Choose your region

On the first day of the new year, the orphans were full of energy, browsing only briefly in the forest before beginning to play. Rather than ambling along as usual, Loldaiga, Kitich, Choka, Muwingu, Sholumai, Weka, Muridjo, Mushuru and Mukutan scampered around in a clearing. The situation escalated into a bush-bashing exercise accompanied by lots of trumpeting. Their excitement infected the others and soon everyone was running through the bushes. Babies Mokogodo, Taroha, Talek and Pardamat were doing their very best to keep up with nannies Kerrio, Latika, Weka, Sileita and Mushuru, sprinting along on their little legs. They managed quite well in open areas but, whenever they tried to bush bash, they fell over one after the other like dominoes. Each time, Kerrio, Latika and Sileita about turned and pushed them back onto their feet. The four babies set off and fell over again. Eventually, Kerrio and Sileita sandwiched Mokogodo (the youngest orphan in the herd) between them and frogmarched her through the forest!

Later in the morning at the mud bath, Raha, the baby rhino, was also full of the joys of a new year. After her daily lap of honour, she lay flat on her back with legs waving in the air for her mud bath. Two Keepers shovelled cooling mud all over Raha as she rolled onto one side and then the other. Clambering back onto four legs, she walked back out to the forest behind her Keeper.

In contrast to yesterday, the orphans were in subdued moods this morning. No one was playing pushing or wrestling games, not even big boys like Mukutan, Choka and Loldaiga. Instead, they wandered around with trunks firmly down, choosing tasty greens, twisting them deftly and popping them in their mouths. The older females browsed peacefully while keeping watch over the little ones.

Later in the morning, as the Keepers were about to split the herd into two groups and send the first group of younger orphans down to the mud bath for a milk feed, the day took an unexpected turn. A warthog darted through the herd with a lioness following close behind. As prey and predator disappeared into the bushes, the herd reacted. Trumpeting loudly and flaring their ears, Sileita, Latika, Kerrio, Sholumai, Muwingu, Choka and Mukutan charged off in the direction that the poor warthog had gone while Mokogodo, Taroha, Talek, Pardamat and Nyambeni ran for cover with the Keepers. Some calmed the little ones as others shepherded the older ones back from the bush. Order restored, the first group padded down the path to the mud bath as usual, except for Mzinga. She was standing in the midst of the second older group and completely refused to leave them. Usually, the promise of delicious milk makes the little ones sprint down the path but, today, Mzinga was not going anywhere without an escort of older orphans!

Back in the forest in the afternoon as most were browsing in a cluster, Kamili led Sholumai, Mushuru, Loldaiga, Mukutan and Choka away from the herd. The six elephants quietly walked away into the forest and were found feeding contentedly in a clearing by the Keepers. Reluctantly, the mini herd obeyed the Keepers’ calls and walked slowly back to join the others. After such a difficult start, Kamili is developing into a healthy young lady with a mind of her own.

At first light, the Keepers opened the doors of the stockades and the orphans gathered outside to head out to the forest. Sileita led the herd up the path with Weka and Muwingu dawdling along at the end of the line. Spotting Maxwell, the blind black rhino, standing at one of the gates of his enclosure, the two girls stopped to greet him. Irrepressible Weka had fun pulling the rhino’s ears with her trunk as Muwingu did exactly the same to his tail. Max stood very still, enjoying the attention even if the cheeky girls’ behaviour was not what he was used to from gentle Mzinga. A few minutes later, they turned around and jogged off to catch up with the herd.

The orphans browsed and played and browsed some more. After filling her belly, Kerrio lay down on the ground, inviting best friends Mzinga and Nyambeni to play the clamber-all-over-your-nanny game. Mzinga was first to seize the opportunity, clambered right on top of Kerrio and lay spreadeagled, almost losing contact with the ground. Much to Nyambeni’s frustration, there was no room for her. She tried to push her way on but failed. Moments later, she headbutted Mzinga, giving her such a strong push that the little girl toppled off Kerrio, whereupon Nyambeni clambered up to take her place. Mzinga stood up and gave Nyambeni an equally strong shove, pushing her off too. At this point, Kerrio decided that enough was enough – she stood up and ambled away from the squabbling toddlers.

Later in the morning, the second group of orphans padded down to the mud bath for a milk feed. They drank their milk and spread out to browse on supplementary greens. Only Mageno was in a mischievous mood today. Rather than drink from the bucket, he decided that it would be more fun to play with the water. He sucked up a trunkful, raised his trunk high and squirted. The water sprayed everything and everyone around him like a sprinkler. He did it again and again and again, having a wonderful time!

This morning, in contrast to most days, Maxwell was not in a mood for sharing. Usually, when the warthogs arrive for breakfast, Max allows them to share his pellets and greens and they gather around the rhino as he eats. But today, when they trotted into his enclosure, he sensed their presence and chased them out, despite being blind. None of the elephants paused at Maxwell’s gate this morning – somehow, they knew that today was not the day.

