud bath time, the orphans had their milk bottles and some water then returned back to browsing. Suguta didn't try any of her antics today but played it cool, perhaps just trying to fool the Keepers that she is a good girl, but one day she might surprise them and steal some of the babies for the day again!
Mutara, Suguta with the rest of that herd reported early in the morning. Suguta wanted to catch up with Dololo, who she loves so much.
Out in the bush, the elephant orphans were briefly joined by the senior ex-orphans in Yatta’s herd who were passing by. It was a chilly day and the orphans didn't wallow after their milk bottles because they felt chilly. Suguta was still holding tightly to her Dololo and keeping him by her side.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. As time went by, it started to warm up and the orphans decided to take a break from feeding to relax under a tree. Later, the orphans resumed browsing again. On their way back to the stockades later in the evening, the orphans passed by the mud bath and had an evening cooling-off exercise.
Barsilinga, Sana Sana and Wanjala walked down to the water troughs soon after leaving the stockades. The three orphans had some water before catching up with their friends who were on their way out to browse. Galla came across a rock that he used to scratch. Mundusi and Karisa had a warm up exercise in the form of a pushing game.
Out in the bush, the orphans were joined by Mutara’s herd. Barsilinga, who has now nearly recovered fully from the wound in his foot that had plagued him for so long, engaged Sities in a pushing game. Barsilinga wanted to show Sities that he is stronger now, and that he is not the same Barsilinga that they have become used to seeing limping around, and that it’s only a matter of time now before he might join them fully in the wild again.
Kanjoro, who comes and goes at his own leisure, was in the company of Mutara’s herd this morning, but later disappeared and walked off into the bush.
At mud bath time just before noon, the weather was chilly and none of the orphans dared to step into the water hole. The afternoon was a quiet one as the orphans settled to browse along the western slopes of Ithumba Hill. Sities decided to take care of Musiara for the rest of the day.
It was a quiet morning with no ex-orphans visiting. As the orphans were being let out group by group, the Keepers were surprised to see Lemoyian, who is actually now living wild with Mutara’s herd, walk out from the final stockade at the far end. Lemoyian walked out majestically as if he had won the jackpot. He was very pleased with himself, as for days he has been trying to get into the stockades in the evenings for some dairy cube supplements, and finally his day had come. He must have seized the opportunity by carefully watching the Keeper who was letting class five in the previous evening, and hid himself in amongst Roi, Olsekki, Tusuja, Oltaiyoni, Naseku and Siangiki when the Keeper wasn’t looking. Once he was inside he played it cool, not wanting to cause any trouble that might draw attention or arouse suspicion of an intruder in the stockade. His attempts weren’t in vain and finally he managed to outwit the Keepers, and he was very happy. Lemoyian walked out with the other orphans looking forward to the next time he might see such an opportunity!
The orphans settled to browse in the Kone area and at mud bath time were joined by a wild bull that left when he had enough water. Tusuja took advantage of Mteto who was playing on the ground and climbed on her back, as Sattao played with Ambo. Oltaiyoni, who was close by, intervened by separating Sattao and Ambo from fighting and walked them back out to browse.
In the afternoon it was getting hot and the orphans decided to have a roadside mud bath. In the evening, Mutara and her herd came for Lemoyian. When the dependent orphans returned back to the stockades, Lemoyian found his group waiting for him and shortly later they all left and walked off into the bush.
When coming out from the stockade this morning, Mapia tried to block Ambo from coming out. Ambo is smaller than Mapia, but Ambo thought that if he stood higher up the slope he might be able to push Mapia out of the way. Luckily Kamok was close by and saw what was happening between Ambo and Mapia. Kamok decided to walk up and settle the matter between the two boys, however she did so rather unfairly, by pushing Mapia away. Ambo was very happy with that result and walked happily behind Kamok as he swung his trunk from side to side.
Out in the bush the orphans were joined by Mutara’s herd. Suguta and Turkwel didn't allow themselves to be seen by the Keepers as this would have jeopardized their mission of taking their favourite babies for themselves for the day. The orphans were scattered as they browsed, making it easy for Suguta to execute her plans. The rumbles that the Keepers heard they assumed were normal, but later they realized it was really Suguta calling for Dololo. At mud bath time the Keepers gathered the orphans to take them to the mud bath and to their surprise, Dololo, Musiara, Kuishi, Rapa and Malkia were all missing! The Keepers took the group that they had to the mud bath and later embarked on a search for the missing ones. It wasn't until later in the evening when they found the missing group, with Suguta, Turkwel and Sities. They walked them slowly back to the stockades; Suguta appeared very happy to have spent nearly a whole day with Dololo!
