Keepers' Diaries, November 2017
Voi Reintegration Unit
The joy we felt when the first rains arrived at the end of last month was indescribable. Around the southern are of Tsavo, where Voi is located we have been gripped by the worst drought in many years. We have been overwhelmed with dying drought victims, and some we have miraculously saved, but to see the rains break and know that there is respite for the wild herds is such a relief. This relief and joy was heralded by the return of our Ex Orphans who have been away this whole dry season, thankfully in a more forgiving environment as they all arrived in excellent condition with their babies all thriving. We Keepers felt so proud of them navigating such a challenging year, with our older orphans and matriarchs obviously making all the right decisions. They arrived on the 4th of November around noon, the Keepers were delighted to see Ndara, her baby Neptune along with Tassia, who came to join the dependent orphans while they browsed first. A short while later the Kenya Wildlife Service base reported that two elephants had missed the corridor under the newly constructed railway line, and were beside the Voi River but on the wrong side of the fence line. It was assumed they were two Ex Orphans and upon arriving at the scene the Keepers found that it was indeed Lesanju and Sinya. The two were escorted to a break in the fence line and from there they walked home with their human family and were reunited with their friends. The onset of the rain across Tsavo has allowed passage for our Ex Orphans to make their way back from where they have successfully thrived during the worst of the drought on the neighbouring dry season habitats and ranch lands, their passage assisted by the fresh vegetation now growing as well as replenished watering holes. Lempaute in particular seemed to be very happy to be reunited with her best friend Lesanju, the two having known each other since tiny calves in the Nairobi Nursery. The sound of deep rumblings of happiness and contentment filled the air around the stockades, and it was such a happy time for us all, made more significant because over 300 wild elephants have died this dry season in the southern sector of the Park due to lack of vegetation. Lempaute was so happy to have her friend back, that she and Kivuko joined up with the Ex Orphans, leaving the two bulls Dabassa and Layoni behind, and both of these boys continued to visit the dependent orphans every day whilst the senior Ex Orphan herd moved on.
01 November 2017
The morning began with Dabassa and Layoni arriving at the stockade and joining the juniors for the supplement feeding after which they engaged in some wonderful soil dusting games.
Dabassa took on Panda in a tough strength testing pushing game that took a considerable amount of time. When Dabassa saw that Panda was getting tired he lay down pretending to concede defeat in an effort to get Panda to continue playing. Panda took this opportunity to exit the game. Dabassa then ran up to Mbirikani mistaking her for Panda. Mbirikani, who is usually quiet and peaceful, ended up engaged in a game with Dabassa without any prior preparation.
Later in the morning at around 10am, Kavu’s glucose level dropped and he collapsed and had to be placed on a drip for the remainder of the day and throughout the night.
02 November 2017
This morning, while the orphans were out in the browsing fields, it started to drizzle covering the dry earth with rain drops. Arruba lay down on the soil which was quite warm and started to dose off. Rorogoi, Mbirikani, Suswa and Ndoria became worried that Arruba may be feeling ill and went to check on her.
In the afternoon the orphans visited the baobab water hole where they enjoyed their afternoon milk bottle and drink of water but did not partake in a mud bath. They browsed their way to the middle waterhole before slowly making their way back to the safety of the stockades for the night.
This afternoon Luna’s glucose levels dropped and just like Kavu she was placed on a drip. Sadly Kavu died at about 3pm in the afternoon. Most of the orphans that have been brought to the Voi stockades have been victims of drought and have all been in a state of collapse which they have had a hard time recovering from.
03 November 2017
It was a nice beginning to the day with the stockade dependant orphan elephants moving half way up the eastern side of Msinga Hill for the mornings browsing session. After four hours spent browsing peacefully a wild herd of elephants stopped to feed at the foot of Msinga Hill, directly below the orphan elephants
Arruba, Suswa, Ishaq-B and Ajali started coming down the hill in an effort to join the wild herd that had a tiny calf. Kenia, Ndii, Naipoki and Kihari thought decided that instead of joining the wild herd they preferred to lead the group to the baobab waterhole arriving there at 11am, an hour earlier than usual.
Luna who managed to get back to her feet at about 2am last night collapsed again at 6pm and despite our best efforts and being placed on drips sadly died at 7:20 am.
04 November 2017
Today Lempaute Kivuko, Layoni and Dabassa joined the stockade dependant orphan elephants for lucerne grass and supplement feeding. The juniors then left the four Ex Orphans at the stockade compound as they made their way to the browsing grounds.