After emerging from their stables at first light, the orphans headed out to the forest where they settled down to browse and play. Loldaiga, Kitich, Mushuru and Muwingu moved a distance away from the herd. As they concentrated on filling their bellies with heads down and trunks plucking tasty greens, they came across a lone buffalo. Brave Loldaiga and Mushuru stood tall and charged towards the buffalo – in response, rather than running away, the buffalo ran at the two orphans. They skidded to a halt, trumpeted in alarm, about turned and ran back towards Kitich and Muwingu. The four friends sprinted back towards the Keepers but of course their commotion upset the rest of the herd. A moment later, there were orphans bush bashing and trumpeting as they charged around in all directions. Only Mokogodo and Taroha ran straight for the Keepers. As the older ones dashed through bushes, clever Muridjo led Mzinga, Nyambeni, Talek and Pardamat towards the stockades, a place that she knew would be safe. On their way, two Keepers intercepted the mini herd, calmed them by whistling and calling their names, and led them back to the herd. By this time, the buffalo was long gone but the orphans stayed skittish for several hours.

At first light, a Keeper opened the doors of each stockade in turn and the orphans padded out at the start of another day. As he did so, the Keeper spotted Kitich’s sleeping partner curled up in a nest of straw with the orphan standing casually next to her. A small kitten has been a regular visitor over the past few days, but she only visits Kitich! The tiny kitten and the not-so-tiny elephant have been sleeping next to each other on the bed of straw at the back of the stable. 

The herd headed out to browse in the bush led by SIleita, Mushuru and Sholumai with Kitich and Mageno ambling along at the end of the line. This morning, the Keepers were surprised and happy to see Kamili with Mokogodo, Taroha and Talek. Kamili does not often behave in a maternal way but today she was looking after the three babies, touching them occasionally as she browsed close by. Mini matriarchs Sileita, Latika and Kerrio hovered around the new nanny and her little charges for a few minutes and then could not resist taking over. They walked up and independent Kamili walked away, leaving the three older females to fuss over Mokogodo, Taroha and Talek.

Later in the morning at the mud bath, Mageno was in a mischievous mood. Usually, he is a gentle, easy-going bull who does as he is told. Today, as his friends browsed on supplementary greens around the wallow, Mageno tried to duck under the rope cordon. The Keepers brought him back but, as soon as their backs were turned, he nipped under the rope again to see the visitors. When they whistled the naughty bull back again, he ambled off to browse in some nearby bushes on his own, returning to the herd only when they returned to the forest.

It poured with rain for much of the night and the forest was awash with puddles this morning. The elephants headed out to browse as usual but, as it was a cold morning, babies Talek, Pardamat, Taroha and Mokogodo were still wearing their night-time blankets. On some days, the orphans are reluctant to leave the stockades but this morning they were full of energy, almost jogging out to the forest. 

As the rain began to fall again, the orphans gathered in small groups to shelter under canopies of trees, standing peacefully with their friends. When the rain stopped, they spread out to browse in the lush green forest. Mageno picked up a small tree stump with his trunk and gave it a shake, as if trying to dry it out. Not far away, Sileita and Latika were looking after Taroha and Mokogodo, standing protectively on either side and trunk touching the two babies affectionately. Best friends Taroha and Mokogodo stood so close that they were touching most of the time. Big boys Kitich, Choka, Loldaiga and Mageno have been known in the past to pull off the babies’ blankets. Today, Sileita and Latika were running no risk of this happening and would not let the older bulls near the two little ones.

Later in the morning, Raha paid her daily visit to the mud bath. She toddled down the path behind her Keeper and along the rope cordon, pausing occasionally for a small rest. Lap of honour over, Raha lay down to cover her body with soil, rolling around as a Keeper helpfully shovelled soil onto her belly. The little rhino then walked slowly back to the forest to fill her belly with green browse.

As soon as they emerged from their rooms, the orphans made a beeline for their rhino friend, Maxwell. While Max has his own agenda for the rest of the day, he loves this morning ritual and was eagerly waiting by the gate when he heard the elephants beginning to stir. On this particular morning, it was Taroha who got a coveted minute with the rhino while Mzinga waited patiently at the next gate for her turn for Maxwell-time.

Mukutan led the herd out to the dappled-light forest with Sileita and Mzinga bringing up the rear and Talek dawdling along behind next to a Keeper. She was in no hurry to get going and responded reluctantly to the Keeper’s encouraging calls. Out in the forest, Talek stayed close to the Keepers, resisting even Mzinga’s attempts to prise her away. She rumbled as she turned her backside to her sweet big sister and remained resolutely close to the Keepers for at least an hour. As her friend Pardamat trundled away to follow the older orphans into another clearing, Taroha, Mokogodo, Nyambeni and Kerrio also browsed around the Keepers. Mageno, who loves exploring, frolicked through the bushes on his own and then challenged his best friend Kitich to play the pushing game. The two boys clashed heads and trunks as they tested each other’s strength. The remainder of the day passed peacefully with many of the orphans plunging into the mud bath in the afternoon.

Raha was full of energy this morning. As soon as her door was open, the little rhino toddled out and up the path to the forest with her Keeper following along in her wake. Out in the forest, she enjoyed a quick suckle of his trouser leg before darting around playfully in small circles and settling down to feed on tasty grass and leaves. When a group of impalas came close, she tolerated their presence and continued browsing as they grazed around her. Soon, she found a muddy puddle and rolled around on her back in the sunshine before leading her Keeper to the mud bath later in the morning. (Raha has learnt her way around the forest and now heads off confidently in the right direction, whether this is to the mud bath in the morning or back to the stockades in the evening, squeaking as she marches along.) Catching sight of her as she plodded past, Mzinga came over to greet Raha, laying her trunk along the rhino’s back and then returning to the herd.