The orphans left the stockades early as usual, and settled for pellets before heading out to browse. The dependent orphans settled to browse in the Kone area. It was a quiet morning. After the drama of the previous day, with Suguta, Turkwel and Sities snatching Dololo and several others, Mutara’s herd decided to stay away from the dependent orphans and also from the Keepers, to avoid trouble and being branded as baby-snatchers.
A wild bull passed close by and paid no attention to the orphans. Mundusi and Rapa put their trunks up to try and communicate with the bull, but he didn't respond. At mud bath time, the orphans were joined by three wild bulls. One of the bulls decided to relax with the orphans under a tree, before wandering off.
In the afternoon, Rapa and Mundusi disappeared without the Keepers’ knowledge. The Keepers realized the two boys were missing later and a search was mounted but they couldn’t locate them. The two boys showed up later in evening and joined their friends in the stockade for the night.
Ex-orphans Lualeni, baby Lulu, Ithumba and Kilabasi spent the night outside the stockade compound. When the dependent orphans were let out this morning, Roi spent some quality time with Lulu, before Lualeni led the way out to browse. An hour later, Lualeni and her group walked off into the bush. Having a baby really seems to have fulfilled Lualeni's dreams; this is how we Keepers feel. This is the same Lualeni who, when she was younger, earned the reputation herself for being a baby-snatcher! Since she has had her own baby, Lualeni is a happy mother and doesn't fight with Keepers any more like she used to do when trying to take one of the dependent babies with her. Lualeni only brings her daughter to spend some time with the dependent orphans in a place where she once used to be.
Dololo tried to challenge Kauro today but the tables turned on him when Kauro decided to ride on his back. This was meant to teach Dololo a lesson that he is still a small boy and is not supposed to challenge his seniors. Later, Kauro settled for soil dusting as Galla had a pushing game with Sapalan.
Shortly before mud bath time, the orphans were joined by ex-orphans Nasalot, baby Nusu and Melia, who left a short while later the same way they had appeared from. At the mud bath Kilaguni showed up with his newfound wild friends and left shortly afterwards. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the Imenti area and had a quiet afternoon.
Mutara, Suguta, Turkwel, Sities, Kithaka, Garzi, Lemoyian, Sities, Lualeni and baby Lulu were outside the stockade compound in the morning. With Suguta, Sities and Turkwel around, the Keepers had to be on their toes and keep a sharp eye on Dololo, or risk losing him Suguta and her team.
Out in the bush, the Keepers remained vigilant throughout the morning to make sure the girls didn’t succeed with their plan. Lualeni and her baby Lulu later left. Ambo settled to browse with Naseku while Musiara teamed up with Maramoja.
Kanjoro and Kilaguni joined the orphans on the way to the mud bath and the two grown up boys went straight to the water and had fun, as they were watched by rest of the herd. After having fun in the water, Kanjoro joined Wanjala and Sattao in soil dusting. Karisa had a quarrel with Ndiwa that ended up in a fight. Oltaiyoni, who was passing by, decided to bring their fighting to an end by separating them, and warned them not to repeat it again.
The afternoon was quiet as Mutara’s herd was well behaved and did not thinking of running away with anyone. In the evening, all the orphans returned back safely to the stockades for the night.
The orphans left the stockades early as usual. They briefly had some Lucerne pellets before Karisa led the way to the browsing field. Musiara teamed up with Malkia before finally settling to browse with Maramoja, who loves him so much.
The orphans had a quiet morning as they browsed around the hill behind the stockade. Wanjala had a quarrel with Rapa when he tried to take some grass from Rapa’s mouth. Rapa wasn’t in the mood to waste time by fighting though, and did the honourable thing of leaving to another area just to avoid trouble which seemed imminent if he continued being close to Wanjala. Wanjala read Rapa’s mind and decided not to follow him.