At 12.50 in the afternoon, the keepers were very happy to see Ndara, Neptune and Tassia coming to join the stockade dependant orphans who were browsing on the southern side of the stockade compound.
Twenty minutes later a report was brought to the stockade by the Kenya Wildlife Service of two elephants that had missed the standard gauge rail way corridor and had ended along the Voi River on the outside of the Ngutuni fence line. The keepers suspected that they were Ex Orphans missing from Ndara’s herd and upon inspection found that it was Lesanju and Sinya. The two were escorted to an opening in the fence from where they were able to rejoin their group who had travelled from several miles away, coming from Mgeno ranch, close to the Taita sisal wildlife sanctuary, to the stockade. There were given a lot of lucerne grass and range cubes which they enjoyed at the stockade compound, returning the park an hour later.
05 November 2017
The orphans welcomed another dawn as they exited the stockade this morning to a clear and sunny day. Kenia, Ndii, Kihari and Naipoki left the stockade as soon as the milk and supplement feeding had ended leading their group to western side of Msinga Hill. Nelion and Mbirikani then led the way to the peak of Msinga where they all settled to browse.
At 10.20am, Ndara, Neptune, Lesanju and Sinya came to the stockades together with Lempaute, Kivuko, Dabassa and Layoni and settled to feed on some Lucerne grass.
All the Ex Orphans were paying close attention to Neptune. Lempaute most wanted to get close to him and was prevented from doing so by Tassia who blocked all access to the baby. Lesanju and Lempaute seemed very happy to be back together after months of being apart. The two were seen enjoying the supplements and drinking water together before leaving the stockade compound to return to the browsing grounds.
06 November 2017
It was a perfect beginning of the day with the stockade dependant orphan elephants downing their morning milk bottle and proceeding for the supplement feeding before engaging in some brief socializing games around the stockade compound. Soon after the juniors left for the browsing fields, Layoni and Dabassa arrived and had a drink from the stockade water trough.
Layoni later saw Kore, Tawi and Ngulia feasting on lucerne pellets and wanted to chase them away so that he could have the pellets to himself. He acted as if he was going to break the fence line separating them. However, Kore, Tawi and Ngulia were not in the least bit bothered as they knew he could not get anywhere near them. The keepers then gave some range cubes to the two Ex Orphans.
In the afternoon, Ndara, Neptune and Lesanju arrived at the stockade for a drink of water and some supplement treats. They hung around for half an hour, after which they returned to the park.
07 November 2017
The morning began with the stockade dependant orphans concentrating on their milk bottle and supplement feeding before heading to the browsing grounds. The orphans browsed in single file on the foot of Msinga Hill until it was time for their midday milk bottle at the baobab water hole.
After the milk feed, Nguvu used his trunk to scoop up a whole lot of range cubes which he then emptied into his mounth. He repeated this process several times, showing everyone how much he enjoyed this tasty treat.
Ndii was the first one to enter the mud bath by sliding down the walls into the water. Her entrance had been aided by Rorogoi who gave her a little push. Mashariki sprayed herself with water while standing at the edge of the wallow while Nelion went and stood in the middle of the mud bath and watched everyone wallowing around him.
08 November 2017
It was a nice beginning to the day with the orphan elephants running out of their stockades and emptying a morning milk bottle before settling to feed on Lucerne grass. There was some games of hide and seek around the stockade compound before walking out to the browsing grounds for the morning browsing session.
Late morning one of the Trust’s pilots, Neville, saw an orphan male elephant calf aged about 5 years in the Sobo area near Tsavo east rhino sanctuary. The orphan had a huge swelling on the lower part of his left jaw. The veterinary unit that was out in the field was mobilized and monitored the calf until the rescue team arrived from the Voi stockades. Upon approaching the calf it collapsed, another drought victim, and the decision was made to rescue it so that is could be treated and the necessary drips administered. The calf was not able to get back to its feet the whole day and into the night.
09 November 2017
This morning Kenia, Ndii, and Kihari stretched their trunks in greeting towards yesterdays rescued orphan who was still recumbent as he was too weak to get to his feet. The medication that had been administered to him had already reduced the swelling under his jaw. Sadly though, despite all of our efforts, the orphan died in the afternoon.
Later in the day Lesanju came to the stockades for a drink from the water trough. Following a drink of water and some supplements she made her way to orphan elephant Tahri to greet her and the orphan baby buffalo Oltukai, in their respective stockades. She then left for the browsing fields where it was believed she would join up with the rest of her herd.
