Poor Esoit began August with a bit of drama. One morning, he got too close to a wild bull, who uncharitably pushed him to the ground. Esoit yelled for help, and his loyal Keepers ran over to diffuse the situation.
The ex-orphans and wild elephants arrived early at the stockade compound for lucerne and water. Soon after the orphans had their milk, Vaarti led the way out. Esoit stayed close to Kuishi as Sattao engaged Gawa in a light strength-testing exercise. Mayan and Vaarti ganged up against a young wild bull of their size. The young bull ended up surrendering to our new boys by walking away. Mayan and Vaarti were so happy to have won the contest against the wild boy.
The orphans couldn't stay long due to the competition for lucerne from the ex-orphans and wild elephants. A total of 98 elephants were present in the morning. Naleku led the way to the browsing field. The sky was clear, indicating a hot day ahead. The orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area. As the day progressed, the temperatures rose, prompting the orphans to feed under the shade of trees.
At eleven o'clock in the morning, Olorien led the first group to the mud bath. After getting their milk, Lodo, Roho, Esoit, Suguroi, and Larro jumped into the wallowing water for a cooling-off exercise. The rest of the team headed for a drink and were joined by Nasalot, Nusu, Noah, and Garzi. Nusu tried to talk to Sattao and Mukkoka to join him for a walk, but they declined, promising to join him another day. Garzi interacted briefly with the orphans before following Nasalot and her two sons.
In the afternoon, the hot sun prompted the orphans to take a break from feeding and relax under a tree until the temperatures dropped to a more favourable level. Suguroi and Vaarti engaged in a light pushing game, while Mayan played with Esoit. In the evening, on the way back to the stockade, the orphans met Orwa and Kandecha. After exchanging greetings, the orphans headed to the stockade, while Kandecha and Orwa headed west.
It was such a beautiful and busy morning today with lots of ex-orphans and wild elephants who came to visit and share lucerne and water with the baby orphans. The orphans had their share of milk as usual and walked out to feed on lucerne. They found a big group of ex-orphans and wild elephants waiting for them. They accompanied them in the field and were all served with lucerne immediately. Melia and Milo, along with Chyulu and her two babies Cheka and Charlie, were among them, with Milo enjoying breastfeeding from his mum. Another wild female with one tusk, known as Pembe Moja, was also present and was busy breastfeeding her baby while feeding on lucerne. Enkikwe was seen sipping water outside the kitchen. Afterward, the babies walked to the bush to browse.
In the bush, Vaarti was having a morning nap before he fully started browsing. The rest were busy picking leaves and branches. Olare with her baby Ola joined the orphan babies in the bush for browsing. She was accompanied by Kibo and her full team, including Melia and Milo. Milo made a new friend in Vaarti and was happy to walk with Vaarti peacefully in the bush.
Afterwards, the babies headed to the mud bath. They had their bottles of milk, with Vaarti enjoying self-service. A wild female group came to wallow in the small mud bath, and later some of our babies joined them. They fully enjoyed wallowing and later came out and walked back to the bush to continue browsing.
Back in the bush, Kuishi was with Mayan, leaving her favourite Esoit behind. Sattao started playing and mounting on Kindani, while Kinyei was scratching her trunk on a bent tree. Kindani came to play with Suguroi again before walking back home in the evening. Roho, on the other side, was busy browsing.
In the evening, the babies walked back home. Mukkoka dawdled behind, as he no longer gets milk bottles. But after one hour, he came into the stockade and was put in his bedroom. All the rest of the elephants ended the day fine and okay.
It was a beautiful morning as the babies had their breakfast and walked out to the field to feed on lucerne. They met with ex-orphans and wild elephants and started interacting while feeding. Galana, Kinna, Yatta, Melia, Yetu, Tumaren, Mutara, and Olare with their babies were among them. Naleku tried to nurse Tumaren's baby, Tembo, and didn't want to follow the other orphans. However, she was eventually persuaded to join her fellow orphans in the bush.
Back in the bush, it was still cold, and the babies enjoyed browsing a lot. Vaarti and Esoit started playing, and Vaarti later playfully jumped on Kinyei. Sattao was seen kissing and comforting Esoit. A lesser kudu appeared briefly but ran away soon after. The babies encountered a wild bull with one tusk on their way to the mud bath.
At the mud bath, the babies had their milk and then walked to the waterhole to drink. There was also a group of ex-orphans, including Wendi, the naughty girl with her young baby Wimbi, and Mwende with her baby Mala. The babies drank water and walked back to the bush for evening browsing.
Back in the bush, the babies were busy browsing when Mutara's group arrived to join them. Malkia, Turkwel, Suguta, Kainuk, and Sities were with them. The babies later walked back home in the evening for their milk bottles. There were very few wild elephants in the stockade this evening, likely due to the cold weather.
