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This morning the stockade compound looked deserted. Not a single wild elephant showed up, or any ex-orphans. Only Melia, little Milo and Tusuja arrived later to join the orphans for lucerne. Melia came because her baby is so little still and she can’t quite keep up with the rest of the herd as they venture far to find enough vegetation to eat. Elephants are good at reading signs and weather and they knew that it had rained elsewhere in the Park the previous day, so the ex-orphans and other wild elephants had perhaps ventured to those areas it had rained. If they don’t come back for a while, then we will know that those areas have received good rain! And so, the dependent orphans settled for lucerne without any competition today. Malkia interacted with Milo for a while before Ndiwa led the way out for the day.

The weather was funny today. It was cloudy and drizzled a little bit. The orphans enjoyed each moment as this was just the right temperature that they have been longing for for many days. Kamok, Malkia, Kuishi, Mapia, Pare, Jotto and Dololo had so much fun playing in the cool moist soil.

It was still cool when the orphans made their way to the mud bath for their midday feed, and none of the orphans dared to touch the mud bathing water after having their bottles. It was slippery at the mud bath edge too due to the drizzle. Poor Sapalan, unaware, walked too close to the edge and got the surprise of his life when he slipped and fell in the water! Esampu, Sattao, Musiara and Dololo all crowded around and we couldn’t help but think they were laughing at their poor friend. Sapalan looked embarrassed as he composed himself and got back to his feet. He could only hope that not too many of his friends had seen what happened. At the water trough, Nabulu slipped and nearly fell into the big mud bath too! She turned slowly and left to avoid a repeat of what had happened to Sapalan.

In the afternoon the clouds cleared giving way to sunshine. Musiara, Malkia and Maramoja teamed up together to browse while Sattao joined Malima. Later in the evening on the way back to the stockades, the weather changed yet again. Clouds gathered and it started drizzling, followed by a heavy downpour of about 55mm. We couldn’t be more delighted to receive this first rain shower. November has clearly got off to a good start for Ithumba.

Melia, Milo, Olare and Tusuja were the only guests this morning for the lucerne feeding time, which suggests that other areas have indeed received ample rain and the majority of the ex-orphans as well as the wild elephants who were around the Ithumba area have gone to explore those parts. The orphans were clearly happy this morning, expressed by the swinging of their trunks as they nonchalantly walked out of their night stockades. The orphans enjoyed the cool weather and wished for the rains to continue. Maramoja immediately joined Melia to help take care of Milo. The dependent orphans didn't stay for long as Mteto led the way out to browse.

The boys Mukkoka, Sattao, Dololo, Musiara and Pare, took sometime off from feeding to play and roll on the cool soil, still damp from the rain. The boys were later joined by Kuishi, Esampu and Ndiwa. Maramoja lagged behind with Milo and Melia but later joined her friends out in the bush.

Later the orphans came across a muddy puddle. Kamok, Nabulu, Ambo, Sapalan, Jotto, Mapia and Enkikwe all decided to have fun rolling in it. When the orphans went to the mud bath, they only had their milk then some water before going back to browsing, as they had had all their mud bathing fun earlier in the morning. The afternoon was quiet as the orphans concentrated mostly on browsing. Kauro and Jotto had a light strength testing exercise that lasted for just a few minutes.

In the evening, Nabulu led the way back to the stockades. Melia showed up again in the evening. She has developed a swelling in between her back legs and we’re wondering if it’s to do with her recent birth, because Milo was a very big baby compared to other babies born to first time mothers! We will continue to monitor her.

Oltaiyoni, Olsekki, Roi, Siangiki, Naseku, Kasigau and a wild elephant were at the stockade compound early in the morning. Melia, her baby Milo and Olare were missing. It appears that Milo has gained enough strength to walk further afield now.

Meanwhile, it seems the dependent orphans were slightly moody this morning! Dololo bumped into Naboishu, Musiara pushed Ambo for no apparent reason, Mundusi pushed Mapia while Jotto had a disagreement with Pare. The dependent orphans settled to share lucerne with the ex-orphans present. Karisa, who doesn't bother about any milk feeds these days, walked away from the orphans and headed east on his own, as the rest of the dependent orphans headed south.

