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After drinking their milk and eating range cubes and lucerne, the orphans set out early in the morning to browse around Msinga Hill in the direction of the baobab tree mud wallow. Soon after they left, ex-orphan Laikipia sauntered up the path and stood staring at the closed door of the pellet store. Always pleased to see their old friend, the Keepers welcomed the mature bull by refilling the pellet trough. Laikipia filled his belly and returned to the bush. 

The dependent orphans spread out over the hill. Tagwa was looking after little Busara, Sagala was staying close to naughty Hildana, Mbegu was fussing over Juni and Baraka, and Lemeki was massaging her rump against a tree. After scratching his body against a boulder, Kilulu challenged Thamana to a sparring game. They clashed heads and twisted around and clashed again. While the herd was browsing, to the Keepers’ surprise, Laikipia put in another appearance, spending a couple of hours with the younger orphans. 

Later in the afternoon at the mud bath, Ashanti, Emoli and Epiya stood together under the shade of the baobab tree and Kilulu lay down under another tree. Ashanti soon walked over to wake up her friend by placing her foot on his belly – he stood up and walked away to browse.

The orphans headed out on a sunny morning for their daily browsing adventures. Soon after they left the stockades, Kulalu, the baby zebra rescued last month, and his Keeper, wearing a striped dust coat to match the zebra, set out for a wander around Msinga Hill. Meanwhile, the elephants were browsing on the grasslands covered with white ipomea flowers at the bottom of the hill. Matriarch Mbegu spent the morning browsing with Epiya.

In the afternoon, the Keepers sent the orphans down in groups for another milk feed near the mud wallow. Emoli led the first group made up of himself, Losoito, Epiya, Baraka and Busara. They gulped their milk and padded on down to the wallow so the second group could take their place. The orphans rolled around and splashed in the water. Kilulu rubbed his neck and Baraka his bottom on the edge as Pika Pika, Godoma and Mbegu lay submerged in the deepest part of the pool and Itinyi and Ashanti clambered out on the other side. Lasayen massaged himself against the wall of the wallow and then joined Sagala under the baobab tree. The herd covered themselves with red soil from the large pile and ambled off to continue browsing.

The sun was shining as the orphans lined up at the feeding trough to scoop up range cubes before ambling over to the lucerne area. They were soon joined by many ex-orphans. Led by matriarchs Kenia, Mweya, and Edie, Ndii, Panda, Naipoki, Kihari, Ndoria, Arruba, Araba, Mudanda, Suswa, Mwitu (Mweya’s wild-born baby), Eden, Eco and Enzo (Edie’s wild-born babies) arrived, accompanied by a wild bull. The visitors mingled with the orphans before the dependent herd set out to browse in the surrounding bush followed by Kulalu, the baby zebra, and his Keeper. The elephants spread out over the hill as the zebra settled in one area at a distance from them. The former orphans remained at the stockades for a time before padding back out to the bush.

In the afternoon, the orphans padded down to the wallow for a dip in the water and a dusting on the pile of earth. Mbegu stood over Busara as she rolled around, making sure that rowdy orphans like Hildana and Thamana did not disturb the little girl. As the orphans walked away from the wallow to browse on their way back to the stockades, Mbegu remained behind. She rolled on the pile of earth for a time before striding away to catch up with the herd.

The orphans set out from the stockades in the early morning, padding along the path towards Msinga Hill. In contrast to most days when they wander towards the mud wallow as a herd, today they headed off in different directions. Godoma browsed with adopted baby Baraka on the ipomea grasslands. 

In the afternoon, the orphans ran down the hill for a milk feed and on to the mud wallow in groups. Today, Seri and Juni led the first group. Murit and Sagala lay down on the pile of earth for a massage while Godoma, Hildana and Emoli sucked up trunkfuls of soil and squirted them in every direction. Losoito and Ngilai soon joined them for a dust bath. 

The herd meandered back out to browse on the slopes of the hill and then, led by Lemeki, returned to the safety of the stockades for the night.

