Keepers' Diaries, March 2022

Ithumba Reintegration Unit



Because of the dry conditions, lots of wild visitors have been circling back to Ithumba — including many familiar faces! After a relatively quiet few months, our dependent herd seems happy that Ithumba is a hive of activity again.

01 March 2022

A wild friend joined the orphans in the morning. The peaceful wild elephant settled to share lucerne with the orphans. Mutara and her herd were also present. Ndiwa and Mundusi, who lately have been engaging one another in pushing games, tackled each other when they came out of their stockade. It's not clear what started this competition, as in the past the two elephants have lived in harmony. More wild bulls arrived to drink water from the stockade water troughs, and left after having their fill. Mapia picked a fight with Jotto, but Jotto surrendered when Mapia started being a bit too tough. Mutara and her team escorted the orphans out to browse. 

Rapa and Sana Sana teamed up, while Kamok settled to browse with Ambo, one of the only youngsters whose company she will tolerate! A male lesser kudu spotted the orphans and decided to take off before the orphans saw him. The lesser kudu understood the behaviour of some of the bulls in the herd, and took off before they could chase him! 

At mud bath time the orphans had their noon milk feed then walked down to have a mud bath. Twenty-two wild bulls were present. It appears that the number of wild elephants coming to drink water is increasing with each passing day. The orphans left immediately after drinking enough water, but some of them decided to cool off at the roadside mud bath, then took a break by relaxing under some trees with good shade. They resumed browsing when it got a bit cooler in the afternoon.

In the evening, Yatta and Nasalot’s families in the company of ten wild bulls showed up for water at the stockade compound.

02 March 2022

Shortly after leaving the stockades, the orphans were joined by ex-orphan Rapsu. The boys, Wanjala, Rapa, Pare and Mundusi could be seen stretching their trunks out, welcoming Rapsu and asking how he was. Rapsu settled to feed on lucerne and after, led the orphans down to drink some water. Once Rapsu had enough, he headed west, as the orphans went east, led by Larro. The orphans had a quiet morning as they crisscrossed the area in search of the best vegetation to eat. It’s getting a bit drier and they spend longer looking for their favourite food. A lot of wild elephants are seen visiting the mud bath and stockades each day too. The orphans concentrated mostly on browsing this morning to make sure they got enough to eat today.

It was very hot when the orphans went for their noon milk bottles. They had their milk, then Karisa decided to run away with the empty bottle! He dropped it when the Keepers shouted at him though. Karisa then walked down to join Rapa, who was already enjoying cooling off in the mud bath. The rest of the herd boycotted the wallowing session and opted for a soil dusting exercise instead. Mapia engaged Ambo into a strength testing exercise that lasted for quite sometime. The orphans then headed to their favourite roadside mud bath and had some fun there, before disappearing into the bush. Enkikwe, Galla and Wanjala teamed up with the late-night gang and left to undisclosed location. Ten wild bulls showed up at the stockade compound in the evening and left immediately after they had taken enough water. 

03 March 2022

Yatta and Nasalot’s families reported early before the dependent orphans had been let out of their night stockades. Mutara’s small group and three wild elephants were also present, and placed themselves strategically to wait for the Keepers to hand out that mornings lucerne. Once the dependent orphans were let out, Ambo walked straight over to the lucerne store, but the Keepers managed to stop him before he could attempt to open the store gate. It seems he woke up hungry today! Shortly later, Galana, who appears to be in season, arrived with five wild bulls following her. One of the bulls happened to be Buchuma, an ex-orphan who was also trying his luck. Unfortunately, he was the smallest bull there and stood no chance. The orphans settled to feed on lucerne with the ex-orphans. Naboishu stood close to a wild bull as if he was trying to measure his height against him, but he ran away the moment the wild bull started moving forward. 

Later in the morning it seems the orphans didn’t want to waste any time messing around, and concentrated on browsing, as they understand how dry it is getting with each passing day. 

More wild bulls continued to pour into the mud bath area while the orphans were there for their noon milk feed, for the purpose of drinking water and cooling off. The Keepers had to move the bulls back quite a distance to allow the orphans to have some water before leaving. Some of the orphans decided to head to the road side mud bath which is just a short distance from the main one, then they relaxed under some trees with good shade, waiting for it to get cooler. In the evening, the orphans returned safely to the stockades for yet another night. 

04 March 2022

The orphans were very calm this morning. There was no pushing and shoving during the milk feeding time, nor even when they started to come out of their stockades. They settled quietly for lucerne and shortly later were joined by Mutara’s herd. When the orphans had enough lucerne, Sana Sana led the way out to browse for the day. 

It seems Mundusi and Rapa missed playing games earlier in the morning, because it wasn’t long before they started a pushing game with one another. Their game didn't last for long however as Wanjala passed by and pushed the two boys away. Maramoja teamed up with her Musiara to browse while Malkia took care of Naboishu. The day was getting hot and the orphans decided to browse under some trees for shade. Esampu ran into trouble with Sapalan when she tried to break a branch that Sapalan had his eyes on. Esampu had to drop the branch just to restore peace. Sapalan took the branch then warned Esampu not to repeat such a mistake again. 

At mud bath time, twenty-eight wild bulls were present. The orphans had their milk then walked to the water trough to join the wild bulls drinking. Dololo was escorted for a soil dusting exercise by Suguta and Turkwel. The rest of the herd decided to walk to the roadside mud bath where they had fun before they resumed browsing. Enkikwe as usual failed to turn up at to the mud bath as he had joined his friends Olsekki and Siangiki, who together with their friends are in the process of trying to detach themselves from the junior orphans and stockade life. In the afternoon, Kamok had a quiet time with Ambo as the two browsed a distance away from the rest of the herd. In the evening Yatta and Nasalot’s families came for water and were joined by several groups of wild herds. 