At mud bath time, the orphans were joined by ex-orphans Yatta, baby Yoyo, Mwende, Chyulu, baby Cheka, Makireti, Kitirua, Kinna, baby Kama, Nasalot and baby Nusu. Yatta, who is heavily pregnant, was seen denying Yoyo the chance to nurse. Yatta was pushing Yoyo away lightly just to let him know that a new born is coming soon and that the milk should be spared for the new one. Yoyo wasn't happy about it since he could see Nusu and Kama, who are slightly older than him, still being allowed to nurse from their mothers.
In the afternoon, the sun was getting hot and so the orphans decided to enjoy a roadside mud bath before resuming browsing. In the evening, Rapa, who loves to abscond, disappeared with Tusuja and couldn't be traced until they brought themselves back to the stockades later in the evening.
It was a beautiful morning today as the Ithumba orphans had their Lucerne cubes after their milk bottles, before heading out to the bush for browsing.
Out in the bush they met Kanjoro and they started browsing together. Ndiwa and Malima enjoyed browsing together as they talked amongst themselves. Later the orphans met with Yatta’s herd together with Kinna, Nasalot and Lualeni and their babies. They rumbled and communicated together. Malima and Dololo heard the ex-orphans rumbling and calling them and went to look for them. They joined them and later it took us some time to separate them as they were happily playing with their babies Yoyo, Kama, Nusu and Lulu. Later all the dependent orphans walked to the mud bath for their noon milk bottles.
Not all of the orphans decided to wallow after their milk feed, but some did. A young wild female elephant came in and was quite wild, trying to charge at the Keepers.
Later in the afternoon as the orphans browsed, it became very hot, and some of them chose to hide in the shade of some trees. Mteto was busy scratching her fore leg as if she was trying to remove a thorn. Kauro walked to a small dam along the road and started playing in it, and later he came out and started drying himself by dusting and rolling on the ground. Barsilinga joined him too. The rest of the herd then arrived to cool down their hot bodies too. Olsekki rolled to dry himself while Kamok, Ambo and Naseku watched him. Later Sattao led the herd back home in the evening for their milk bottles and to go to sleep.
Mutara’s herd arrived early at the stockade compound this morning and waited for the dependent orphans to come out of their stockades to join them in the bush. The babies had their milk bottles and then walked out to join them.
Of course the older girls, mainly Suguta, were after Dololo. Suguta always wants to be close to him and she stayed right by his side. After a few minutes some of Yatta’s ex-orphan herd arrived including Lenana and Chyulu and their babies Lapa and Cheka. Ukame and Namalok were also with them, who joined the ex-orphan herd about a month ago now. They looked very active and in good health. Enkikwe started hugging Ukame with her trunk and asking where she had been all this time. The dependent orphans rumbled and seemed very happy to see their old friends Ukame and Namalok.
Maramoja and Malkia seemed even happier to see the babies Lapa and Cheka. They took Cheka and started walking with him while his mother Chyulu just watched them. Lenana was very busy browsing with Lapa however and stayed very close to him. Turkwel became quite jealous when she saw Maramoja being a nanny to Cheka, and went over to intervene and take over. Roi and Esampu later got a chance to walk with and interact with Cheka for a bit, before the herd disappeared again, leaving the dependent orphans to walk to the mud bath for their milk bottles.
It wasn’t very hot at the mud bath and not many of the orphans chose to wallow after having their milk bottles. Mutara’s herd appeared again and joined the dependent orphans. Later when the orphans walked back out to the bush, they left Sities and Kanjoro behind enjoying a play fight. A group of wild bulls arrived at the same time to drink water and later walked away.
Out in the bush all the orphans were busy browsing despite it being very hot. They later decided to walk to the water pool along the roadside and started playing there to cool themselves down, before walking back to the stockades for the night.
Wendi and a splinter group from Yatta’s herd came to drink water from the stockade water trough today before wandering off. A herd of wild elephants also visited for water and later walked away.
It was a beautiful morning today with the Ithumba dependent orphans having their milk bottles before walking straight out to browse.
There they met with Mutara’s herd and also Kinna with some of the senior ex-orphans. They all interacted with the young wild born babies Kama, Siku, Lapa and Lili. Mutara enjoyed looking after little Lili. Siku stayed very close to her mum Sunyei. When the dependent orphans walked to the mud bath for their milk bottles, Kinna and the other ex-orphans went their separate ways.
At the mud bath Wendi arrived with a small group including her two babies Wiva and Wema. Yetu was with them too. Wiva started playing with Esampu and later with Olsekki. The rest of the orphans had their milk bottles and walked to the mud bath but didn’t want to swim. A group of wild bulls came in too to join them. Later the orphans walked away back to the bush for browsing.