At first light, the orphans sprinted out of their stockades and down the path to the line of Keepers waiting with bottles held aloft. They drank their milk and settled at the feeding trough. Kenia’s herd of ex-orphans (plus a wild bull who is often with them) arrived minutes later, jogging up to the stockades after spending the night on Msinga Hill. The two groups squashed together at the trough. Soon the dependent herd headed out to the bush, leaving their older friends clustered around the pile of lucerne. The orphans browsed on the western side of Msinga Hill. Ashanti followed closely behind Emoli as he tiptoed over some slippery rocks on the hill. 

On a hot afternoon, most of the elephants cooled off in the mud wallow. Several played as others submerged their bodies. Kilulu ran around in the wallow, kicking huge splashes into the air, and Godoma rolled around in the middle before enjoying a water sparring match with Emoli. Mbegu clambered out and walked over to the pile of earth for a dust bath. When Seri and Hildana did not move over respectfully to give the matriarch space, she pushed the two younger elephants with her head. They trundled away and Mbegu covered her whole body with red soil.

It was a wonderful calm morning. Outside the stockades, Godoma looked after adopted babies Baraka and Hildana while Kenderi stood sandwiched between Emoli and Lemeki on the terraces. Meanwhile, Kulalu, the baby zebra, was inspecting the Keepers’ changing room. Lemeki, Tamiyoi and Losoito led the herd out to the surrounding bush. They spread over Msinga Hill, browsing as usual in the direction of the mud wallow. Laikipia put in a brief appearance, arriving from the direction of the stockades, walking through the herd and disappearing into the bush – he was probably looking for the ex-orphans. 

In the afternoon, the orphans gathered in the feeding area at the bottom of the hill, waiting for the milk truck to arrive. After gulping down their milk, they had a quick swim in the wallow before ambling back up the hill. The grasslands are drying out but there are still lots of untouched green browsing areas on the hill.

Early in the morning, Kulalu the zebra and his Keeper (wearing his black-and-white dust coat) walked out from the stockades and over the rocky slopes of Msinga Hill. The baby zebra walked past the herd of orphans who were already browsing on the open grasslands around the hill. Losoito and Dabida spent the morning with nanny Tamiyoi. 

In the afternoon, the orphans wallowed in the baobab tree pool. Older bull Ngilai was in an assertive mood. When he pushed Kenderi away in the water, the younger bull sensibly did as he was told rather than standing up to Ngilai. As Pika Pika, Lasayen, Godoma, Mbegu and Busara continued to splash around in the wallow, Sagala, Juni and Ngilai wandered over to the dust pile and squirted themselves with soil. They were soon joined by almost the whole herd, excepting Tamiyoi and Lemeki, who stood next to the creamy peacock tree, and Mbegu and Pika Pika, who lay relaxing in the pool.

Ex-orphan Mweya’s herd and also Laikipia wandered up to the stockades at dusk. They drank from the water trough and spent the night outside the stockades. The babies lay down to sleep with the older elephants standing protectively around them.

This morning, Ndotto and friends stood belly to belly at the feeding trough, scooping up range cubes as Hildana drank from the water trough and Mbegu scratched herself against the famous rock. While the rest of the herd finished every piece of lucerne in the corner of the stockade compound., Lemeki, Tamiyoi and Losoito stood by the pile of earth, flapping their ears gently as they waited to head out. 

The ex-orphans visited again today, staying for a short time and then ambling back to the bush. When the dependent herd set out a few minutes later, Ndotto was tempted to head off after the ex-orphans but eventually decided to stay with the herd. As usual, Mbegu brought up the rear, thus making sure that no one was left behind. 

The elephants spread out to browse on the slopes of Msinga Hill. Godoma made a stopover to massage herself against a creamy peacock tree. Tamiyoi and Epiya browsed calmly on ipomea flowers nearby. An hour or so later, the orphans padded down the hill to spend the rest of the morning browsing on the long grass. Mbegu was with her favourite baby, Busara, and Godoma was with her favourite, Baraka. 

In the afternoon at the baobab tree mud wallow, ex-orphan Laikipia sauntered out of the bush to join the dependent herd. The ‘Voi kids’ (Itinyi, Ushindi, Ashanti, Kenderi, Epiya, Juni, Hildana, Kilulu, Seri, Dabida, Losoito, Baraka, and Busara, who were rescued last year) gathered around the massive bull while keeping a respectful distance. Laikipia paddled in the wallow and then headed back out to browse.