It was a quiet morning. After getting their six o'clock milk, the orphans left the stockade and settled for lucerne. They were joined by only one wild bull. After Mayan had enough of lucerne, he decided to have a scratching exercise against one of the nearby rocks. As the orphans left for browsing, they met ex-orphans coming for lucerne and water. The orphans didn't stop but continued on their journey. Karisa followed them briefly, then changed his mind and walked back to join his colleagues.
At the browsing field, Vaarti settled to browse with Bondeni and later had a light strength testing exercise. Kinyei settled to browse with Olorien while Kuishi settled to browse with her favourite boy, Esoit. The orphans browsed calmly as they headed towards the mud bath.
At mud bath time, the temperatures were moderate. Lodo, Roho, Esoit, Suguroi, and Sattao participated in wallowing soon after milk time. The orphans were joined by several ex-orphans, including Nasalot, Noah, Nusu, Chyulu, Cheka, Charli, Lulu, Kitirua, Tusuja, Narok, Naseku, and six wild elephants. Noah engaged Sattao in a pushing game while Kuishi played with Nusu. Noah surrendered to Sattao and then moved to play with Mayan. Vaarti joined in and assisted Mayan in driving Noah away.
Kinyei, Kindani, Lodo, Olorien, Naleku, and Mukkoka settled for a soil dusting exercise before heading back to the browsing field. Naleku lagged behind, taking water with the wild elephants, then left later to catch up with her colleagues. The orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. The rest of the day was quiet as the orphans browsed calmly throughout without any major incidents.
The orphans settled for lucerne soon after leaving the stockade. Only two bulls were present initially, but shortly after, the ex-orphans and other wild elephants started trickling in, occupying the lucerne feeding area as the Keepers distributed the lucerne. The groups shared the lucerne until the orphans felt it was time to go. Kuishi led the way to the browsing field, while Olorien hid among the ex-orphans. She later followed her colleagues when she felt she had enough interaction with the ex-orphans.
The orphans settled to browse in the Kone area, where Kinyei settled to browse with Olorien, while Bondeni teamed up with Vaarti. The two boys later had a pushing game that lasted for quite some time. Mayan quit the pushing game and settled for a soil dusting exercise. At eleven o'clock in the morning, Naleku led the way to the mid-day milk feed. After getting their milk, the orphans headed straight to drink water. The temperatures were low, and none of the orphans dared to step into the mud bathing water. After drinking water, Kuishi, Esoit, Kinyei, Kindani, Lodo, and Bondeni participated in a soil dusting exercise.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. Later, the clouds cleared, giving way to sunshine. Roho, Lodo, and Vaarti took a break from feeding to relax under a tree until the temperatures dropped to a favourable level. In the evening, the orphans returned safely to the stockades for yet another night.
Sapalan, Tusuja, Tumaren, Tembo, Orwa, Mutara's group, Melia, Milo, and several wild elephants were present in the morning for the lucerne feeding. Naleku settled to babysit Tembo and had a good time together while sharing lucerne. As the feeding went on, one of the wild elephants pushed Esoit to the ground when he walked too close. Esoit screamed for help, and the Keepers intervened by shouting at the wild elephant as it tried to pin him down. Esoit fell on a rock, injuring his hip and stiff leg. Kuishi and Larro were not happy about the incident and would have taught that big elephant a lesson if they were strong enough. The two girls took Esoit and walked away in protest of what had happened. The rest of the orphans also decided to quit the feeding of lucerne in solidarity with Esoit.
The orphans settled to browse at Kone area and browsed calmly until mud bath time, when Kinyei led the first group to the mud bath. The sun was hot, and soon after getting their milk, the orphans jumped into the water for a cooling-off exercise. Even Esoit, who was slightly in pain from the morning incident, got into the water to cool his feet. Lodo, Roho, Larro, Naleku, Vaarti, Mayan, and Suguroi emerged as the stars of the day, having a prolonged wallowing session. Kinna, Kaia, Bomani, Yatta, Yoyo, Yogi, Sunyei, Siku, and Saba joined the orphans briefly before disappearing into an undisclosed location. The orphans participated in a soil dusting exercise and then joined Bomani in drinking water before heading back to the browsing field.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area and in the evening returned safely to the stockades.
Enkikwe, Pare, Rapa, and six wild elephants were at the stockade compound early in the morning before the orphans were let out. After the six o'clock milk feeds, the orphans were let out, and lucerne was distributed for everyone to share happily. Shortly after, Mutara’s group — accompanied by Ithumbah, Iman, Lualeni, Lexi, Lulu, and Teleki — arrived and joined in the feeding of lucerne.
Suguroi and Lodo played with Iman, while Mukkoka engaged Mambo in a light pushing game. Once the orphans had their fill of lucerne, Naleku led the way to the browsing field. They settled in the Kone area, where they were briefly joined by three wild bulls heading east.
As the sun grew hotter, the orphans made their way to the mud bath. After their milk, they entered the water for a refreshing cool-off. Following the mud bath, Kindani, Vaarti, Mayan, Kuishi, Bondeni, Larro, and Lodo enjoyed a soil dusting exercise.