It was such a hot afternoon and all the orphans went to cool down in the waterhole along the road to the Tiva River. They played vigorously before coming out to dry by rolling around on the soil. Esampu was really enjoying rolling around. Enkikwe is one of the elephants who likes playing in the mud the most and was left behind playing there alone. Later the orphans walked back home in the evening for their milk and to go to bed.
It was another lovely morning as the orphans walked with jollity out from their stockades and into the bush to begin their day of browsing. Sapalan and Malkia browsed together while Wanjala and Tusuja started play fighting. Roi and Jotto were interacting with each other while Kauro tried to climb on Musiara. Wanjala then started a play fight with Pare too. The babies later walked to the mud bath for their milk bottles.
While the orphans were at the mud bath, a big herd of wild elephants came to drink water. Two herds of ex-orphans also arrived with Wendi's group arriving first with her two babies Wiva and Wema, and then Mutara's herd with Kanjoro leading them and a wild bull with them too. The dependent orphans had their milk bottles and didn't stay too long in the water hole as they were interrupted by another wild herd who came in to join them, and they got scared and walked away.
In the afternoon despite the hot weather all the orphans seemed very active and continued browsing, but later they went to cool down in the same water pool along the Tiva River road, and started drying off again in the soil. Turkwel was patting and being very affectionate with Dololo; she had stayed by his side since the orphans had left the mud bath! Olsekki and Lemoyian started play fighting but not for long, as soon the orphans started to make their way back to the stockades for the evening, still accompanied by Mutara's herd. Later in the evening, Mutara’s herd left and walked off into the bush.
An hour after the dependent orphans left the stockade compound this morning, Mutara’s herd passed by the stockades, perhaps searching for the whereabouts of the dependent babies; they managed to catch up with them about 10 minutes later.
Later into the morning, the orphans were joined by ex-orphans Kinna, baby Kama, Nasalot and baby Nusu. Pare had a brief tussle with Kama that ended when Kinna separated the calves from fighting. Pare and Kama then went their separate ways.
At mud bath time the orphans were joined by several other ex-orphans from Yatta’s herd including Loijuk and her baby Lili. Esampu, the drama queen, decided to make herself nanny to Lili. Esampu followed Lili and Loijuk wherever they went around the mud bath. Dololo and Musiara teamed up with Suguta, Turkwel and Sities from Mutara’s herd to relax under a tree. Later, Mutara led the dependent orphans back out to browse.
The temperature skyrocketed again in the afternoon so the elephants walked down to the roadside mud bath where they cooled-off before resuming browsing. In the evening, Ambo led the way back to the stockades.
Suguta, who appears to be obsessed with Dololo at the moment, was the only one at the stockade compound this morning as the rest of her friends in Mutara’s herd were apparently elsewhere, perhaps browsing. As soon as the dependent orphans came out from their night stockades, Suguta welcomed Dololo out with rumbles as she asked him how his night was. We’re not sure for how long Suguta will remain fixated on Dololo but perhaps either until she falls pregnant and has her own calf (like Lualeni, who at one time was obsessed with the dependent babies but now has her own baby Lulu) or until Mutara, the matriarch of her herd, as a calf too, providing her another baby to focus on. Suguta is slightly older than Mutara, by a year, and we think perhaps she might only be truly happy once she has her own baby, although we are not sure when that might be as we haven’t noticed her in season yet. Suguta escorted her favourite Dololo out to browse.
Tusuja, Sattao and Pare all browsed from the same shrub before Tusuja moved forward to join Barsilinga who has become his friend these days. Barsilinga seems to have fully healed now and we are sure that one day soon he will leave with his friend Tusuja and join his other friends and age-mates out in the wild.
It is becoming much drier in the area now, and more wild elephants in the company of our ex-orphans are showing up for water, both at the mud bath and stockade water troughs. After mud bath time, the orphans left for browsing leaving the ex-orphans and wild elephants still at the mud bath. Later, Loijuk and her playful baby Lili joined the orphans in browsing for the remaining part of the day.