The sky was clear as the orphans drank their milk, ate supplementary pellets and lucerne and ambled out from the stockades in a straggly line. Tagwa, Juni and Pika Pika browsed side by side on the rocky slopes of Msinga Hill as the rest of the herd spread out on the flat plains at the bottom. Mbegu was staying close to Kenderi, occasionally draping her trunk reassuringly along his back. The caring matriarch pays attention to all the younger orphans, not just pampered babies Busara and Baraka. Emoli and Sagala walked off ahead of the herd in the direction of the baobab tree mud wallow. 

Many orphans were in playful moods in the afternoon. Kilulu, Seri, Ushindi, Pika Pika and Tagwa rolled around together in the water, waving their trunks and making enormous splashes. Busara was so excited that, after climbing out of the wallow, she squatted on the water trough to scratch her backside. The little show-off had to jog to catch up with her friends as they wandered away from the area.

As the younger orphans gulped down their milk, big boys Ndotto and Murit sparred energetically against each other, best friends Emoli and Thamana wrestled and entwined trunks, and Lasayen massaged his rump against the famous rock. Laidback Mbegu somehow managed to drink from the water trough while leaning her head and trunk against the rock. 

Setting out from the stockades on their daily bush adventures, Ngilai, Lasayen and Ndotto meandered all the way to the top of Msinga Hill in search of fresh foliage as nannies Sagala, Tagwa and Tamiyoi browsed around the babies at the bottom.

Later in the day, the sun disappeared behind thick clouds. As a result, the orphans spent only a short time at the mud wallow, drinking from the trough before wandering off to continue browsing.

Kulalu, the baby zebra, was first up this morning. She drank her early morning bottle of milk and trotted off behind her Keeper to wander over the hill behind the stockades. The orphaned elephants soon plodded out of their shared rooms and down the path to the feeding area. They filled their bellies and headed out to browse on Msinga Hill. Later in the morning on a very hot day, the orphans clustered in small groups under the shade of trees. Pika Pika kept touching Mbegu’s head affectionately with her trunk.

In the afternoon, the elephants padded down the hill for another milk feed and on to the mud wallow. Many splashed water around the wallow or dry soil on the pile of earth. As Murit rolled on the mound, a bird hovered above him. When the young bull ambled away, the bird flew above him for some time before swooping away. Tagwa squatted on the pile for a long time, massaging her buttocks against the ground. As the sun sank in the sky, the herd meandered back to the stockades.

The sun was shining in a clear sky as the orphans gathered outside the stockades to eat range cubes and lucerne. Little Busara stood safely sandwiched between Sagala and Mbegu at the feeding trough. She was protected from the likes of Hildana, Thamana and Juni ,who often become jealous when Busara spends too much time with Mbegu. Meanwhile, Tamiyoi was scratching her rump on the famous rock. 

The dependent herd left the compound for their daily browsing adventures, spreading out on the rocky slopes of Msinga Hill overlooking the baobab tree wallow. In the afternoon, the orphans jogged down for more milk and a paddle in the pool. As Mbegu, Pika Pika and Godoma splashed in the muddy water, Ngilai dug holes in the pile of earth with his massive tusks while Busara and Sagala rolled around on the ground, rubbing up against each other with trunks waving. The orphans soon set out for a final browse of the day, leaving the water babies still wallowing in the water.

The orphans headed out to browse early in the morning, spreading out over the plains surrounding Msinga Hill. Thamana, who is growing into a strong bull, was giving Itinyi sparring lessons until Emoli pushed Itinyi away and took his place. As Emoli and Thamana clashed heads, Itinyi walked over to play with Akina who was browsing next to Murit and Dabida. Losoito is an independent little girl – although she often hangs out with Tamiyoi, today she walked slowly all the way up the hill on her own as Tamiyoi was staying close to Epiya.

 In the afternoon, the orphans padded down to the mud wallow in groups after having their milk feed. As Lemeki splashed around next to him, Ngilai put his head in the muddy water to dig a hole with his tusks. Sagala rubbed her head against the edge as Lasayen wrestled with Emoli in the water. Sagala then climbed out to roll around on the pile of earth with Ushindi and Juni. Thamana and Itinyi played another sparring game as Lemeki walked over to the mound, hosed herself with soil, and dug into the earth with her tusks. Moments later, Tamiyoi, Baraka, Busara and Ngilai lay down on the dry soil. Only Pika Pika, Godoma, Mbegu and Murit were left swimming and playing in the mud wallow.

