Now, our water baby has a partner. Plucky Itinyi also loves swimming more than your average elephant — and it seems like he has been taking notes from Pika Pika! One afternoon, he climbed atop Kenderi in the water, much to his friend’s annoyance. This achieved Itinyi’s goal of chasing Kenderi out of the pool, so he had more space for wallowing. 

The ‘Voi kids’ (orphans rescued during the 2021-2022 drought) bring such drama and energy to the herd, as only kids can. One afternoon, Kilulu crouched on his forelegs to invite Losoito to a sparring game. A jealous Hildana toddled over and poked Kilulu’s bottom with his tusks. His friend got such a fright that he stood up and jogged away. 

Again, Kenya, Mweya, and Edie’s ex-orphan herds remained mainstays throughout the month. Laikipia was another familiar face. Rokka and Manda are leaders of the Laikipia fan club. Whenever the 25-year-old bull strides up to the stockades, they cluster around him, touching him with their small trunks and pressing their bodies against his sides. Laikipia is remarkably patient amidst all this hero worshipping.

Meanwhile, Rokka has her own fan club. The sweet little girl is always surrounded by an adoring coterie of nannies. One afternoon, feeling very safe and secure, she lay down for a midday nap, flanked by Mbegu and Godoma, who stood protectively on either side of her. While they focus on Rokka, Baraka, and Busara, Tagwa and Tamiyoi do an excellent job looking after Juni and the other Voi kids. Meanwhile, newbie Manda has been fostering his own friendships. He seems particularly fond of Ashanti. 

This month, we bore witness to an extended courtship between Laikipia and Sagala. We knew something was afoot when Sagala flirtatiously sidled against the ex-orphan, touching him with her trunk in a gesture of courtship. That morning, he responded with a trunk hug but nothing more. 

In the following days, Laikipia tagged along with Mbegu’s herd of dependent orphans, as he was keen to continue his romance with Sagala. On 19th April, they finally mated. They spent the next two days together, refusing to leave each other’s sides. Sagala even remained in the bush with Laikipia overnight, rather than return to the stockades. If all goes well, a baby will be born from this union in two years’ time! 

Thamana used to be the youngest bull in the Voi herd, but the addition of all the ‘Voi kids’ promoted him to the junior group. He has even started mentoring the younger bulls, particularly Itinyi. One afternoon, Thamana reclined on the ground while Itinyi rested his forelegs on his friend’s bulk. Thamana was happy to be an elephant sofa for Itinyi but clambered to his feet as soon as he saw his older and heavier friend, Emoli, approaching. 

Ex-orphan Ndii spent several days with the dependent herd this month. This was a real treat, as she had been gone for over two years before returning to the fold last November. During her absence, something — likely a poacher’s snare — severed the end of Ndii’s trunk. However, as her recent visits reminded us, elephants are very resilient. At the baobab tree trough, Ndii sucked up trunkfuls of water and sprayed it in every direction, showing off for her friends, who watched on with admiration.

Following in the footsteps of Ndotto, Lasayen started exploring his independence this month. During one of Mweya and Edie’s visits, he linked up with the ex-orphans and stayed out with them overnight. The following day, the Keepers spotted Arruba and Suswa clustered with Lasayen a distance from the stockades. They were encouraging the bull to stay with them, rather than return to the dependent herd. Their efforts were in vain as Lasayen ambled home later in the day, much to the delight of his friends.

In fact, all the senior bulls explored their independence this month. On 19th April, Ngalai, Lasayen, Ndotto, and Murit did not return home. The following morning, Keepers drove out looking for them, only to find them comfortably browsing with the herd of wild elephants. Responding to the Keepers’ calls, the four boys ambled back to reunite with Mbegu’s herd.

On 24th April, Rorogoi returned after a five-month absence. The ex-orphan sauntered up to the Voi stockades, looking content and healthy . She was in the company of many old friends, including Naipoki, Panda, Kihari, Suswa, and Mudanda. Ndotto and Naipoki celebrated Rorogoi’s return with a sparring match on the lower terrace while Godoma and Panda wrestled on the upper terrace. Mbegu and Rorogoi stood with their heads together and trunks entwined, catching up after several months’ separation. Out in the bush, Ndotto followed Rorogoi like a shadow for the whole morning. 

Lemeki has two loves in her life: Thamana, her first love, and Losoito, her new love. In the past, Losoito tended to be quite nervous and solitary. The presence of sweet Lemeki has changed her life, making her happier and more confident.