05 March 2022

Four buffaloes competed for water with some wild elephants this morning. Two of the buffaloes couldn't withstand the force of the wild bulls, but the other two stood their ground and managed to get the water they seriously needed. Two wild elephant family units joined the dependent orphans to feed on lucerne too. One of the wild babies charged at Rapa simply because he was too close to his mother. Esampu saw how the baby was acting and offered to bring a truce between Rapa and the baby; she approached the baby and tried to calm it down, which worked and the baby soon settled down, while Rapa walked away to avoid any further trouble. 

Mapia took a break from feeding to enjoy a soil dusting exercise that went on for ages, right up until the orphans started to walk to the mud bath for their noon milk feed. Over forty wild bulls showed up for water and bathing while the orphans were there. In the afternoon, the orphans were joined by Yatta and Nasalot’s families. Shortly later, the ex-orphans left with Olsekki, Siangiki, Oltaiyoni, Tusuja, Naseku, Roi, Mteto, Enkikwe and Wanjala. Later in the evening, the ex-orphans brought the orphans they had taken with them back though. Surprisingly, Olsekki and co refused to go into the stockade and decided to stay out with the ex-orphans for the night! 

06 March 2022

Wendi and her baby Wema were outside the stockades this morning. We hadn’t seen these two for quite some time! Wiva, Wendi’s other daughter, wasn’t with them, but we are sure she is with the other ex-orphans in Wendi’s herd, as they have always been exceptional nannies towards her. Yatta and Nasalot’s families were also present. Mteto and Esampu headed straight to greet Noah and Yogi. Two buffaloes walked up to the water trough where they were hoping to get some water, but they met resistance from the elephant orphans. Sattao and Nabulu charged and tried to block the two buffaloes from having any water. The buffaloes remained defiant until Sities came and helped Sattao and Nabulu in driving them away. Shortly later, Sana Sana led the orphans out to browse, as Kamok, Kauro and Enkikwe lagged behind. Finally, the buffaloes were able to get some water too! Meanwhile, the ex-orphans split from the dependent orphans and headed north. 

Jotto played with Malkia as Mteto settled to browse Malima. The two girls parted ways soon after exhausting the shrub that they were sharing. Sapalan and Mundusi sneaked off early and headed to the mud bath where they waited for the milk van. The two boys wanted to be the first ones to have their milk bottles! The weather was chilly and none of the orphans dared to step into the mud bathing water. Sapalan kept on going back and trying to get an extra bottle, but the Keepers were onto him and kept sending him away! Sapalan became angry and to express his frustration, he picked up a log of wood and tried to throw it in the air. The log was too heavy though and he couldn't throw it properly, so Sapalan dropped it on the road and left. Kamok supervised the soil dusting exercise that Maramoja, Sattao and Musiara were enjoying. Only four wild bulls showed up for water at the mud bath while the orphans were there today. Tusuja and Kauro joined them briefly to drink some water, before leaving to join their friends. 

In the afternoon, the orphans concentrated mostly on browsing. Yatta, Yoyo and Yogi joined the orphans briefly before heading off again. Ex-orphan bull Buchuma visited the stockades in the evening with some wild friends. 

07 March 2022

Ex-orphan bull Taita arrived at the Ithumba compound before dawn and joined Mutara’s herd who had spent the night just outside the stockades. Taita is 19 years old now and becoming a big and handsome bull. Lenana and Lapa, who have been away for sometime too, were also present for the morning lucerne feeding time. Yatta and Nasalot’s families arrived later, as the dependent orphans were preparing to leave. Maramoja and Sana Sana interacted briefly with Lapa before moving on to join Mteto and Esampu who were playing with Noah and Yogi. Mutara and her herd led the orphans out to browse. Ambo teamed up with Rapa to browse as Sapalan and Wanjala settled for a morning soil dusting exercise. 

Siangiki and her small team of rebels parted ways with the other orphans and left to an undisclosed location. Enkikwe, Sapalan and Wanjala, who appear to be liking the company of Siangiki’s group, dodged the Keepers and also left to join the other group. Ndiwa and Jotto took sometime off from feeding to warmup by having a pushing game. Dololo and Musiara, who always have to push one another the moment they meet, had a pushing game after accidentally bumping into each other. Over the many times they have had their pushing games, no clear winner has ever emerged, and this is bound to continue until one is evidently stronger than the other – if that ever happens! Rapa and Kuishi carried the branches they were enjoying on the way to the mud bath. The weather was chilly, and the orphans only had their milk bottles and some water before returning back to the bush, led by Sana Sana. Only three wild bulls joined the orphans for water this morning. 

In the afternoon, ex-orphans Kibo, Chemi Chemi, Kandecha and several wild bulls including Dad showed up at the stockades for water. The orphans had a quiet afternoon and returned home safely later in the evening. Olsekki, Roi, Oltaiyoni, Naseku, Galla and Tusuja didn't return on time but came back shortly after midnight. 

08 March 2022

Three wild bulls were at the stockade water trough drinking water when the orphans were let out. The orphans settled for lucerne and were joined by one wild elephant, Kithaka, Lemoyian, Orwa and Kilaguni. As soon as they had enough, Larro led the way out for the day. Larro settled to browse with Lemoyian as Mteto teamed up with Pare to browse. Jotto found a suitable tree that he used to scratch his back and hind before resuming browsing. It was a quiet morning without many activities. 

Shortly before mud bath time, the rebels left to an undisclosed location again. The rest of the orphans had their midday milk bottles before walking off to cool off in the smaller roadside mud bath. Only Kilaguni decided to wallow in the main mud bath. Shortly after the orphans left to continue browsing, more than forty wild bulls showed up at the mud bath and had fun in the water there for several hours. 

Kamok took Ambo decided to spend some of their afternoon in a soil dusting exercise. Later, the orphans returned safely to the stockade compound for the night. 

Under the cover of darkness, Mutara showed up at the stockades with her first baby, a baby boy! Mutara was in the company of her group consisting of Suguta, Sities, Turkwel and Kainuk. Kalama, who doesn't have a permanent group, was also present to celebrate the arrival of the new baby. We were so excited to share this joyful news with our Mutara.