After the morning breakfast routine, the orphans set out to browse around Msinga Hill. Pika Pika spent the morning with adopted baby Busara on the slopes of the hill foraging for fresh acacia branches. Tagwa and Tamiyoi clambered up the hill together while Mbegu browsed at the bottom with Juni, Hildana, Dabida, Ashanti and Ushindi, and Seri played the pushing game with Kilulu. Ngilai challenged Murit several times to spar, but his friend ignored the invitations and so he played with Lasayen instead. When Baraka walked over to join Mbegu and her mini herd, jealous Juni pushed him away. As Baraka walked off, trumpeting indignantly, Godoma jogged down the hill on a rescue mission. 

Later in the afternoon in the mud wallow, Lasayen took centre stage, making enormous splashes in the middle of the pool. When Itinyi tried to mount Ushindi in the water, he was given a sharp shove and then the two orphans began wrestling in the wallow. Murit, Tamiyoi and Sagala stood under the baobab tree enjoying a lengthy massage and caught up with the herd as they meandered out to browse.

On a wonderful morning, the dependent orphans padded out of their rooms and down to the feeding area. As usual, Ngilai was the first to walk over to the lucerne area where he placed a pile of lucerne on his head before walking back to the range cubes trough. He likes to have his own little store of food. This morning, cheeky Ndotto pinched his friend’s stash of lucerne while pretending to greet him. 

Losoito, Pika Pika and Ngilai soon led the herd out to browse all over Msinga Hill. After spending the morning on the hill, they visited the mud wallow in the afternoon. Ndotto and Ngilai splashed around together in the water before joining the herd on the dust pile. Ngilai, Godoma, Lasayen, Ndotto and Tamiyoi rolled on the dry soil, waving their trunks in the air, as Pika Pika massaged her rump against a nearby tree stump. As the day became cooler, the herd returned to the safety of the stockades for the night.

On a cooler morning, the orphans drank their milk and lined up at the feeding trough. After filling their bellies, many played dusting games around the pile of earth. Ngilai was rolling energetically on the lower terrace - the rest of the herd stayed away to avoid being kicked by one of his great feet. As the sun rose in the sky, Sagala and Tagwa led the herd out in a long line for another marathon browsing session. 

In the morning, nanny Tagwa was staying close to Juni, Hildana and Ashanti. When it was time to head down to the mud wallow, Emoli, Hildana, Kenderi, Busara and Akina led the charge. The first group sprinted down the hill with tails and trunks aloft, gulped their milk and paddled into the wallow. Many of the orphans went swimming today. Godoma, Pika Pika, Mbegu and Ngilai played games in the muddy water, Ndotto and Thamana stood in the shade of the baobab, and Sagala scratched herself against the peacock tree.

The sky was clear as the orphans drank their milk and lined up at the feeding trough to feast on range cubes. As his friends continued to scoop up cubes, Lasayen wandered over to drink from the water trough and scratch his backside on the favourite rock. After filling their bellies, Godoma rolled around on the pile of earth as Tagwa and Sagala, with Juni sandwiched between them, sucked up trunkfuls of soil and squirted them along their backs. Murit stood posing on the edge of the upper terrace as Sagala lay down next to Godoma for a dust bath. Lasayen challenged Murit to a wrestling match and the two bulls tussled on the terraces, trumpeting occasionally as they repeatedly clashed heads.

Soon, Lemeki and Tamiyoi led the herd out to browse in the bush. Mbegu brought up the rear, ensuring that all the Voi kids were present and correct.

The orphans were full of energy this morning. Ashanti, Dabida, Seri, Ushindi, Losoito and Epiya were the first to emerge from their shared stockade. They sauntered down the path, drank their milk and paraded around the feeding area before lining up at the trough and around the lucerne. The rest of the herd joined them minutes later. Emoli and Thamana began their daily sparring game while Pika Pika enjoyed an early morning dust bath.