10 November 2017
It was a perfect beginning to the day with the earliest callers at the stockade being Ndara, Neptune, Lesanju, Sinya, Kivuko, Dabassa, Layoni and Tassia. They came for a drink at the stockades about 4:40am and left a few minutes before the juniors exited their night quarters. Tundani, Nelion and Embu followed the Ex Orphans for more than two hundred meters, before changing their mind and returning to the stockades where they joined their group for some supplement feeding. They all then made their way to the fields where they browsed in single file.
In the afternoon, the two orphan elands Kore and Tawi left Ngulia at the stockade and ran into the park. The two are now old enough to be able to go wild and over the past two weeks have enjoyed foraying into the wild. After a while the keepers, who fear for their safety, were able to woo them back to the stockade with range cubes and Lucerne pellets.
11 November 2017
Today, Emily, Eve, Emma, Edie, Eden, Sweet Sally, Safi, Lolokwe, Siria, Taveta, Mweya and two wild elephant bulls came and stood outside the park, behind the elephant grid at the park entrance. The group had had missed the standard gauge railway corridor and had followed the Ngutuni fence line to the park entrance where they awaited assistance to re enter the park. A section of fence was opened up for them and they made their way straight to the Voi stockade.
The group had walked from the sisal estate sanctuary, several miles away where they had been seen about two weeks ago, to the park entrance unharmed. Emma, Eden and Safi enjoyed a game of chasing one another around the stockade compound.
Lesanju, who had arrived at the stockade in the morning, was seen to be shying away from Emily’s herd. She then went to greet Eden at which point Taveta engaged her in a wrestling match. Lesanju left the stockade together with Emily’s herd later that day.
In the evening, at 6.40pm, a report of an orphan male elephant calf aged about three years old was reported by the Kenya wildlife Service gate attendants. The gate staff had received a message from a tour driver who found the orphan baby stuck in a ditch and in a state of collapse. It is believed that the orphan elephant had been there the whole night and day. The calf was rescued and following drips that were administered during the course of the night, it was able to get back to its feet.
12 November 2017
It was a wonderful beginning to the day as the orphan that was rescued yesterday (unnamed) was able to get to his feet without any assistance from the keepers and started to slowly browse on the fresh greens that had been placed in his stockade. At about 3pm he again collapsed and was placed on a drip. The keepers were able to get him back to his feet and he stood inside his stockade with the keeper’s hand feeding him soft leaves.
Today Dabassa and Layoni visited the stockade in the afternoon where they had a drink of water and enjoyed feeding on supplements before returning to the park for the night.
13 November 2017
This morning the stockade dependant orphan elephants rushed out of their stockades eager for their milk bottle after which they enjoyed feeding on supplements before leaving for the browsing grounds. Embu, Bada and Mudanda went high up Msinga Hill to browse. Mudanda and Bada came down for their afternoon milk bottle, while Embu remained at the top browsing away.
At 7.30 in the morning another Ex Orphan herd that had missed the standard gauge railway corridor followed the same path as Emily’s herd and arrived at the Voi gate where they waited for assistance to get back into the park. The group consisted of Icholta and her baby Inca, Thoma and her calf Thor, Seraa, Wasessa, Rombo and Mzima. Once back in the park they went straight to the stockades where they had a quick drink before heading off again.
In the evening, the male orphan eland Tawi took Kore and Ngulia to the wild. Efforts were made to get the three to return back to the stockade which Kore and Ngulia did. Tawi, however, ran off and remained in the park to live a wild life.
14 November 2017
It was a wonderful beginning to the day with Layoni and Dabassa running in to join the stockade dependant orphan elephants, who had finished their morning milk bottle, for some range cube and the Lucerne grass pellet feeding. There was some brief dust bathing games at the stockade compound with Dabassa engaging Panda in a strength testing and pushing game. Panda noticed that they had been left behind by the others who were making their way towards the browsing grounds and ran to join them.
Dabassa and Layoni followed them for a while before leaving the juniors browsing on the northern side of Msinga Hill while they went to have a drink from the stockade water trough after which they had a wrestling match before leaving for the browsing grounds.
At 8am, the orphan elephant that was rescued on the 11th (unnamed) collapsed once again and the necessary drips and medications were administered. Sadly, despite all the teams efforts, the orphan died in the afternoon.
15 November 2017
The morning was good with the orphan elephants exiting their stockades amid light rain showers.