09 March 2022

Mutara, the new baby and her small group spent the night just outside the stockades. Suguta, Kalama and Sities didn't allow the dependent orphans to get anywhere close to Mutara's baby. Try as they might, Esampu, Mteto, Malkia and Sana Sana couldn’t get any access to the new baby boy. The four girls gave up and hoped that sooner or later they would get a chance to interact with the new baby. Buchuma is still around and joined the dependent orphans briefly as they fed on lucerne. One wild herd with young babies also joined the group for lucerne. Eventually Mutara and her herd left, as soon as they were finished with the supplement food. A buffalo tried to come for water but got it rough when Kauro, Wanjala, Mundusi, Esampu, Sana Sana and Rapa ganged up to drive the buffalo away. The buffalo had no choice but to run away and come back later when the orphans left and it was a bit quieter. Mutara, her baby (who we have called Mambo), Sities, Turkwel, Kainuk, Suguta and Kalama left to a secluded area with less interference and less crowded for the safety of the newborn. 

The dependent orphans settled to browse in the Kone area and had a quiet morning. At mud bath time, thirty wild bulls showed up for water while the orphans were there. The orphans interacted with them briefly before leaving to continue browsing for the rest of the day. It was a very hot afternoon and the orphans decided to take a break and relax under some trees with good shade. Later, Enkikwe, Mteto, Wanjala and Sapalan left in search of the ex-orphans and ended up reporting back to the stockades early for once, around five o'clock in the evening. =

10 March 2022

The orphans found a large group of wild elephants at the water trough when they came out of their stockades this morning. Mutara and her herd visited with her new baby and joined the dependent orphans to feed on some lucerne. Little Mambo was very active, but he had some very strict and vigilant nannies - Sities, Kainuk, Turkwel, Suguta and Kalama – watching over him. They are very protective and always taking care of little Mambo. The junior orphans later walked out to the bush to browse for the day. Mutara's herd accompanied them but later this split off and went their own way.

The dependent orphans enjoyed browsing all morning until they came across a little mud bath at the Kone junction dam where they started playing. When they were done, they started to make their way to the main mud bath for their noon milk feed.

When the orphans arrived, they found some wild elephants wallowing in the mud bath – they were really enjoying swimming and rolling around as it was a very hot day. The orphans had their milk and some water from the trough, but then they decided to just walk out to continue browsing. Wendi's herd of ex-orphans came in and drank water and then left too. Kilaguni was busy playing on the loose soil, as wild elephants and some ex-orphans waited patiently for the water bowser to refill the water trough so they could have more to drink.

The orphans enjoyed browsing this afternoon despite the hot weather. Kamok was playing with a trunk of a tree and patting it with her trunk. Eventually Nabulu started to lead the orphan’s home in the evening, for their next milk bottle and to go to bed for the night. We passed Mutara's herd under some shade on our way. They later arrived at the stockade compound for some water and then they left as it started to get dark, but we don’t think they went far.

11 March 2022

It was a lovely morning today and Mutara brought her new baby Mambo to the stockades, accompanied by all her friends who are now diligent nannies too! Mambo looked very happy and comfortable in the company of all the devoted females looking after him and suckled from his mother contentedly from time to time. Meanwhile, the dependent orphans also had their first morning milk feed, then walked out to join Mutara and the others for lucerne. 

Out in the lucerne feeding area we found some wild elephants with the naughty ex-orphan Kithaka among them too! All the elephants interacted around the lucerne feeding area together, and later the dependent orphans walked out to the bush to begin their day of browsing, leaving behind Mutara and her herd still feeding on lucerne. Mutara’s group later followed in the direction of the orphans.

When Mutara and the others caught up to the orphans, Mteto made it her mission to get close to the baby, and she didn’t even bother socializing with her other friends today. The group later met up with Nasalot and her babies Nusu and Noah too, who immediately started interacting with Esampu. 

Then it was time for the dependent orphans to make their way to the mud bath for their noon milk feed. It wasn’t very busy there today, and there were only a few wild elephants there. The babies had their milk bottles, then walked to the water trough for some water, then made their way back out to the bush to continue browsing. It was a very hot afternoon, and everyone was doing their best to find enough to eat. Larro and Musiara later started patting one another under a tree while they browsed together. It was Malima who led the herd back home to the stockades in the evening today.

Mutara’s group was with Wendi in the compound this evening. Barsilnga was also there with a few other orphans, and we decided to see if they wanted to sleep in a stockade tonight, but they refused.  

12 March 2022

The dependent orphans enjoyed their usual morning routine this morning in the company of some wild elephants and ex-orphans. Mutara and her baby also were present. 

Out in the bush, the orphans enjoyed concentrating on browsing. It was very hot and some orphans like Galla decided to hide under some shade. Later the orphans walked to the mud bath for their milk feed. When they arrived, they found a group of wild bulls drinking water and wallowing. The orphans had their milk and just a few decided to walk into the mud bath to wallow. Esampu was the most playful as she frolicked in the water and then came out to dry herself on the loose soil. The rest of the herd simply walked back out to the bush to continue browsing. 

It was another hot and dry afternoon, and we could see the orphans concentrating on filling their tummies, and not messing about with any games. Later Wanjala took a break and started playing, whilst Mteto rested her trunk on him. Rapa was play-fighting with Sana Sana and later in the evening, Malima led the group back home in the evening again for their milk bottles and extra supplement food.

13 March 2022

The orphans walked straight to the lucerne feeding area this morning after their milk bottles, which they really enjoyed as it was a new batch of fresh, green lucerne. We had also some ex-orphans among them including Mutara's herd with tiny Mambo. There was another female wild herd also present, along with their own babies, and they interacted freely with our ex-orphans and dependent orphans in the lucerne feeding area too. Roi was carrying a big pile of lucerne and went to enjoy it by herself once she found that the area was full of so many elephants and lots of commotion. Naboishu was seen greeting a wild baby and sharing lucerne together. When the orphans were done, they walked out to the bush to browse, while the wild elephants and ex-orphans walked off in the opposite direction.

