It was wet in the morning following rains received overnight. The orphans settled to feed on lucerne soon after leaving the stockade. Kindani scratched on a nearby rock and later engaged Esoit in a friendly pushing game. After having enough of the pushing game, Esoit left to play with Bondeni. On the way to the browsing field, Roho played with Bondeni while Mukkoka played with Naboishu. At the browsing field, Kuishi, Lodo, Sattao, Larro, and Esoit came across water collected on a rock and enjoyed a brief drink there.
The orphans browsed slowly and calmly up to mud bath time when Olorien led the way to the noon bottle feeds. After taking their milk, Bondeni, Roho, Suguroi, Lodo, Kinyei, Mukkoka, and Olorien jumped into the water for a cooling off exercise. They later joined their colleagues in a soil bathing exercise. Naleku led the way back to the browsing field. Kindani and Bondeni came across tree stumps of correct size which they used to scratch their bellies. The orphans settled to browse close to Kone Dam. When the heat became too much, Kuishi led the team into Kone Dam where they had a cooling off exercise. In the evening, Kinyei led the way back to the stockade.
The orphans were joined by Rapa, Jotto, Musiara, and Dololo. Roho, Kindani, and Esoit settled to scratch on the nearby rocks soon after leaving the stockade. Sattao and Naboishu walked down to the water trough and enjoyed drinking water before heading to the browsing field. Mukkoka challenged Dololo but shortly afterwards lost the game to Dololo. At the browsing field, Kindani teamed up with Bondeni in browsing while Suguroi settled to browse with Larro. The rest of the morning was quiet as the orphans browsed calmly as they slowly headed to the mud bath direction.
At eleven o'clock in the morning, Olorien led the way to the mud bath. The orphans had their milk and thereafter jumped into the wallowing water for a cooling off exercise. Bondeni was the first one to come out from the water and headed straight to the soil dusting exercise. His colleagues joined him and had their colour changed from grey to red. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. The orphans came across a bush mud bath and decided to smear themselves with mud by rolling in the mud. After bush mud bathing, Kuishi and Esoit settled to scratch against the same tree while Naboishu settled on a different one. When the sun became hot, Olorien, Dololo, Suguroi, and Naleku took a break from feeding to relax under a tree. In the evening, Kindani led the way back to the stockade.
The orphans settled to feed on lucerne soon after leaving the stockade. The nightclubbers Jotto, Musiara, and Dololo, in the company of Rapa, joined the orphans in the morning. Roho had a brief strength testing exercise with Rapa and quit when the going got tough for him. Esoit settled to scratch on a nearby rock while Bondeni played with Mukkoka. At the browsing field, Kinyei teamed up with Bondeni while Esoit settled to browse with Kuishi and Larro.
The orphans browsed in the Kone area and had a quiet morning. At eleven o'clock in the morning, Kinyei, Suguroi, and Lodo formed the first group to the mud bath. The sun was really hot and soon after the orphans got their milk, Kinyei led the way into the water for a cooling off exercise. All the orphans participated fully in the wallowing exercise. Bondeni was the first one to lead the way out soon after having enough of wallowing. Sattao and Kuishi were the last ones to quit wallowing. In the afternoon, Larro, Esoit, Naleku, and Sattao came across a bush mud bath that they took some time off from feeding to enjoy another cooling off exercise. In the evening, the orphans led by Olorien returned safely to the stockade for yet another night.
As the orphans settled for lucerne immediately after leaving the stockade, Challa emerged from the western side. Roho, Sattao, Naleku, Naboishu, and Mukkoka walked to meet Challa in an effort to welcome him into their group. Challa was impressed by their kind gesture and so joined them. Shortly later, Sattao requested Challa for some training lessons in pushing games. Challa accepted and briefly taught Sattao a few pushing tactics before leaving for an undisclosed location. Sattao and Naboishu walked down to the water trough while Esoit engaged Bondeni in a pushing game. Larro intervened and stopped the two boys from pushing each other.
At the browsing field, Roho engaged Naboishu in a strength testing exercise while Esoit, Larro, and Sattao teamed up in browsing. Kinyei and Bondeni came across nice rocks that they used to scratch their bellies. Later, Kinyei, Kindani, and Bondeni teamed up together in browsing. While browsing, the orphans passed at Kone Dam, and Sattao, Naboishu, and Lodo decided to quench their thirst at the dam before proceeding for the noon bottle feeds. The day was hot, and soon after getting their milk, the orphans participated fully in the wallowing exercise. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. Bondeni browsed with Kinyei as Sattao teamed up with Naboishu. In the evening, Olorien led the way back to the stockade.