Nasalot, baby Nusu, Sunyei, baby Siku, Galana and baby Gawa joined the dependent orphans in the morning soon after they were let out. The three babies Nusu, Gawa and Siku interacted with the dependent orphans for nearly half an hour before joining their mothers. Ambo had a game of rolling on the ground under the close supervision of Kamok. After Ambo had enough of rolling on the ground, Kamok escorted him out to browse. Roi took some time to herself, having fun rolling on the ground before resuming with her browsing activities.
Shortly before mud bath time, the team of potential baby-snatchers arrived, consisting of Turkwel, Suguta, Sities, Suguta and Kainuk! The Keepers couldn’t help but feel slightly dismayed at the sight of their beloved, if not mischievous, older orphans, as their arrival always signals a tug-of-war with their favourite dependent babies and potentially walking long distances while trying to recover them whenever they get taken by these older girls for their own wanderings. It appears Suguta and her group were fully prepared for a confrontation with the Keepers, made easier by the arrival of more ex-orphans at mud bath to hide their intentions.
In the afternoon, the orphans and ex-orphans headed west of Ithumba Hill where, as expected and despite the Keepers best efforts, Suguta and her team succeeded in snatching Dololo, Musiara, Sattao, Mapia, Esampu, Karisa, Jotto, Enkikwe and Sapalan. As soon as the Keepers realized they started tracking the missing orphans, and luckily located the missing babies just before dark, and led them back to the stockades for the night.
The orphans left the stockades early as usual and were joined outside by Mutara’s herd.
Mapia met Lemoyian and thought that since he is slightly bigger than Lemoyian, he might be able to push him around. Lemoyian wouldn't allow this to happen and decided to show Mapia his tough side. He might be small he is tough, and has much more experience than Mapia since he has been living in the wild for some time. By the time Lemoyian was through with Mapia, it was evident that Mapia had learned a lesson. Mapia left very quickly, not wanting to mess around with Lemoyian any further since he was pushed very hard and abruptly by Lemoyian in one of their pushing games.
The orphans settled to browse in the Kone area and later walked to the mud bath, where they were joined by Yatta and the other senior ex-orphans. Malkia tried to establish a relationship with baby Lili by following her around but it didn't work. Lili didn't turn to socialize with Malkia at all, but kept on following her mother. The gentle Malkia grew tired and decided to mind her own business by heading back out to browse, hoping that she might be able to play with one of the wild born babies soon.
In the afternoon it was very hot and the orphans opted to take a break from feeding to relax under a tree, and later resumed browsing when it became cooler again. In the evening Rapa, Jotto, Enkikwe and Sapalan dodged the Keepers and left with the ex-orphans but were located by the Keepers shortly before dark and brought back to the stockades.
Today we awoke early to the loud sound of lions roaring in the area. We decided to wait until it was light for the orphans to come out so that we can all see our way and track the lions. The orphans had their first milk bottle of the morning and waited for a little while before coming out of their stockades. They stayed very close to their Keepers this morning, and browsed as a group without any wandering off on his or her own.
Kauro started a rolling game on the ground. Ambo, Sattao and Musiara were busy playing together and then they started rolling on the ground too. Karisa and Sapalan were busy play fighting. Musiara then went over to Maramoja who cuddled the young boy with her trunk. Maramoja enjoys looking after and protecting him from being bullied by other orphans in the herd. The orphans then met with some ex-orphans including Sunyei and her baby Siku. Baby Siku started interacting with the dependent orphans as they played with they were very happy about.
Just before noon the orphans walked to the mud bath for their milk bottles where there was a group of wild bulls, and Wendi's herd with Wiva, Wema and Ishanga . The babies had their milk bottles and walked back out to the bush to browse without wallowing. Two wild bulls started play fighting as the orphans walked away.
It was another hot afternoon so some of the orphans chose to relax in some shade and fan their ears rather than browse. Later on, they all walked towards the small water pool along the road and started playing there to cool down. Barsilinga arrived and joined them, before the dependent orphans enjoyed a short dusting session to dry off before walking back to the stockades for the night. All the dependent orphans returned to the stockades without any trying to sneak off today, perhaps because they heard lions last night!
Out in the bush this morning the orphans met a wild female elephant and her baby, and they were very friendly both with the orphans and the Keepers. The mother was so calm and just allowed her calf to suckle right in front of the Keepers with no fear at all, and she had no problem interacting with the orphans. She didn’t want the orphans interacting with her baby too much, and after staying for about an hour browsing with the orphans, she and her baby left, and the orphans walked to the mud bath for their noon milk feed.