Ndiwa, Olsekki and Sana Sana were playing together next to two dik diks who were busy fighting nearby. There was also a big group of 16 wild dogs who came trotting past near the stockade. Mutara's group later came to join the orphans with her baby and they all browsed together, slowly making their way towards the mud bath. 

A slight drama unfolded at the mud bath as ex-orphan Wendi was there causing trouble as usual! She came straight to where we were feeding their dependent orphans and she chased everybody away, scattering the orphans, picking up some of the milk bottles to drink the milk - despite being 19 years old and having two babies of her own! She poured the rest of the milk on the floor, before stepping on some of the bottles as she walked off! She wasn’t listening to the Keepers at all and has become a famous troublemaker. 

Lemoyian was busy playing in the on the loose soil with Nasalot’s baby Noah. Some wild bulls wallowed in the main waterhole too. The dependent orphans decided to head back out to browse, leaving behind some of the ex-orphans and the wild elephants. 

It was a hot afternoon and most of the dependent orphans sought shade and relaxed for a while. Mutara's herd found the dependent babies again and stayed with them. Kalama enjoyed interacting with the youngsters and browsing with them – it’s interesting that Mutara’s herd wants to stay with the dependent babies so much. 

When the orphans returned home for the evening, they found the stockade compound full of elephants – wild bulls and other female elephant herds, and ex-orphans too, as Yatta’s herd was there. Lapa, Yogi and Noah were playing together in the compound.

14 March 2022

Kithaka, the naughty boy, was around the compound this morning and was up to his usual mischief. He was climbing up the terrace wall to the inner-compound area and causing trouble. At the same time, Kibo and Wendi were also there and were trying to use the same route to trespass! All three have been very naughty recently and don’t even listen to the Keepers. Sweet Mutara was also around with little Mambo who is still doing well and gaining weight everyday. A big group of wild elephants also arrived with their young babies too. They had some water and walked to the lucerne feeding area to interact and share lucerne with our orphans and ex-orphans. The dependent orphans never like it when it is too crowded with elders, so they decided to walk out and begin their day of browsing out in the Park.

While walking out, Sattao and Malima started playfighting. We came across the same pack of 16 wild dogs along the Kone road. Pare and Mteto were playing in some loose soil, scooping and tossing soil in the air and some on their backs. Sattao, Malima and Dololo were browsing together in the bush, until it was time to walk towards the mud bath area for their next milk bottle.

There were some huge wild bulls who came to drink water at the mud bath today. Jotto, Ambo and Nabulu got to interact with one of the big bulls beside the water trough, while other bulls were busy enjoying the waterhole. 

The orphans were browsing in the afternoon when Pare took a break to interact with his friend Karisa. We watched Malkia stretching high to reach some leaves high up in the trees. It was Kuishi who led the herd back home in the evening for their milk bottles and to go to bed for the night.

15 March 2022

There was a large group of ex-orphans and wild elephants outside the stockade compound waiting for the orphans this morning. They all understand that when the babies come out, they will get to share some delicious lucerne with them as well. Some of the wild elephants were busy drinking water as they felt very thirsty. Yatta’s herd were here and later Mutara’s group arrived, just as the dependent orphans were starting to leave to begin their day. 

The orphans concentrated on browsing this morning until Sana Sana broke the peace. She started swinging her trunk as she walked along the road and then settled on some loose soil on the side of the road to play. Kauro also started playing with Mundusi and later with Kithaka, who had decided to join the dependent orphans this morning. 

The dependent orphans walked to the mud bath around noon with Larro, Mukkoka, Naboishu, Musiara and Sattao in the lead. They just decided to have their milk bottles today and didn’t bother wallowing in the mud bath. There were a few wild bulls having water there too, and some of the orphans like Ambo, Karisa and Jotto decided to share water with them at the water troughs. 

It was a very hot afternoon, and we could see all the orphans concentrating on browsing to fill their tummies. All in all, the juniors seemed to enjoy browsing however, despite the hot weather. Later they walked back to the safety of the stockades for the night and to have their last milk bottles of the day. Yatta and Wendi with the other ex-orphans were also around, as were some wild elephants.

16 March 2022

The dependent orphans had their breakfast milk bottles before coming out of their night stockades and walking down to the lucerne feeding area. There were some wild bulls at the water trough, with Olsekki standing in between them. 

Out in the bush it was obvious that everyone was trying to find enough food to eat before they had to go to the mud bath for their milk bottles. Larro and Mukkoka browsed happily together. Kamok, Dololo, Mteto and Nabulu were busy rolling and playing in the sandy soil along the road. Karisa and Malima also stopped to play on the road, before getting up and deciding to lead everyone towards the feeding area near the mud bath.

While the orphans were at the mud bath a few wild elephants also arrived to drink water. The orphans decided not to wallow in the main mud bath, which being full of water is slightly colder than other smaller bodies of water, so they decided to walk to the nearby smaller muddy puddle on the roadside to splash themselves with mud instead. Nabulu played in the water and decided to scratch her bottom against the edge of the muddy puddle, which the orphans have eroded into being quite a substantial little mud bath area now that lots of other animals like kudus enjoy, and lots of birds too. Slowly the orphans walked off along the road to continue browsing in the bush. A bit later they decided to find some shade to shelter under as it was a very hot afternoon. Musiara, Sattao and Dololo were browsing together and it was sweet to see Musiara resting with his trunk on Dololo. Just before 5pm Nabulu led the herd back home in the evening.

Some ex-orphans were in the stockade this evening including Wendi, Yatta, Galana, Lenana and Nasalot. Mutara's group arrived later and was welcomed with lots of happy trumpeting and rumbling. Mutara’s baby is looking wonderful and healthy and is very active.

