01 May 2014

The sky was clear as the orphans left the stockade. Led by Laragai, the orphans settled for lucerne. Shortly later, Mutara led the way to the browsing field. The orphans settled at kone area where they browsed calmly till eleven o’clock in the morning, again Laragai led the first group, this time to the mud bath. There, only Bongo fully enjoyed the wallow. The orphans later engaged in some soil dusting before returning back to the browsing field. The orphans settled at the slopes of the Ithumba hill where they browsed till evening.

02 May 2014

The orphans settled for lucerne soon after leaving the stockade. During the feeding Shukuru and Kainuk decided to scratch on the nearby rocks. Shortly later a junior wild bull joined the orphans. After a while Kanjoro led the way to the browsing field. Throughout the entire day the junior wild bull continued to enjoy the company of the orphans and in the evening, he escorted the juniors back to the stockade and eventually disappeared into the bush.

03 May 2014

This morning, whilst eating lucerne, the juniors were joined by yet another wild bull. They all shared the lucerne until Mutara decided to lead everyone to the browsing field. The bull then went to drink water and soon headed off on his own. An hour later, Suguta, Chemi Chemi, Naisula, Murka and Sabachi made a brief appearance as they passed by the stockade. During mud bath time all the orphans got into the water to wash and cool their feet. Only Laragai, Bongo, Narok and Kanjoro took their time, fully engaging themselves in the wallowing exercises. The afternoon was quiet as the orphans went on with their browsing.

04 May 2014

The orphans left the stockade early as per usual. Led by Mutara, the juniors settled for lucerne. As the others were feeding on lucerne, Shukuru was busy scratching on the nearby rocks. Later, Kanjoro led the way to the browsing field. Half an hour after the juniors had left for browsing, the ex orphans, in the company of three wild elephants reported at the stockade to quench their thirst. These included; Yatta, Mulika, Nasalot, Kinna, Taita, Galana, Sunyei, Buchuma, Naserian, Rapsu, Challa, Sidai, Orok, Kora, Loijuk, Ithumbah, Kilabasi, Lenana, Chyulu, Makena, Meibai, Mwende and Yetu.

05 May 2014

It was a quiet morning as the orphans ventured out of the stockade. Shukuru as usual was doing her rounds, scratching on the nearby rocks, waiting the group to finish. The weather was chilly during the morning at mud bath time and only Bongo was brave enough to try the water. The others returned to the browsing field after taking milk and water, Bongo followed them a while later. In the evening, Mulika, Mwende who is now developing her tusks, Nasalot, Meibai, Makena, Loijuk, Taita, Orok with two wild elephants showed up at the stockade for a short visit. At six o’clock in the evening, it started to drizzle and 2.5mm of rain had been welcomingly received.

06 May 2014

It was still drizzling early in the morning as the orphans left the stockade. Briefly they nibbled the lucerne before Mutara led the way to the browsing field. The drizzling ended at around nine o’clock in the morning with another 4mm of rain received. The orphans browsed calmly up to mud bath time, when Laragai led the first group to the mud bath. The weather was chilly at that time and the orphans returned to the browsing field immediately after taking their milk. The rest of the afternoon was quiet.

07 May 2014

Shortly after the orphans had left for browsing, Galana, Sunyei, Wendi, Lenana, Rapsu and a wild elephant showed up at the stockade, drank and quickly headed off again. The weather was still chilly this morning. The orphans concentrated on browsing and at the mud bath no one dared venture into the cold, muddy water. Instead they only drank their milk and then bumbled off to the browsing field.

08 May 2014

A quiet morning as the orphans strolled nonchalantly out from the stockade. Soon after feeding on lucerne, Shukuru led the way to the browsing field. At ten o’clock in the morning, Mulika, Mwende, Nasalot, Wendi, Makena and Tomboi showed up at the stockade. At mud bath time, the orphans enjoyed their milk and water after which they returned back to the browsing field. The orphans settled to browse at kanziku area for the rest of the day. We were lucky enough to have some more drizzle in the evening, giving us a further 2mm of rain.

09 May 2014

It was a chilly and windy morning. The orphans settled for lucerne and later left for browsing. As soon as the orphans entered into the browsing field, it again started drizzling. The drizzling went on for the entire day, providing the area with 5mm of rain. The orphans had a quiet and calm day.