While at the mud bath, a wild herd visited and walked away after having enough water. Mutara's herd arrived together with Kithaka, Garzi and Lemoyian among them. Kithaka is really naughty these days and sometimes even charges at the Keepers! Most of the orphans keep a wide berth of him. Suguta and Turkwel came to pick Dololo up and were about to walk away with him but the Keepers were watching and brought him back to the dependent orphans. Chyulu and her baby Cheka arrived and were being well escorted by Esampu, Maramoja who wanted to look after little Cheka. When the orphans went back out to browse they were accompanied by all the ex-orphans, including naughty Kithaka. They all browsed together but later in the afternoon as the orphans were about to return back to the stockades, Mutara's herd managed to walk away with Dololo, Jotto, Mapia and Karisa. Luckily Mutara’s herd just escorted them back to the stockade compound and all the dependent orphans went into the stockades for the night.
The orphans came out of the stockades this morning and went to eat Lucerne today, before walking out to the bush. Maramoja and Musiara were feeding together as Maramoja always like to protect Musiara and loves spending time with him. Sana Sana was enjoying dusting herself with some loose soil. Karisa was busy scratching while Mapia was also busy scratching his neck on a rock.
Out in the bush all the orphans were busy browsing, when some of them were startled by a buffalo. They started running towards their Keepers, who managed to calm them down so that eventually they resumed browsing again. Enkikwe and Galla started a pushing game as they tested their strength against each other.
At the mud bath today a group of wild elephant bulls arrived, including one old-timer we believe to be Mwende's dad. He has very long tusks and came to drink water with his friends. We don’t seem him very often but over the years he had visited Ithumba. The babies had their milk bottles and after a few of them walked to the water hole to mud wallow, and then to dry themselves on the loose soil, before heading back out to browse. Sapalan was really enjoying rolling on the loose soil.
The orphans continued browsing but despite some of them wallowing earlier, they all chose to walk to the water pool along the roadside to cool down again later in the afternoon. Most of them enjoyed this water pool - Pare scratched his bottom while Kauro played heartily and then went to roll on some sand to dry off.
When they were done, the orphans walked back to the stockades for the night. Rapa always likes to remain behind and return when it suits him. Today Jotto stayed with him as well. The Keepers walked back along the path to find them but met them on the way and all the orphans returned safely to the stockades for the night.
When the orphans came out of their stockades this morning to have some Lucerne, there was a small group of ex-orphans there waiting for them - Kibo, Kilaguni and Kanjoro, who shared Lucerne with them. Kuishi scratched her neck while the others were busy feeding. Some of the orphans then walked to the water trough to drink before leaving for the bush, followed by the three ex-orphans.
Out in the bush the orphans concentrated on browsing and seemed very happy and confident with the presence of the three older bulls with them. Tusuja picked up a strong-looking stick and started scratching his chest, while Mapia was busy scratching on a rock too. Pare was busy stretching up high to reach some green branches he found. Enkikwe was interacting with Musiara while Kauro was rolling on the soil next to them, playing. Enkikwe watched him and then started doing his own exercises, rolling on the ground too. Olsekki was busy feeding on the same branch as Musiara.
Just before noon the orphans walked to the mud bath for their milk bottles, and some wild bulls arrived to drink water. The dependent orphans enjoyed wallowing in the water hole with the three ex-orphans who were still with them. They later came out and walked to the piles of loose soil to dry off. They had a good dust bath today before heading out to continue browsing.
Just like the days before their afternoon was punctuated by a small roadside mud bath before drying off and walking back to the stockades for the night, still accompanied by Kibo, Kilaguni and Kanjoro, who left the orphans at the stockades and walked off into the Park.
It was a bright morning today as the orphans came out of their stockades and went to the Lucerne feeding area. They met a wild bull there, who wanted to share Lucerne with the orphans. Karisa and Mapia shared the same Lucerne pile. The wild bull then walked with them to the water trough to drink with them, before the orphans wandered off to begin their day of browsing.
Today everyone was jostling to be close to and protect Dololo. We realize that Dololo and Musiara are much beloved by both the older dependent girls like Roi, Kamok and Maramoja, and the ex-orphans too like those in Mutara’s herd. Today it was Roi who was standing the closest to Dololo and patting him with her trunk. Karisa and Mundusi were busy play fighting and later the babies walked to the mud bath for their milk bottles.