Later in the morning, nanny Latika was looking after little Mokogodo in a sunlit forest as Kerrio scratched her trunk against a tree with Mzinga, Nyambeni and Taroha standing by. Nearby, Mukutan and Kitich stood with heads held together before one pushed and the other resisted and they twisted around and repeated the game. When cheeky Shujaa dared to push Mokogodo, Muridjo saw him off with a shove and a body block.

The orphans padded out of their stockades in the early morning with minimal encouragement from the Keepers - the sun was shining and they were keen to browse in the bush. Kitich led the herd out in a long line to the forest where they spread out, as usual, to browse. Several orphans were feeling playful this morning. Muwingu and Kitich played the pushing game and also Mukutan and Choka. They clashed heads and entwined trunks as their friends continued to browse around them. Not only Kerrio but also Latika lay down in a clearing, inviting the younger ones to play. Mzinga rested her forelegs on one big sister as Nyambeni clambered all over the other.

Later in the afternoon, the orphans visited the mud wallow for another milk feed. Taroha was the first to walk into the wallow today (he is a sensible chap who likes to get in first and get out before the others arrive). He splashed water in all directions as Kerrio, Mzinga and Nyambeni joined him in the pool. He is happy to wallow with these three girls but climbed out as soon as he saw the big boys heading over. Mageno and Loldaiga paddled and hosed themselves with water and played the pushing game in the wallow.

After cooling off in the water, it was time for a dust bath. Little and large alike rolled around on an enormous pile of soil next to the wallow. Mushuru and Pardamat lay next to each other as Muwingu knelt to massage her torso against the soothing soil.

Out in the forest this morning, a mini herd clustered around an especially inviting tree stump. Muridjo leaned casually against the stump as Latika played with small pieces of bark and Shujaa continued to fill his ever-expanding belly. Soon, Muridjo and Shujaa enjoyed a quick massage against the uneven bark before Shujaa spoilt the moment by trying to mount her and she saw him off. Kitich and Muwingu then padded over to spend time at the same tree stump. After a moment of massage, the two friends rubbed bodies and locked heads and twisted trunks as they played a brief session of the pushing game. Moments later, Mageno took over from Muwingu and the two best friends played as Kitich almost squatted on the stump. As the bulls ambled away into a thicket, Kerrio and Mzinga took their places at the special tree.

The orphans wandered into the woods before being sent back in groups of three or four for a milk feed near the stockades. In sharp contrast to their leisurely ambling earlier in the morning, they sprinted back to the wheelbarrow for milk, the little ones running as fast as their legs could carry them. The Keepers made sure that they were ready as the orphans thundered towards them, not wanting to run the risk of an upturned wheelbarrow and rowdy behaviour. Pardamat and Weka trumpeted as they sprinted in, just in case no one had noticed them!

Later in the morning, Raha paid her daily visit to the mud wallow. She toddled along the rope cordon, pausing occasionally for a few seconds and then walking on. She was not at her most energetic today. After a prolonged lap around the wallow, she lay down on a small pile of earth made especially for her by the Keepers. The little princess rolled around as muddy soil was shovelled onto her tummy. Minutes later, she left and groups of orphans arrived to take her place. After gulping down their milk, the elephants drank from the water buckets and browsed on supplementary lucerne and wallowed in the mud bath.

This morning, as most of the herd stood around peacefully, two of the toddlers had a squabble. As soon as her door was open, Talek padded down to Pardamat’s stable and stood outside, waiting for her friend. A Keeper opened his door and, as Pardamat moved towards it, Talek used her head and trunk to close the stable door. He extended his trunk over the top and rumbled as she continued to lean against the door, holding the young boy hostage. She was not budging! When Pardamat began shouting, Sileita and Latika responded immediately. Latika shoved Talek forcefully away as Sileita curled her trunk around the door and pulled it open. One indignant small elephant was shepherded out to the forest by Sileita and a second sulky one by Latika. The mini matriarchs kept the two orphans apart for a time to prevent Pardamat getting his own back on Talek!

An hour or so after the elephants had left for the forest, a Keeper opened Raha’s door and out she toddled. He wandered up the path to the bush with the rhino following obediently in his wake. It was a cool morning and Raha was clad in her cherry-red blanket. She settled down to browse, taking regular breaks for a quick suckle on her Keeper’s green trouser leg. Rhinos are a tactile species and the gesture brings her a lot of comfort.

Because it was raining in the early morning, the Keepers did not remove the blankets worn by Raha, Taroha, Mokogodo, Talek and Pardamat at night-time. The elephants emerged one by one from their stables and wandered out to the forest. The older orphans were first in line this morning with the ‘blanket babies’ and Kerrio bringing up the rear. Not long after, Raha also toddled out of her room and headed out reluctantly with her Keeper.  

Out in the forest, the orphans ambled about in small groups. The herd was somewhat subdued on the drizzling day with the exceptions of Choka, Mukutan and Weka. The two boys were playing the pushing game and Weka was at her most mischievous. Every time she came across a blanket baby, she yanked at the blanket with her trunk, doing her best to remove it! Her antics kept the Keepers on their toes until Mushuru stepped in to protect the four small ones. She strode over, chased Weka away and remained close to the babies, just in case the naughtiest girl in the herd returned. Weka knew, however, that she had met her match in Mushuru and instead turned her attention to browsing.