Malkia teamed up with Naboishu to browse while Kauro decided to climb on Mteto’s back in a show of dominance. Sapalan engaged Pare in a pushing game while Ambo, Musiara, Dololo, Esampu and Ndiwa decided to have fun rolling on the ground.

Later, the orphans walked to the mud bath and after finishing their midday milk feed, decided to walk straight back out to the bush to browse. The afternoon was a quiet one as the orphans concentrated mostly on browsing. Sapalan and Pare broke the peace later as they engaged in a strength testing exercise that lasted for quite some time. In the evening, Nabulu, as usual, led the way back to the stockades.

Melia was back in the morning after taking her baby for a walk for one and half days. She was in the company of Olare, Tusuja, and a wild teenager. The orphans were let out and Maramoja ran to Milo to say hi as she had missed him so much. The orphans settled for some lucerne before heading out to browse. Milo made the mistake of passing close to Enkikwe who kicked him. Milo cried out, attracting the attention of his mother who came running over to find out what had happened. Enkikwe pretended not to have done any thing since he knew that if the mother hadn’t seen, he wouldn’t be in any trouble. Maramoja saw what had happened but couldn’t intervene or punish Enkikwe, as her elder. Melia walked her baby away followed by Maramoja, Karisa, Tusuja and Malkia.

Out in the bush, Jotto played with Mapia while Ambo played with Dololo. Kamok intervened in Ambo and Dololo’s game as she didn't want her favourite Ambo to get hurt. Ambo was happy and got down to roll on the ground under the watchful eye of Kamok. Melia and her small team joined the dependent orphans out in the bush. Maramoja decided to stick with Melia’s small herd, and by the time it was time for the midday milk feed at the mud bath, Maramoja refused to join her friends and instead remained behind with Melia’s herd. She later realised that she was supposed to go for her share of milk, and arrived at the mud bath when the milk vehicle was driving away! Maramoja ran following the car with her trunk up as if trying to stop the car. Fortunately for her, the Keepers spotted her, so they stopped the car and happily gave her her share.

In the afternoon the orphans were happy to receive some light rain and enjoyed feeding in a cool atmosphere. Later in the evening, Malkia had a meeting with Kuishi but of course we couldn’t be sure what they were chatting about. Kithaka, who has slowly been venturing out a bit further from the stockades to feed as his leg recovers, met with Kibo on his way back to the stockade compound. Kibo was in a very bad mood however and pushed Kithaka, who fell to the ground. Kithaka yelled out very loudly, so that the Keepers at the stockade compound shouted at the top of their voices, making Kibo leave Kithaka alone. Kithaka stood up and walked slowly back to the stockades, feeling very sorry for himself. 

Sattao, Dololo and Kuishi left the stockade with branches still in their mouths. As they were walking down happily munching on their branches, Mundusi and Kauro met them and pulled their branches from their mouths. Kuishi, who had suffered a similar altercation with Rapa earlier in the month, saw what was coming and dodged the two boys. All the dependent orphans settled for some lucerne, and not a single wild elephant or ex-orphan showed up the entire morning, so the orphans had a great time having the whole compound to themselves!

After finishing his share of lucerne, Karisa led the way out to browse. Karisa then spent the better part of the morning playing with Sapalan and Mundusi, but shortly before mud bath time, he disappeared off into the bush.

Kithaka left the stockades after peeping through the wires and making sure that there was no one to push him down today. Clearly, yesterday’s run-in with Kibo was still fresh in his mind. Still limping, poor Kithaka emerged and enjoyed a short browsing session.

The orphans continued to browse up to mud bath time when Sattao led the first group for the milk feed. The orphans had their milk and then headed back out to browse, settling to the west of Ithumba Hill. In the evening we noted that Kithaka's leg has started swelling again, due to being knocked over by Kibo yesterday. It is frustrating ,as Kithaka had been recovering well before falling over. We will continue to monitor him and only hope that this is a minor setback.  

