Lualeni with the juniors
Daily updates
July 1st
The orphans left the stockade early as usual and settled for Lucerne before heading to the browsing field. Out in the bush the juniors were joined by Lualeni who later escorted them to the mud bath followed by the ex-orphans and wild elephants, among which were the elephant called Half Trunk and Mshale. After mud bath the juniors under the command of Lualeni, headed to the slopes of Ithumba hill where they settled to browse.
Half Trunk
Orphans feeding on Lucerne
July 2nd
The wild elephant Half Trunk reported at the stockade early in the morning today before Mutara led the first group to the mud bath where the juniors were joined by Rafiki who shared water with them before disappearing.
Half Trunk at the stockade water trough
Mutara leading the group
Rafiki joining the juniors at mudbath
July 3rd
Ten wild elephants and the ex-orphans joined the orphans at mud bath. In the evening the same older group was at the stockade. There was a drama when Kandecha secretly joined the wild elephants outside the stockade as his group was coming from the field. Makena also secretly tricked the keepers by joining the orphans just as they were a few meters from the stockade. Since Makena is almost the same size as the orphans, the keepers didn’t notice as she entered the stockade. They only counted up to six not knowing Kandecha was not amongst them. Later when all the wild elephants and the ex-orphans left, Kandecha came near the gate. There was much confusion until the keepers found out that Makena was impersonating Kandecha. Immediately the gate was opened and Makena left without being forced. She was happy as she had eaten Kandecha’s coconut.
Kandecha
Ex orphans coming to join the juniors
Wild elephants coming to the mudbath
July 4th
In the morning the juniors joined a wild elephant at the stockade water trough for water. At mud bath time, the orphans were joined by the ex-orphans, Mshale and other wild elephants. Soon after mud bath, the orphans returned back to the browsing field. In the evening again Makena pretended to be one of the orphans by leading the way and hurrying up so as to get into the stockade before every one. This time, the keepers were smart enough and noted Makena’s intentions.
Orphans and wild ele drinking water
Mshale
Orphans in the bush browsing
July 5th
The orphans left the stockade in a jovial mood and settled for Lucerne just outside the stockade. Later, Kanjoro led the way to the field. Mshale and Half Trunk soon turned up for water in the company of twenty wild elephants.
Kanjoro leading
Mshale coming with others for a drink
July 6th
The juniors settled to browse within the Kalovoto area up to mud bath time when Shukuru led the first group to the mud bath. Later in the evening the ex-orphans in the company of wild elephants showed up at the stockade for water.
Shukuru leading the way
Mudbath time
July 7th
The orphans at mud bath were joined by a few wild elephants and the ex-orphans. Soon after taking water, Kasigau engaged Kibo in a strength testing exercise that lasted for a few minutes before Kasigau surrendered.
Kibo and Kasigau strength testing
Ex orphans at the mudbath
Kasigau
July 8th
The day kicked off with 11 wild bulls reporting for water early in the morning. Shortly after they were then joined by the ex-orphans for Lucerne. At mud bath time, over 25 wild elephants and the ex-orphans were present. Later in the evening, Mshale closed the chapter of the day when he reported for water at the stockade together with 4 wild elephants.
Wild elephants coming for water
Mshale at the stockade with four friends
July 9th
It is becoming drier in the area, evident as more and more wild elephants continue to come to the stockade for water. It is the only place where they can trust and be sure of their safety.
Wild herd at the stockade
Orphans browsing with a wild herd
July 10th
The ex-orphans were at the stockade early in the morning where they were joined by the juniors for the feeding of Lucerne. Later the group parted ways; the juniors heading to Kone while the ex-orphans headed to Kalovoto. The group met again at mud bath where they wallowed together and later were joined by wild elephants.
Ex orphans join the juniors for Lucerne
Time for mudbath
July 11th
Today on the way to the mud bath, Mutara led the way but later she was overtaken by Shukuru. Soon after mud bath, the ex-orphans headed on their own way leaving Zurura and Lualeni to attend the juniors. In the evening Kibo led the way as Lualeni escorted her favorite Ololoo from behind.