The herd soon headed out to browse led by Tagwa, Juni and Tamiyoi. As the sun rose high in the sky, the orphans ambled around for a few hours. Godoma and Busara stood under the shade of a small tree. Sagala did her best to join them but there was not enough shade. 

Later in the afternoon, everyone paddled or plunged into the mud wallow – some rolled around as others slapped the water with their trunks or kicked up splashes with their feet. Even Ndotto, who usually does not like bathing, lay down in the cooling mud today. Water baby Pika Pika was excited to see the older bull in the water – she frolicked around and even tried to mount him! After cooling off, the elephants played on the large mound of soil before ambling back to the stockades for the night.

On a cloudy morning, the orphans emerged from their shared stockades and settled down to enjoy supplementary range cubes and lucerne. They were not as playful this morning, probably because it was a cool day. Mbegu scratched her backside against the favourite boulder and then walked over to Godoma. The two friends stretched their trunks over the fence to pluck down delicious branches from the acacia trees on the other side. 

Soon, Tamiyoi and Tagwa led the herd out to browse on the slopes of Msinga Hill. Godoma remained close to Baraka all morning, fussing over the little boy and giving him frequent trunk touches. 

By the afternoon, the sun was shining and many of the orphans plunged into the mud wallow. With Losoito watching, Tamiyoi squatted in the water and rubbed herself against the wall of the pool. Naughty Itinyi gave Kenderi a shove from behind as she climbed out of the bath. When Itinyi got out, Kenderi got his own back by chasing him and wrestling with him. As dusk approached, the elephants meandered back to the stockades.

After the morning feeding session, the herd of dependent orphans played outside the stockades. Some of the Voi kids played an elephant version of hide and seek, running up and down the paths and over the terraces. Big boy Murit enjoyed a relaxing sunbathe and dust bath on the pile of earth, waving his trunk as he lay on his side. Spotting an armchair opportunity, Lasayen ambled over and rested his rump against his friend’s torso. Murit lay there patiently as Lasayen gazed around with ears flapping. 

The herd spent the morning browsing before ambling down to the mud wallow in the afternoon. Lemeki and Itinyi enjoyed a water sparring match as Lasayen submerged his body in the water and rubbed his head against Godoma. One by one, the orphans climbed out and set out for a final browse on Msinga Hill on their way back to the stockades.

Today was a very special day. Rokka and Manda joined the Voi herd, having ‘graduated’ from the Kaluku Neonate Nursery to Voi. When the translocation truck arrived in the morning, the welcoming committee of Mbegu, Tamiyoi, Sagala, Tagwa, Godoma, Pika Pika and Lemeki were waiting outside the stockades. Manda and Rokka walked out of the truck to be greeted with a chorus of rumbles as the big girls surrounded them. Rokka stood quietly with her trunk hanging down and then, a little overwhelmed, ran for refuge with the Keepers while Manda, reluctant to be treated like a baby, pushed away the affectionate trunks.

Mbegu and her bevy of nannies escorted Rokka and Manda out to meet the rest of the herd. Big boys Lasayen and Ndotto welcomed the new arrivals first. Moments later, Ngilai challenged Manda to a sparring game and Lasayen gently trunk touched him all over. He did not want to play and just stood still next to Rokka. Busara, feeling that her position as favourite baby could be under threat, was not as friendly to the newbies. Tagwa and Pika Pika stood protectively on each side of Rokka and Manda to ensure that everyone was friendly. Over the morning, Rokka and Manda met all the members of their new herd.

In the afternoon, Manda plunged into the mud wallow with Pika Pika while Rokka stood close to the Keepers. The little boy swam happily with his new friends as the little girl watched on. The newbies were settling in well, thanks to the special welcome given by the Voi herd. 

In the evening back at the stockades, the Keepers ushered Manda and Rokka into two individual stables reserved for newcomers. Manda pushed against the walls — he wanted to be with the Voi kids! The Keepers allowed him to join several others in a shared stockade and instead put Losoito, who is a very friendly orphan, in the room next to Rokka. Losoito rumbled and Rokka relaxed, lay down, and fell fast asleep after her adventurous day.

