After we finally received a bit more rain this month, it was decided that while the grass was green and plentiful and the waterpans were full, it was the optimum time to move three of the Nursery babies to our Ithumba unit. This happened on the last day of the month, and Mapia, Malima and Kuishi arrived just before 11am to a welcoming committee of old friends Malkia, Sana Sana and Ndiwa whom they knew from the Nairobi Nursery.
The sky was partly covered by clouds when the orphans left the stockade and settled for the lucerne pellets. Following the little rain received over the past days, the vegetation is now sprouting and making the orphans happy. After feeding on the pellets, the orphans quietly made their way out to the browsing field. Oltaiyoni and Siangiki walked across a rock and found water that had collected in part of it and started drinking it. The drinking sound drew the attention of the rest of the group who also decided to walk up the rock to have fun and drink the rain water.
The orphans concentrated on browsing up to mud bath time. Wanjala walked off with his last bottle and dropped it down on the way to drink water. Oltaiyoni, who was close by, ran over fast thinking that the bottle had milk in it, but to her disappointment the bottle was empty. Oltaiyoni double checked by lifting it up and putting it in her mouth but nothing came out. She dropped it to the ground and went to drink water. After mud bath, Enkikwe settled to scratch on a nearby tree while Naseku teamed up with Maramoja to browse. Pare decided to have fun by rolling on the ground while Malkia and Rapa competed who amongst them could stretch their trunks the highest to reach the soft leaves. In the late afternoon is was very hot and the orphans, led by Sana Sana headed for an evening cool-off at the mud bath before making their way back to the stockades.
The morning was cloudy as the orphans walked out from the stockades and settled for lucerne pellets. Soon when the pellets were over, the orphans headed out to browse. Sapalan started his day’s activities by scratching his buttocks on a rock. Naseku and Barsilinga came across a muddy water pan. Barsilinga decided to have an early mud bath and soon after he was through, Naseku lay in the mud to play too. Her game attracted Ukame, who came and joined Naseku by scratching on her. Rapa settled to browse with Mteto and at mud bath time, Olsekki led the first group to the mud bath. The sun was hot and all the orphans participated in wallowing. After wallowing the orphans took a break and relaxed under a tree before resuming browsing. The afternoon was quiet as the orphans browsed calmly without any major distractions.
Ndiwa and Sana Sana settled to feed on one pile of lucerne pellets while Lemoyian shared with Maramoja. When the pile was almost finished, Lemoyian pushed Maramoja away so as to enjoy the remaining pellets. Shortly later, the orphans finished the pellets and passed by the water trough to drink water. Sana Sana was not in a hurry and soon lagged behind, scratching on the edge of the water trough, but followed the group later when she was through with her scratching.
Out in the bush, Wanjala and Tusuja came across some water collected on a rock and sipped several times before getting into the serious business of browsing. Mundusi engaged Namalok in a pushing game but ended up losing. At mud bath time, the orphans had their milk and some water, and then had a mud bath before walking back out to browse. Mteto and Maramoja had a brief soil dusting exercise before resuming browsing. The afternoon was quiet and the orphans browsed calmly without any major observation.
The sky was partly covered by clouds when the orphans were let out. The orphans settled for lucerne pellets before heading to Kone area where they settled to browse in the morning. It was a quiet morning as the orphans went about enjoying the lush vegetation which would soon be no more if the rains would not continue. After mud bath time, Sana Sana led the way back out to browse, but on the way she was overtaken by Ndiwa who continued to lead up to the Kalovoto area. The sun was getting hot and the orphans took some time to relax under a tree before resuming to browse. In the evening it was still hot and the orphans passed by the mud bath where they had an evening cool-off. Tusuja, Dupotto and Enkikwe enjoyed it longer than the rest of their friends.
After the morning pellets breakfast, the orphans headed straight to the browsing field. Garzi, Sapalan and Turkwel teamed up together to feed as Ndiwa settled to browse with Ndiwa. Later, Sana Sana took a break from feeding to have a game of rolling on the ground. Olsekki engaged Tusuja in a strength testing exercise that ended in a draw. Wanjala started a game of soil dusting which also attracted Naseku who came and lay in front of him and started enjoying rolling on the ground.
