In the Kibwezi Forest, November began with rain — and lots of it! During 48 hours of relentless storms, Lima Lima, Zongoloni, and Sonje failed to link up with the orphan herd. This must have felt like a very long two days for Murera, as she relies on the older girls to help look after baby Mwana. In their absence, little Amali, Kiasa, and Enkesha stepped up to entertain Mwana and give Murera a break.
It's now raining hard in Umani. Many had not experienced rain, particularly little Mwana. However, she loves water and swimming more than the older babies — notably Mwashoti and Alamaya, who typically skip the midday swimming sessions and avoid the waterhole.
After it rained for two days straight, Lima Lima and her teammates failed to come home during that period. Mwana missed their presence, and even Murera felt it. When Lima Lima and her team are around, Murera can relax. Lima Lima, Zongoloni, and Sonje, even allowed Mwana to suckle from them, although of course they are not producing milk.
However, the two days without them felt very long for Murera, as opportunities for free time were far and few between. Now, it was the responsibility of Enkesha, Kiasa, and little Amali to entertain Mwana and give Murera a break.
On the way home, Amali took over the leadership from Enkesha so that Mwana could closely follow them. As usual, Murera was the last one at the back. When the elephants formed a straight line, blocking Mwana's view of Murera, she broke the line to go back and support her mother.
It's been raining continuously since last week, which is a cause for celebration among the whole herd of orphaned elephants. However, during their night stay in the stockades, Mwana and Murera found it challenging to stand under the open sky and endure the rain. They walked under the roof to avoid getting wet. Murera stood up to breastfeed, positioning herself at an angle that allowed her to feed the baby comfortably.
Seizing the opportunity, neighbour Kiombo extended his trunk to snatch their branches through the wooden wall. He thought Murera would be too busy nursing to notice the theft — but how wrong he was! She moved swiftly to Kiombo’s hiding place and made her displeasure clear, although the fence separating their rooms protected him from any real discipline. Still, Kiombo screamed as if something drastic had happened and retreated to the wall he shares with his other neighbour, Kiasa. She cleverly moved all her greens to the other side of her wall, to keep them out of Kiombo’s reach.
Out in the forest, Amali went out to where Kapei was pulling tall grass with his trunk and kicking it out with his feet. Kapei was not welcoming when Amali approached him. Maktao and Enkesha had to intervene, preventing the petulant youngster from pushing his little sister.
Enkesha and Kiasa approached Lima Lima and Zongoloni, seemingly seeking advice about something. It appeared that, as younger members of the herd, they were consulting their older sisters about which part of the forest they should move to. After a brief meeting, they all went towards Murera and Sonje, and eventually, the entire herd started moving towards the Kenzili area, suggesting an agreement to browse there.
Two bushbucks appeared, attempting to cross to the other side of the Kenzili forest area. Amali and Mwashoti were also trying to cross, and both groups were halted in their tracks by the sudden appearance of the bushbucks. The bushbucks ran into hiding, leaving the elephants puzzled, as the crossing happened too quickly for them to fully comprehend.
At the waterhole, there was no wallowing or swimming today due to continuous rain. Even the little elephants opted for the bush waterholes and puddles created by the rain, where they could drink and wallow as much as they pleased.
Lots of food is now abundant in the Kibwezi Forest and Chyulu Hills, so everyone has plenty to eat. However, Kapei is particularly greedy. Today, he ate voraciously, unwilling to share with any other elephant. If he saw someone ahead of him, he would rush to the front, attempting to prevent others from accessing the fresh vegetation before him.
Little Amali and Mwashoti devised a clever strategy to catch Kapei off guard. When Kapei thought he had secured a specific spot for browsing, he found Amali and Mwashoti already there, enjoying the branches he had targeted.
Sonje, Zongoloni, and Quanza arrived late to the herd, having spent the night in the Chyulus. Ziwa and his wild friends accompanied them, and one of his wild female friends approached the orphans. However, Lima LIma and Zongoloni did not welcome her into the herd, fearing she might kidnap a baby.
Sonje and her team of nightclubbers failed to show up in the morning, as they usually do. This is likely due to the rain. Lima Lima tried to shepherd the dependent herd over to Sonje and Zongoloni, but little matriarchs Enkesha and Kiasa had already directed the herd into the hills. Murera provided guidance to the young girls, while Amali stayed close to her little sister Mwana.