The orphans gathered outside the stockades in the early morning, greeting each other before setting out to the surrounding bush. Tamiyoi stood on the path as she was keen to get going. Itinyi lay on his back and tried to roll around a boulder as he was in no hurry. Busara stood possessively underneath Sagala’s chest as she was reluctant to share her beloved nanny with anyone, in particular newbie Rokka. When Sagala walked over to the mound of dry soil, Busara stayed as close as she could possibly get, touching and rubbing her little body against her nanny’s. Losoito tried to push her away from Sagala but she would not budge. The older female then stood up to reassure and calm the two younger orphans. Meanwhile, Tamiyoi walked back to the feeding area and was fussing over and trunk touching Rokka — that is, until Manda shoved her away. Newbie Manda was skittish this morning, darting around and rebuffing the attentions of several older females. 

At last, the herd headed out to the field. Manda and Rokka enjoyed climbing over the rocks at the foot of the hill. Remaining side by side, the two orphans clambered carefully over each rock before settling down to browse.

Having given them a wonderful welcome, the Voi herd is adjusting to new members Rokka and Manda! This morning, as several jostled over who would look after Rokka, Mbegu sauntered up and whisked the little girl away. But Manda was not giving up his sister without a fight! He walked up behind Rokka, placed his head against her rump and herded her away from Mbegu. Wisely, Mbegu and the other females left the two newbies to hang out on their own on the terrace. 

The orphans ambled out to browse on the plains before visiting the mud wallow in the afternoon. On a cloudy afternoon, they spread out around the pool. Only Godoma had a brief paddle in the water, stretching her trunk out in an invitation to Rokka but to no avail. The younger girl stood calmly watching Godoma while Emoli and Thamana played the pushing game and chased each other around. When Godoma climbed out of the wallow, Ngilai challenged her to a sparring match. She ignored him and walked away with Rokka to browse. Ngilai ambled along behind, disturbing their peace with annoying little shoves until Godoma agreed to spar with him. Not long after, clustering around sweet Rokka and feisty Manda, the herd meandered back to the stockades.

The herd headed out early this morning. Mbegu and Pika Pika led the orphans, walking in step with little Busara sandwiched between them. Rokka toddled along behind followed by a possessive little boy – Manda would not allow her to get close to any other elephants. She was his friend! The older females watched over the newbies but gave them space, understanding that Rokka was ready for affection but that Manda was not.

On a hot and sunny afternoon, the orphans padded down the hill in groups and made a beeline for the mud wallow. Godoma and Pika Pika splashed around happily in the middle until naughty Pika Pika brought the game to an end by poking Godoma’s bottom with her tiny tusks. Ndotto, who does not usually like mud bathing, was one of the best swimmers of the day! Mbegu stood on the sidelines watching the herd while hugging Busara all over. 

Later in the day, rather than walking back to the stockades with the herd, Ndotto, Lasayen and Ngilai charged off in a different direction, chasing around between bushes while trumpeting in excitement. The Keepers followed the hide-and-seek-playing bulls, finally shepherding them home at dusk.

Mweya and Edie’s ex-orphan herd arrived late last night. They spent the night outside the stockades, with the older elephants standing around as the younger ones slept. At first light, Laikipia strolled up the path. All the visitors ate range cubes from the trough before disappearing back into the bush.

The dependent orphans were in playful moods this morning. As Manda and Rokka stood next to Mbegu, Pika Pika and Kilulu played several rounds of the pushing game. As soon as Pika Pika turned away to greet the newbies, Emoli stepped up to take her place. Godoma and Ngilai sparred on the upper terrace while Murit played with Ndotto on the lower terrace.

The herd soon set out to browse around Msinga Hill. Manda, Lasayen and Rokka spent a happy morning together. The little boy was comfortable browsing with calm, caring Lasayen and his best friend. The Keepers were happy to see Manda behaving in a relaxed way. The three orphans browsed side by side for hours – at one time, Manda even draped his trunk over Lasayen’s mouth. Later in the morning, Ashanti joined the little group. The friendly girl ambled over and greeted Manda with a trunk touch. Manda and Rokka welcomed her and the four orphans meandered on.