10 May 2014

Another cold day as the orphans left for browsing. The orphans settled at kone area where they browsed without any major incidents. The orphans attended mud bath at eleven o’clock in the morning and thereafter returned back to the browsing field. They settled at the slopes of the ithumba hill where they browsed till evening, time for returning back to the stockade. On the way back to the stockade, Bongo and Kanjoro dodged the keepers. The keepers had a long search before finally finding these two mischievous orphans, consequently they were late returning to the stockade.

11 May 2014

The sky was clear in the morning. This was an indication that the drizzle had moved on and that we would have a hot day ahead of us. The orphans settled to browse at kalovoto area. At ten o’clock in the morning, the temperatures skyrocketed forcing the orphans to feed under the trees in the shade. At mud bath time, as it was so hot, that all the orphans participated in wallowing, enjoying a refreshing cooling off. Later, Mutara led the way back to the browsing field.

12 May 2014

The orphans settled for lucerne in the morning and later left for browsing in kanziku area. At mud bath time, the weather was had gone back to being chilly and therefore only Bongo entered the muddy wallow. The rest quenched their thirst and then led by Makireti, returned back to the browsing field. On the way back to the stockade in the evening, the orphans once again passed by the mud bath where they benefited from an evening mud bath. Late in the evening, Kamboyo and Madiba showed up at the stockade with two wild bulls.

13 May 2014

It was another quiet morning as the orphans strolled unflappably out from the stockade. After feeding on lucerne for about half an hour, Mutara led the way to the browsing field. At ten o’clock in the morning, the juniors were joined by Suguta, Melia, Tumaren, Sabachi, Kilaguni, Chaimu, Olare, Kibo, Naisula, Kalama, Kitirua and Murka. This group, often spend many days away from the stockade, so it was lovely to see them engaging with the younger elephants. An hour later, Suguta and her group said their goodbyes and ventured off into the bush. The group was missing Ishanga, Kasigau, Kilabasi, Kandecha and Chemi Chemi as they did not make an appearance.

14 May 2014

Shortly after the orphans left for browsing in the morning, Galana, Sunyei, Wendi, Lenana, Rapsu and a wild elephant came to the stockade for water. After which, Galana led the way back to the browsing field. Half an hour later, a wild herd came to drink but did not stay too long. At the morning mud bath time, only Bongo and Laragai participated in wallowing. However, later in the evening on the way back to the stockade, the other orphans also frolicked in the sludgy water.

15 May 2014

The sky was clear as the orphans left the stockade. As usual they enjoyed the lucerne and then left for browsing. The orphans settled at kone area for the entire morning and surprisingly, at mud bath time none of the orphans were interested in wallowing; they only drank their milk and water before returning to the browsing field. It was a quiet, uneventful day today.

16 May 2014

As per usual the orphans chomped the lucerne soon after exiting the stockade. Shortly later, Mutara led the way to the browsing field at kanziku area. At mud bath time, only Bongo, Laragai, Mutara and Sities took advantage of the wallowing exercise. The rest drank and splashed water behind their ears before leaving for browsing. Shortly later, the ex orphans Yatta, Yetu, Wendi, Nasalot, Galana, Tomboi, Kinna, Mulika, Mwende, Sidai, Naserian, Makena, Chyulu, Lenana, Challa, Kamboyo, Sunyei, Kora, Meibai, Zurura, Buchuma, Ithumbah and a wild bull attended mud bath. Once they were through, the ex orphans headed towards the slopes of the Ithumba hill. Interestingly, they showed up at the stockade later in the evening.

17 May 2014

It was a quiet morning as the orphans ate the lucerne. Later, Mutara led the way to the browsing field, where they settled at kone area. At the mud bath hour, the sun was hot, enticing all the orphans to wallow. Laragai, Mutara, Kanjoro and Turkwel enjoyed the experience so much that they continued long after the others had withdrawn. Later Turkwel, Shukuru and Kanjoro scratched against the nearby acacia trees before everyone walked back to the browsing field. In the evening, the temperatures where still high so the orphans passed by the mud bath, for a second time to cool off. The same group of ex orphans who reported yesterday, again showed up at the stockade in the afternoon, this time with no less than seven wild elephants in their company. This is an indication that the start of the long dry season may be upon. It seems the natural waterholes used by the wild elephants are drying up.