Later, Mwana attempted to hold a small branch. However, her tiny trunk struggled to break it into two. Kiasa and Quanza came to her aid, breaking it for her. Mwana picked up the pieces and brought them to her mouth, dropping one to play with as she moved towards the herd.
Zongoloni came running to see the orphans, after a two-day safari away from home. The herd enthusiastically welcomed her with loud trumpetings and celebrations. Mwashoti and Faraja also returned, only to find that the herd had ventured into the Umani hills.
Faraja aimed to reach the top of the hills, hoping to find Sonje and Lima Lima. He calmed down the minute he reached the girls.
Back home, treats had been left outside for the nightclubbers, but baboons invaded the area. Some were seated on bales, while others played atop the stockade roofs. Quanza ran over and banished them from the area. Some baboons climbed to the nearby treetops to avoid the elephants.
This month, the orphan herd has not had as many encounters with wild elephants, due to the heavy rain. Today, only the orphans were seen roaming around — the other group of ex-orphans didn't show up either.
Murera led a group of little babies today, including Enkesha, Amali, Kiasa, Maktao, Kapei, and Kiombo. The rest of the orphans were not around. Mwashoti arrived late in the evening, coming from the Chyulu Hills direction. He joined his long-time friend Murera, who warmly welcomed him into the herd.
A tug-of-war erupted between Kiombo and his all-time favourite playmate, Maktao. Initially, Maktao wasn't showing much interest in pushing back, but Kiombo persisted until Maktao decided to join in. Maktao, with his longer tusks and clever strategy of standing on higher ground, gained the advantage, making it difficult for Kiombo. The tug-of-war continued until Kiombo stopped and ran away, leaving Maktao with Mwashoti.
Upon Limalima's arrival, she cross-checked the herd. After learning about the boys’ play-turned–fight, she went to calm Kiombo, who was still bitter about the encounter.
After the midday bottle feeding, some of the babies went to the waterhole to swim. However, Kiasa and Kapei chose separate directions, boycotting the swimming pool. Amali and Quanza tested the water but found it too cold. Both opted to move away into the Kibwezi Forest to continue browsing instead of wallowing.
Amali turned out to be exceptionally playful today, actively seeking out Kapei. However, Kapei was not interested in playing with Amali. Undeterred, Amali then turned to Enkesha, who welcomed her warmly. The girls gently pushed close to Kiasa, who was given the task of keeping baby Mwana away from the play area.
Kiombo chose Maktao as his playmate, but Maktao was not in the mood for the pushing games. Observing Maktao's serious demeanour, Kiombo decided to leave him alone. Quanza and Sonje moved to where the young boys were, but Sonje felt it was not the right time for them to engage in pushing games. She sensed that the two were becoming too intense in their play, which was making Mwana uneasy.
Lima Lima and her friends arrived from the Chyulu area. Faraja, who had been absent for quite some time, was with them. After a few minutes, Ziwa and his wild group of friends joined the herd from the Kibwezi Forest side, moving into the Chyulu area where the babies were having their afternoon browsing time.
Jasiri appeared with a very large, giant bull from the bushes. The bull seemed to target Sonje and Zongoloni, but the two girls weren’t interested in him. Zongoloni rushed to hide amongst the dependent orphan herd.
The orphans emerged from their stockades at a slower pace, leaving the Keepers wondering about the unusual delay. Only Mwana came out quickly with Murera, running to join her sisters Amali and Kiasa, who had already walked over to check on her. Kapei, on the other hand, seemed very sleepy and slow. He made a beeline for the lucerne pellets that had been distributed outside the stockade area.
The morning treats had already been invaded by the nightclubbers, with Mwashoti and Alamaya ready to defend their share. Kapei stood his ground, vigorously protecting the pellets. However, when Murera saw that the boys were not willing to share, she asserted her authority and chased them all away.
After all the elephants had gathered in the bushes, the orphans joined forces with the other nightclubbers to form one herd. They later browsed along Umani Springs, staying close and friendly.