The orphans settled for lucerne soon after leaving the stockade. Sattao walked down to the water trough to have water. Naleku and Naboishu followed him to the water trough. Olorien had a brief meeting with Roho before leading the rest of the group to the water trough. After getting enough water, Suguroi led the way to the browsing field.
The orphans settled to browse in the Kone area. Bondeni engaged Roho in a pushing game and when the going got tough, Bondeni turned to run away. Roho grabbed his tail and bit it. Bondeni felt pain and cried. It's only after Bondeni cried that Roho did let him go. Mukkoka teamed up with Naboishu in browsing. The weather was chilly and the orphans had their milk at eleven o'clock in the morning and thereafter headed back to the browsing field. Olorien teamed up with Larro and Esoit in browsing while Suguroi teamed up with Roho and Bondeni. Lodo settled to browse with Kinyei while Naleku took a break from feeding to participate in a soil dusting exercise. In the evening, Kinyei led the way back to the stockade for yet another night.
Larro, Olorien, and Naleku headed straight to the water trough soon after leaving the stockade. The rest of their colleagues briefly settled for lucerne and thereafter were led to the browsing field by Kuishi. At the browsing field, Roho decided to have fun by rolling on the ground. Naleku, Lodo, and Olorien just watched Roho having fun and didn't show any interest in joining Roho in his game. Sattao came across a fallen tree and decided to move it out of his way. The tree was big and heavy, and Sattao was unable to move it even for an inch. Sattao changed his way and went around the fallen tree. Kinyei, Kindani, and Naleku found some nice rocks that they used to scratch their bellies. Lodo and Mukkoka had a brief soil dusting exercise.
At eleven o'clock in the morning, Naleku led the way to the mud bath. After getting their noon bottle feeds, Suguroi and Kindani led their colleagues into a bush mud bath. After having enough of the bush mud bath, the orphans resumed browsing. In the afternoon, Roho came across a fallen tree and used it to scratch his itchy neck. The rest of the remaining part of the day was quiet as the orphans browsed calmly throughout without any major observation.
Kithaka, Enkikwe, Sana Sana, and Malima joined the orphans in the morning for feeding on lucerne. Roho and Bondeni had a warm-up exercise in the form of a pushing game. Larro had her own brief game of rolling on the ground. Kuishi stepped on a rock to appear tall to Sana Sana and Malima. Malima and Sana Sana did not mind her as they understood that Kuishi was only showing off. Enkikwe had a brief meeting with Naboishu as he wanted to find out what happened to Naboishu since he had joined them for three weeks then returned back to the stockade life. After feeding on lucerne, Malima and Sana Sana escorted the orphans to the browsing field while Kithaka and Enkikwe headed west to an undisclosed location.
The orphans settled to browse in the Kone area. Sattao, Naboishu, and Roho visited the Kone Dam for a drink and later resumed browsing. The orphans browsed calmly up to eleven o'clock in the morning when Olorien led the first group to the mud bath. The orphans had their milk then participated in a mud bathing exercise. After mud bathing, Sattao teamed up with Suguroi in browsing while Olorien teamed up with Malima. Naleku came across a nice tree that she used to scratch her side belly. In the afternoon, Lodo played with Suguroi while Roho played with Bondeni. In the evening, two wild bulls showed up at the stockade and left immediately when they saw the orphans returning back to the stockade for yet another night.
The sky was clear when the orphans left the stockade and settled for lucerne. This was an indication of a hot day ahead. Kindani started her day's activities by engaging in a scratching exercise against a nearby rock. Shortly later, Naleku walked down to the water to have water. Sattao settled to share his lucerne with Olorien. On the way to the browsing field, Mukkoka came across a nice rock that he used to scratch his belly. Kuishi had a brief meeting with Naboishu, but no one understood what they were discussing.
At the browsing field, the orphans were joined by Malima and Sana Sana. Kindani had a brief strength testing exercise with Lodo while Olorien settled for a soil dusting exercise. The orphans browsed in the Kone area for the entire morning. Shortly before mud bath time, Kindani and Bondeni briefly settled for a soil dusting exercise. On the way to the mud bath, the orphans came across a drying water hole and decided to have fun in it by smearing themselves with red mud. At eleven o'clock in the morning, the orphans had their milk then participated in mud bathing before being led away back to the browsing field by Kuishi. The afternoon was quiet as the orphans browsed calmly throughout the remaining part of the day.