Later in the afternoon, the orphans wandered down to the mud bath for another milk feed. As Mushuru paddled in the muddy wallow, Shujaa and Muridjo hung out together on the edge. They pushed heads half-heartedly and then stood close, leaning against each other. Meanwhile, best friends Mageno and Kitich were enjoying an energetic wrestling match, clashing heads and trying to mount each other. Mukutan ambled over to a Keeper, lifting his trunk in greeting. Taroha laid his forelegs on a low platform while keeping his back legs on the ground, finding the perfect position for a pleasing belly rub. After straddling a water bucket and wiggling his belly back and forward, Pardamat paddled into the wallow on his own. He lay down against the side for a relaxing wallow while waving his trunk in circles. Not far away, favourite baby Mokogodo stood sandwiched between Sileita and Muwingu on the pile of earth.

This morning, Raha stopped off on her way to the forest outside Maxwell’s enclosure. Sensing the presence of the little rhino, Maxwell lumbered over to investigate. He strode up and down, making a sort of squeaking sound in greeting. The sight of the enormous black rhino was too much for Raha! She turned tail and ran to her Keeper, standing close to him and sucking his trouser leg. With reassuring whistles, he led her out to the forest for her daily bush walk. An hour later, she pottered down the path and around the mud bath. Today, Raha stood still patiently as the visitors greeted her. The little rhino has a mind of her own – on some days, she will not stop and is determined to plod back out to the forest.

While the elephants were browsing in the forest in the early morning, the rain began to fall. It poured and it poured and it poured, transforming the mud bath area into an enormous puddle. As always, the Keepers soon shepherded the orphans down to the wallow for another milk feed. The first group of younger orphans drank their milk and gathered around the mud bath. They stood quietly with their heads down, subdued by the continuing downpour. In contrast, the second group were invigorated by the rain and the mud. After gulping down their milk, several began rolling around in the thick mud, waving their trunks in excitement. Mushuru and Sholumai were lying on their sides in the mud. Some minutes later, the orphans, covered in thick layers of gloopy mud, waded back out to the forest.

It poured with rain again this morning. The orphans emerged from their stockades at the usual time and pottered around greeting each other. Taroha, Talek and Pardamat were still wearing their night-time blue blankets and little Mokgodo stayed in her stable because of the heavy rain. The Keepers whistled and the herd set off, somewhat reluctantly, to browse in the forest. Missing their favourite baby, SIleita and Kerrio tried several times to pad back to the stockades but were intercepted by Keepers who called them back to the herd. Soon the rain eased off and Mokogodo was allowed out. Predictably, her arrival was greeted with lots of rumbling and trunk touching!

As some browsed and others played, Mzinga and Taroha chewed on a small branch together while Mokogodo padded along behind Nyambeni. After greeting one of the Keepers, Talek rubbed her side and trunk against the scratchy bark of a tree stump and then explored its crevices deftly with her trunk. When she wandered away, cheeky Shujaa nipped in to take her place, rubbing his sides so strongly against the bark that the stump leant to one side.

Later in the morning, the orphans headed down to the mud bath. Although the rain had stopped by this time, the area was still an enormous muddy puddle. The orphans had lots of fun in the perfect playground. Some rolled in the mud or squelched around as others slid into the wallow and lay down in the thick mud. Muwingu and Muridjo massaged their torsos against the ground as Mukutan and Choka played a very slippery pushing and mounting game. The two boys slid around, falling onto their backsides and clambering back onto their feet.  

Soon after first light, the orphans ambled out of their stables and set out for the forest, padding silently along in a line behind a Keeper. They spread out in one area to browse and play. Loldaiga and Weka chased each other around the muddy forest and rolled together in a large puddle. Meanwhile, Mzinga was darting after some warthogs and impalas, trumpeting as she ran. For some reason, she was not prepared to share her space today. Tolerating her little charges, the pigs and gazelles merely moved a few metres and settled down to graze again.

When the herd wandered further into the forest, Talek and Mokogodo were left behind. Lifting their heads from browsing to realise that their friends had walked on, they trumpeted in alarm. Sileita was the first to react. She about turned and walked back to find the babies. Today, she was followed by not only Kerrio and Latika but also by many others. Minutes later, Talek and Mokogodo were surrounded by over half the herd. They scooped up the babies and resumed their exploration of the forest.

Later in the morning, the orphans arrived at the mud bath for another milk feed. Today, it was Taroha’s turn to kick up a fuss in the hope of being given an extra bottle. After gulping down his milk, he trailed around after the Keepers, trumpeting his demands for more. The determined boy kept this up until every elephant in his group had been fed, whereupon he fell silent and began browsing on the supplementary lucerne.

At first light, a Keeper walked around the stockades, opening each orphan’s door. They wandered out slowly and stood waiting to head out to the forest. While waiting, Mageno could not resist clambering over a fence to browse on some delicious greens. Kitich did his best to follow his friend but was stopped with a whistle from a Keeper as Mokogodo and Taroha stood watching.