17 March 2022

The stockade compound was very full this morning with ex-orphans, wild elephants and all the milk dependant orphans of course. The milk dependant orphans had their milk and walked out to join their older friends. Mutara and her baby Mambo were there, along with Yatta, Wendi, Nasalot and Lenana and their babies too. As there were so many elephants, eventually the dependent orphans decided to walk out to the bush to browse, leaving behind the ex-orphans and wild elephants.

Out in the bush Dololo and some of his friends like Musiara and Sattao started playing by scooping and tossing some soil chunks in the air and some their backs. The rest of the orphans browsed and just before 11am, Larro led the herd to the mud bath for their milk bottles. It was a very hot day again and today the orphans decided to all wallow in the main mud bath after having their milk. Malkia, Kuishi, and Sana Sana all kept a close watch on Larro, Mukkoka and Naboishu. All the orphans were really enjoying the water. Nabulu was the afternoon’s leader, and directed everyone in the direction they would take to browse for the rest of the day. Pare took a break from browsing to play fight with Jotto. 

Mutara and her small group arrived at the compound in the early afternoon and the Keepers gave them some lucerne to feed on. Lualeni and Naserian also arrived with their babies. It was very interesting to witness that both Lulu and Lexi were breastfeeding from their mum Lualeni at the same time. We were surprised to see Lulu still breastfeeding now she is older and Lualeni has another baby, but Lualeni must not let Lulu suckle too much, or there wouldn’t be enough for Lexi. 

18 March 2022

This morning was quite different to yesterday, as there were very few other wild elephants in the compound. There were a few ex-orphans and only a small number of wild bulls that we could see. The dependent orphans had their morning breakfast bottles and then walked down to the lucerne feeding area for their supplement food. They enjoyed their morning slightly more today as only Mutara and Yatta’s herds joined them. In fact, Mutara and Yatta decided to join the orphans out in the bush when the orphans decided to leave for the day. Sunyei with her babies Siku and Saba were with them too, along with naughty Wendy and her baby Wema. A bit later in the morning, the ex-orphans separated from the youngsters and walked off into the bush. Enkikwe and Sapalan decided to follow them, but they arrived back at the compound later in the evening after the others had finished their bottles and gone to bed. 

While out in the bush, Pare was playing in some soil which he scooped and tossed in the air, before walking off to greet Karisa. Musiara and Larro were socializing with one another as Kuishi stood close by, watching over them.

When the orphans arrived at the mud bath there were a few wild bulls there. The orphans decided not to mud wallow today, and just had their milk bottles and some water, before going back to browsing. Sana Sana decided to have a quick dust bath before rejoining her friends.

Malkia was seen breaking big branches off trees for food, and as a result a few of the youngsters like Larro, Mukkoka, Ambo and Sattao were around her to share her bounty. It was very hot and some of the orphans were hiding under whatever shade they could find. Later, Mukkoka and Roi led the herd back home in the evening for their milk bottles and to go to bed for the night. We had a large group of wild bulls who came to drink water at the stockade water troughs this evening.

19 March 2022

It was back to being a busy morning today as we had a big group of wild elephants and more ex-orphans who visited us this morning, including Yatta and Mutara’s herds. The dependent orphans had their milk bottles and walked down as usual for some lucerne and to interact with the ex-orphans and wild elephants there. Lualeni and her two babies were also around with Lulu competing with Lexi on who could breastfeed from their mum. In the end Lexi started playing with Yogi instead. Mulika was there with Mwende and Mkuu too. The large pack of 16 wild dogs came by for water and then ran off into the bush, as Makena, Olare and Chaimu ran and chased them away. 

Out in the bush the dependent orphans happily browsed the whole morning, with Siangiki sticking close to Larro and Maramoja to Musiara, Naboishu and Mukkoka. 

At the mud bath the orphans had their noon milk bottle and then walked to the mud bath - it was very hot today and they all wallowed peacefully there without being disturbed by any ex-orphans or wild elephants. Only a few wild bulls were playing on the opposite side of the mud wallow, others were tired and resting in the shade of the trees beside the mud bath. Some of the orphans went to play on the pile of loose soil, and Sapalan seemed to enjoy playing there the most. Esampu joined him and then all the dependent orphans started to file back out to the bush to continue with their afternoon of browsing.

Larro and Mukkoka chose to browse together side by side. It was very hot and some of the orphans chose simply to rest in the shade. Kamok and Malkia shared some shade from the same tree, but not far away Jotto and Ambo were playing and wrestling with each other. Larro led the herd back home in the evening for their milk bottles. 

When the orphans returned home, Wendi and her second-born baby Wema were there with a few wild elephants. They had some water and then walked off into the bush.

20 March 2022

Mutara's herd and her her baby Mambo joined the orphans for lucerne this morning. Mambo looks very active and is so playful. Moreover, he is very friendly and lovable too! He knows all his nannies and he looks completely relaxed and happy in their company. When they were done feeding on lucerne, the orphans walked out to the bush.

Jotto was in a playful mood and was lying and rolling on the ground. Wanjala was also playing separately to Jotto. Pare started playing with Wanjala and climbing on him while he was on the ground. 

When it was time for their noon milk feed, the orphans walked to the mud bath area. They drank their share of milk and had some water. A group of wild bulls were drinking at the mud bath too. The orphans interacted a little with them when sharing water with them at the troughs, but then they started walking off to continue with their afternoon of browsing. 

It was another very hot afternoon and some of the orphans chose to spend most of their afternoon resting in the shade. Mukkoka and Larro browsed together while everyone else was scattered about. Later, Malima and Dololo led the herd back home in the evening.

At the stockades today we were visited by a big herd of wild elephants, and Nasalot with her two babies were among them. Nasalot was busy feeding on lucerne with her two babies and later another two wild bulls came to join them.