In the afternoon, the orphans were joined by Chemi Chemi. Bondeni, Roho, Lodo, and Vaarti had a brief meeting with Chemi Chemi, though it wasn't clear what it was about. The boys soon parted ways, with Chemi Chemi heading off to an undisclosed location. The rest of the day remained quiet as the orphans browsed calmly without any significant events.
It was a cold morning following drizzles received in the wee hours of the morning. The orphans settled for lucerne soon after leaving the stockade. Yatta and her family were the only ones who made it to share lucerne with the orphans. An hour later, Kuishi led the orphans to the browsing field. The orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area and had a quiet morning. The orphans enjoyed the cool weather that was nice for their browsing activity. Vaarti settled to browse with Mayan and Esoit while Kinyei teamed up with Bondeni and Kindani. Sattao, Mukkoka, and Roho split from the main herd and browsed a distance away. The three boys rejoined their group at the time of going for the mud bath.
At mud bath time, the orphans only had their milk, then water before settling into a soil dusting exercise. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. Vaarti and Mayan came across two dik-diks who excited them. The two boys charged and trumpeted, prompting the dik-diks to scamper for their safety. In the evening, Olorien led the way back to the stockade.
The orphans settled for lucerne soon after leaving the stockade. They were joined by Ishanga, Sidai, Silas, Malima, Sunyei, Siku, and Saba. Vaarti decided to have a scratching exercise after having enough lucerne. Later, Naleku led the way to the browsing field. At the browsing field, Bondeni challenged Vaarti in a pushing game that lasted for quite some time. Larro teamed up with Sattao, while Mukkoka browsed with Kuishi. Kinyei held a brief meeting with Mayan, but no information came out concerning their meeting.
At eleven o'clock in the morning, Olorien led the way to the mud bath. The temperatures were moderate, and none of the orphans dared to touch the mud-bathing water. The orphans had their milk, then water, before briefly settling into a soil dusting exercise. In the evening, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. They browsed calmly for the rest of the day without any major observations.
The compound was flooded by ex-orphans and wild elephants in the morning. The orphans joined the herds outside and settled for lucerne together. Naleku decided to greet Lisha but faced resistance from Lili, who happens to be Lisha's sister. Naleku attempted to fight Lili to reach Lisha, but after some time, she gave up and returned to join her colleagues in feeding on lucerne. Shortly afterward, Kuishi led the way to the browsing field.
The orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area and had a quiet morning. On the way to the mud bath, they were joined by the Mutara group. Suguroi, Naleku, Larro, and Kindani enjoyed playing with Mambo. At eleven o'clock, the Mutara group escorted the orphans to the mud bath. With high temperatures, the orphans jumped into the water for wallowing immediately after getting their milk. They participated in a soil dusting exercise and then drank water before returning to the browsing field.
In the afternoon, Esioit and Bondeni engaged in a strength-testing exercise, which Kinyei interrupted by stepping in between them. Mukkoka engaged Sattao in a pushing game, while Naleku played with Lodo. In the evening, Vaarti and Mayan led the way back to the stockade.
Eleven wild elephants and three ex-orphans were at the stockade compound early before the orphans were let out. The wild elephants were mostly focused on water, and after the truck filled the water troughs, they drank to their fill and left for an undisclosed location. The ex-orphans, Kanjoro, Sana Sana, and Naboishu, stayed behind to join the orphans in feeding on lucerne.
Mayan was the first to have enough of lucerne and tried to call his colleagues to follow him, but none listened. He stood in the bushes, waiting. Meanwhile, Lodo spotted some guinea fowl and charged at them, trumpeting. This caught Mayan's attention, and he joined Lodo in trumpeting as they chased the guinea fowls away. The two boys ended up disappearing into the bushes, much to Mayan’s delight, since that’s what he wanted. The rest of the group later followed to check on them. Mayan’s mission was accomplished: Everyone followed him into the bush.
Kanjoro, Sana Sana, and Naboishu remained at the lucerne feeding area and left at their leisure. The orphans then settled to browse at Kone area, where Kinyei and Kindani took a break to enjoy a soil-dusting exercise. Esoit browsed with Bondeni, while Kuishi stood nearby, keeping an eye on Esoit to ensure Bondeni didn’t push him.
Kindani held a brief meeting with Vaarti, but it was interrupted when Roho arrived to recruit Vaarti for a pushing game. Vaarti wasn’t interested and walked away, leaving Roho upset. Roho tried to run after Vaarti to push him but was quickly cautioned by the Keepers not to do so.
At mud bath time, Suguroi led the first group, while Kinyei led the second. Fifteen wild bulls were present, and the Keepers politely requested them to give the orphans space to drink water. The bulls complied, stepping back several metres to allow the orphans to access the water.
After drinking, the orphans returned to the browsing field. In the afternoon, they settled west of Ithumba Hill, where Olorien and Kinyei practised peeling bark from trees using their tusks. Vaarti played with Lodo, and Mayan engaged Esoit in a game. The rest of the day passed quietly as the orphans browsed calmly without any major events.