At mud bath time, Pare led Enkikwe and Malkia in the first group while Maramoja led the second one. The normally disciplined Oltaiyoni was tempted to grab a bottle from the ground when she noticed that the Keepers were not watching. She picked up the bottle and started drinking, but Oltaiyoni immediately handed over the balance to the Keepers however when they turned and saw her drinking more than her share.
After the orphans had finished their milk, Karisa led the way into the mud bath. Kauro, Olsekki, Kithaka, Turkwel and Enkikwe dodged the Keepers to avoid the mud bath. Barsilinga and Garzi competed who amongst them could climb the edge of the mud bath fast. Barsilinga won and tried to block Garzi from coming out by engaging him in a pushing game. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill, a place they have not been for some time. In the evening for first time Namalok dodged the Keepers. It took the Keepers nearly one hour to find him. By then all the other orphans had returned back to stockade for yet another night.
The sky was clear as crystal clear this morning with not a single cloud to be seen. This was worrying because even though we have received a little rain around the Ithumba area, there are some areas further south which have not received a single drop of rain. The orphans settled for their supplement pellets. Roi and Dupotto settled to scratch on the only remaining acacia tree in the stockade compound before following their friends who had started walking towards the browsing field. Kauro went to fetch Enkikwe who had received his daily treatment, but to his surprise, Enkikwe warned him not to come any closer but instead wait until he finished his pellets. Kauro didn't heed the warning and continued to walk towards Enkikwe. Enkikwe did not want Kauro near his pellets and mock-charged at Kauro. Kauro was disappointed but since there was nothing he could do, he walked away feeling sad.
Out in the bush, Rapa engaged Galla in a strength testing exercise which lasted for quite some time, but ended when Rapa surrendered. At mud bath time, Esampu led the first group while Maramoja led the second one. Namalok had a fight with Rapa when Rapa tried to dip his trunk in his milk bucket. Namalok would not allow this to happen since Rapa had already had his share. Namalok decided to teach him a lesson by driving him away at high speed. Siangiki escorted her friend Enkikwe to drink water before following their friends who had already left for afternoon browsing. Namalok settled to browse with Sapalan but all over sudden the quiet Sapalan attempted to ride on Namalok. Namalok turned quickly and tackled Sapalan in a pushing game that ended in a draw. This is the same Sapalan who in the past was quiet, slow and wouldn’t hurt a fly! It's good now to see him lively and competing with his fellow bull age-mates.
Soon after drinking her milk, Sana Sana decided to do a warm up exercise of lying down as she waited for the gate to be opened. Malkia stood guard and watched Sana Sana as Mteto stood facing the gate. Soon when the gates were opened, the orphans converged waiting for lucerne pellets not knowing that they were out of stock as the vehicle from the Tsavo HQ with more was delayed. The Keepers tried to call them to lead them to the bush but they were hesitant and unwilling to leave without getting their morning pellets that they have been used to getting, going to show what creatures of habit elephants really are! After having his daily treatment on his leg, Enkikwe even tried to peep in the store to check if the Keepers were lying to them. At last the Keepers managed to persuade them to head to the bush as we wait for more pellets. The morning was hot and the orphans fed under trees that had good shade. Kamok settled to browse with Lemoyian while Turkwel settled to feed with Galla. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse south of Kalovoto and had a quiet time until five o'clock in the evening when Barsilinga led the way back to the stockades.
Orwa, Bomani and Narok reported early before dawn and decided to relax outside the stockade to wait for the orphans. Soon when the gates were opened, the three older orphans rushed into the stockade to check for any leftovers. Unfortunately there was nothing to feed. Narok and Bomani lay down to take a rest but shortly later, stood up and walked out. The three ex-orphans escorted the juniors to the browsing field. Kauro settled to browse with Sapalan as Tusuja engaged Orwa in a light strength testing exercise.
At the noon milk feed, the orphans went to swim after having their bottles. Orwa, Bomani and Narok led the way back to the browsing field. Later in the evening Bomani, Narok and Orwa took nearly half of the orphans without the Keepers seeing, with them. They took Lemoyian, Kithaka, Siangiki, Olsekki, Turkwel, Oltaiyoni, Roi, Tusuja, Namalok, Dupotto, Kamok, Galla and Pare. It took the Keepers quite some time to locate them all and take them back to the stockades.