21 March 2022

It is getting ever drier in the area, exemplified by the many numbers of elephants spending so much of their day drinking water at the stockade and at the mud bath. It is becoming so very hot and most of the elephants are opting to feed during the night and early morning hours and relax under trees during the heat of the day from midday onwards. 

The orphans left their stockades early as usual and settled for their lucerne supplements. Larro and Mukkoka shared their lucerne and when it came for them to head out for the day it was Larro who took the lead. Given that it is so dry at the moment, the orphans had no time to play but concentrated mostly on browsing. 

Shortly before mud bath time, Musiara and Ambo had a disagreement that turned into a fight. We aren’t sure what their fight was about but eventually the Keepers went over to separate them and make them go their separate ways. The orphans joined more than forty wild bulls who had come to drink water at the mud bath. Esampu, Jotto, Nabulu and Mukkoka are the only ones who decided to get into the water and enjoy a brief mud bath before joining their friends who had opted for a soil dusting exercise instead. 

Lemoyian joined the dependent orphans in the afternoon and had a pushing game with Rapa, but Rapa decided to quit when the going got too tough for him. In the evening, Esampu, Mteto, Sapalan and Enkikwe slipped past their friends and disappeared, only to show up at the compound shortly before midnight in the company of the ex-orphans. 

22 March 2022

Soon after finishing their morning milk, the dependent orphans joined the ex-orphans and wild elephants outside the stockades as they patiently waited for lucerne. It has become the norm these days driven by the current dry conditions that both ex-orphans and wild elephants visit the stockades every morning for a special breakfast. Ndiwa, Esampu and Karisa tried to make friends with baby Lexi who appeared totally indifferent. The three eventually got tired of trying to befriend Lexi and Karisa decided to lead the dependent orphans out to begin their day. Mteto, Sapalan, Enkikwe and Esampu decided to stay behind as they were still enjoying the company of the ex-orphans. 

The orphans had a quiet morning as they crisscrossed the bush trying to get enough food for the day. At mud bath time, Enkikwe, Esampu, Wanjala and Sapalan didn't turn up for their noon bottles as they were out there with the ex-orphans learning a thing or two about living in the wild. A lot of wild bulls occupied the water trough drinking water beside the mid bath. Malima and Sattao displayed their bravery by walking up and joining the huge wild bulls there to have some water too. The bulls didn't bother the orphans but allowed them to share water with them. 

In the afternoon, the dependent orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. It was very hot and the orphans decided to take a break by relaxing under some trees, but they resumed browsing later when it became a bit cooler. In the evening, as usual lots of wild elephants and ex-orphans reported to the stockade compound for water. Noticeable were mothers with their babies, Naserian and Njema, Mutara and Mambo, Sunyei and Saba and Nasalot with Noah. The late-night gang didn't turn up tonight.

23 March 2022

Mulika, Mwende, Mkuu, Taita, Chemi Chemi, Naserian, Njema, Mutara, baby Mambo, Sities, Turkwel, Suguta, Chaimu, Galana, Gawa, Yatta, Yoyo and Yetu joined the dependent orphans to feed on lucerne this morning. Sattao and Musiara tried to play with Mkuu but his older sister Mwende wouldn't allow it and pushed the two boys away. The two young boys fled but they decided not to give up. They waited nearby, keeping an eye on Mwende's movements so that they could jump at the opportunity to play with Mkuu as soon as Mwende’s back was turned. This never happened however as Mwende was too smart for that and had anticipated Musiara and Sattao’s next move, and she stuck very close to her little brother! 

The dependent orphans headed southeast while the ex-orphans headed west. When a male lesser kudu emerged from the thicket, Mundusi, Pare, Jotto and Dololo were the first to spot it and decided to show the kudu that they rule the bush. The four boys charged in unison and drove the kudu out of their way. The kudu disappeared the moment it saw the boys approaching however, bringing the drama to an abrupt end. 

Later in the morning, Pare engaged Jotto in a strength testing match. Pare won and decided to demonstrate his victory in the usual manner by climbing on the back of the looser, who in this case happened to be Jotto. Challa joined the orphans at the mud bath around noon and had water with them before parting ways. Several wild bulls attended the mud bath and the number kept on growing while the orphans were there; eventually they decided to walk to the roadside mud bath instead, to give enough space for the wild bulls at the main waterhole. 

The orphans spend the rest of the afternoon west of Ithumba Hill. Kuishi, Malkia and Sana Sana teamed up to browse while Esampu, Malima, Mteto and Musiara moved a distance away from their friends and settled to browse there. The rest of the group took a break from feeding and only resumed later on when the temperature dropped to a more favourable level. 

24 March 2022

Soon after the orphans were let out this morning, Ambo decided to take a short cut to the lucerne store where he tried to open the gate. It was locked and he couldn't manage to open it, so instead of leaving empty handed Ambo stretched his trunk in between the gap of the metal bars and tried to grab some lucerne that way. The Keepers arrived however and told Ambo to walk down to join his friends and wait patiently like them. Shortly later, the ex-orphans led by Yatta arrived and settled to share lucerne with the orphans. As soon as the lucerne was finished, the herd walked down to wash down the lucerne with some fresh water from the trough. Minutes later a buffalo showed up and forced its way through for a drink at the water trough too. Jotto, Malima, Olsekki and Mundusi tried to charge at the buffalo but the buffalo didn’t care at all, as he was obviously very thirsty. He just stood his ground and took as much water as he needed. Lualeni and her two daughters just watched and decided not to interfere with the buffalo. 

When it was time to head out the herd split into three groups. The dependent orphans headed west, Mutara, Mambo, Sities, Suguta, Kainuk, Turkwel, Chaimu and Kalama headed south west, while Yatta and her team headed east. Sana Sana teamed up with Naboishu to browse while Maramoja teamed up with her usual favourite Musiara. Enkikwe decided not to leave with the late-night gang but stayed with the juniors today. Jotto had a disagreement with Sapalan that resulted into a pushing game. Kamok, who was feeding close by, decided to sort them out by separating the two boys. 