Kandecha and Garzi were sleeping outside the stockade when the orphans were let out. The two boys woke up when they heard the footsteps of the orphans coming out. Six wild bulls were enjoying drinking water in the morning as the Keepers were distributing lucerne. One of the wild bulls joined Garzi, Kandecha, and the orphans in feeding on lucerne. Kindani made a mistake by passing behind the wild bull, and the bull kicked her with his hind leg. Kindani complained bitterly, but there was nothing she could do given the size of the wild bull.
Mayan enjoyed scratching on a nearby rock after finishing his lucerne. Vaarti had a brief meeting with Garzi before leaving to catch up with his colleagues who had already headed for browsing. The orphans settled to browse at Kone area where they were briefly joined by Ishanga, Wiva, and Namlok. The clear sky indicated a hot day ahead.
At eleven o'clock in the morning, Olorien led the first group to the mud bath. After the orphans had their milk, Lodo led the team into the water for a wallowing exercise. Olorien was the only one who skipped wallowing, choosing instead to wash her face and feet. After the wallowing session, the orphans participated in a soil dusting exercise and headed to drink water. They shared the drinking water with Sidai, Silas, Sita, Loijuk, Lili, Lisha, and several wild bulls.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. Kindani, Kinyei, and Suguroi took a break from feeding to scratch on nearby rocks, while Larro, Roho, Naleku, and Mukkoka settled to feed on the same shrub. In the evening, the orphans returned safely to the stockades for yet another night.
Queen’s family, ex-orphans, and several wild bulls arrived at the stockade compound early before dawn and settled for water. At six o'clock in the morning, they joined the orphans in feeding on lucerne. Sattao and a youngster from Queen’s family had a disagreement that escalated into a fight. The wild junior lost the fight to Sattao and quickly ran to report him to his mother. Sattao, being clever, immediately changed his position so that the mother of the junior wouldn't find him.
Vaarti interacted with Ola, while Naleku decided to play nanny to Tembo. Mayan was the first to quit feeding on lucerne and headed toward the browsing field. The orphans settled to browse in the Kone area, enjoying a quiet morning. Shortly before eleven o'clock, the orphans were joined by ex-orphans Kinna, Kama, Kaia, Siangiki, Galla, Oltaayoni, Narok, Olsekki, Yatta, Neshashi, Makena, Naserian, Njema, Nabulu, Sana Sana, Naboishu, Naisula, Naseku, Zurura, Nasalot, Noah, Nusu, Yogi, Yebo, Yoyo, Yetu, Sidai, Sita, Silas, Mulika, Mala, Mwende, and Mkuu. The ex-orphans escorted the orphans to the mud bath.
The orphans had their milk and jumped into the water for a refreshing wallowing session. After a spectacular wallowing, they engaged in a soil dusting exercise. Mayan and Roho stood out as the stars of the day with their prolonged wallowing and soil dusting performance. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. As the sun grew hot, they took a break from feeding to relax under the shade of a tree. In the evening, Vaarti led the way back to the stockades.
Kuishi, Sattao, and Mukkoka settled to share water with a wild bull soon after leaving the stockade, while the rest of the team headed straight to the lucerne feeding venue. Motomo and two wild bulls briefly joined the orphans before leaving for an undisclosed location. Shortly after, the orphans were joined by Rapa, Kithaka, Nasalot, Nusu, Noah, and Bomani. Noah ran into trouble with Kuishi when he tried to push Esoit, and Larro joined Kuishi in driving Noah away.
At the browsing field, Kuishi settled to browse with Esoit and Kindani. Later, the trio took a break from feeding to have a soil dusting exercise. The orphans then moved to browse in at Kone area, where they encountered a stubborn buffalo. Roho, Mukkoka, Lodo, and Kuishi attempted to charge at the buffalo, but it stood its ground, refusing to move. The orphans decided to change direction, leaving the buffalo to enjoy its freedom.
At mud bath time, with the sun blazing, the orphans had their milk, and Lodo led the team into a refreshing wallowing exercise. Bondeni, Kuishi, Kinyei, Esoit, Larro, and Olorien engaged in a soil dusting exercise after leaving the mud bath. After the dusting, Kuishi and Esoit found a tree and took turns scratching against it. Six wild bulls were busy drinking water at the mud bath trough when they noticed the Keepers approaching with the orphans. The wild bulls respectfully stepped back to allow the orphans room to drink water.
Once the orphans had their fill, the wild bulls moved into the wallowing water while waiting for the orphans to leave. Afterward, the orphans headed west of Ithumba Hill, where they settled for browsing. They calmly browsed for the rest of the day without any significant incidents.
It was a beautiful and quiet morning today with the babies waking up as usual to find the milk ready for them. They had their share as usual and walked out to feed on lucerne.
Out in the field, there were a few ex-orphans and wild elephants. The babies enjoyed feeding on lucerne, and the few ex-orphans did not affect or harass them. The babies later walked to the bush for browsing.