Soon after the orphans had their morning milk, Mundusi attempted to climb on Mteto. Mteto tried as much as she could to disengage herself from Mundusi and when she succeeded, she walked out and started scratching on the outside wall. The orphans headed straight out to browse again. Karisa settled to browse with Wanjala while Siangiki browsed close to Kamok. Orwa, Narok and Bomani, who had spent the night just close to the fence on the upper side of the stockade, joined the orphans for browsing. The Keepers didn't trust them due to what they did yesterday, and remained extremely vigilant to avoid the scenario of having to walk all over looking for the orphans. Kithaka, Barsilinga and Garzi went on their own way and reported back to the stockades early before five in the evening. The three boys, who avoid being directed by the Keepers, dodge them on an almost daily basis. At mud bath time, the orphans had their milk, mud bath and a brief soil dusting before heading back to the browsing field. The afternoon was quiet and cool as the orphans concentrated on browsing up to five o'clock in the evening when they made their way back to the stockades for the night.
It was a cloudy morning when the orphans left for browsing. Sana Sana, who loves leading, took the group to Kone area where they settled to browse. Ndiwa and Oltaiyoni started their day activities by scratching on trees and rocks. Sapalan, who is very strong these days, engaged Namalok in a strength testing exercise. Now it’s only Dupotto who hasn't put on any weight since it rained, the other orphans are looking healthy and strong. Dupotto's heath started changing when she disappeared for three months with Kelelari and Karisa two years ago. On Several occasions she has been put on some medication, but we are sure she will look better soon with more rain and more food. Olsekki, Mundusi and Maramoja took a break from feeding to have a soil dusting exercise. At mud bath time, Malkia led the first group, Tusuja led the second group while Kauro led the third group. After having their milk, the orphans headed to drink water and since the weather was cold, the orphans returned back to the browsing field without taking a bath. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse along the western slopes of the Ithumba Hill.
Today the orphans woke up in a very active and playful mood. They went to feed on lucerne cubes after having their milk and then walked out to the bush. Barsilinga and Malkia were separately browsing from the rest of the group, while Enkikwe was playing in the dust. It’s quite green now and all the orphans were enjoying the fresh green browse. Turkwel and Dupotto were also browsing separately together. Later the group walked to the mud bath for their milk.
After all the orphans had their milk they walked to the mud bath to wallow in the mud. Namalok was feeding on his milk from the bucket as usual and enjoyed every last drop as he was feeling thirsty. There was one wild bull wallowing in the mud bath as well. The orphans came out and were accompanied by the Keepers back to the bush for browsing.
The dependent orphans carried on happily feeding on the green browse in the afternoon. Barsilinga seemed like he was posing for the Keepers’ camera while browsing and he started play fighting with Garzi. Later the orphans walked back home in the evening for their milk. There was no sign of rain today.
The orphans came out of their respective stables this morning and walked to the Lucerne feeding area after having their milk. They fed on Lucerne and walked down to drink water and later headed to the bush to browse. Barsilinga and Garzi started play fighting while Olsekki was messing around and doing head stands, before also walking out to the bush. Later Olsekki and Rapa started playing while the others were busy browsing. Naseku was standing on a rock to try and reach the fresh green branches of a tree.
Later on in the day close to 11am, Kauro led the herd to the mud bath for their milk bottles. Dupotto and Enkikwe, who are good friends, were standing together under some shade. A slight wind picked up, so the orphans decided not to go in the water. Instead they walked back to the bush to browse after they had some water from the trough. There were also two wild bulls who came to drink water.
Back in the bush, Kauro was scratching his back leg on a tree while other the others sought shelter from the strong sun by browsing in the shade of some trees. Enkikwe was browsing separately while Kamok tried to reach an itchy spot using a tree branch. The herd later made their way back home in the evening for their milk. No other wild elephants or ex-orphans appeared in the stockade compound today.