When it was time for their noon milk feed, Naboishu drank his milk then left immediately for the roadside mud bath. Larro decided to stick around to check whether she might receive an extra bottle today. Later in the afternoon the orphans were joined by Yatta’s herd again, but the group parted ways an hour later. The orphans browsed calmly throughout the remaining part of the day. 

25 March 2022

It was a quiet morning with less wild elephants who decided to come for water. Noticeable among those that did decide to come by today was ex-orphan Tomboi, and a wild herd that had a one week old baby. Malima walked close to the baby and briefly stretched her trunk out to say hello, but she didn’t stay long as she was worried about being pushed away by the mother. To avoid any embarrassment, Malima left and continued feeding on lucerne. Mutara and her herd, who rarely miss the morning distribution of supplement lucerne, arrived in good time and settled to enjoy the lucerne with the dependent orphans. After feeding on lucerne, Naboishu and Sapalan walked down to the water trough to drink water. Shortly later, they were joined by Sana Sana and Karisa. 

The sky was clear and this meant that it would be a hot day a head. The orphans settled to browse in the Kone area. Due to the heat, they decided not to mess around this morning, but concentrated on browsing under those trees with nice shade. 

At mud bath time, the orphans were joined by Yatta’s ex-orphan herd who they had missed this morning. Sattao teamed up with Tomboi and they went into the water together. Sattao really enjoyed the company of the older orphan, now living wild, and copied everything Tomboi was doing in the water. Shortly later, Karisa joined them too. Pare decided to have a soil dusting exercise as the rest of the herd left for the roadside mud bath instead. 

In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in between Imenti and Ithumba Hill. Enkikwe, Sapalan and Rapa did what they know best these days: the three boys decided not to stay with their friends since they think that they are very grown up now. They sneaked away from their friends and left to an unknown location, and later reported back to the stockades shortly after six o'clock in the evening. They made their way through the many wild elephants and ex-orphans that had flooded the stockade compound, up into the night stockades. A total of one hundred and twenty elephants were just outside the compound this evening, as the three boys were ushered into their stockade for another night. 

26 March 2022

The wild bull known as Dad with several of his wild friends arrived at the stockade compound early before dawn. At that time, there was no water in the water troughs as it had been finished during the night. At dawn, the water bowser arrived with more water and the troughs were replenished. Dad and his friends enjoyed quenching their thirst and left shortly afterwards at their own pleasure. Two wild herds joined the dependent orphans to feed on lucerne soon after they were let out of their night stockades. Mutara, Mambo, Turkwel, Sities, Suguta, Kainuk, Chaimu, Kalama, Kilaguni, Bomani, Kithaka, Garzi, Lemoyian and Orwa were also present. Naboishu threatened one of the wild youngsters with consequences if she dared touch his lucerne. The wild girl didn’t heed Naboiushu’s warning and approached closer, so Naboishu made his threats real and pushed her away. The young girl walked away and rejoined her mother. The groups dispersed as soon as the lucerne was depleted. Naboishu lagged behind with Turkwel and Suguta, enjoying the attention from the two older females. The two girls escorted Naboishu to join his friends then returned to resume their role as Mambo's nannies. 

Later in the morning, Pare decided to engage Sapalan in a pushing game that lasted for quite sometime. Kamok intervened and brought their game to an end by separating the two boys. The rest of the herd concentrated on browsing until mud bath time when Ambo led the first group down for the midday bottle feeds. Ex-orphans Wendi, Wema, Lenana, Lapa, Nasalot, Noah, Nusu, Yatta, Yoyo, Yetu, baby Yogi, Ithumbah, Sunyei, Siku and Saba showed up at the mud bath in the company of some wild bulls. The orphans decided to have their milk and leave immediately as they felt there were too many older elephants at the main mud bath, and they headed for the roadside mud bath instead. 

In the afternoon the orphans settled to browse west of the Ithumba Hill. Given that it was so hot, the orphans took a break from feeding to relax under some trees with nice shade, resuming to browse later when the temperature dropped to a more favourable level. 

27 March 2022

Heavy clouds covered the sky this morning. This is an indication of the rainy season drawing closer, if at we will get any at all! Due to climate change, the seasons are becoming unpredictable, and this is very worrying. Lualeni, Lexi and Lulu were sleeping comfortably outside the stockade compound when they were awoken by the commotion of the orphans as they had their first milk feed and were let out to begin their day. Ndiwa, Mteto and Esampu headed straight to greet Lulu and Lexi. The orphans settled for lucerne with Lualeni and her family. A few other wild bulls joined in briefly but left after tasting the lucerne and not enjoying it. Naboishu was the first one to have enough lucerne and he walked to one of the water troughs and helped himself with enough water that would see him throughout the entire morning. 

Out in the bush Karisa held a brief meeting with Pare, about what we are not sure, but soon after their discussion the two boys had a friendly pushing match. Kainuk emerged from nowhere and separated the two boys. Karisa headed for a soil dusting exercise while Pare moved to tackle Jotto. Sana Sana and Malkia teamed up with Mukkoka and Larro to browse together. Lualeni and her family joined the orphans again when they were in the Kanziku area and accompanied them to the mud bath. Lualeni passed through where the orphans were being fed and, unknowingly to the Keepers, grabbed an empty milk bottle thinking that it had milk in it… or perhaps she just felt like being mischievous! The Keepers moved swiftly and confiscated the milk bottle from her. Lulu didn't know what was happening between her mother and the Keepers and so ran a head of her mother! In the afternoon the orphans were joined briefly by Wendi, Wema and Galana. In the evening, all the dependent orphans returned safely to the stockades for the night. 

