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The orphans left their Night Stockades as usual, and led my Makena, headed out to browse at the Kanziku area where they were joined by the Ex Orphans at l0 a.m. Amongst the Ex Orphans were two wild elephants. Yatta chose to browse near Ithumbah while Nasalot chose Kilaguni, as usual. Yatta led the entire herd to the mudbath, where they had a wonderful time, since the day was very hot. Later, Yatta and her entourage separated from the Keeper Dependent babies, who browsed along the slopes of Ithumba Hill until it was time to return. On their way back, they enjoyed a second mud and dust bath.

It was a sullen day, promising rain, which left the orphans very happy. Out in the browsing area, Kilaguni knelt down, pricking the ground with his tiny tusks, which attracted Sabachi and Meibai. By the mudbath hour, it was still overcast, so none of the orphans went in.

The orphans all gathered around the water trough, rumbling softly to each other. Meibai and Kilaguni scratched their bottoms against the Unloading Bay before heading out to feed. Again, there was little interest in the noon mudbath, since mudbaths were aplenty everywhere!

On an overcast day, the orphans entered the browsing area, where Kilaguni and Meibai enjoyed a Pushing Game, which was easily won by Meibai who is stronger. At 8 a.m. Makena got a fright, and all the orphans ran off bellowing in fear. The Keepers called them to calm them, and went to investigate the cause, but could see nothing remiss. The day turned very hot, so the orphans thoroughly enjoyed their noon mudbath. Later another heavy downpour fell and the orphans enjoyed running up and down splashing the water of the running rivulets with their feet.

The orphaned herd left the compound in the morning and browsed westwards. At 9 a.m. some of the Ex Orphans, namely Napasha, Galana, Madiba, Ndomot and Sidai came to the Stockades and left shortly afterwards. The Juniors headed to the noon mudbath led by Kilaguni where the Juniors enjoyed their milk before heading back to the browsing area.

The orphans left their Night Stockades in a very happy mood, charging around expressing their joy over the availability of rainfall and adequate pasture. After the mudbath there were light showers which the orphans greatly enjoyed rolling around happily in the mud and rain puddles. Chaimu, Kilaguni, Ithumbah, Sabachi and Meibai had a wonderful time playing in the mud, overseen by Makena.

Out in the field Kilaguni had a wonderful time rolling on the ground, watched over by Chaimu, while Meibai and Sabachi challenged each other to a Pushing Match overseen by Makena.

After a heavy downpour, rivers and streams burst their banks. The orphans left the compound in a jovial mood, bumping playfully into one another. In the browsing field Kilaguni and Meibai enjoyed scratching themselves against an anthill, Meibai doing his best to pierce the anthill with his tusks. They wallowed in a natural depression, browsed happily throughout the afternoon, and returned as usual in the evening.

Out in the browsing area Sabachi and Kilaguni enjoyed a pushing match. All played in a natural mudbath and had no reason to mudwallow at the usual venue, where they took their milk.

Shortly after leaving the Stockades, the Juniors met up with Yatta’s herd, who had not been seen for several days. Nasalot, as usual, homed in on her favourite, “Kilaguni”. The Ex Orphans remained with the Youngsters until 10 a.m. when Yatta decided to separate, but leaving Nasalot with the Junior Group. Nasalot escorted them back in the evening, and only left once the Juniors were all settled in their Stockades for the night.

Makena led the Juniors out. At l0 a.m. two warthogs who were chasing one another scared the orphans who all ran to their Keepers for protection. It took the Keepers about 4 minutes to calm them down. After this incident, the orphans resumed their feeding until mudbath time, after which Chaimu and Ithumbah led the group back to feed. Kilaguni took the lead back home in the evening.