It was a quiet morning today when the orphans were having their milk bottles. When they were done they walked to eat lucerne before heading to the bush. They were all busy feasting on Lucerne while Kauro and Turkwel scratched on a wall. The orphans started walking to the bush to browse, leaving Barsilinga and Garzi behind play fighting. The two later followed the rest of the herd.
In the bush, Naseku was being funny and scratching her bottom on a tree and later started rolling on the ground. Later on at the mud bath, it was not very hot so the elephants didn’t get into the water. We had one wild bull who came to drink water, which he shared with the orphans. Galla played in the mud bath and started misbehaving and running about. He picked up a stick and started scratching his neck. The other orphans walked to the puddle of water along the road and started playing in it.
When the orphans were making their way back to the stockades in the afternoon, they met with some wild bulls, so they hurried towards the stockades. There was no rain today and we are still waiting for more. Enkikwe is improving day by day but Dupotto still looks a little low in energy.
It was a sad morning for us as we were all in a happy mood feeding the orphans, when a short while later Tomboi arrived looking well and in good condition. He walked straight to the water trough to drink water and later came up to where the Keepers were standing in the compound. Tomboi turned and showed them a spear wound on his side. The Keepers immediately gave him some lucerne to convince him to stay around as they made arrangements to call the SWT/KWS Tsavo Vet. The SWT de-snaring team also arrived after being alerted by the Keepers, and stayed with Tomboi until the Vet arrived around noon. Tomboi was treated and then released to walk off back into the bush.
Meanwhile the dependent orphans carried on with their day, and had some lucerne after their milk. Barsilinga threw some lucerne on his back and head for later. Naseku was playing and rolling on the ground with a full stomach of Lucerne. Out in the bush, Lemoyian was scratching on a tree while the rest were scrambling to search for the freshest vegetation. Turkwel was really enjoying the green fresh pasture and she did not like anyone next to her. The group later walked to the mud bath for their milk bottles.
It was quite hot today so some of the dependent orphans decided to get into the water and swim in a line, led by Sana Sana. Turkwel did not get in but she was rolling on the ground playing with her trunk in the air. The rest came out leaving behind Garzi still playing in the water and scratching his bottom on the walls. A group of wild bulls came in to drink water and later left. The orphans walked back to the bush to browse.
The orphans were busy browsing but Mundusi was also busy playing in a dust bath separately. He later accompanied Lemoyian to the big puddle along the road, and later Turkwel led them back home in the evening for their milk.
At the stockade today, we were visited by some wild bulls who came to drink water. There was no rain today and we do hope and pray we will receive some more to fill up the water basins.
Lemoyian was messing around this morning. He decided to put some Lucerne on his head and keep it for later use. Enkikwe had his leg treated and then he joined the rest of the herd. Barsilinga was playing and rolled around on the ground with some Lucerne on his head as well. Dupotto and Sapalan were feeding on Lucerne next to each other and rumbled with content. Garzi was scratching his bottom on some rocks while Turkwel scratched her belly.
Out in the bush, the orphans were busy browsing with Tusuja, Roi and Kauro each browsing separately. It was not very hot when the orphans went for their noon milk bottles beside the mud bath, so they walked straight to the water trough to have some water, then they made their way back to the bush. They came across a small water hole on the road later on and decided to play in it.
Out in the bush later on the orphans were all busy browsing and Kithaka, Barsilinga, Garzi and Lemoyian were among them too, although they chose to browse slightly separately. Dupotto, Malkia, Rapa, Pare and Kamok started having a dust bath. Enkikwe played in some mud while Barsilinga browsed from a thick bush full of leaves. Later the herd made their way back home in the evening for their milk.
The orphans had their milk and some Lucerne as usual this morning. Sapalan started scratching his bottom and belly while the others were busy feeding. It was quite cloudy and cold this morning and the orphans were not very active.
At mud bath, Ukame was the most playful as she was scratching on the visitors seat. It had already warmed up a bit by this time and the orphans decided to walk into the mud bath and start wallowing. There was also two wild bulls play fighting with each other. The orphans interacted with some wild bulls around the water trough while drinking water, and the bulls actually gave way to the babies first so they could drink before them.
Back in the bush in the afternoon, as the orphans were browsing, Enkikwe came across a small water pool and started playing there separately with Kamok. Roi and Namalok were conversing with each other while Olsekki was busy browsing.