Zurura with a wild elephant
Shukuru takes over the lead
Kibo leading the way home
July 12th
Lualeni and Kamboyo had spent the night just outside the stockade before being joined by the orphans in the morning for Lucerne. Shortly after the juniors’ feeding the ex-orphans showed up with 20 wild bulls.
Lualeni
Wild elephants drinking
July 13th
Shortly before the orphans finished their Lucerne, the ex-orphans led by Madiba arrived followed by fifteen wild elephants. Today Sabachi and Ololoo had a strength testing exercise that didn’t last for long. At mud bath the wild herd joined the orphans. Only Ololoo wallowed with the ex-orphans and the wild elephants.
Ololoo strength testing with Sabachi
Ololoo in the mudbath
July 14th
15 wild elephants as well as Mshale, Yatta, Yetu, Galana, Meibai, Kora, Lualeni, Loijuk, Challa, Napasha, Ithumbah, Mgeni, Kijana and Makena joined the orphans at mud bath. Only Ololoo and Kasigau wallowed in the mud together with the ex-orphans. At one o’clock in the afternoon Mulika led the remainder of the ex-orphans at the stockade to drink water.
Yetu
Kora
Napasha
July 15th
30 wild elephants reported for water in the morning. After the juniors finished their Lucerne, Kanjoro led the way to the field. It was cold during the mud bath so none of the elephants dared to get into the mud. Later after getting enough water, the herd headed to the slopes of the Ithumba hill where they browsed till late in the evening.
Kanjoro having his milk
Wild elephants drinking
July 16th
20 wild elephants in the company of the ex-orphans reported for water early in the morning at the stockade, suddenly Kalama fainted; she made a strange noise having fell to the floor and rose up quickly not knowing what had happened but thankfully resumed feeding and later led her colleagues to the bush. Ololoo joined the wild elephants in wallowing in the mud while, Kainuk, Turkwel and Shukuru joined the big wild boys in drinking water. In the evening Rafiki, Mshale and 10 wild bulls showed up at the stockade.
Kalama leading the group
Kainuk
Turkwel
July 17th
30 wild elephants showed up at the mud bath today, where they were joined by the ex-orphans and later by the juniors. The juniors headed towards the slopes of Ithumba Hill while the wild elephants split into two groups with one group heading towards Kanziku while the other group together with the ex-orphans headed towards Imenti dam.
Wild elephants at mudbath
Mudbath time
July 18th
The orphans woke up in a jovial mood and settled for Lucerne before deciding on which route to take. Mshale and a few wild elephants joined the juniors at mud bath.
Mshale and a wild friend at mudbath
Chaimu browsing
Ishanga
July 19th
At the time of going to the mud bath, Melia, Suguta, Sabachi, Kitirua, Tumaren, Chaimu and Olare had been snatched by the ex-orphans and were nowhere to be seen. Shukuru led the milk group to the mud bath, where they were joined by Mshale and 9 other wild elephants. Thankfully at four o’clock in the evening the missing juniors were brought back to the stockade by the ex-orphans.
Melia
Suguta and Sabachi
Kitirua
July 20th
The juniors were joined by Kijana in the morning. At mud bath time the weather was chilly and the group only took water and had a soil bath before returning back to the field. Mshale with ten wild elephants also came for mud bath.
Kijana with the juniors
The orphans dustbathing
Melia dustbathing
July 21th
At mud bath Kasigau tested his strength with Chaimu but Chaimu was tougher as she made Kasigau surrender. Later he then turned on Kibo for more practice. Ten wild elephants also met the juniors at mud bath. Mshale, Half Trunk, Kijana, Mgeni, Buchuma and Napasha in the company of eight wild elephants reported at the stockade late in the evening.
Kasigau and Chaimu strength testing
Kasigau takes on Kibo
Mgeni
July 22th
The seniors joined the junior group at Kanziku area. At the time of going for their mud bath, Kandecha had disappeared with Yatta’s group. Only Kitirua, Ololoo, Lualeni and Kasigau participated in mud wallowing, the rest took water with the wild elephants, and then returned back to the field. Kandecha was brought back to the stockade shortly before five o’clock in the evening by the ex-orphans. Ten wild elephants reported at dawn and waited till day break to get water. Soon after getting water, the group left. At nine o’clock in the morning, another group of fourteen wild elephants showed up at the stockade and later at mud bath.