The nightclubbers arrived behind the stockades very late in the evening, only to find their friends already inside their rooms relaxing. It was amusing to see Zongoloni moving around the stockades next to Murera's room, trying to smell Mwana. Meanwhile, Murera was brave and brought Mwana inside when rain started to fall. Murera moved the baby to a dry space under the roof, as Mwana dislikes rain. However, Mwana is also sensitive to the noise of the rain on the roof, and she really doesn’t like thunderstorms. She woke up when the thunderstorm began, prompting Murera to bring the baby to her chest to keep her safe. Mwana was comforted by the protective embrace of her mother during the thunderstorm.
Outside, the nightclubbers left immediately when they felt the thunderstorm approaching. Meanwhile, leopards were heard screaming around Umani Springs. This caused a stir amongst the herd. Enkesha attempted to escape through the wooden wall towards her friend Maktao, thinking that joining him would make things better. However, Maktao did not want Enkesha on his side and pushed her back to her room. The Keepers intervened and resolved the issue between them. After a few sleepless hours, everyone settled down.
The continuous rain made the elephants very playful today. They came across termite hills and rubbed their bellies against them. It doubled as a good opportunity for Mwana to learn tactics to remove ticks from her tender skin. Kapei and Amali became particularly playful with each other. Amali jumped over Kapei and started rolling, creating a jolly atmosphere.
Afterward, it was time for a bathing show. Kiasa stepped into the waterhole with Mwana, opening up the swimming session. Both babies showcased their skills with expertise. Mwashoti and Alamaya joined lastly to swim, but found that the little babies had already left.
The day began with cloudy skies, indicating the onset of early rains. The rain and wet grass made the orphans’ feet cold, prompting a delayed start to their daily activities. However, the little sisters and Mwana turned the situation into a playful opportunity on the termite hills. They rubbed their bellies against them, creating colourful patterns similar to the hills.
Amali and Enkesha attempted to sleep on the hills, and Kapei and Mwana joined them. Enkesha remained quiet to let the babies have their fun. Later, Lima Lima and Sonje walked to the hills, engaging in playful activities in the mud.
Amali snatched a small stick from Mwana, which caused an irate Mwana to push her in the head. Fortunately, Amali was quick, and Mwana's small head didn't reach her, sparing Amali from any pain. Instead, Mwana went to nurse from Mwana. Her belly full, she returned to Amali and Kiasa.
Jasiri and Ziwa returned today, bringing joy to both Keepers and orphans. However, Ziwa was not to stay, as his wild group of elephants arrived shortly after. After a short visit with his orphan friends, Ziwa was given the go-ahead to join his wild group, which consisted of one big female, three boys, and one younger girl.
Jasiri, on the other hand, decided to stay with the orphans. Murera didn't seem pleased with Jasiri's arrival, as there had been a previous incident where Jasiri tried to push her. She removed herself from the situation and slowly moved off.
Observing her mother walking away, Mwana decided to join her, forcing Amali and the little nannies to change direction and follow Murera and the baby. This left Kiombo, Maktao, and the others with Lima Lima, Zongoloni, Sonje, and the big boys.
Today, there was no mud bath, as heavy rain began immediately after taking midday bottles. Mwana sought shelter under her mother, while everyone stood beneath any shelter they could find.
It’s very green in the Kibwezi Forest, much to the delight of the orphans. Everyone is revelling in the bounty of vegetation. Kiombo and Quanza were seen with very full bellies, yet they continued to eat without taking a break. Murera and the little nannies were also busy foraging, pulling grass using their feet, while little Mwana observed and mimicked their behaviour.
At one point, Mwana left Amali and swam in a small puddle, cooling off and trying to get rid of some ticks that were bothering her. Ever the good sister, Amali followed her.
The orphans then proceeded to Chyulu and reunited with their friends, including Zongoloni, Lima Lima, Sonje, Alamaya, and Mwashoti. Sensing their presence, Zongoloni and Lima Lima ran over to welcome them into the bushes, specifically looking for Mwana and Amali.
Some of the orphans followed Sonje back to Murera, forming a group of females. However, the two big boys, Alamaya and Mwashoti, ventured on their own path. Kiombo initially lost direction and followed them, but he eventually realised his mistake and turned back to join Sonje. Murera walked slowly behind them, confident that Sonje and Enkesha would not move so fast as to leave her far behind.