Back in the bush, Kinyei started playing as she dug with her tusks while her ears were spread wide. She was quite active today. Later, the babies walked to the mud bath for their milk bottles.
At the mud bath, the babies got their milk as usual and drank water before heading back to the bush. Olare and Bondeni enjoyed some milk self-service before joining their friends. Kindani walked towards the dust bath and started spraying her body; no one bothered to wallow in the cold water. Challa came in and walked straight to the water trough to drink. The babies later walked back to the bush for browsing.
Back in the bush, they all looked very active. Suguroi and Lodo were seen playing and kissing each other. Kinyei was busy kissing a tree, while Esoit and Bondeni were also playing and kissing each other. Naleku later led the group back home in the evening for their evening milk and bed. Lualeni was in the stockade with her two babies, Lulu and Lexi. The rest seemed to be doing well.
It was such a wonderful morning with the babies enjoying their milk bottles and walking out to feed on lucerne. They came across some ex-orphans and shared lucerne together. Galana was there with her second-born baby, Gala, who was playing with lucerne grass while feeding. Other wild bulls were present and busy drinking water. The babies walked to the bush for browsing, leaving behind some ex-orphans finishing the lucerne.
In the bush, the orphans looked more active, with everyone busy browsing. Kinyei, Bondeni, and Vaarti browsed together, while Naleku was on her own. Vaarti later led the group to the mud bath for their milk bottles.
At the mud bath, the babies had their milk bottles as usual. Later, Mayan, Lodo, Suguroi, Larro, and Roho walked in to wallow. They played in the water and then walked out to dry off in the dust. Lodo was having fun pushing Suguroi back into the waterhole when Suguroi was trying to get out. There was also a group of ex-orphans, including Wendi and Galana. Wendi almost caused trouble but managed to keep it under control. Larro and Roho came out of the mud hole and started drying off in the dust. The babies later walked back to the bush for browsing.
Back in the bush, they were all very active and busy browsing as usual. Mayan started scratching on a tree before they headed back home in the evening. They looked very active and walked back home for their milk bottles and bed.
Back at the stockades, there were some ex-orphans and wild elephants who came in for water. They hung around and later went back to the bush in the late evening.
It was a beautiful morning as the babies took their morning breakfast and walked out to feed on lucerne. The ex-orphans were already out in the field waiting for the babies to share lucerne with them. Wild elephants were also in the area; they came to drink water and some shared lucerne with the babies and ex-orphans.
In the field, Galana's group joined the babies to share lucerne. They enjoyed sharing and later the babies walked back to the bush.
Out in the bush, they all looked more active and browsed well. Roho and Larro were browsing together when a wild bull joined them. On the other side, Chyulu and Charli came straight from the bush to the waterhole and started wallowing. They really enjoyed the wallowing before coming out. Yatta and Yogi arrived and saw Chyulu with her baby wallowing. They passed by and walked towards the water trough to drink. The babies then walked back to the bush for browsing.
Back in the bush, it was very hot and many of them stood under the shade. Suguroi started kissing a tree while her group watched. They all later walked back home in the evening, led by Vaarti and Suguroi.
A beautiful morning today as the babies had their milk bottles as usual and walked out to feed on lucerne. Over 70 ex-orphans and wild elephants were in the area, waiting to be served lucerne and share with the babies. Olare and Ola were amongst the ex-orphans present. Ola, still young, was trying to learn how to feed on lucerne. The babies later walked to the bush for browsing.
In the bush, they were all busy browsing but later encountered Ishanga, who had abandoned her group to stay with them for a while before rejoining her group. Bondeni used his feet to uproot some grass for food. Larro browsed on her own separately. Sattao was seen kissing Mayan, and later the babies walked to the mud bath for their milk bottles and wallowing.
In the mud bath, all the babies got their share of milk as usual. Some, like Lodo, Esoit, Naleku, Vaarti, and Suguroi, went in and started wallowing. They later came out and dusted before heading back to the bush. Vaarti played and rolled in the dust for fun. Some ex-orphans from Mutara's group and Kinna's group were also in the mud bath.
Back in the bush, all the babies were busy browsing, with Kuishi and Esoit browsing together. Mutara's group joined the babies, and Mambo met his new friend, Mayan, and they started playing immediately. The babies later walked back home in the evening for their milk bottles and bed.
Back in the stockades, a big group of ex-orphans and wild elephants came to drink water. They lingered around even after drinking. All the other babies are doing well.
It was a happy morning as the babies had their milk bottles as usual and walked out to feed on lucerne. Out in the field, a group of ex-orphans and wild elephants were waiting to feed and share lucerne with the babies. They became more lively and active upon seeing the babies coming out. Mutara and Mambo with their group were present. Mambo was seen busy feeding on lucerne with others, while Mayan and Vaarti fed on lucerne together. Mambo hid between his mum Mutara and Malkia. The babies later walked to the bush for browsing.