18 May 2014

Laragai followed by Narok led the way out of the stockade. The orphans settled for lucerne and were later led away by Shukuru. Two hours after the juniors had left for browsing, Lualeni, Madiba, Orok, Taita, Loijuk, Sabachi, Ololoo, Kilaguni, Kasigau, Kilabasi and Chaimu reported at the stockade. This small group had been away for several days so it was wonderful that they spent the entire morning at the stockade compound. At mud bath time, only Kanjoro, Bongo and Mutara mud bathed. Later the group enjoyed some soil dusting near the road before disappearing into the nearby thickets. In the evening, soon after the orphans had arrived back at the stockade, clouds gathered and within an hour, a heavy down pour was received. A refreshing 20 mm of rain was received.

19 May 2014

It was a cold morning as the orphans left the stockade and settled for lucerne. Shukuru and Laragai, spent some time scratching on the nearby rocks. Later Mutara led the way to the browsing field and at mud bath time, as the weather was chilly and the orphans only drank the milk and water before returning back to the browsing field. In the evening at around four o’clock, light showers were received.

20 May 2014

The juniors left the stockade early at six o’clock in the morning. They settled on lucerne and later passed at the stockade water trough where they drank water before heading off to browse at kanziku area. At ten o’clock in the morning, Turkwel took pleasure in rolling around on the ground for fun! At mud bath time, Laragai led the first group while Sities led the second one. At this time, the weather was chilly and the orphans only took milk then water before proceeding back to the browsing field. At around four o’clock in the afternoon, Mutara followed Turkwel’s earlier lead and had her own game of rolling on the ground, as she was watched intently by her colleagues.

21 May 2014

Today, the orphans left immediately for the bush after feeding on lucerne. Led by Mutara, the juniors settled to browse at kone area. The day was relatively hot so at mud bath time, all the orphans participated in wallowing. Laragai was the first to quit the wallowing and all the others followed suit. None of the wild elephants or ex orphans showed up at the stockade.

22 May 2014

The orphans left for browsing soon after finishing the lucerne. They settled to browse at kone area but during the mud bath hour, the weather was chilly so the orphans only took milk and water before returning to the browsing field. Shortly later, Sabachi emerged from the nearby bushes looking very weak. He drank water then headed to join the orphans, in the evening, he returned back to the stockade, along with the others. We kept him in the stockade for assessment and treatment. Amazingly enough, at seven o’clock in the evening, Suguta, Olare, Melia, Kandecha, Kibo, Tumaren and Murka came to the stockade. They converged outside the stockade where Sabachi was being kept. Low rumbling tones ensued and shortly later, when the group was satisfied Sabachi was being appropriately looked after, they disappeared into the darkness.

23 May 2014

Suguta, Olare, Melia, Kandecha, Kibo, Tumaren and Murka spent their night very near the stockade and in the morning, they came back to check on their friend Sabachi. At eleven o’clock in the morning, more ex-orphans, including Chemi Chemi, Kalama, Naisula, Ishanga and Kitirua reported at the stockade to check on Sabachi. Later they were joined by Suguta and her small group. After talking to Sabachi, happy that he was in good hands, the group moved off. The orphans had a good day but at mud bath time, the weather was still chilly and only Laragai, Bongo and Narok dared to wallow.

24 May 2014

The juniors settled on lucerne soon after leaving the stockade. Sabachi, who had earlier been admitted into the stockade was feeling slightly better. He didn’t join the juniors as it seemed he feared being pushed by them. Instead, Sabachi settled to feed just close to the stockade as the orphans left to browse in Kanziku area. At mud bath time, the weather was chilly so once again none of the orphans participated in wallowing. In the evening, Suguta, Kitirua, Kibo, Kandecha, Olare, Melia, Murka, Kalama and Tumaren reported at the stockade to check on their colleague Sabachi. They left shortly before dark after extensive communication with him.

25 May 2014

The orphans left for browsing soon after finishing the lucerne. At nine o’clock in the morning Yatta, Yetu, Madiba, Loijuk, Orok, Kamboyo, Galana, Chyulu, Lualeni, Ololoo, Challa, Meibai, Ithumbah, Naserian, Suguta, Olare, Melia, Kibo, Buchuma, Kitirua, Tumaren, Murka, Kalama, Kandecha and three wild elephants came to the stockade. Soon after taking water, the herd headed to mud bath where they met up with the juniors. Soon after, the herd left for browsing with the juniors. An hour later, the group parted ways with the ex orphans, heading to Imenti while the juniors remained at the slopes of the Ithumba hill where they browsed till evening. Shortly before dark the orphans with the wild elephants came to the stockade again.