We have noticed recently that Sana Sana is becoming a little mischievous and walking here and there alone without the others or listening to the Keepers very well. She's becoming more restless in the bush and we are making sure we always keep an eye on her, as she is too young to be independent still.
The orphans later walked back home in the evening for their milk.
Some wild elephants visited this evening to drink some water, including a wild female with two babies. They came to drink water and then walked away.
Narok, Orwa and Bomani came in to join the dependent orphans this morning. Wild bulls later came in as well and shared water with the orphans from the same trough.
When the orphans were in the bush, they met with Mutara’s group and started playing with them. Orwa, Bomani and Narok were still with them, and Orwa was playing and rolling on the ground. Roi went on to scratch on a tree while Olsekki and Maramoja were browsing together. Later the orphans walk to the mud bath for their milk.
At the mud bath, Mutara’s group was still with the dependent orphans and now they arrived with Kilaguni, Kasigau and Zurura among them. Kilaguni started play fighting with Zurura. Olsekki helped himself to his milk bottles by picking them up off the ground with his trunk and feeding himself. Suguta drank fresh water direct from the water trucks pipe. Two wild elephants were playing in the mud bath. When they were all done drinking, the orphans walked out back to the bush.
In the afternoon some of the group were busy browsing and others were hiding from the sun in the shade of some trees. They later went to play in a waterhole along the road with Garzi scratching his belly as Kauro and Maramoja played and rolled on the ground. Mutara also joined them. When they finished playing the orphans walked back home for the evening.
It was cool morning today. Mutara came in alone and join the dependent orphans as they walked out to the bush. Garzi was being mischievous and was pulling Lucerne direct from Barsilinga's mouth as he ate.
Out in the bush Rapa was scratching his neck while Dupotto scratched her bottom on a tree. Turkwel was conversing with Kamok and patting her with her trunk, while the others enjoyed the fresh green vegetation. Some of them started playing in the dust as it was quite cold and they wanted to lock in the heat by putting a layer of soil on their bodies. The group later walked to the new mud bath area.
They had their milk as usual with Lemoyian and Olsekki picking up their own bottles like self-service. It was too cold so none of the babied played in the mud bath, they just walked around it with Mutara and went to drink water from the blue drums, and later walked off to begin browsing again. Olsekki and Tusuja started play fighting after they were satisfied with browsing and later Siangiki led the herd back home to the stockades in the evening.
It was another cool morning today and we were visited by Kilaguni, Naisula and Kitirua in the stockade compound, who joined the orphans to feed on lucerne. Mundusi started scratching his bottom on the stockade wall.
Out in the bush during the morning hours, all the babies looked active and were very busy browsing. They didn’t go to the mud bath again today and had their bottles close to the stockades. They were all desperate for their beloved milk formula, and Malkia was stretching to try and reach her milk bottles ahead of time. They all had some water from the stockade water troughs before walking off to eat some more greens in the bush.
Naisula, Kitirua and Kilaguni stayed with the dependent orphans throughout the afternoon. We still need some more rain in this area and we are waiting for more to come. Later on the orphans all walked back home to bed for the night. We saw Tomboi today as well and he is recovering nicely from his spear injury since the Vet treated him.
The orphans today were happy to find that after having their milk bottles, their Lucerne was already put out ready for them to feast on. After a few minutes, Naisula, Kitirua and Kilaguni came in again and joined them. Dupotto spent some time scratching her neck while Kauro rubbed his backside. The orphans walked to the water trough to drink water and then went straight out to the bush to browse.
It was another cold day and the babies concentrated on browsing. Kauro and Sapalan browsed together nicely.
There was a very big wild bull at the mud bath today when the orphans arrived. Kithaka had sneaked away from the herd and went to the mud bath before the others. He found the wild bull there drinking water and he decided to join him. Mteto then arrived with Pare and Sapalan, she finished her milk and ran straight to the water trough making the wild bull afraid and he ran away. The orphans had their milk, then they drank water and a few decided to play in the mud hole. Kilaguni and Garzi started play-fighting.