The Keepers gathered the herd together and led them out to the forest where they spread out to browse. After filling her belly, tomboy Weka challenged Loldaiga to play, an invitation which the chunky bull gladly accepted. She gave as good as she got but tired of the game when Loldaiga began mounting her. She took a few fast steps forward, thwarting his attempts, turned around and saw him off with ears flared. Meanwhile, Sileita and Choka were enjoying an affectionate moment, pausing for trunk hugs between mouthfuls. With Weka dancing around in circles in the background, Sileita and Choka played the pushing game while Sholumai stood nearby, enjoying a trunk tree massage.

Later in the morning, the Keepers split the herd into two groups (younger and older) in preparation for their visit to the mud bath for a milk feed. Pardamat was being an obstinate little boy. Although he is one of the youngest in the herd, he likes to hang out with older elephants. This morning, the independent baby did not want to join his age group and stubbornly stood next to Mukutan and Loldaiga, stating his case that he belonged with the big boys! Ignoring his wishes, the Keepers shepherded him down with the rest of the younger group. Shujaa was, once again, in a mischievous mood. After emptying his bottle, he strode over to Talek and mounted her. She took a few steps, he fell off, he tried again, she moved away, he got the message! Meanwhile, Mokogodo was toddling along the rope cordon greeting the visitors until Pardamat ran up behind and shoved her. A Keeper ushered away the naughty boy. 

The orphans were still in their stockades at first light this morning. Sholumai and Mushuru ambled around quietly and Kitich played with a large branch of lucerne while Loldaiga, Muwingu and Kerrio continued to sleep, lying on their sides with heads facing inwards. The younger orphans, who still sleep with Keepers, were also quiet and peaceful - except for Shujaa. He pushed his head against the door, he waved his trunk around insistently, he was ready for the day.

The Keepers opened the doors and one by one the orphans wandered out, some with more enthusiasm than others. This morning, Kamili was not happy with Weka who sleeps in the neighbouring stockade. The no-nonsense girl walked out of her room, turned to the left and pushed the naughty girl down. When Weka pushed back, Kamili shoved her again before marching off in one direction as a Keeper shepherded Weka away in a different direction. Some drama must have passed between them in the night!

The herd trundled a short distance from the stockades and settled down to browse. They meandered around, browsing with different friends but staying within a few metres of each other. Latika knelt down for a soothing mouth massage against the damp soil and then stood to twist up pieces of grass as she pawed the earth with her feet. Big girls Kerrio, Weka and Kamili were browsing together as Mushuru enjoyed a few moments with beloved baby Mokogodo. Not far away, Pardamat was standing happily in the midst of a crowd of older orphans, one of his favourite places to be.

This morning, Mushuru padded up to Maxwell’s stockade as the rest of the herd emerged from their stockades. She stood next to his gate, stretching her trunk through the gaps to pick up any leftover pellets. Sensing her presence, Max trundled over to investigate and the two stood on either side of the gate peacefully for a few minutes. Other orphans approached and Mushuru led the herd out to browse in the forest.

The herd browsed quietly for around half an hour and then they livened up – some played as others scratched themselves or reached up high into trees or just moved a little faster. Loldaiga challenged Mageno to a wrestling match – initially, the younger bull could not be bothered but, realising that Loldaiga would not leave him alone, he accepted the challenge and played several rounds with his enthusiastic friend. They pushed a bit and draped trunks over each other and browsed for a few seconds and started the sequence again. Mzinga stood next to them seemingly unbothered but, when the boys got too close, she gave Mageno a strong shove out of the way. Not far away, Muridjo rubbed the underside of her trunk against the bark of a tree as she stood nonchalantly with one foreleg crossed over the other. Taking a few steps forward, she massaged her belly against the tree.

As it was a cloudy day, none of the orphans ventured into the mud bath later in the morning. Instead, they stood around quietly either drinking from the trough or picking up pieces of lucerne.

In contrast to recent days, the sky was clear this morning as the orphans headed out to browse in the forest. They padded around enjoying the abundance of green browse. Muwingu was looking after little Mokogodo as Taroha browsed a short distance away. The two best friends are no longer glued to each other almost all of the time (as they have been since their rescues). Taroha is extending his circle of friends as Mokogodo divides her time between her bevy of admirers. When Kerrio ambled over to see the baby, she was greeted with a shove from a possessive Muwingu which, to her annoyance, did not keep the baby by her side. Mokogodo, who has a mind of her own, toddled over to lean against Kerrio and Muwingu was left with no choice but to find another friend – she whirled away with a toss of her head. Some minutes later, she was fussing over Talek. As she rumbled loudly to the little girl, Kerrio and Sileita walked over to join her and soon Talek, looking overwhelmed, was surrounded by three nannies.

Later in the morning, the Keepers shepherded the orphans into two groups and sent the first group down the path to the mud bath. The orphans drank their milk without incident and spread out around the wallow and the enormous pile of muddy soil. Almost everyone swam today, even Kamili, although Mokogodo did no more than paddle. As Muridjo, Kerrio and Nyambeni splashed around in the middle, Mzinga and Talek massaged themselves against the muddy edge, lying on their sides and waving their little trunks in circles. Shujaa, Taroha and Pardamat soon paddled to join the water babies whereupon Kerrio and Muridjo clambered out for a roll around and a sunbathe on the pile of soil. When the Keepers called to the orphans to head back to the forest, they trundled out obediently with the exception of Mzinga and Nyambeni who dragged their heels, reluctant to leave the muddy oasis. The second older group soon arrived for their milk feed, emptying their bottles and heading for the playground. Rather than swimming, most opted for a browse on supplementary greens and a mud bath. Mukutan and Sileita rolled around together for ages on the soil, rubbing up against each other as they covered every part of themselves with mud.