Kamok, who spent the night outside, was up early and ready to receive her friends outside the compound this morning. Ambo was the first one to run out, even before taking his morning milk bottle, just to find out how his ‘big sister’ Kamok managed the whole night outside. Kamok assured Ambo that all was well with her and she was just having fun. Ambo then went back to take his milk after reassurance from Kamok that she was alright. Soon after the orphans settled for lucerne, three wild bulls showed up. One wild bull occupied the upper water trough while the other two occupied the lower one. Kuishi walked down to meet and share water with the solo wild bull while Sattao joined the other two. As soon as the orphans were through with the lucerne, Mundusi led the way out.

Following rains received on the 1st, some trees have started shooting new leaves. The orphans have been running around looking for them. Hopefully we will get more rain very soon. What we have received is not enough, which is clearly demonstrated by some of the ex-orphans and wild elephants drifting back to the Ithumba area, where they can find access to water and have some lucerne supplemental grass.

The orphans enjoyed the fresh green shoots they found throughout the morning until Nabulu led the first group for the eleven o'clock milk feed. After finishing their milk, Dololo, Pare and Rapa led the group away for a bush mud bath.

In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. It was a quiet afternoon as the orphans browsed calmly. Enkikwe, Mundusi, Sapalan and Kauro detected some ex-orphans passing close by and left to join them. It turned out to be Wendi, Wema, Wimbi, Makena, Kinna, Kaia, Kama, Ukame and Namalok. The ex-orphans took the four boys back to the stockade compound early before the usual time. The four orphans stayed there until the rest of the dependent herd returned and they all went in together for the night.

Kandecha, who spent the night just outside the stockade compound, joined the orphans soon after they were let out of their night stockades. Rapsu showed up minutes later and settled to share lucerne with the orphans too. Mapia seemed to have a sore stomach this morning and kept lying down and standing up, which is a clear indication of a stomach upset. By the time he went to the mud bath at noon, he seemed absolutely fine, evident by how he was tackling Ambo in a vigorous pushing game!

At the stockade this morning we had the most wonderful surprise waiting! Yatta’s baby Yetu, who was born on 19th January 2012, arrived with her very own baby boy, making her mother Yatta a proud grandmother. Yetu was in the company of Mulika's family, Mulika, Mwende and Mkuu. Funnily enough, Mteto was also in that group. We’re not sure how Mteto managed to know that Yetu had a baby, but she left the rest of group early to join in the welcoming procession that brought the new baby to the stockade. Mteto left the ex-orphans after making sure that the baby had been shown where his grandmother used to live when she was young. Yatta arrived later, from a different direction, and met her daughter and grandchild.

Later, the orphans headed to the mud bath as usual and had their milk bottles before going immediately back out to browse. They settled to browse in the Imenti area. It was quite a hot afternoon, so the orphans took a break and relaxed under a tree to avoid the scorching sun. In the evening the orphans, led by Dololo, passed by the mud bath to cool off and then followed Larro back to the stockades for the night.

It was a cloudy morning but the rains have refused to come back. It is becoming greener, even with the small rain we have received so far, but we certainly need more. The orphans settled for lucerne and were briefly joined by Wendi, Kilabasi, and Chyulu's families. The ex-orphans are still around and slowly some wild elephants are returning, as there obviously aren’t enough water pans out there in the Park still. Only very heavy rain elsewhere would entice them further afield away from Ithumba. Mundusi led the way out to browse today, followed by Kauro and Enkikwe. 

The orphans had a quiet morning as they wandered about in the bush searching for the best green leaves available. Challa joined the dependent orphans and later accompanied them to the mud bath. Sattao, Dololo and Naboishu admired Challa and wondered when they might ever reach his size! Naboishu shook his head and left hoping to grow quickly so that he can be walking freely like Challa.