All the orphans browsed as they made their way to drink some water from a small dam along the road. Some of the orphans started to play in that big puddle as well, but Narok couldn’t find get space to play and this annoyed her, so she started digging at the edge of the small dam. Kilaguni and Ukame with Mundusi and Pare started play-fighting separately. The herd later walked back home in the evening for their milk.
This morning while some of the elephants were eating Lucerne, Kithaka, Kauro and Mundusi were scratching their necks on the wall simultaneously. The orphans later walked to the trough to drink water and then walked out to the bush to browse. While the babies were browsing, Malkia was also busy scratching her belly in between two trees. Kauro was busy scooping and tossing chunks of soil in the air and some on his head. Dupotto later led the first group to the mud bath for their milk.
When the babies arrived, two wild bulls were in the mud bath drinking water with Kanjoro, while Mutara and the rest of her herd were busy playing in the mud bath, led by Mutara herself. Mutara was very active and playful and she started patting and chatting to Suguta after their mud bath. Another wild bull came to the mud bath and chased away some of the orphans who were playing there. At the same time, Lemoyian was playing with Enkikwe and others were interacting with a wild bull around the water trough. Turkwel was also very active while playing in the muddy water.
Later back out in the bush, Mutara's herd decided to stay with the orphans for the whole afternoon and interact with them. They escorted the orphans back home in the evening and stayed to play outside the stockades. Narok, Orwa, Kilaguni and Bomani came in and Kainuk started playing with Orwa. Some wild bulls also came in running for water as they were very thirsty. They drank water and left.
Only one wild bull was at the stockade water trough when the orphans were let out this morning. The sky was crystal clear and this was an indication of a hot day a head. The orphans were not bothered by the weather but settled for lucerne as soon as they were let out. Shortly later, the Keepers directed the orphans towards the east where they settled to browse calmly without any major distractions.
By mud bath time, the weather had changed a little and it was quite cloudy, but this soon passed. The orphans had their milk then Esampu, Mteto and Sapalan settled for soil dusting before walking off to browse. Karisa opted for a scratching session which he did against a nearby tree. In the afternoon, the orphans settled south of Kalovoto. The orphans spent the whole afternoon quietly browsing. In the evening, Sana Sana led the way back to the stockade for the night.
It was a quiet morning as the orphans strolled nonchalantly out from the stockades and settled for lucerne. Barsilinga was grumpy this morning and he kept on pushing the young ones whenever they came close to share what he had. Shouts from Keepers were heard from time to time trying to keep Barsilinga in line. Ndiwa spent some time scratching on a nearby rock while Tusuja had a lone game of rolling on the ground. As soon as he was done, Tusuja headed for a scratching exercise. Ndiwa tried to lead the way to the browsing field, but no one followed her and so she returned back to her group and waited until they were ready to leave. After the orphans had their lucerne, Tusuja led the way to the water troughs where the orphans armed themselves with enough water to see them through the entire morning. The orphans settled to browse in Kone area where Lemoyian teamed up with Siangiki to browse.
At mud bath time, the weather was cloudy and cold and the orphans boycotted the wallowing exercise. As soon as they had their milk, they went to drink water and then walked off to browse again. Shortly later, five wild bulls reported for water and later headed towards the stockades. In the afternoon, Kauro had a lone soil dusting exercise and thereafter engaged Tusuja in a strength testing exercise that ended in a draw. Their game also attracted Mundusi and Pare who started their own game.
Sana Sana led the way out soon after the gates were opened. She was followed by Malkia who decided to leave with a branch in her mouth, which kept her busy as she waited for lucerne. The orphans settled for lucerne and were in a good mood as no one tried to push anyone. It was a peaceful feeding time before Karisa led the way to the water trough. Shortly later, the orphans headed to the browsing field. Kamok lagged behind but followed her friends later. Garzi came across a tree stump which was low enough to scratch his belly on. As soon as he was done, he teamed up with Lemoyian and held a brief chat before parting ways. Olsekki took some time off from feeding to have a lone game of rolling on the ground and as soon as he was done, he walked towards Tusuja and engaged him in a pushing game.