Lempaute and Kivuko have joined up with Lesanju, Ndara and Emily's herds leaving the two boys, Dabassa and Layoni, behind.
The orphans browsed half way up the western side of Msinga Hill, under the leadership of Bada and Mbirikani, with the sun penetrating the thick clouds bringing some warmth to the area. The group made their way to the mud bath at noon, for their milk bottle, arriving in groups of four. They then had a lot of fun playing mud bathing games, with Arruba engaging Naipoki in a tough mud bathing game.
Nelion did not partake of the mud bathing games choosing to instead enjoy a scratching session against the baobab tree where he seemed so relaxed that he fell into a light slumber, waking only when Ndii came to join him for a scratch. Mudanda had a wonderful rolling in the dust game before the group headed out for the afternoons browsing session.
16 November 2017
The morning was wonderful with the stockade dependant orphan elephants downing a morning milk bottle before settling to enjoy some range cubes. They were soon joined by Layoni and Dabassa who came running in from the park. The orphans were almost half way done with the range cubes when the two Ex Orphans arrived and started pushing the juniors away from the range cube feeding area. The keepers took charge, bringing any disagreements to an end, allowing them all to enjoy the supplement feeding.
The juniors then headed to the browsing fields leaving the two Ex Orphans drinking water from the stockade water trough while they settled to browse on the Northern side of the stockade.
At the mud bath Ndii went and sat on the walls of the water pool and challenged Embu in some rolling in the mud games. Kihari enjoyed a scratching session while Kenia had a nap on the red earth piles that had been brought in for the orphans.
17 November 2017
It was lovely beginning to the day with the orphan elephants enjoying a morning milk bottle after which they settled for some supplement feeding. Dabassa and Layoni arrived at the stockade compound ten minutes after the juniors had left for the browsing grounds.
Once in the fields the orphans scattered and enjoyed browsing on the fresh vegetation that was coming up following the recent light showers. It was quite a warm day today and Ajali, who normally does not like entering the water, participated in the mud bath with the rest of the group. He then went to join Rorogoi for a scratching session on a fallen tree trunk while the rest of the orphans took turns scratching against the big baobab tree.
In the evening, Nguvu separated himself from the rest of the orphan herd and joined a wild herd of elephants who were resting under a tree. He wanted to leave with them when they were ready to head off by the keepers called him back to rejoin the orphan herd as he is still milk dependent.
18 November 2017
This morning Kenia, Kihari, Ndii and Naipoki consolidated the stockade dependant orphan elephant group and headed to the browsing fields as soon as they saw Layoni and Dabassa making their way to the stockades. The two Ex Orphans came running up to try and join the juniors for some supplement feeding. As the juniors had eaten all the supplements they waited to be given some by the keepers and remained in the compound feeding and drinking before returning to the park.
After an afternoon milk bottle, Araba went and lay on Ndii's stomach during the mud bathing games while Kenia watched them. Ndii has slowly been gaining Araba’s love and trust and the youngster often enjoys keeping company with Ndii who in the end may end up being Araba’s new adopted mother over Kenia.
Late in the afternoon the orphans joined a wild elephant herd that came to browse close to them. Mashariki and Naipoki were busy following a small wild elephant calf which made her older sister feel uncomfortable and had her charging at the two orphans to get them to keep their distance.
19 November 2017
It was morning full of blessings as it rained quite heavily during the night and was still raining as the orphan elephants exited their stockades for the morning milk bottle. They did not hang around the stockade compound this morning and were quick to leave for the browsing grounds under the leadership of Arruba, Suswa and Lentili.
The orphans browsed in single file, enjoying the moist grass and vegetation that was shooting up following the recent light rain showers. After browsing for more than three hours, Panda, Ndii and Ajali led the others onto Msinga Hill. As they were climbing the three noticed that the rocks were wet and steep and could be dangerous for the group. They abandoned their uphill climb and remained at the base of the hill. The orphans had their midday milk bottle at the northern foot of Msinga Hill and did not visit the waterhole as they had managed to quench their thirst at all of the fresh rain water puddles.
20 November 2017
It was a nice beginning to the day with Layoni and Dabassa arriving at the stockade to join the juniors for the supplement feeding session. The two Ex Orphans were then welcomed to join the juniors out in the browsing grounds. Layoni and Dabassa were very well behaved, allowing the stockade dependant orphan elephants to make their browsing choices and take the leadership roles which they shared among the group.