Just before dawn, the Keepers gave the orphans a milk feed before opening their gates half an hour later. As Muridjo massaged herself against a tree, Mokogodo walked slowly out of her room, still looking half asleep, and toddled into Muridjo’s stable for a snoop while waiting for Taroha. Kerrio ambled out to find the blanket babies as Mageno, once again, headed straight for the tasty greenery over the fence. A few minutes later, the herd headed out to the forest with Mageno, who had clambered clumsily back over the fence, tagging along at the end.

Big boys stretched their trunks into trees to pull down tasty branches and then began to play as others browsed around them, paying no attention at all. Choka and Kitich twirled their trunks as they pushed against each other and broke apart and then pushed again. Minutes later, Choka was tussling with Muwingu and Kitich was wrestling with Mukutan. Determined Kitich is smaller than Mukutan but does not give up even when he has been forced into a squatting position. Standing in the midst of the action next to a tree were Nyambeni, Mokogodo and Taroha. Big sister Nyambeni stood between the two babies, touching each in turn as they browsed. Moments later, Nyambeni and Taroha were playing a gentler version of the pushing game, twisting trunks as they pushed in one direction and another, and then stood side by side for a rest while the big boys continued their contests nearby.

Out in the forest, the day was warming up and the orphans were waking up, mixing up their browsing with lots of massaging against tree trunks and stumps. Kitich and Shujaa rubbed the undersides of their trunks against a tree and then entwined trunks and playfully pushed each other. Muridjo greeted the two boys in her own individual way by reversing her backside between them before twisting round and dashing off. Mushuru joined in the group massage and then little Pardamat. Kerrio enjoyed a lengthy trunk massage against a tree, knelt to rub her forelegs on the damp ground and lay down on her side with head still up and trunk waving in an invitation to play. Talek, Mzinga and Mokogodo were already gathered around. Talek and Mokogodo leant against Kerrio, almost shyly, but Mzinga had no such qualms. She climbed on and off her close friend and then turned around to rub her backside against Kerrio.

Later in the morning at the mud bath, Raha, as usual, was the first to arrive. After her daily wander around the pool, she lay down for a dust bath and walked slowly back to the forest with her Keeper. The younger group of orphans took her place. Talek was the first to arrive. Full of energy, she gulped her milk, rolled around quickly on the pile of earth and began walking towards the mud bath. As she did so, she spotted a small tortoise moving from the wallow back out to the bush. The tortoise had left the move too late! Talek touched it with her trunk, she pushed gently with her front legs, she danced around, and then she tried to pick it up with her trunk. Before she could injure the small tortoise, one Keeper picked it up as another escorted a reluctant Talek to the other side of the mud wallow.  

Following a heavy downpour of rain in the night, the sky was clear in the morning. As Maxwell browsed on his pile of pellets, Sileita, with Taroha and Pardamat following along behind, led the herd past his enclosure and out into the forest. They wandered along in a trunk-to-tail line. Quirky Muridjo paused for a little dance in a clearing before catching up with the herd. Coming across a large puddle in the forest with one high wall of packed earth, Kerrio, Nyambeni and Muridjo clambered down into the water and leant against the wall of mud. They rubbed forelegs and sides and trunks against the wall and each other as Taroha, Nyambeni and Talek stood on the edge, thinking about joining them. Meanwhile, big boys Mukutan, Loldaiga, Kitich and Mageno played the pushing game in the background. After their lovely massage, the three girls scrambled one by one up the wall and ambled away to browse some more.

Kitich used to be known as the noisiest elephant in the herd but, for now at least, Weka has assumed this mantle. This morning, she trumpeted all the way down the path to the mud bath for her milk feed, as if she had not had a bottle for 24 hours rather than merely three! She downed her bottles in seconds and, in a mischievous mood, made a beeline for the babies. Anticipating that one of them was about to be pushed, the Keepers intervened and pointed her in the opposite direction. Weka may be naughty but she is also obedient. Without any fuss, she wandered over to hang out with Muwingu and Mushuru.

It was a cold crisp morning with a clear sky. As usual, the Keepers opened the gates of the little ones’ stables first. As Nyambeni scratched her side against a tree, Mzinga padded over to Maxwell’s gate in the hope of finding her black rhino friend, but he was nowhere to be seen. Shujaa waddled over to greet his favourite sister with a shove and a showy twirl — Mzinga was not impressed!

Led out by Kamili, the crew of hungry orphans only got as far as the top of Maxwell’s enclosure before stopping for a browse. The Keepers whistled repeatedly at them to keep moving as they herded them further out to the bush. The orphans spread out to fill their bellies. Standing next to a Keeper, Talek sucked her trunk occasionally before lifting her head and trunk to greet him with several long rumbles. With Talek continuing to hover around one Keeper or another and Mokogodo watching from the sidelines, Kerrio and Choka pottered around a tree and played a mixture of a pushing and chasing and scratching game. The mini matriarch played for a short time before returning to her favourite pastime which is - being with Mokogodo. Meanwhile, Nyambeni and Mzinga were hanging out together on a rocky area until pesky Shujaa spoilt their peace by pushing each of them in turn and trying to mount Mzinga. They ambled away and he sauntered off to find someone else to annoy. The rest of the day passed peacefully with the orphans wandering between the forest and the mud bath before returning to the safety of the stockades for the night.