At mud bath time the weather was chilly and the orphans decided not to have a mud bath. Eighteen wild bulls and over one hundred buffaloes showed up during mud bath. Olsekki briefly had a chat with one of the wild bulls before heading back to the browsing field. In the afternoon, the orphans were joined by Mutara, Suguta, Sities, Kainuk, Kanjoro, Kasigau and Kilaguni. The juniors ex-orphans with Mutara settled to browse with the orphans for the rest of the day.
Mteto and Mundusi led the way out in the morning. Three wild bulls were busy drinking water at the stockade water troughs as the orphans settled for lucerne. Esampu bravely walked down and joined the bulls briefly before returning to feed on lucerne with her friends. Shortly later, the orphans were through with the lucerne and occupied one water trough as the wild bulls occupied the other. Rapa and Galla had a brief strength testing exercise that ended when Roi passed between them. Karisa and Garzi were the last to leave the water trough as they tried to drink enough water that see them through the entire morning.
This morning the bulls seemed to be in a playful mood. Sapalan played with Namalok while Garzi settled to play with Barsilinga. At mud bath time, sixteen wild bulls were present. The weather again was cloudy and this prompted the orphans to avoid the mud bath. The Keepers requested the wild bulls who had occupied the water trough to give room to the juniors to drink water. The wild bulls accepted by stepping aside. Tusuja walked over to the wild bulls and seemed to thank them by raising his trunk towards them.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. Ndiwa played with Olsekki before going back to browsing. In the evening, the clouds cleared giving way to sunshine and we are still left waiting for more rain. Though she is feeding and keeping up with her friends Dupotto is still not putting on weight so we will look into that. On the way back to the stockade, the orphans had a roadside mud bath followed by dust bathing before heading back to the stockade.
It was a quiet morning with no wild elephants or ex-orphans present. The orphans settled for lucerne immediately after leaving their stockades. Mundusi, who likes challenging Pare, engaged him in a brief strength testing exercise. Sapalan tried to challenge Tusuja but after a second thought, stopped and continued to feed. Lemoyian enjoyed his food and at the same time scratched his buttocks which was funny to watch. Two dik diks ran by which scared the orphans; Ndiwa Esampu and Mteto started charging about as they tried to find the reason behind the dik diks deciding to run. Soon however, everything was back to normal and the orphans settled to browse. Galla spent some time soil dusting before making his way to the mud bath. The weather was chilly and none of the orphans dared to step into the mud bathing water. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse south of Kalovoto and later in the evening, Ukame led the way back to the stockade. Mutara and her group joined the orphans on the way back to the stockade and left a short while later, after drinking enough water.
Melia, Olare, Tumaren, Kandecha, Narok, Bomani ,Orwa and Taita showed up at the stockade compound early before dawn and decided to relax and wait for the dependent orphans to come out. When the orphans had their milk, Dupotto was the first one to leave the stockade. The ex-orphans then joined the orphans for lucerne. Rapa and Galla had a fight over the lucerne they were sharing. The two boys decided to resolve the issue through a pushing game. Rapa surrendered and went to engage the quiet, but these days quite active, Sapalan. The two had a strength testing exercise that ended in a draw. Shortly later, Taita walked down to drink water and was followed by the orphans. As soon as the orphans had enough, Kamok led the way to the browsing field.
At mud bath time the orphans decided to only have their milk and drink some water before returning back to browsing. The afternoon was quiet as the orphans concentrated only on browsing without any major observation.
The orphans headed straight to the browsing field soon after finishing their lucerne. Garzi came across a nice rock that he used to scratch his belly on as Karisa engaged Sapalan in a pushing game. Sapalan surrendered after the going got tough for him. Rapa settled to browse with Galla while Siangiki teamed up with Sana Sana. Ndiwa developed an itch in between her front legs and since she couldn't find a rock nearby, she picked a stick and used it to scratch the itchy area. At mud bath time, Mundusi engaged Pare in a strength testing exercise while Roi left with her empty bottle after finishing all her milk. She later tried to take grass from Tusuja's mouth but Tusuja refused and walked away. Later on, Naseku had soil dusting exercise and was joined by Mteto and Kamok. In the evening, Dupotto teamed up with Enkikwe to browse and later they walked back to the stockade together.