In the bush, Vaarti was seen kissing Mayan while browsing. Vaarti later played with Esoit, and then Esoit joined Mayan to browse together. The babies later started walking to the mud bath for their milk and wallowing.
In the mud bath, all the babies were well served with milk by the Keepers, but Roho and Larro were self-serving. The babies then walked into the mud wallow and started wallowing. After a few minutes, they were all black in colour. They came out running, excited, and heading back to the bush. There were no other elephants, wild or ex-orphans, in the mud bath.
Back in the bush, the babies were much more active and browsing well. Larro sneaked from the group and went to cool down in the dam along the road to Tiva. She later played in the dust to change her colour. The babies later started walking back home in the evening for their beddings and milk.
Back in the stockades, a big group of ex-orphans and wild elephants came to drink water and left for the bush in the late evening. All the rest are doing well.
It was a quiet morning today with the babies enjoying their milk and then walking out to feed on lucerne. We had a few ex-orphans, mainly from Mutara's group. They all shared the lucerne with the orphans, and later the baby orphans walked to the bush for browsing.
They looked more active in the morning hours as everyone was busy browsing. The group later started walking slowly towards the mud bath for their milk bottles and wallowing.
At the mud bath, we had some wild elephants and a few ex-orphans in the area. Suguroi, Naleku, and Larro were running fast to get their milk bottles. Sities, Mutara, and Kilaguni stepped into the mud wallow and started wallowing. The babies later followed and began wallowing too. Mutara was peacefully enjoying the mud wallow with Kilaguni and Sities. Kilaguni started playing and kissing Sities while wallowing. Mayan got out and began scratching his bottom on a tree. The babies then got out and walked back to the bush for browsing.
In the bush, it was hot, and some babies were hiding under the shade. Kinyei started kissing Olorien, and later the babies began walking towards home in the evening. However, we had some ex-orphans and more elephants in the stockades this evening who came to drink water and later left for the bush. All the rest of the babies are fine and okay.
It was such a bright morning as the babies got their share of milk bottles and walked out to the field to share lucerne with ex-orphans and wild elephants. Mutara, with her baby Mambo, was among the group present today. Mayan walked to the water trough to share water with a wild bull at the same trough. Bondeni and Kindani were busy playing before heading to the bush. The babies later walked to the bush for browsing.
In the bush, the babies looked more active as they browsed. Mayan and Vaarti were browsing together, while Suguroi was busy browsing alone with her ears open. The babies later walked towards the mud bath for their milk bottles and wallowing.
At the mud bath, it was very cold, and the babies didn’t wallow. There were no other elephants around apart from the orphans. However, after a few minutes, the ex-orphans from Mutara's group, led by Mutara and Mambo, came in style, slowly walking towards the water trough to drink. Mambo looked happy to be the only young one in that group. They drank water and left for the bush to browse again. The babies were already in the bush.
Despite the cold weather and lack of sun, the babies were well engaged in browsing. Vaarti later led the group back home in the evening for their milk bottles and bed.
A buffalo competed to drink water with the elephants in the morning. The buffalo left immediately after getting enough water. The orphans settled for lucerne immediately after leaving the stockades. The ex-orphans and wild elephants joined them in feeding on lucerne. Mayan and Kindani settled to scratch on a nearby rock soon after feeding on lucerne. Kuishi led the way to the browsing field.
At the browsing field, the orphans had another encounter with a buffalo. Larro was the first to charge. Esoit, Bondeni, Naleku, and Roho joined Larro in charging and finally drove the buffalo away. Kinyei, Kindani, and Olorien came across loose soil that they used to dust themselves before resuming browsing.
At mud bath time, the weather was chilly, and none of the orphans dared to step into the mud bathing water. The orphans had their milk, then water, before settling into a soil dusting exercise. In the afternoon, Kinyei had a light strength-testing exercise with Bondeni while Roho played with Vaarti. Esoit teamed up with Larro in browsing and was later joined by Kuishi.
In the evening, on the way back to the stockades, the orphans were joined by Sana Sana, Naboishu, Turkwel, Kainuk, Sities, Suguta, Mutara, Mambo, and Malkia.
Dad was present at the stockade compound early before six o'clock in the morning. After having enough water, Dad left for an undisclosed location, leaving the ex-orphans and the orphans feeding on lucerne. After having enough lucerne, Naleku led the way to the browsing field. Mayan came across a nice rock that he used to scratch his belly, while Lodo invited Vaarti to a strength-testing exercise. Roho settled to browse with Suguroi, as Kuishi teamed up with Larro and Esoit.
The orphans settled at Kone area and browsed calmly as they slowly headed towards the mud bath. At mud bath time, the weather was warm, so the orphans participated fully in the wallowing exercise. The orphans were joined by Kithaka and Kilaguni, who stayed briefly before leaving for an undisclosed location. The orphans then settled for a soil dusting exercise before returning to the browsing field.
Suguroi and Esoit had a light strength-testing exercise, while Kindani, Vaarti, and Kinyei came across loose soil that they used for a soil dusting exercise. In the evening, Bondeni led the way back to the stockades.