28 March 2022

Two wild herds joined the orphans to feed on lucerne this morning. Among them were three tiny babies accompanying their mothers and Malkia, Sana Sana, Mteto, Esampu and Malima took their time to play with the young babies. Their interaction ended when the wild mothers rumbled signalling to their herd that it was time to go. The girls saw the babies off and hoped that they might show up another day. The orphans left shortly after the wild herd left and settled to browse in the Kone area. They had a quiet morning until they were joined by Mutara’s herd. Nabulu, Larro and Maramoja tried to interact with baby Mambo but the security was so tight as Suguta, Sities, Turkwel and Kainuk didn't allow the young girls to come close to Mambo, building a tight wall around the little boy. Maramoja, Nabulu and Larro were disappointed and walked away hoping that Mambo might soon be big enough to decide who he wants to play with himself. 

As the orphans made their way to the mud bath for their milk bottles, they were joined by Lualeni, Lulu, Lexi, Njema, Naserian, Narok, Chaimu, Makena, Wendi, Wema, Sunyei, Siku, Saba, Lapa, Lenana, Yatta, Yoyo, Yogi, Yetu and Kalama. The orphans had their milk then headed straight back out to browse. Before they left, Nabulu had a disagreement with Lulu when Lulu tried to block Nabulu from greeting Saba. Nabulu warned Lulu that if it wasn't her mother standing close by, she would have taught her a lesson that she would never forget. Nabulu walked off but not without smacking Lulu with her trunk! The afternoon was a quiet one as the orphans concentrated mostly on browsing. 

29 March 2022

Kilaguni, Mutara, Mambo, Sities, Turkwel, Kainuk, Suguta, Kalama and Chaimu joined the orphans to feed on lucerne in the morning. Mutara has been wise all along and has never moved far away from the stockades. She is always at the stockades every morning to get some lucerne that will help her have enough milk for her son. Whenever she is in need of water, sometimes she leaves her son with her lieutenants Sities, Suguta, Turkwel and Kainuk who she really trusts, Suguta being the senior of all three.

Out in the bush Sapalan settled to browse with Karisa and later teamed up with Jotto in a rolling game. Mutara and her team joined the orphans for browsing. Ndiwa got the rare opportunity to say hello to Mambo, as Sana Sana spent the better part of the morning browsing with Naboishu. Mutara and her team escorted the orphans to the mud bath. None of the orphans dared to touch the mud bathing water today and after having their milk, the orphans headed to the roadside mud bath. Mutara took her team for soil dusting exercise and thereafter followed the dependent orphans. 

The afternoon was quiet and shortly before returning to the stockades in the evening, Enkikwe, Esampu, Sapalan and Rapa went missing. The four orphans returned later and joined their friends in the stockade. Musiara and Dololo, who never see eye to eye with each other for some reason, became locked in a fight as each wanted to be first in line on the way back to the stockades. The two have never had a clear winner amongst themselves though; their fights always end in a draw. Only when one of them might emerge victorious will there be more respect between the two of them, until then, their drama will continue!

30 March 2022

In the morning, a wild baby was in the water trough with her mother standing by its side. It appears the rest of the group had left in the early hours, but the mother refused to leave her baby behind. Using a tractor and a truck, the mother was moved a distance away so the baby could be pulled out. The Keepers acted as quickly as possible and the baby was safely retrieved from the water trough. The tractor and the truck drove off, allowing the mother to reunite with her baby. 

A crazy wild bull emerged from nowhere and without any reason started nearly kicking the baby. Suguta tried to intervene, but the wild bull was very strong. The Keepers decided to step in and drove the wild bull away. The wild mother was provided with some lucerne which she was very grateful for. Sapalan, Mukkoka, Kithaka and Sities walked down to join the wild mother. Later, Yatta and her herd showed up and joined the wild mother – this is clearly her first baby and she is a little inexperienced so perhaps our ex-orphans, who have quite a number of babies between them now, imparted some wisdom with her. 

The orphans settled to browse in the Kone area where Musiara and Ambo engaged in a strength testing exercise that ended in a draw. Karisa had a brief meeting with Kuishi, but no one had any idea what they were discussing. Later, Karisa decided to have fun by rolling on the ground. Kauro took advantage of this and decided to climb on Karisa’s back. Kithaka played with Jotto while Dololo challenged Mundusi. The temperature was moderate as the orphans made their way to the mud bath, so they had their milk, some water and shortly afterwards returned to browsing. A buffalo who was wandering in the bushes got the attention of the orphans. Rapa, Nabulu, Sattao, Pare and Esampu ganged up and decided to charge at it! The buffalo decided to avoid all this drama by opting to run away, so the orphans quickly got bored and went back to browsing rather than pursuing the buffalo. Yatta and her herd showed up again in the evening at the stockades, but and left shortly after having enough water. 

31 March 2022

Ambo took a short cut to the lucerne store soon after the orphans were let out. This is a habit he has developed recently, but the Keepers informed Ambo that he should walk down and join his friends to wait for lucerne the usual way, as by taking a short cut he might teach some of the others the same bad manners and they will just all come straight to the store each morning. Ambo walked reluctantly down to join his friends to wait for the Keepers to distribute the lucerne out. 

Kauro ran into trouble with Kalama when he refused to share his lucerne with her. Kalama pushed Kauro for refusing to part with his share, but Kauro saw no need in sharing since there was so much lucerne on the ground and he thought Kalama ought to find her own share. Shortly later, Yatta and her herd arrived. As it started to get busier the orphans opted to give space to their seniors and left one by one as they headed towards the area known as Kone. 

The orphans had a quiet morning as they concentrated mostly on browsing. Mutara and her security team arrived and joined the orphans to browse. The security team that included Sities, Suguta, Kainuk and Turkwel didn't allow the orphans anywhere close to Mambo! Nabulu and Esampu tried to go round and round to access Mambo, but they didn't succeed.  

At mud bath time the orphans skipped the wallowing session again after finishing their milk. They walked to settle to browse in the Kanziku area as they waited for rains that are becoming rather elusive. Only time will tell when the rains will come, or if we get any. In the evening, Sapalan teamed up with the late-night gang and only came back to the stockades late in the evening.