26 May 2014

In addition to the group that showed up yesterday, Wendi, Sunyei and Taita also came to the stockade in the morning, later, Kasigau, Ishanga and Chemi Chemi, in the company of Madiba also came for water. At mud bath time, even though the sun was hot, only Laragai, Narok and Bongo mud bathed. In the afternoon, it seemed Shukuru was not feeling well. She looked dull, browsed slowly and walked slowly on the way back to the stockade. She was not her active self and refused to take her milk in the evening.

27 May 2014

It was a day with moderate temperatures. Shortly after the orphans settled for lucerne, the ex orphans showed up. Due to the competition on the lucerne, the juniors opted to give the ex orphans some space. Led by Mutara, the juniors settled to browse at kanziku area. At mud bath time, only Bongo wallowed, the rest took milk and water, and then returned back to the browsing field. In the evening a wild herd consisting of ten elephants and two small babies came to drink water at the stockade water trough.

28 May 2014

Olare, Ishanga, Naisula, Kalama and Kitirua spent the night just outside the stockade. In the morning, they checked on Sabachi and joined the juniors on lucerne as well as headed to browse alongside the orphans later in the morning. Chemi Chemi, Kibo, Melia, Suguta, Tumaren and Kandecha also reported at the stockade and soon after taking water, went to join the juniors. Teleki, Bomani and Orwa journeyed down from Nairobi to their new home at Ithumba today. Amazingly enough Suguta group seemed to know that something exciting was about to happen and they hung around to wait for the new babies to arrive. They escorted the babies to the browsing field then disappeared to undisclosed location leaving Kalama, Olare and Naisula behind. Teleki, Bomani and Orwa were so relaxed, such that one wouldn’t know that they had only just arrived in Tsavo! Mutara sniffed them from time to time while Kainuk had a pushing game with Bomani and later Teleki. Shukuru was not friendly to Teleki as she pushed him twice!

29 May 2014

For Orwa, Bomani and Teleki, this was their first morning in Ithumba. Laragai led them up to where they are served with lucerne. The three new babies seemed unperturbed and appeared to have settled in completely. Led by Laragai, the group settled to browse at kanziku area. Lucky enough for the new arrivals, the day was not too hot, as we had cloud cover almost the entire day. It was a day with moderate temperatures. At mud bath time, only Orwa, Bomani, Teleki and Laragai bathed, the rest took milk, water and then returned back to the browsing field. At eleven o’clock in the morning, Murka, Kandecha, Naisula, Tumaren, Kalama, Ishanga, Chemi Chemi, Kibo and Suguta came to see Sabachi. The group wanted to take Sabachi with them but we held him back. Even though Sabachi was willing to go and has grown stronger we wanted to be with him for one more day so as to make sure he is fine and fit to join the wild again.

30 May 2014

At eight o’clock in the morning, the juniors were joined by Suguta and her small group. Later, the group left with a happy Sabachi who has been recovering well. At ten o’clock in the morning, Nasalot joined the juniors at kone area. Nasalot who loves babies came to say hi to the new arrivals. In order to know them better, Nasalot opted to stay with the junior for the entire day. At mud bath time, Bomani opted to play a pushing game with Kainuk; however, Kainuk pushed Bomani so hard such that he opted to run away! At four o’clock in the evening, the orphans were joined by Kilaguni, Ololoo, Chaimu, Kilabasi, Lualeni, Kamboyo, Kasigau and Kenze. An hour later, the ex orphans escorted the orphans back to the stockade. Shortly before six o’clock in the evening, Suguta and her group brought Sabachi back to the stockade where he drank milk and settled down to spend the night in the stockade.

31 May 2014

Suguta, Kasigau, Kilaguni, Chaimu, Kilabasi and Melia came to the stockade in the morning to share the lucerne and collect their Sabachi. Mutara led the juniors to the bush and settled at kone area where they settled to browse. It was a day with moderate temperatures and at mud bath time only Orwa enjoyed the wallowing. In the evening, the ex orphans once again escorted Sabachi back to the stockade where he could drink milk, rest and be cared for by the keepers for yet another night.