Today, there was no rain, and the bushes were somewhat dry. The sun made a brief appearance, bringing some delight to the elephants, who took advantage of the warm weather to play in the waterholes. As the elephants enjoyed, a male zebra unexpectedly crossed their path in the open grass fields. The trumpeting sounds from Kiombo and Kapei startled the zebra, making it take off at top speed towards the Chyulu side. The zebra was likely looking for its friends, and the unexpected encounter with the elephants certainly sped up its journey.
Later, Amali escorted her little sister Mwana back to the stockades. Amali then went to check on Murera and her baby, making sure they got into their room before she entered her own room for bottle feeding. Amali has developed a friendly bond with Mwana, and the feeling is mutual. They seem to get along like younger sisters, with Amali always accommodating Mwana's wishes without any complaints. After entering their room, Mwana took a moment to drink some water before moving under her mother for nursing. Murera accepted Mwana's desire and breastfed her.
A good number of wild elephants, primarily females, arrived at the mud bath area yesterday evening and remained in the area today. During the midday bottle feeding, the orphans, particularly Sonje and other babies, tried to follow the wild elephants by smelling their dung and following the path they took. Some of the orphans were observed eating the dung, with little Amali even cutting pieces to eat after seeing Quanza and Sonje doing the same. This behaviour is a natural and necessary instinct for young elephants, helping them learn what to browse on.
While in the Chyulu area, a rock hyrax crossed the road and skittered towards the babies. Amali was rolling over Kapei and Kiombo when she stumbled, causing her to scream for help. This alarmed Murera and the other older females, who rushed to see what happened. However, by the time they arrived, Enkesha and Kiasa had already helped the distressed Amali.
The Kibwezi Forest has been blessed with abundant rain, transforming it into a rainforest. This has provided ample food for elephants and other animals, creating a celebratory atmosphere. However, some elephants like Faraja and his friends have chosen not to return home, opting to celebrate with wild friends. The rain has also prompted crocodiles to move to different waterholes — including those where the orphans usually have their wallowing moments. When Kapei and Kiombo approached a water spring, they encountered terrapins and two crocodiles, causing the crocodiles to retreat into the water.
In the Umani Hills, the orphans descended down the hill in anticipation of bottle time. Kapei and Enkesha engaged in a playful race, with Enkesha taking the lead, followed by Kapei. Kiombo and Maktao were the last to arrive. Mwana, who does not have a bottle, stepped aside, allowing Amali and Kiasa to wait for Murera.
Despite the cold and rainy weather, the orphans went to the waterhole. Mwana took the lead, urging the others to join her in the swimming pool. Even though the swimming was short-lived, Mwana emerged as the star of the swimming session, showing her signature enthusiasm for the water.
Today, Alamaya and Mwashoti attempted to play rough with little Mwana. Murera, witnessing the situation, took action to protect her daughter and chased the rowdy boys away. Little Amali, along with Enkesha, stepped in to stay with Mwana, ensuring she wasn't alone in the open fields.
Quanza later gathered the older friends who were with Lima Lima and Sonje, convincing them to return to the dependent herd. Upon their arrival at Kenzili, Murera responded with loud rumbles, signalling her presence along with the Keepers and her baby. To everyone's surprise, two large bulls emerged from the thickening Chyulu bushes, which had grown after the rains. Initially hidden, the bulls appeared friendly and humble towards the Keepers and the orphan herd.
The heavy rains didn't stop the young elephants from enjoying a swim in the waterholes. Initially, the herd stopped at a nearby waterhole where Quanza and Lima Lima wanted them to settle. However, Sonje had different plans and walked to a further waterhole. The orphans decided to follow her, where they found Sonje already swimming. Amali, Kiasa, and finally, Mwana joined the swimming session. Mwana, not minding how she would dive, rolled over and safely landed in the water.
As the babies swam, Murera chose to stay on firm ground, pulling grass with her feet and enjoying the lush green vegetation. Mwashoti was denied a chance to swim by Sonje, so he sought the company of Murera. Putting their quarrel from earlier in the week aside, Murera was happy to see the bull.