Three wild bulls were drinking water at the stockade water trough when the orphans were let out. Kitirua, Naisula, Kalama, Mutara, Kanjoro, Kainuk, Suguta, Kasigau and Sities who were relaxing outside the stockade, joined the juniors for lucerne as well. Turkwel took her share and settled a distance away from the rest. Sapalan tried to join her but Turkwel denied him access to her pile of lucerne. The daring Esampu walked down to the water trough and joined the bulls drinking water without even asking for permission. The wild bulls didn't bother about Esampu since they understood that she was only a small baby.
On the way out to browse, Karia went in a different direction but later turned and followed his friends. The orphans were briefly joined by passing bulls. Ukame settled to browse with Garzi while Oltaiyoni teamed up with Mteto. Shortly later Garzi engaged Kanjoro in a light strength testing exercise as Sana Sana picked a stick from the ground to use it to scratch her chest. The ex-orphans stayed with orphans the whole day. At mud bath time, Roi led the way. The weather was chilly and the orphans returned back to the browsing field soon after milk and have some water.
In the afternoon, Garzi engaged Kalama in a pushing game that lasted for quite some time before Kasigau intervened by moving between them and separating them. In the evening, twenty five wild bulls reported to the stockades to have some water and after having enough, they left again.
Sunyei, baby Siku, Kibo, Loijuk, Ishanga, Meibai and Makena, who have been away for one month, showed up at the stockade with a wild bull plus Olare, Tumaren, Melia and Kandecha. Makena stood where the orphans come out as if welcoming the orphans outside. Kauro and Esampu walked down to the water trough and joined the wild bull to drink water while Olsekki had a morning stretching exercise by standing at the edge of the other water trough. Roi and Mundusi interacted with baby Siku for a while before Siku ran to her mum. Ndiwa decided to have her own game of rolling on the ground. Galla, who was standing close by, took advantage of Ndiwa lying down and came to climb on her.
On the way out to browse, Olsekki played with Garzi as Ishanga played with Olare. Sunyei led the orphans to Kone area and shortly later parted ways. Wanjala took a break from feeding to scratch against a tree while Naseku engaged Rapa in a pushing game.
At mud bath time, the temperature was moderate and the orphans only took their milk bottles and some water before going back out to browse. Kauro, Roi and Ndiwa spent some time soil dusting while Esampu, Mundusi and Galla scratched against the nearby trees. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse south of the Kalovoto area where they had a quiet time up to five o'clock in the evening, when Esampu led the way back to the stockades.
The orphans left the stockades early as usual. Kilaguni was the only ex-orphan to join the orphans and he left a short while later, after having a sparing contest with Barsilinga. Esampu appeared to be in an excitable mood this morning, which she displayed through acrobatics of nose diving and doing headstands on the ground, and then, after spotting a bird, charging towards it and then continuing her run right out into the bush. Her friends followed her in a hurry to catch up and find what was happening with Esampu.
The orphans settled to browse not very far away from the stockades due to the anticipated arrival of new babies from Nairobi. At 10:45 in the morning, lorry carrying Mapia, Malima and Kuishi arrived at Ithumba. The new babies were welcomed first by Malkia, Sana Sana and Ndiwa who they knew from the Nairobi Nursery. The other Ithumba orphans followed after. Mapia tried to challenge Sana Sana but Sana Sana would not stand for that so pushed Mapia away. Rapa tried to bully Mapia but was told off by the Keepers. Sana Sana and Malkia spent most of their time feeding with the three new babies.
At mud bath time, twenty four wild bulls were present. The orphans decided not to have a mud bath again, but instead had a soil dusting exercise. In the afternoon Mapia, Kuishi and Malima took a break from feeding and relaxed under a tree. Kuishi and Mapia kept themselves busy by engaging in a light pushing game. Namalok had a lengthy conversation with Dupotto not knowing that this was the last chat since Dupotto was to be taken to Nairobi for further treatment. At 11:20 at night, Dupotto was loaded into the translocation and left for Nairobi. This was to make sure we could monitor more closely considering her drop in weight and so we could run the relevant tests to treat her accordingly at the Nairobi Nursery. Dupotto is fine and still eating her playing, but we just want to monitor her in Nairobi further, before her condition does deteriorate.