While browsing on the eastern foot of Msinga Hill, a male water buck that was running fast came and stopped behind Mudanda who became quite nervous as she could not run away due to the big rock boulders in front of her. Upon realizing that the animal behind her was a water buck, and not a predator, she calmed down and continued with her browsing activities.
The orphans visited the baobab water hole where they downed their milk bottles then enjoyed feeding on the range cubes that had been given to them. The afternoon was spent browsing around the area.
21 November 2017
The morning began with the stockade dependant orphan elephants sticking to their daily morning routine of milk and supplement feeding before heading to the park for their browsing activities. On arriving at the western side of Msinga Hill, Kihari secured a scratching position against a rock boulder and was left behind by the others who were browsing as they walked. Kihari had to run to catch up with the rest of the group.
Dabassa and Layoni came to the stockade at 10am and went straight to the stockade water trough where they quenched their thirst before enjoying the range cubes that had been put out for them. They then made their way to the park but did not meet up with the juniors.
In the afternoon, two teenage wild elephant bulls chasing a teenage female to mate with joined the orphans as they were running in a line to get their afternoon milk bottle. The three wild elephants brought some fear and confusion to the Keepers waiting, as the three appeared as part of the orphan herd! The keepers quickly sought refuge in the stockade pickup. When it was safe to come out, the keepers exited the pickup and fed the orphans their afternoon milk bottle. The three wild elephants later joined the orphans briefly before proceeding towards the far northern side of Msinga Hill.
22 November 2017
It was a perfect beginning to the day with Layoni and Dabassa joining the stockade dependant orphan elephants for some range cube feeding before following them to the browsing grounds. Once out in the park the two Ex Orphans made their way towards the water pipe line. The orphans browsed in single file until it was time to visit the baobab water hole.
The weather was fairly cold today, with Ndii and Araba, being the only ones to really enjoy the mud bath while Kenia stood by watching them, preferring to be a spectator than a wallower as the water was cold. Ndii and Araba had a lovely time wallowing in the water while the others waited for them to finish so that they could resume their browsing activities. On coming out of the water, Ndii pulled up the root of an acacia tree and feasted on it while Kenia went to investigate a hole in a tree trunk. On finding that there was water in the hole she decided to taste it. The afternoons browsing activities took place close to the waterhole.
23 November 2017
It was a lovely morning as the orphans exited their stockade, drank their milk bottles, enjoyed their supplements and left for the browsing grounds. On arriving at the foot of Msinga Hill, Suswa enjoyed a scratching session against a big rock builder before joining the rest on the days browsing journey.
Dabassa and Layoni who arrived at the stockade early this morning joined the juniors in their browsing activities. Layoni was seen constantly following Panda wanting to engage her in a wrestling match, but Panda was too busy concentrating on eating as much vegetation as she could and did not show any interest in Layoni and his advances.
A few minutes before heading to the baobab water hole in the afternoon, Lentili, who was leading the rest of the orphan elephant herd, took them close to some wild zebras and the orphan elephants had a peaceful time browsing with them. They later left the zebra herd behind and proceeded to the waterhole in groups of five where they all enjoyed their milk feed and an afternoon mud bath.
24 November 2017
It was a wonderful beginning to the day with the stockade dependant orphan elephants welcoming Dabassa and Layoni for some range cubes feeding before leaving the two at the stockade compound when they left for the browsing grounds. At the dairy cubes feeding area, Embu had some very close feeding contact with Dabassa, while the rest of the juniors kept a respectful distance from the two Ex Orphans.
While out in the browsing fields Ndii picked up a dry stick and put it in her mouth using it to prod Panda and Nguvu to get them to move away from her loved one Araba. Panda and Nguvu did not really have any interest in getting in a fight with Ndii and were happy to move away.
The orphans went to the milk feeding area in groups of five where they downed an afternoon milk bottle before entering the mud bath where they had lovely time wallowing and playing mud bath games. The orphans spent the afternoon browsing on the Western foot of Msinga Hill where they enjoyed feeding on fresh green grass.
25 November 2017
Once the mornings stockade activities were over the orphans headed to the park leaving Dabassa and Layoni enjoying the remains of the sweet dairy cubes from the cement feeding trough. Once out in the fields the orphans scattered and enjoyed browsing on the green grass shooting up after the last rain storm.
It was a very hot day and the orphans sought shelter under a short but green acacia tree. Bada and Rorogoi, who were leading the group, were scared off by the blowing sound of a big monitor lizard that was in the top of that tree. The monitor lizard was simply afraid of all the orphans and wanted to warn them that he was there. Nevertheless the orphans moved away from the tree and made their way to the baobab waterhole where they had a wonderful mud bath.