A herd of wild elephants visited the mud bath to have some water while the orphans were there. Yatta’s ex-orphan herd also arrived with Kinna, Loijok and Nasalot with their babies Yetu and Yoyo, Kama, Lili and Nusu. Ukame was also part of that herd and she is doing a fine job of being a nanny to those babies. The dependent orphans had some fun in the water hole and later walked back out to browse.
It was a very hot day again and a lot of the orphans chose to rest in some shade instead of browsing. Later they came out to play in the roadside mud bath to cool down and later dust bath. They enjoyed browsing for a short while after that before making their way back home in the evening for their milk bottles again. Kithaka briefly joined the orphans but was so badly behaved that the Keepers sent him away. He is very naughty these days!
This morning Tusuja started play fighting with Sapalan while Kauro was trying to climb on Tusuja and assert his dominance. It was another beautiful clear day and when the orphans were ready they walked out to the bush to begin their day of browsing.
Ex-orphan Zurura came to say hi to the dependent orphans and started browsing with them. They all welcomed him into the group and he was so friendly with babies.
At the mud bath today ex-orphan Narok, normally with Kinna and co, came with Turkwel, Kanjoro and Sities from Mutara’s herd. Suguta wasn’t with them. After they enjoyed wallowing, Zurura joined them to browse in the afternoon again. Kithaka, Garzi and Lemoyian also arrived and naughty Kithaka walked straight up to the wild herd who were drinking water at the water trough.
Back out in the bush, Olsekki and Kamok were happily playing together as the others all browsed. Kithaka also came to join the babies but the Keepers started to walk with the orphans back to the stockades for the night.
It was a bright morning as the babies had their milk and walked down to have some Lucerne. They enjoyed the Lucerne to their hearts content as there were no ex-orphans around today to share with. Roi took a bunch of Lucerne off her own corner to enjoy in peace.
All the orphans concentrated on browsing this morning and filling their tummies. They later met with a herd of ex-orphans from Mutara’s herd and started interacting with them. They later walked to the mud bath accompanied by the ex-orphans.
When they arrived they found a large herd of wild elephants who had come to drink water. Yatta, Nasalot, Lenana and Sunyei all with their babies were present at the mud bathtoo. Nusu and Lapa played with the dependent orphans and wallowed in the mud wallow with them. Later they came out and the babies with some ex-orphans walked back into the bush to browse. It was very hot and many of the orphans were standing relaxing in the shade.
Later they walked to their favourite mud bath along the road to cool down. They came across Kinna and Loijuk with their babies playing there too, and they joined them. Mteto and Maramoja played next to Kama who was playing and rolling in the soil after playing in the mud. Lili was a bit shy of the Keepers today. Later the dependent orphans walked back home in the evening for their milk bottles and to go to bed.
The dependent orphans had their milk bottles and then some Lucerne supplements, before having a quick drink from the stockade water troughs and proceeding on their way out to browse.
Tusuja was playing with Mapia while Musiara was playing alone, rolling around on the ground. Oltaiyoni was much comforting and patting Ambo while Ambo was rolling on the ground too. Mapia then went on to start a play fight with Musiara while Rapa was playing with Pare and climbing on him. Sana Sana led the herd to the mud bath later on for their noon milk feed.
When the dependent orphans arrived they found a lot of elephants there, including ex-orphans and wild elephants too. Kinna, Yatta, Lenana, Nasalot, Loijuk and Sunyei were present with their babies. Lapa started playing with Malkia. When they were done the dependent orphans walked back out to browse.
Some of the orphans went back to browsing but some preferred to stand in the shade duirng the heat of the day. Later they came out to play in the small pool along the road, but they weren’t satisfied and walked to the main mud bath for to have a swim, before returning to the stockade in the evening.
It was another bright morning without a cloud in the sky and we knew it was going to be a hot day ahead. The orphans walked straight to the Lucerne feeding area where they enjoyed some Lucerne, before walking over to the water trough and then following Sana Sana out to browse.
Out in the bush they met with Challa and interacted well with him. They were all busy browsing, with some like Rapa, Mteto, Maramoja and Jotto browsing separately and independently from the rest. Later, Musiara led the whole herd to the mud bath for their milk and to swim in the mud bath on this hot day.