As always, the orphans set out to the forest in the early morning with their Keepers. Pardamat was again hanging out with the older elephants. Today, he was browsing in some thick bush with Mushuru on one side and Sholumai and Latika on the other. When Pardamat toddled out of the bush into a sunny clearing, Mushuru followed behind but Sholumai stayed back to continue feasting on tree branches, expertly pulling them down and breaking them into pieces with her mouth, trunk and tiny tusks.

Little Raha was not in a biddable mood today. When it was time to come out of her stable and go to the forest, she stood obstinately in the corner. Two Keepers whistled but she just stared at them as if they were strangers! Compromise was the only solution. They allowed the rhino to remain in her stable on her own and, on their return, Raha decided that she would move very slowly up to the path for a short walk in the forest, still wearing her red blanket. By the time she visited the mud bath, the sun was shining and her mood had lifted. The Keepers took off her blanket and she had a roll around on her special pile of earth.

Many of the orphans plunged into the mud bath in the afternoon. Arriving in the area, they gulped down their bottles and headed for the cooling water. As some paddled quietly, Mushuru, Mageno, Muwingu and Kitich kicked up enormous splashes and submerged their bodies in the wallow.

In the early morning, the orphans wandered up the path and settled down to browse close to the stockades. Talek and Pardamat greeted each other with good morning shoves as Muwingu kept an eye on the feisty toddlers. Latika bent over a little to pluck up pieces of grass and other plants and then leant down on her knees. As everyone else stood around peacefully, Shujaa could not resist giving Pardamat a small shove for no reason at all. The younger boy’s only reaction was to move closer to Kerrio to avoid the risk of another. The herd browsed on the lush vegetation or massaged their bodies against trees while remaining quite close together.

After filling their bellies, many orphans began to play as others continued to browse around them. Loldaiga challenged Mageno to a wrestling match, standing with front legs apart and twirling his trunk enthusiastically in circles. The two bulls pushed and entwined trunks and chased each other. Not far away, Sholumai and Choka were pushing heads and then bodies – soon Latika and Kitich were also playing. Sometime later, Mageno began pestering Kerrio, trailing along behind her and trying to mount her several times. Initially, Kerrio was not bothered and kept on rubbing her face against a tree, but eventually she moved backwards to push the bull away. Giving up, Mageno strode off to twist trunks and push heads with Kitich and Loldaiga while Kerrio wandered off to be with the babies. Amidst all the action, Muridjo was doing her own thing – darting around after a herd of impalas with ears wide and head shaking.

Orphans sleeping in neighbouring stockades are likely to become good friends — as is the case with Kitich, Mageno and Loldaiga. Initially, Kitich and Mageno became best friends and played together in the forest almost every day and then, when Loldaiga was moved to sleep next to Mageno, he joined the gang, becoming especially close to Mageno. This morning, when Mageno ambled up the path to the forest, he did not have to look round to know that Loldaiga was running along behind him! The remainder of the herd meandered along in their wake and the orphans settled down to browse in the forest.

As the orphans wandered deeper into the forest, little Mokogodo was so engrossed in browsing that she was left behind. When two impalas clashed horns, several orphans trumpeted in alarm. Mokogodo could not see her friends but she could hear the trumpeting and was upset. She cried out and Muridjo, Nyambeni, Muwingu, SIleita and Latika all ran back to find her. The older females surrounded the little girl, touching her with their trunks as Sileita rumbled in reassurance.

In the afternoon, Kitich and Muwingu played an extended version of the pushing game. They clashed and broke away briefly and clashed again. Determined Muwingu kept reversing and then fully flaring her ears as she charged forwards. The game went on and on. Meanwhile, a laidback Mageno was lying nearby in a patch of dry soil, rubbing his feet and face, and then standing up to dig with his feet.

The orphans were full of energy this morning. They ambled out to the forest, browsing for a time as the sun rose in the sky before many began playing. Choka and Kitich, two friendly feisty bulls with curled ears, enjoyed a lengthy wrestling match, waving trunks and clashing heads. Nearby, Mageno and Loldaiga, two determined bulls who never give up, played a similar game. Mzinga, Nyambeni and Shujaa were also playing. With the two girls teaming up against the boy, they pushed and rolled around. Whenever Shujaa tried to mount one of his friends, they took a few steps forward and he slid off. Sileita and Kerrio were both playing the lying-down game – the two females lay happily on the ground as Mokogodo, Taroha and Talek climbed on top, slid off, rolled over and climbed up again. Amidst the games, friendly Pardamat trundled up to a Keeper, opening his mouth wide in greeting.

In the afternoon, many orphans had a dip in the mud bath. Sileita and Latika led the younger ones into the wallow. As Taroha, Pardamat, Mzinga, Nyambeni, Muridjo and Mokogodo paddled and splashed, they stood nearby, making sure that the older orphans did not push any of the babies over. After cooling off in the water, the orphans covered themselves with dry soil before heading back out to the forest. Usually, Mukutan is gentle towards the youngest orphans but not today. When the bull pushed Pardamat to the ground, Sileita, Muwingu and Kerrio came to the little boy’s rescue. Sileita drove away Mukutan as Muwingu and Kerrio consoled Pardamat.

