Choose your region

Wild elephant bull Kijana and ex-orphan Tomboi arrived early in the morning and placed themselves strategically ready to receive Lucerne as well. Esampu and Malima entwined their trunks in morning greetings. On the way out to browse, Namalok engaged Karisa in a pushing game in which Karisa surrendered and moved to play with Sapalan. Later, Karisa moved to play with Pare while Galla played with Sapalan. Ambo followed Malima around the place. The rest of the morning was quiet and at mud bath time the orphans fully participated in the wallowing exercise. Ten wild bulls were present and enjoyed wallowing and drinking water with the orphans. In the afternoon, the orphans settled along the upper Kalovoto River an area they have come to like because of lots of vegetation they like to eat there. 

In the morning, Rapsu and his wild friends reported at the stockade compound for water. After drinking enough water, Rapsu moved over to the rocks by the hillside, where he relaxed waiting for his friends. Musiara decided to go and scratch on the same rocks where Rapsu was standing, but Rapsu didn't bother with the small boy and continued to act as if nothing was happening around him. 

After feeding on Lucerne, Sattao led the way out to browse where he settled for a soil dusting exercise. Mapia and Malima also joined in the game of soil dusting. The rest of the morning was quiet. 

At mud bath time, the orphans were joined by ex-orphans Melia, Kitirua, Tumaren, Chemi Chemi, Bomani ,Orwa, Makena and 25 wild bulls. The sun was really hot and this prompted all the orphans to really enjoy wallowing in the mud bath after having their milk bottles. Later the dependent orphans headed for a soil dusting exercise and thereafter Naseku settled for scratching while Bomani and Chemi Chemi settled for a strength testing exercise. Shortly later, the ex-orphans parted ways with the dependent Ithumba orphans. 

The orphans settled for Lucerne in the morning soon after leaving their stockades. Malima left with a branch in her mouth which she continued to enjoy before settling for some Lucerne as well. The orphans were joined by Mutara’s group in the company of Kinna, baby Kama, Sunyei, baby Siku, Kilaguni and several wild elephants. On the way out to browse, Kauro came across a nice rock that he scratched on before tackling Wanjala in a pushing game. Naseku and Esampu took a break from feeding to have a game of rolling on the ground. Dololo, who is slowly trying to establish himself among the big boys, decided to challenge Rapa, Karisa and later Mapia too. 

At mud bath time, a few wild bulls were in attendance. Ex-orphans Kinna, Kama, Sunyei, Siku, Lenana, Lapa, Ishanga and Mutara were also present. In the afternoon, the orphans parted ways with the ex-orphans. The orphans settled to browse along the upper Kalovoto seasonal river.

Kinna, baby Kama, Lenana, Lapa and a wild elephant were outside the stockade compound in the morning. The babies Kama and Lapa were sleeping soundly as their mothers stood over watching. Soon when the orphans were let out, Kama and Lapa woke up and together with their mothers walked to share Lucerne with the orphans. The rascal Lapa started fighting Naseku and Malima who had come to babysit him. Finally Naseku and Malima gave up and left wondering what a handful Lapa is! Ex-orphan bull Zurura joined the orphans for Lucerne and left shortly later. 

Out in the bush, Ambo, who usually avoids conflicts with the others, was at logger-heads with Mapia because Mapia passed close by and brushed against him. Ambo took offence at this violation of his calm environment and this gave him the guts to attack Mapia. Mapia just turned and seemed amused, wondering if Ambo would succeed in pushing him. Before things could turn nasty, Siangiki and Kamok arrived, separating the two boys and leaving with Ambo. Later Ambo met with Olsekki who seemed to comfort the young bull as well. Kamok engaged Enkikwe in a pushing game in which Enkikwe tried as much as possible not to lose the game, as being a bull he didn’t want to lose face to Kamok. The game ended in a draw. 

At the mud bath today we were astonished to find that no single wild elephant or ex-orphan showed up, despite the very hot conditions. The Ithumba orphans had the venue all for themselves and enjoyed each moment before finally going back to browsing. Ambo led the way and took his friends to his place of choice. The remaining part of the day was quiet as the orphans concentrated on browsing.

Malima, Musiara, Sana Sana and Mteto left the stockades this morning carrying branches in their mouths which they enjoyed on their way out. Only four wild bulls showed up this morning for water so the orphans settled for Lucerne without any disturbance from any outsiders. The orphans understand the challenge at the moment as it is very dry out in the bush as we await the rains, and they made sure to pick up every last bit of Lucerne provided this morning. 

Later in the morning the bulls engaged each other in strength testing pushing games that didn't last for long, as they understood that they also shouldn’t be wasting time and they should be concentrating on feeding. The weather was cloudy and at mud bath time, the orphans weren’t keen on wallowing in the water. Only a few orphans chose to join the wild bulls that were present for a short swim, while the rest opted for a soil dusting exercise. Sapalan and Rapa ganged up against Galla who was giving Mapia trouble by climbing on him all the time. Galla withdrew when he realized what the two boys were up to. 

In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area. The weather worked perfectly for the orphans as it wasn’t too hot so they could happily focus on browsing. The orphans browsed without resting up to five o'clock in the evening when the Keepers brought them back to the stockades. 

It was dry in the morning today. The previous day’s rain meant that the wild bulls and the ex-orphans chose not to visit today as they found enough water elsewhere. Enkikwe went for his treatment on his leg as usual, which is always accompanied by an extra milk bottle as a reward for always being punctual and never complaining. Ambo settled for Lucerne pellets that he loves even more than the Lucerne bales. On the way out of the stockade where he was being treated, Enkikwe grabbed a few pellets from where Ambo was feeding which prompted Ambo to complain bitterly to the Keepers. The Keepers showed Enkikwe the way out to avoid further complaints from Ambo. 

Kauro, Malima and Karisa settled for water at the newest water trough. Shortly later, Kauro turned against the two and started pushing them to go to another water trough. Karisa and Malima left quietly to avoid further trouble from Kauro who appeared to have woken up on the wrong side of bed this morning and was in a grumpy mood. Ambo left as soon as he had finished his pellets. On the way, Ambo rumbled signaling his big sisters that he was leaving. Kamok hurriedly walked towards Ambo so that they could walk out together. 

The orphans had a quiet morning as they browsed calmly given the right temperature of the day after the rain. Four wild bulls attended the mud bathing event and shared water with the orphans. Sapalan lagged behind with two wild bulls and seemed to be in awe of them. Shortly later, Sapalan left the company of the wild bulls swinging his trunk sideways expressing his happiness and joy. 

In the afternoon there was a stampede when several dik diks passed by close to the elephant orphans at a high speed. The orphans ran to the Keepers since they didn’t understand why the dik diks were running and they thought there might be danger around. The Keepers calmed them down and thereafter they resumed browsing.