When the orphans made their way to the mud bath the sky was still cloudy, and it was quite cool. The orphans had their milk then Mundusi, Sapalan, Ambo and Musiara decided to have fun in the mud, which was surprising given the temperature. Ambo and Musiara had a disagreement that ended in a pushing game. Pare intervened by pushing the two boys away. Sana Sana, Larro, Malkia and Mteto settled to scratch against some nearby trees.

Later the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill again. Sapalan engaged Rapa in a pushing game while Mapia settled to play with Jotto. In the evening, Nabulu led the way home for the night as her friends walked in single file behind her.

It was another cold morning. The orphans left their stockades and settled for lucerne. Lenana, Lapa, Galana, Ishanga, the ‘crazy’ wild female and her baby joined the orphans too. Ambo settled to scratch on a nearby rock as Mundusi, Sapalan and Ndiwa walked down to the water trough before heading out to browse before any of the others were ready. Mapia exchanged morning greetings with Lapa while Maramoja offered to help the wild female in babysitting her baby. Later, Malima led the rest of the dependent orphans out to browse. Naboishu took the wrong route and no one opted to follow him. In order to make himself relevant, Naboishu rumbled, pretending to have lost his way. Kuishi, Mteto, Esampu and Sana Sana responded quickly, running towards Naboishu to find out what the problem was. The four girls talked to him and managed to convince Naboishu that he was okay and that he should simply follow them. Naboishu felt very happy with the attention he received from the girls and so happily followed them. Malima settled to browse with Pare while Kauro opted for a soil dusting exercise in some damp, cool soil.

It was still cool when the orphans made their way to the mud bath but even so, soon after having their milk, Ndiwa, Musiara, Naboishu, Ambo and Dololo settled for a mud bathing exercise. Shortly later, Naboishu engaged Ambo in a strength testing exercise that ended when Naboishu surrendered. Five wild bulls showed up for water and left immediately after having their fill.

The orphans settled to browse along the upper part of the kalovoto seasonal river. Sapalan and Rapa took a break from feeding to have a strength testing exercise that saw Sapalan emerge as the winner. Ambo decided to browse with his favourite Kamok while Ndiwa teamed up with Naboishu. The rest of the day was quiet as the orphans concentrated mostly on browsing.

It was a cloudy morning. The late-night gang had spent the night outside the stockade compound and joined the orphans for lucerne as soon as the Keepers started distributing the grass. When they were done, Karisa took the lead. It was still wet and cool and the orphans enjoyed every moment of browsing this morning. No one was in a hurry as now plenty of food is available and fresh green shoots are sprouting. Dololo, Larro, Malkia, Ambo, Pare, Musiara, Mundusi and Mteto took a break from feeding to have fun playing on the ground. Kauro came over and took advantage of his friends rolling on the ground by climbing on them. Mteto didn’t like Kauro climbing on her so she stood up and ran away. Sapalan settled to browse close to Larro while Nabulu teamed up with Sattao, Mapia and Malima. Karisa didn't wander off as he normally does, but opted to stay with his young dependent friends the entire day.

The orphans had their midday milk feed as usual then headed for a bush mud bath in all the little puddles that have sprung up after the rain. Pare and Jotto had a prolonged mud bath and appeared to be enjoying themselves more than any of their friends.

In the afternoon the orphans settled to browse in the Imenti area. It was a quiet afternoon as they scattered all over trying to find the best leaves. Shortly before evening, Enkikwe, Rapa and Karisa left their friends and returned to stockades early before everyone else.

It was another wet morning following rain received overnight. The dependent orphans understand that it is slippery, and they need to tread carefully to avoid landing on the ground unceremoniously. The orphans settled briefly for some lucerne but decided to leave before finishing everything the Keepers had put out for them, for they were in a hurry to go and look for the green vegetation that is now sprouting and that they have missed for a very long time. Mundusi led the way out to the bush as the rest of the group followed behind him.