Kitirua near the mudbath
Ololoo lying in the mud
Kandecha walking
July 23th
Kilaguni spent the better part of the morning browsing with the ex-orphans. Even at mud bath time, Kilaguni reported late with the ex-orphans and joined his colleagues. Nine wild elephant were at mud bath and shared water with the juniors.
Kilalguni with a wild friend
Wendi
Wild elephants near mudbath
July 24th
It was a quiet day as the orphans went on their browsing business as usual. At ten o’clock in the morning the juniors were joined by Lualeni who stayed with the juniors for the entire day. Thirty five wild elephants were at the stockade in the morning. Soon after getting enough water, the group left and returned later in the evening in the company of the ex-orphans.
Lualeni and Sabachi
Sities
Sunyei
July 25th
It was a quiet day for the juniors as they went on their browsing exercise as usual with no wild elephant joining them in the bush. At mud bath time, the sun was shining but no orphan partook of the mudbath. They had a drink of water before returned to the browsing field.
Tumaren
Suguta having a drink
Chemi Chemi
July 26th
As the orphans were busy feeding on Lucerne, thirty wild bulls reported for water. At mud bath time there were no wild elephants joining the juniors. The juniors settled to browse at Kanziku area till it was time to return to the stockade in the evening.
Sities sucking her trunk
Shukuru eating Lucerne
Kanjoro
July 27th
It was a cloudy and quiet morning with no wild elephants visiting the stockade which is unusual. Later at the mud bath, Mulika in the company of other ex-orphans and three wild elephants showed up in a hurry and in a nervous state. On closer inspection Mulika had a cut along her belly inflicted by a sharp object. It appears that it was an arrow. The group didn’t stay for long as they left the mud bath in a hurry heading to Kanziku. Missing in the ex-orphans group were Napasha, Kora, Naserian, Lualeni and Chyulu. The nervous state of the elephants was a clear indication that they had an encounter with poachers and this is the reason why no wild elephants visited the stockade since the morning.
Mulika and Mwende
Mulika Yatta and Kinna
Tomboi
July 28th
Early at dawn 25 wild elephants were waiting for water at the stockade. Napasha, Kora, Lualeni, Naserian and Chyulu were in the company of these wild elephants. Later on Yatta and a few ex-orphans joined the herd. Missing in the ex-orphans group were Challa, Mulika, Mwende, Galana, Meibai and Kenze. At mud bath time, it was cold and no orphan dared to wallow. It was also quiet with no wild elephants visiting, which is an indication that poachers still have a presence in the area. At around five o’clock in the evening, Mulika, Challa, Napasha, Kenze, Pembe Moja, Lualeni, Mgeni and two wild elephants emerged from the eastern side in a hurry. On a closer look, Challa had an arrow lodged in his face. We pulled the arrow head out but a piece remained inside. We held him into the stockade to wait for the vet.
Kora with the juniors
Kenze chasing gunieafowl
Pembe Moja and Makena
July 29th
Mulika and Challa had spent the night in the stockade waiting for the vet. The vet started with Challa and after successfully removing the arrow, he turned to Mulika. Mulika’s arrow was so deep yet the vet managed to remove the arrow and treat the wound. Soon after the two elephant’s treatments Wendi, Kina, Sidai, Naserian, Chyulu, Kina, Mwende and Napasha came to comfort her. Yatta and her group didn’t show up anywhere.
Challa's arrow wound after treatment
Challa getting up
Mulika is immobilized
July 30th
It was a cold morning as the orphans left for browsing. Mshale with a group of wild bulls checked in at the stockade for water. In the bush the juniors were joined by Kora and Madiba. Towards mud bath time the weather changed as the sky opened and light rain showers were received over the local area. Due to the chilly weather, the juniors only took milk and water before returning back to the field.
Murka
Chemi Chemi and Kora
Kilabasi
July 31th
The orphans left the stockade early as usual and settled for Lucerne before heading for browsing. Mulika showed up at noon with her group and was given dairy cubes together with her baby. In the evening only a few wild elephants that checked in at stockade due to the chilly weather experienced throughout the day.
Murka
Mutara
Naisula