The stockade compound was flooded with a total of 150 elephants in the morning. The competition for the lucerne was high, so the orphans decided to surrender. Kuishi led her group in leaving for browsing. Kinyei, Bondeni, and Kindani teamed up and came across loose soil that they used for a soil dusting exercise. The rest of the team scattered all over for browsing and regrouped later in the day for the midday milk feeds. Olorien led the first group, while Suguroi led the second one.
The clouds had cleared, giving way to sunshine. After getting their milk, the orphans jumped into the wallowing water for a cooling-off exercise. Larro and Roho were the last to quit wallowing after an extended period. Vaarty, Mayan, Bondeni, Mukkoka, Sattao, Kuishi, and Esoit settled for a soil dusting exercise soon after wallowing.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. Sattao, Lodo, Roho, Mukkoka, and Vaarti split from the main herd and browsed a distance away. Later in the evening, the Keepers whistled to gather everyone in readiness to return to the stockades. Mukkoka and Larro didn’t respond, prompting the Keepers to launch a quick search. They managed to find the two orphans hiding behind the bushes, just a stone's throw away from where the orphans were browsing. The journey back to the stockades started with Mayan leading the way.
It was a quiet morning. The orphans settled for lucerne soon after leaving the stockades. They enjoyed the moment as there was no competition from the ex-orphans and wild elephants. Only Kenze, Garzi, and one wild elephant joined the orphans. The three boys were calm and did not bother the orphans in any way. Shortly later, several wild bulls appeared and occupied the water troughs for drinking. The wild bulls did not even think of coming to share lucerne with the orphans. Brave Vaarti decided to walk down and share water with the wild bulls.
An hour later, the orphans had enough lucerne, and Larro led the way to the browsing field. At the browsing field, the weather was chilly, and Kinyei, Roho, Kindani, Lodo, and Olorien decided to have a warm-up exercise by rolling on the loose soil they had come across before resuming browsing. The orphans browsed slowly as they headed towards the mud bath.
At eleven o'clock in the morning, Mayan led the first group to the mud bath. The weather was still chilly, and none of the orphans dared to step into the mud bathing water. The orphans had their milk and then water before settling into a soil dusting exercise.
In the afternoon, Suguroi had a brief meeting with Lodo, but no information came out concerning their meeting. Sattao briefly joined some bulls that were relaxing nearby before returning to join his colleagues. Later in the day, the weather warmed up, prompting Naleku, Larro, Roho, Suguroi, Kuishi, and Esoit to participate in a roadside mud bath.
In the evening, Vaarti led the way back to the stockades.
The orphans and wild elephants arrived at the stockade compound in large numbers. The orphans were let out and shared lucerne with the ex-orphans and wild elephants. Esoit and Kindani decided to have a light strength testing exercise soon after having enough lucerne. Later, Kuishi led the way to the browsing field. At the browsing field, the orphans were joined by Kama, who engaged Roho in a pushing game. Kama quit the game when Mukkoka came to assist Roho in ganging up against her. The orphans browsed calmly as they slowly headed towards the mud bath.
At eleven o'clock in the morning, Kinyei led the first group to the mud bath, while Suguroi led the second one. The sun was shining, and soon after getting their milk, the orphans jumped into the water for a cooling-off exercise. Only Naleku, Kindani, and Bondeni boycotted the wallowing exercise. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. The temperatures continued to rise, prompting the orphans to visit the roadside mud bath for a cooling-off exercise.
In the evening, Naleku led the way back to the stockades.
The ex-orphans joined the orphans for lucerne feeding in the morning. Sattao and Esoit had a brief meeting and shortly later started walking towards the browsing field. Kuishi and Larro spotted their friend Esoit leaving and decided to quit feeding on lucerne to follow him away from the lucerne feeding area. Bondeni had a misunderstanding with Noah that resulted in a fight. Nusu, Noah’s brother, intervened by separating the two boys.
In the browsing field, Mukkoka teamed up with Larro in browsing, while Vaarti, Kindani, Suguroi, and Kinyei took a break from feeding to participate in a soil dusting exercise. Rapa arrived at the mud bath early before the orphans and had fun in the mud. The orphans arrived but did not join Rapa in bathing as it was too cold for them. Tomboi, with several friends, arrived. Tomboi joined the orphans in drinking water while his friends stood at a distance. His friends came for water after the orphans left the water trough. Mayan and Vaarti remained behind but followed their colleagues later.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. The rest of the day was quiet as the orphans browsed calmly without any major observations.
The orphans joined the ex-orphans outside the stockades soon after getting their morning milk. The ex-orphans had arrived early at dawn. Lucerne was distributed and shared by all. Lodo invited Yebo for a pushing game, but he declined, as Lodo is much stronger and older than him. Wema and Wimbi, who are troublemakers like their mother, attempted to harass Esoit, but Kuishi and Larro intervened by pushing the two sisters away. Vaarti and Mayan walked down to the water trough and joined several wild bulls who were enjoying drinking water.