The wet earth, caused by overnight and morning rain, slowed down the orphans as they moved cautiously to avoid slipping on the slippery ground. Sonje and Mutrera, aware of the challenging conditions, walked slowly to the springs. Amali took charge of little baby Mwana, with support from Kiasa and Enkesha. Kapei tried to interact with Mwana, who responded by pushing him with all her might. However, due to her small size and limited strength, Mwana couldn't push Kapei hard enough to make a significant impact. Kapei, understanding this, moved away, giving Mwana the space to play around.
After some time, Mwana rumbled, then hurriedly went to suckle milk from Sonje and later sought more from Murera, who actually had milk to offer.
Sonje and her nightclubber friends, including Zongoloni, Lima Lima, and Quanza, returned from their night out and joined the rest of the orphans as they headed towards the Umani hills. However, when they approached the hills, Lima Lima signalled to the others, and it was clear that they had decided not to climb to the top. They avoided the wet bushes at the summit, likely due to the recent rain and cold weather. Quanza led them back towards the Chyulu hills, walking along the road to avoid the wetness from the bushes.
Meanwhile, trouble arose when Amali accidentally hit little Kapei while running towards Mwana. In response, Kapei held Amali's tail, causing her distress. Murera and Enkesha, initially confused about who was in trouble, rushed to help. Once they realised it was Amali, Enkesha provided assistance, and Amali sought comfort with Murera. Kapei, in turn, was chased away from the herd but later found refuge with Kiombo.
It seems that there was a change in the usual routine, with Sonje and her team of nightclubbers not showing up at the stockades this morning. Enkesha and Kiasa took charge of leading the group, and Murera even entrusted them with the care of the baby Mwana. The orphans, including Kapei, Maktao, and Kiombo, followed the new leaders to the Kenzili area for their day of browsing.
While the orphans were enjoying the fresh and green vegetation on the Kenzili hills, Zongoloni appeared in the herd. Quanza and Mwashoti were particularly happy to see her, along with Murera and the others. The area has experienced rapid regrowth of vegetation after recent rains, bringing joy not only to the orphans but also to the entire wildlife community in the Kibwezi Forest and Chyulu hills. The landscape, which had suffered from wildfires, was now thriving again.
The persistent rain caused a bit of anxiety among the young elephants, notably Kapei and his neighbour, Amali. Mwana, who also doesn’t like the sound the rain makes on the roof, was uncharacteristically undisturbed as she calmly nursed her mother.
As the rain persisted, Kapei managed to overcome his initial panic, realising that the rest of the herd was maintaining a calm demeanour. Maktao initiated a rumble, prompting a joyous response from the entire herd and effectively putting an end to the heightened tension caused by the storm. Kiasa, Enkesha, and the others remained quiet, attentively raising their long trunks in the direction of Murera and her baby, Mwana. Murera's rumble to them conveyed a message, perhaps reassuring them to wait until morning, when she would bring the baby into their collective care after a night of restlessness.
Today, the orphans ventured out to Umani Springs, where they encountered their nightclubber friends. As they approached the springs, Zongoloni and Quanza took the lead, with Mwana eagerly following suit. However, their progress came to a sudden halt as Kapei sensed something amiss and stopped. Amali, following closely behind, also halted, prompting everyone to pay keen attention to their behaviour. After a few moments, it became apparent that a large python, a regular visitor in the months of August and October, was basking in the sunshine. Kapei's quick instincts and the collective awareness of the elephants led them to stop and observe. Shortly thereafter, the python retreated into its hole, signalling to the elephants that it was safe to move on. Guided by Lima Lima and Kiasa, the orphans moved ahead, while the Keepers remained at a safe distance to avoid any potential encounters with the python.
In the lush Kibwezi Forest, the babies found numerous waterholes created by the ongoing rain. The elephants took advantage of these discoveries, indulging in joyful swimming sessions. The plentiful rains have transformed the landscape, bringing happiness to the elephants and providing ample opportunities for feeding. Amidst their explorations, Maktao and Kiombo engaged in their customary pushing games. Kiombo, trailing behind, attempted to challenge Maktao, resulting in a playful exchange of pushes as they journeyed into the Chyulu Hills.