As the orphans settled down at the feeding trough this morning, ex-orphan Laikipia strolled up the path to join them for breakfast. He was on his own. Newcomers Rokka and Manda were surprised to see the mature bull. They stood back and then approached him slowly with trunks raised. Noticing their behaviour, Tamiyoi escorted them towards Laikipia as he scooped up cubes from the trough. Growing in confidence, little Manda touched the bull briefly with his trunk but Rokka stood back. Thoughtful Sagala took her to the other end of the trough where she could relax. Laikipia filled his belly, drank from the water trough and headed back out to the bush, leaving the stockade dependents to finish off every last cube. 

In the afternoon, most of the herd waddled into the mud bath to cool off and over to the pile of earth to hose themselves with soil. When Godoma made enormous splashes in the pool, Lasayen laid his trunk along her back to calm down the show-off!

Rokka and Manda had an unforgettable morning. Soon after dawn, not only Laikipia but also the ex-orphan herd led by Mweya, Edie, and Kenia sauntered up the path and spread out all over the feeding area. Close to 50 elephants lined up at the trough and clustered around the pile of lucerne. This was almost certainly the largest herd that Rokka and Manda had ever seen! They ran over to the fence line but then turned around and calmly watched the crowd of elephants. Mbegu walked over to reassure them. Rokka allowed her trunk touches but Manda pushed her away indignantly, still determined to be a big boy even though he is now one of the youngest! 

After filling their bellies, many of the orphans played on the terraces as Ngilai massaged himself against the twin trees. Tamiyoi and Lasayen rolled around together on the mound of soil while Emoli and Thamana showed off their sparring skills, prancing all over the terraces. Moments later, Mbegu and Tamiyoi gathered around Tahri, trunk touching their old friend affectionately and playing the pushing game with her.

Independent and dependent orphans left the stockade together but split up as they approached Msinga Hill. The ex-orphans ambled away in the direction of the waterhole on the hill and the current orphans towards the baobab tree mud wallow.

Once again, most of the herd went swimming in the afternoon. Ngilai, Godoma, Mbegu and Pika Pika were first in and last out. The four water babies continued to splash around as the herd meandered away but eventually were persuaded to get out of the water and catch up with the others.

When the orphans ambled out to browse this morning, three remained behind. Ngilai was busy massaging himself against the boulders while Rokka and Manda stood watching him. The two newcomers were waiting for the older bull. Eventually, the older bull decided that it was time to go and led the two younger elephants out to join the herd.

After a morning of browsing around Msinga Hill, the orphans padded down to the mud wallow. As they paddled in the water or gathered in groups along the edges, Kenia’s herd and also Edie’s herd of ex-orphans arrived accompanied by Laikipia, and by a mature wild bull with large tusks. When the wild bull chased Laikipia away from the herds of ex-orphans, he took refuge under a tree. 

As dependent and independent orphans mingled around the mud wallow, many of the younger elephants darted about in excitement. Noticing the new members of the dependent herd, Kenia and then Ndoria greeted little Rokka, touching her with their trunks. At his most protective, Manda did his best to push them away from Rokka. Mbegu strode over to warn him that confronting older females, especially Ndoria, was not a good idea. The two groups spent a long time together before the Keepers whistled and the current orphans separated themselves from the ex-orphans to follow their carers back to the stockades. 

As the sun rose in the sky, the orphans walked out of their shared stockades and down the path to the feeding area. They filled their bellies and gathered around the pile of earth for an early morning dust bath. Tagwa, Tamiyoi, Pika Pika, Emoli and Murit stood around the mound, hosing themselves contentedly with dry soil. As the others ambled away, Pika Pika and Tamiyoi lay down to play. They rolled around on their sides but stood up before Lasayen could take advantage of the opportunity to mount one of them. Meanwhile, Godoma was standing on top of the large rocks in front of the stockades. Mbegu and Ngilai prevented her from descending a sheer drop, forcing her to take the safer route to the bottom. Godoma joined the herd as they headed out in a long line for a day in the bush, leaving behind ex-orphan Laikipia browsing on acacia branches. 

The final day of February was peaceful – the herd spread out over Msinga Hill in the morning, wallowed in the mud pool in the afternoon, and returned to the stockades in the early evening. Rokka and Manda were calmer today – they are making friends and settling into their new lives. Rokka has found the change less challenging than Manda. While the little girl embraces her new life, the little boy continues to be quite suspicious and also protective of his friend