Nasalot, Noah, and Nusu joined the orphans in the morning for feeding on lucerne. Noah had a disagreement with Naleku that resulted in a fight. His brother, Nusu, came to help by pushing Naleku away. Soon after having enough of lucerne, Olorien led the way to the browsing field. The orphans settled to browse in the Kone area. Later, Mukkoka, Naboishu, and Sattao visited the Kone Dam for a drink. A buffalo and her calf were swimming in the dam. The three boys didn't disturb the peace of the buffaloes but took water and left them to enjoy their cooling off exercise.
At eleven o'clock in the morning, Kinyei led the first group to the mud bath. The temperatures were moderate, and only Lodo and Larro participated in wallowing. The rest of the team opted for a soil dusting exercise. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in between Ithumba Hill and Imenti area. In the evening, the orphans returned safely to the stockade.
It was a bright morning as the babies woke up to feed on their milk bottles and later walked out to feed on lucerne. Bondeni started scratching his bottom on the rock while Sattao and Mukkoka were drinking water at the trough before heading to the bush for browsing. Later, all the babies walked to the bush for browsing.
In the bush, the babies browsed together. Kauro came to join the babies, but he started taking water at the dam where the babies were browsing. He was with Ambo and Mapia. Mapia came to join him to drink water while Ambo was busy interacting with the babies. The whole group later walked to the mud bath for the milk bottles. Ambo, Kauro, and Mapia didn't take the milk.
In the mud bath, they had their milk bottles as usual and then walked to the big waterhole for wallowing. We had a small waterhole which they first got in and started playing in, and later went to the big waterhole for wallowing. They later came out to enjoy a dust bath, with Naboishu climbing on top of a hill of dust to play in. He later went to scratch on the tree before heading to the bush. Mapia also started scratching his neck on the tree, and the babies walked to the bush to browse.
Back in the bush, they had a good evening browse until they came back home for their milk bottles again. No other ex-orphans or wild elephants were seen around the area today.
It was a beautiful morning today as the babies had their morning breakfast as usual and walked out to feed on lucerne. They were happy as they enjoyed the lucerne with pressure from their fellow ex-orphans. The babies later walked out to the bush to browse.
Out in the bush, Kuishi was busy browsing alone while Suguroi shook her head. The rest were busy browsing, too, with Bondeni stretching down to uproot the food plant. We also had a wild bull near them but he was just busy on his own. The babies later started walking towards the mud bath.
In the mud bath, Suguroi and Roho were competing, running for milk bottles, but Olorien had no competitor and was running on her own. Bondeni was enjoying a self-service milk feeding while some of their friends were busy wallowing in the mud. Esoit was on the other side, busy browsing, and later the babies started walking back to the bush for browsing with the keepers.
In the bush, everyone was busy catching up with browsing. Esoit was solely browsing separately from his friends while others were on their own way of browsing. The babies later started walking back home in the evening with the Keepers. No ex-orphans were seen today in the area, but the rest of the babies are fine and okay.
It was a cold morning as the babies woke up to feed on their milk as usual and walked out to the field to feed on lucerne. They really enjoyed the feeding as they were on their own without the ex-orphans and wild elephants. They later walked to the water trough to drink water and then walked out to the bush for browsing.
In the bush, Suguroi started doing her own press-ups near the dam. Roho started play-fighting with Bondeni while Lodo was very busy playing in the mud. Roho and Sattao came to join Lodo, but he walked out, leaving them playing. The two were not his friends today, hence he could not play with them. The babies later walked to the mud bath.
In the mud bath, there was a small dam of water where the babies went in and started wallowing. Olorien and Kinyei were the most playful and were busy enjoying themselves. Suguroi later got in after the two had left. The babies later walked back to the bush for browsing.
Back in the bush again, they all looked much more active with everyone busy browsing on top of the hill. The babies later started walking back home in the evening for their milk bottles again. They looked even more active as they were running to the stockade for their milk bottles and dairy cubes.
Still in the evening, we had Kithaka, Enkikwe, Kauro, Ambo, Sana Sana, Malima, and Mapia in the stockade who came to drink water and then left again. They looked healthier and okay. No other animals were seen today in the area.
It was a beautiful morning with a stunning sunrise on the horizon as the babies were busy enjoying feeding on their lucerne after their milk bottles. Kithaka, Kauro, Mapia, Ambo, and Enkikwe came to join them. Mapia started rolling down as he played with Ambo. Enkikwe was trying to climb the rock. Later, the babies walked to the bush to browse.
In the bush, the babies were busy browsing, and the five ex-orphans came around them near the dam and drank but didn't interact with the babies and walked away again. The babies walked to the mud bath for their milk and wallowing.