At first light, the Keepers opened the gates of the stables and the youngest orphans toddled out. One of the first out, Pardamat walked straight over to Muridjo’s stable and stood waiting outside, rather than going to see his neighbour Talek. He is an outgoing little boy who chooses to spend time with the older orphans rather than his age mates. Muridjo emerged and he walked along behind her.

Meanwhile, Mushuru, Sholumai and Muwingu clambered over the fence into the small square of garden next to Maxwell’s stockade to browse on forbidden greens. When Pardamat spotted them, he somehow managed to hoist his small body over the fence as well and settled down to browse with the big girls. A few minutes later, the Keepers whistled and the herd headed out to the forest, except for Pardamat who could not get back over the fence. He was trapped! Hearing his trumpets, Sileita and friends turned around to help him but without success. They rumbled and pushed but could not lever him over the fence. It took the efforts of several Keepers to help one uncooperative elephant out of the garden. When they finally managed, the herd welcomed Pardamat with rumbles and hugs as they ushered him out to the forest.

Later in the afternoon at the mud bath, as several orphans paddled, Weka was being mischievous - until she was brought into line by Kamili (who is older but smaller). When Weka tried to playfully push two visitors, Kamili intercepted her and pushed her firmly away. Weka cheerfully padded off to the other side of the mud bath as the Keepers praised sensible Kamili.

There was a lovely moment at the mud bath this morning. Choka (one of the oldest bulls in the herd) was drinking his milk. He is able to hold the bottle himself using his trunk but makes a mess when he drinks. Rather than sucking the bottle, he just pours the liquid into his mouth, meaning that lots ends up on the ground. In contrast, Talek drinks carefully and never lets a drop go to waste. Today, she toddled over to Choka and stood underneath his head, in a perfect position to catch every drop that fell from the bottle. He kept drinking and she stood underneath drinking too!

Raha was in an excited mood this morning. Arriving at the mud bath, rather than plodding round slowly as usual, she ran after her Keeper, jumped up and down and rolled around on the ground. When it was time to leave, she almost sprinted back to the forest!

In the early evening, Maxwell was hanging out with the warthogs in his stockade. Sensing that Raha was approaching from the forest on her way back to her stable, he walked over to his gate. As she came closer, he began squeaking in greeting. The little rhino did not miss a step! Rather than pausing at the gate, Raha marched past as if Max was not there and headed straight for her stable. In she went and settled down to browse on her hanging bunch of greens.

Soon after dawn, the Keepers opened the doors of the stockades and the elephants pottered out. Because it was a cold morning, they decided to leave Talek, Pardamat, Taroha and Mokogodo in their stables for an extra hour. Choka and Kitich began playing hide and seek around the stockades. When the Keepers called for them to go to the forest, rather than gathering on the path, the two boys hid behind the stockades and dodged away when they were found. Sileita and Weka were also refusing to head out but for a different reason. They were determined not to go without the babies and kept darting back to their stables. When the sun came out, the Keepers relented and the older females scooped up the four babies and shepherded them out to the forest. Peace was restored and the herd spread out to browse. 

In the afternoon, the orphans paddled in the mud bath or stood around the edges in small groups. Little Talek was in a grumpy mood today and misbehaving to her big sisters. She walked over to Mzinga and pushed her over and, a few minutes later, she did exactly the same thing to Nyambeni. Both older girls are caring nannies but their reactions were quite different. Mzinga merely got back on to her feet and carried on browsing whereas Nyambeni pushed Talek back forcefully.

Back out in the forest in the early evening, the orphans were playing pushing games again. Sholumai, Mushuru and Muwingu sparred against each other, stopping to browse briefly and then resuming the game, as the younger orphans ambled around them.

This morning, mini matriarch Kerrio escorted young stars Mokogodo, Taroha, Talek and Mzinga out to the forest. She walked behind the four younger elephants, keeping them moving and in line. The mini herd settled down to browse together but Mageno kept interrupting their peace. He chased Kerrio, he tried to mount her, she moved away, he tried again. The bull would not leave her alone for more than a few minutes. Sileita and Loldaiga observed Mageno’s antics for a time before stepping in to help Kerrio. Sileita chased him away and Loldaiga challenged him to a wrestling match. Between the two of them, they kept Mageno well away from kind Kerrio!

Later in the forest, as Mzinga was scratching her side against two tree stumps, Taroha and then Talek walked over to join her. When the older girl accidentally trod on Talek’s trunk, she trumpeted loudly, waved her head and pushed Mzinga away. Meanwhile, Taroha was massaging every part of himself against the same stumps, rubbing his head and torso in the gap between them. Regaining her composure, Talek ambled up to a Keeper, waving her trunk as she rumbled several times.

Most of the herd went swimming in the mud bath today. Mzinga, Nyambeni, Kerrio and Shujaa led the younger group of orphans into the water and Mushuru and Sholumai were in the first to plunge in of the older group. The orphans kicked up water with their feet or massaged their bodies along the edges or submerged themselves in the cooling mud. After a refreshing wallow, the herd ambled back to the forest.