This morning, Alamaya made a joyful return to the orphan herd after an extended outing with his wild friends. The entire herd expressed their excitement with strong rumbling. Quanza, in particular, couldn't contain her joy, letting out loud screams as she welcomed Alamaya back into the fold. In response, Alamaya reciprocated with equally enthusiastic vocalisations. Murera, pleased to see him again, warmly received Alamaya, who was accompanied by Mwashoti.
Meanwhile, Amali and Kapei discovered a waterhole filled to the brim and decided to indulge in a swimming session. Kapei playfully tried to push Amali into deeper waters, but Amali stood her ground, thwarting Kapei's attempts. The older girls, including Lima Lima, Quanza, Zongoloni, and others, intervened to keep the mischievous boy at bay. Eventually, Kapei was escorted back to where Kiombo and Maktao were engaged in their day-long pushing games.
As days swiftly pass by, Mwana continues to thrive, now reaching eight months and three weeks of age. She is healthy, robust, and has grown noticeably larger. Amali, the second youngest of the Umani orphans, adores Mwana and treats her like a little sister. The bond between them is evident as they move to the waterhole together. Mwana, displaying her love for swimming, enters the water and playfully demonstrates swimming techniques to her older friends. The other babies follow suit, and the vigilant nannies strategically position themselves to ensure her safety, attempting to prevent her from venturing too deep into the water.
In a peculiar turn of events, Lima Lima and Zongoloni have started behaving differently when they join the orphan herd in the morning. Instead of moving together with the group when climbing the hills, they choose separate directions. Notably, Sonje and Zongoloni head towards the Kibwezi forests, deviating from the usual routine. We wonder if this is a plot to take Mwana for themselves for a few hours.
However, Murera, along with other nannies, strongly opposes their plan, as do the Keepers. Sometimes, Kapei and Kiombo briefly attempt to follow, but they quickly realise the importance of staying with Murera and the other babies.
Faraja, accompanied by Jasiri and Alamaya, returned in the evening with wild bull friends. Upon arriving at the stockades, the wild bulls swiftly moved towards the water springs instead of stopping to drink from the trough. Faraja and Jasiri stopped to greet their Keepers, who welcomed them back with treats. The Keepers were delighted to see their babies after the long absence, and the appearance of Faraja and Jasiri brought relief.
Jasiri seemed to notice that Mwana, who used to be a tiny baby, had grown significantly. In fact, she is almost the same size as her close friend, Amali. Faraja stayed by the gate entrance, while Jasiri, without waiting for the entire herd, followed Sonje and the others back to the Chyulu Hills. At the waterhole, the orphans were ready to drink water. Then, a heron bird flew up from the dry land. Kapei, who couldn't see what it was, got scared and screamed for help. The herd started running in response to Kapei's distress, but they stopped when the Keepers called them back.
Sonje returned home today after being absent for about four days. When she arrived, she seemed dull and restless — unusually, she was not even in the mood to play with Mwana. Upon closer inspection, the Keepers discovered that Sonje was experiencing dental issues and a stomach upset, causing her pain.
In response, Dr Limo of the SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Vet UNit was called to the scene. He examined Sonje as a vigilant Lima Lima looked on. The Keepers had separated the other babies, in case the treatment caused them distress. However, Lima Lima, with her sharp intelligence, immediately sensed that something was happening. When Sonje fell after the anaesthetic took effect, Lima Lima yelled to alert her friends.
The vet determined that Sonje had consumed a harmful plant, prompting an allergic reaction. She was treated and received deworming drugs. After the treatment, Sonje was awakened by the vet and walked back to the stockades, where she reunited with her friends.
It was a great day, as Sonje was feeling better after her brief health ordeal. The other orphans joyfully received her, and lively Mwana was so happy to see her that she ran over and started climbing all over her. Sonje allowed Mwana to play with her until Enkesha and Kiasa came to pick her up. Amali attempted to mount Sonje, but was stopped by Kapei. Amali then joined Murera and Kiombo in foraging for little branches.
Alamaya and Mwashoti arrived with two wild bull friends. Murera, recognizing the approaching bulls, raised her ears and moved away with the nannies to avoid them. Lima Lima and Zongoloni approached the bulls, while Quanza and the little nannies followed Murera's guidance to keep a safe distance. Lima Lima and Zongoloni, who are always looking for potential friends, stayed back.