While at the mud bath a wild herd came to drink water, who interacted with the orphans and shared water from the same water trough despite their size. When the orphans were done in the mud bath area they walked back out to browse, without seeing any visiting ex-orphans today.
It was very hot in the afternoon again and as usual, some of the orphans chose to stand under some shade rather than walk around browsing. When it was cooler they continued browsing, and walked to the small water pool to cool down. All of them enjoyed playing in that small water pool, before dusting themselves dry in the soil and making their way home.
Nasalot and her small group of ex-orphans visited the stockades today. Namalok was with them and he was looking very healthy and well!
The orphans left the stockade early as usual and settled for Lucerne before heading out to browse. A few wild elephant bulls were present at the water troughs but left as soon as they had finished drinking enough water. The orphans also passed by the water point to arm themselves with enough water that would see them through the entire morning.
Galla and Enkikwe had a brief strength testing exercise soon after the orphans settled to browse. Clouds of rain started gathering which is a sign of hope that the rain might be coming soon. It isn’t completely dry yet because of the small amount of rain that we had out of nowhere last month, but it will still be a relief for the rains to arrive.
The orphans met briefly with the senior ex-orphans who were walking towards the stockades while they were browsing towards the mud bath. At mud bath time only a handful of the orphans decided to wallow, as it was a much cooler day.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in between Imenti and the Ithumba airstrip, a place which is far away from the stockades, and we were one hour late returning to the stockades this evening.
Soon when the dependent orphans were let out, Tomboi emerged from the east and headed straight to drink water. Tomboi didn't seem to be that interested in the Lucerne. Some orphans who had already settled to feed on Lucerne walked down to say good morning Tomboi. Tusuja, Mundusi and Karisa stretched their trunks towards Tomboi in an effort to greet him and see how he was. Tomboi just smiled and indulged the young boys, and seemed to have a short conversation with them. Shortly later, Tomboi walked away heading west. The orphans followed him for nearly hundred metres before bidding him goodbye.
Later in the morning Mundusi engaged Karisa in a pushing game that ended when Roi intervened by separating the two boys. Roi was more interested in punishing Mundusi who she seems to think needs to be put in his place. Mundusi tried to defend himself against Roi but she was very fierce and Mundusi ended up walking away. Tusuja engaged Kauro in a strength testing exercise but ended up being humiliated by Kauro when he won the game and decided to climb on Tusuja’s back.
At mud bath time it was all quiet as the orphans had their milk bottles and some water before heading back out to browse. Kamok arrived later and found some bulls already occupying the water trough. She waited until it was her turn to drink. As soon as she had enough, Kamok left to follow her friends.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill and they were all very well behaved. In the evening, all the orphans returned back safely to the stockades for yet another night.
Kilaguni, Lemoyian and a wild bull were at the stockade compound early in the morning. As soon as the orphans were let out, the wild bull left while Lemoyian went and stood at the gate where he was saying good morning to all that were coming out. Kilaguni just waited at the Lucerne feeding area and later walked to share water with the dependent orphans. Karisa tried to invite Mundusi to a strength testing exercise but Mundusi seemed uninterested. Mundusi walked away leaving Karisa wondering what was wrong with Mundusi today, as he usually loves pushing games.
The orphans settled to browse in Kone area and later attended mud bath where they were joined by ten wild elephant bulls. Mutara and her herd also showed up and Suguta was happy to interact with her Dololo, before later parting ways. In the afternoon, the orphans met briefly with the senior ex-orphans and then parted ways again.
Sapalan, Mapia and Ndiwa settled for water soon after their Lucerne breakfast. Their friends followed them and shortly later Ndiwa led the way out to browse. No wild elephants visited the stockade this morning and the orphans didn’t meet any other elephants while they were out either.
It was a quiet morning as the orphans went about their browsing activities without any major distractions. At mud bath time it wasn’t too hot and the temperature was moderate. There were three wild bulls present who stood under a tree. The bulls didn’t bother the orphans but allowed them to move freely about, as they took a nap under a tree while standing.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. By the time it was time to return back to the stockades, Ambo, Naseku, Siangiki and Enkikwe couldn't be found! Ambo in particular has been reluctant to return back to the stockades on time recently, and has started teaming up with the order boys and girls to stay out in the bush browsing for longer, before making their way back to the stockades in their own time, just before dark. The missing orphans showed up an hour later, after all the other orphans had gone to bed for the night.