Later, Naleku led the way to the browsing field. The orphans settled to browse in the Kone area. It’s getting dry, and the orphans had no time to waste but concentrated more on browsing up to mud bath time when Olorien led the first group to the mud bath.
At mud bath time, the orphans were joined by Loijuk, Lili, Lisha, Makena, Teleki, Kinna, Kama, Kaia, Yatta, Yoyo, Yogi, Naserian, Njema, Bomani, Ukame, and Roi. The orphans did not get a chance to wallow as the ex-orphans occupied the small mud bath they preferred. The orphans opted for a soil dusting exercise soon after drinking water. In the afternoon, the sun was hot, and the orphans took a break from feeding and relaxed under trees with good shade. The orphans resumed browsing when the temperatures dropped to a more favourable level.
In the evening, the orphans stopped by the mud bath for an evening cooling-off exercise and thereafter a soil dusting exercise before proceeding back to the stockades.
The ex-orphans reported at the stockade compound early, as usual, and waited for lucerne. The orphans were let out soon after getting their six o’clock milk. Vaarti exchanged morning greetings with Noah, while Mayan greeted Kaia. The orphans shared lucerne with the ex-orphans briefly before Kuishi led the way to the browsing field.
On the way to the browsing field, the orphans encountered two buffaloes. Larro, Sattao, Mukkoka, Roho, and Kuishi charged at the buffaloes. The buffaloes stood their ground and did not move an inch. The Keepers intervened by shouting and clapping their hands. The buffaloes then turned and started running away. The orphans trumpeted and ran after the buffaloes but were stopped by the Keepers. The buffaloes headed east while the Keepers steered the orphans north.
The temperatures were moderate, and the orphans browsed calmly up to mud bath time when Olorien led the first group to the mud bath. The orphans were joined by a junior wild bull at the mud bath. Mayan moved closer to the wild bull with the intention of saying hello but was intimidated by its height. Mayan raised his trunk high as if waving to the wild bull and then walked back to join his colleagues. Kuishi and Larro were the last ones to quit wallowing and walked to join their colleagues in a soil dusting exercise. Esoit came across a bent tree and used it to scratch his neck.
In the evening, the orphans returned safely to the stockades.
Chyulu, her babies, and several ex-orphans spent the night outside the stockades. In the morning, the ex-orphans joined the orphans for lucerne feeding. Later, Naleku led the way to the browsing field. The orphans settled to browse northwest of the stockades.
Bondeni, Kinyei, Larro, and Kindani came across an acacia tree whose bark had been peeled off by wild elephants. The orphans settled to strip the leftovers before walking further into the bushes. The temperatures were moderate, and the orphans browsed calmly and slowly as they headed towards the mud bath.
At eleven o’clock in the morning, Suguroi led the first group, while Kindani led the second one. After the orphans had their milk, Mayan, Vaarti, Suguroi, Esoit, Roho, Kuishi, and Lodo jumped into the wallowing water for a cooling-off exercise. Later, the orphans had water before settling for a soil dusting exercise.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. Vaarti teamed up with Olorien in browsing, while Bondeni settled to browse with Esoit. Two hours later, the temperatures skyrocketed, prompting the orphans to visit the roadside mud bath. After the roadside mud bath, Mukkoka, Mayan, Sattao, Naleku, and Roho settled for a red soil bath before resuming browsing.
In the evening, Vaarti led the way back to the stockades for yet another night.
It was drizzling in the morning. The orphans settled for lucerne soon after leaving the stockades. Shortly later, the orphans were joined by ex-orphans who appeared to be in a hurry to go somewhere else. The ex-orphans did not stay for long but were led away by Yatta and headed west of the stockades, probably to check if there was an area that had received more rain. The orphans enjoyed the cool weather and less competition after the ex-orphans left for an undisclosed location.
After having enough lucerne, Kuishi led the way heading east of the stockades. The Keepers realised that Mukkoka was missing. It appeared that he had got carried away by the ex-orphans. Some Keepers followed the ex-orphans to see if they would intercept Mukkoka. On the way, they found the truant in the company of Barsilinga and Olsekki. The three boys were returning to enjoy lucerne feeding. The Keepers took Mukkoka and left Barsilinga and Olsekki to do whatever they thought was best for them.
In the browsing field, all the orphans enjoyed the drizzle of rain. Vaarti, Mayan, and Bondeni decided to have a warm-up exercise by rolling on the moist soil. An hour later, the rain cleared. Esoit decided to have fun by scratching on a nearby rock while his friend Kuishi rolled on the ground close to him. Esoit joined Kuishi later in the soil bathing exercise.
At mud bath time, the weather changed and again it started drizzling. The orphans only had their milk and a little bit of water before returning to the browsing field. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. Vaarti had a brief meeting with Esoit while Suguroi had a strength testing exercise with Lodo that ended in a draw.
In the evening, the orphans returned safely to the stockades.