Embu, using her tusks, poked at the red earth piles to loosen them up so that she could have a dustbath, as they had hardened following the recent rains. The rest of the days browsing activities took place close to the waterhole with Mudanda and Lentili enjoying a lead of the orphan herd to the stockades in the evening.
26 November 2017
The morning started well with the orphans making their way to the browsing grounds following a peaceful milk and the supplement feeding process. They browsed in single file from the southern side of the stockade all the way to the northern side where they visited the baobab water hole.
Naipoki and Embu came with the first group of the milk feeding orphan elephants at noon and sneaked behind the keeper’s who were busy feeding Rorogoi, Lentili, Mashariki, Bada and Nelion to steal the other orphans milk bottles from the stockade pickup. The two grabbed and pulled the milk bottles out of the crates emptying the milk into their mouths. A keeper who was feeding Nelion saw what was happening and managed to reclaim the two now half empty milk bottles from Naipoki and Embu. Kenia and Ndii, the two older females in the orphan herd were the ones to be fed those milk bottles.
27 November 2017
This morning Dabassa and Layoni missed seeing the orphans as they arrived at the stockades after the juniors had left for the field. The two later went to look for their younger friends but headed to the wrong waterhole thus not managing to meet up with them.
Ndii, Kenia and Ishaq-B were all enjoying close browsing ties with their darling Araba throughout the day. The orphans visited the baobab water hole at noon where they had a lot of fun playing mud bathing games before moving resuming their browsing activities.
In the evening, when the orphans returned to the safety of the stockades for the night, Embu, Rorogoi, Suswa, Arruba and Bada were brought into Tahri's big stockade so that they could socialize and get to know each other in preparation of her joining them in the fields. Arruba and Embu were quick to embrace their new friend while Suswa, Rorogoi and Bada showed little interest in her.
28 November 2017
It was a nice beginning of the day with the stockade dependant orphan elephants playing happily around the stockade compound leaving when Dabassa and Layoni made their grand entry into the compound.
The orphans went half way up the eastern side of Msinga Hill where they settled for the mornings browsing activities. When it was time for the mud bath and afternoon milk feed the orphans descended and had a lovely time wallowing in the water following the milk and dairy cube feeding. Mbirikani and Ishaq-B ran in and out of water in what was perceived to be some kind of competition. Ajali seemed to like their game and joined in, even though he is not usually a fan of the water.
After a wonderful noon mud bath, Mbirikani and Tundani went for a scratching session against a big tree trunk while Kenia and Arruba waited to have a turn when they were done. The rest of the browsing day was spent browsing peacefully with Bada and Mudanda taking the lead of the orphan herd in the evening when it was time to return to the stockades.
29 November 2017
The morning was wonderful with Tahri today coming out of her stockade to join the rest of the orphan elephants as they made their way to the Park and the browsing grounds. Ndii ran up to Tahri to welcome her into the orphan elephant herd. She embraced Tahri and prevented her from interacting very much with the rest of the orphans, as she wanted the newcomer all to herself. Panda and Mbirikani managed to get around Ndii and warmly greeted Tahri as well. Kenia, Ishaq-B, Kihari and Naipoki briefly greeted the youngster but did not spend much time with her as the juniors in the group were already seemingly squabbling over who would get to adopt the latest addition to the orphan herd. In the browsing fields Ishaq-B was able to engage Tahri in some private browsing time and the two seemed comfortable in each other’s company, which resulted in them spending the better part of the day feeding together.
30 November 2017
Layoni and Dabassa arrived at the stockades early this morning and after the supplement feeding was over they joined the stockade dependant orphan elephants in some games around the stockade compound. Layoni and Dabassa joined forces to challenge Panda in a wrestling match.
When it was time to head to the browsing fields Panda tried to catch up with Tahri to spend some time with her but was prevented from doing so but the two boys who wanted to engage her in strength testing and pushing games. Araba became a little jealous of the new comer and kept pushing her away. Mudanda and Ndii came to the rescue and kept Tahri close to them. Panda kept trying to get close to Tahri as well so that they could all browse together.
The orphan elephants visited the baobab water hole where Ndii left Araba to her own devices while she enjoyed a mud bath and scratching session with Tahri. The afternoons browsing activities took place at the baobab water hole before ending at the big water hole.