There are now plenty of fresh green shoots sprouting and the orphans have a much easier time finding vegetation that had become scarce during the dry period. Jotto settled to browse with Maramoja, Dololo with Mukkoka, Naboishu with Ndiwa and Kamok with Pare. Just before it was time to head to the mud bath, Sapalan and Mundusi took a break from feeding and engaged each other in a strength testing exercise. Their game also attracted Kauro who engaged Rapa in a pushing game. Rapa decided to quit the game when he realized Kauro wasn’t following the rules and kept trying to mount him.

At mud bath time, Kuishi led the first group while Musiara led the second one. After having their milk, Sana Sana led the way back out to browse. The orphans skipped the wallowing exercise since there are so many water puddles in the bush now which they can use anytime they feel hot. The afternoon was quiet as the orphans tried to get as much fresh vegetation to fill their tummies as possible. The rains have brought joy to all creatures as everyone feels a bit less hungry and doesn’t have to struggle as much. 

Soon after leaving the stockades, Naboishu led the way out to the bush, followed by Sana Sana. Sana Sana wanted to guide Naboishu to make sure that he didn’t go the wrong way today. Funnily enough, this is the only baby that Sana Sana has really befriended so far. She hasn’t really been bothered with any of the other youngsters like Mukkoka and Larro, but she seems to have taken a shine to Naboishu for some reason.

Once out in the bush, Naboishu moved to browse with Ndiwa as the orphans settled to browse in the Kone area. Enkikwe led Malima, Malkia, Dololo and Pare to drink some rain water which had collected in the Kone dam. The late-night gang including Oltaiyoni, Siangiki, Olsekki, Roi and Naseku passed by the stockades to pick up Kithaka to join them. The team left with him and walked off into the bush.

Meanwhile, the dependent orphans had a quiet morning as they continued browsing without any major distractions. Wendi and several ex-orphans passed by Kone heading towards Kalovoto. Sana Sana joined up and left with them, despite the Keepers calling her to come back.

The orphans had their midday milk feed and then, as has become the norm, decided to walk off for their bush mud bath instead of wallowing in the main waterhole. It was moderately cool and the orphans enjoyed feeding on the green vegetation budding everywhere. Sapalan enjoyed a pushing game with Jotto.

When the dependent orphans arrived back at the stockades around 5pm they found that Sana Sana and Kithaka, who left with the ex-orphans this morning, had not reported back yet. It wasn’t until about nine o'clock when Sana Sana arrived, unaccompanied by the Wendi’s group. Kithaka didn’t return at all and it appears he decided to spend the night out with Oltaiyoni’s late-night gang.

It was wet in the morning, thanks to some rain that fell overnight. Soon after the orphans left the stockades, Mapia and Rapa engaged each other in a strength testing exercise. In the end, Mapia lost to Rapa.

Malkia teamed up with Kuishi to browse while Larro settled to browse with Rapa and Ndiwa. Later, Sapalan, Malkia, Enkikwe and Jotto took a break from feeding to roll around on the ground. Pare joined them too but was disrupted by Dololo who came to roll on him, so Pare stood up and walked away.

Neshashi, Oldepe and Roho seemed very settled today and happily followed their new friends, trying to learn all they could from them. After having their milk, the orphans moved several metres away to a place they really like, for they have dug small holes over a long period of time that they enjoy playing and rolling in.

In the afternoon the orphans settled to browse in the Kone area. Neshashi is really calming down now and seems a lot more settled. It must be quite an overwhelming change for an orphan like Neshashi, who was rescued at an older age. She only arrived at the Nurseryin January, so it’s understanding that found it to be another significant change to move to Ithumba with lots of new elephants that she doesn’t know. Roho knows a number of orphans at Ithumba, as he was raised at the Nursery since he was about nine months old, so he has a lot of old friends and acquaintances to feel relaxed. It is wonderful to see Neshashi finally settling in and recognizing that these are all just new friends!

The orphans browsed calmly, but the heat eventually appeared to be too great for Oldepe and Roho. The two boys kept on drawing water from their stomachs — special technique used by elephants to keep cool — and spraying it behind their ears. The Keepers decided to walk the herd to the Kone dam, recently filled with rainwater, where they cooled down before heading back to the stockades for the night.