In the mud bath, they had their bottles of milk and walked in for a wallow. They really enjoyed it a lot. They came out and started playing in the dust. Kuishi and Kinyei were the most playful in the dust, and later they walked back to the bush for browsing.
Back in the bush, they really enjoyed browsing until evening when they walked back home for their evening milk and bed.
It was quite a bright morning today with the babies enjoying their milk bottles and later walking out to feed on lucerne. Enkikwe was the only new visitor who visited and shared the lucerne with the babies. Kithaka was around but at a distance and did not share lucerne with the babies. The babies later walked to the bush for browsing.
In the bush, the babies were busy browsing while Naboishu was busy playing in the dust and later walked to the Kone Dam to drink water. Larro was busy scratching her neck on the tree stump. Olorien, on the other side, was scratching her neck on the tree while Kindani was scooping and tossing soil chunks in the air and some on her back. Later, the babies walked to the mud bath for their milk bottles and wallowing.
In the mud bath, the babies had their normal share with Bondeni enjoying the milk bottle self-service, and later they walked to the mud wallow for wallowing. They really enjoyed the wallowing and later walked out to play in the dust with Kinyei leading the group playing in the dust. They later walked away back to the bush for evening browsing.
Back in the bush, the babies enjoyed the browsing with a group of them, comprising Olorien, Laro, and Bondeni, scratching their bottom on the same rock. Later, they walked back home in the evening for their milk bottles again and beddings. No other ex-orphans appeared today.
It was such a beautiful morning as the babies woke up as usual to feed on milk. They had their milk and walked out to feed on lucerne. They really enjoyed feeding on lucerne in peace without the ex-orphans or wild elephants. Later, they walked to the bush to browse.
In the bush, they all enjoyed the browsing with Naleku busy playing with dust. Lodo and Roho came to the Kone Junction Dam and drank water from there. Enkikwe and Kithaka came to drink water from the dam, with Malima joining them. They later came to join their group with Sana Sana and Kauro and walked to the bush for browsing. The babies later started walking to the mud bath for their milk bottles.
In the mud bath, we had only one wild bull who came to visit. The babies had their milk as usual with few only walking into the mud wallow for wallowing. Roho and Esoit were among those who were busy wallowing and enjoying the swimming. Mukkoka and Roho came out and started rolling in the dust, and later the group walked back to the bush for browsing.
Back in the bush, the babies were busy browsing the whole afternoon. Kuishi stretched high in the tree while Suguroi kissed Sattao when browsing. The babies later walked back home for their evening milk bottles. No other animals were seen in the stockade today.
Bondeni, Esoit, Sattao, and Kindani settled for a scratching exercise immediately after leaving the stockade. The rest of their colleagues settled for lucerne and joined them later after having enough of the scratching exercise. The orphans didn't stay for long at the stockade compound but left immediately after hearing other elephants calling from the southern direction. Kinyei led the team towards Kone where the orphans settled to browse for the better part of the morning. The orphans were joined by Enkikwe and Sana Sana, who later escorted them to the mud bath.
The orphans had their milk and thereafter jumped into the water for a cooling-off exercise. After having enough of wallowing, Enkikwe and Sana Sana parted ways with the orphans. The orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. Kindani settled to browse with Kinyei while Naboishu settled to browse with Roho. Larro teamed up with Kuishi and Esoit. In the evening, Suguroi led the way back to the stockade for yet another night.
Melia, Milo, Tusuja, Rapa, Jotto, Kithaka, Ambo, Malima, Sana Sana, Kalama, Kauro, and Mapia joined the orphans in feeding on lucerne in the morning. Suguroi had a brief interaction with Milo while Kindani and Bondeni settled to scratch on their favourite rock. Ambo and Jotto had a brief meeting that appeared to have been touching on the new life they are living after leaving the stockade life. Shortly later, Suguta passed by as she was running away from a bull that was seeking her companionship. After the orphans had enough of lucerne, Kuishi, followed by Esoit and Larro, led the way to the browsing field. The orphans were briefly joined by Mulika Mkuu, Mwende, Mala, Sidai, Silas, and Sita. Lodo teamed up with Roho in browsing while Suguroi teamed up with Naleku and Olorien.
The orphans browsed calmly as they slowly headed towards the mud bath. After getting their noon bottle feeds, Roho, Larro, and Suguroi participated in a mud bathing exercise while the rest headed for a soil dusting exercise. There was tension when Kitirua showed up with a wild bull in hot pursuit of her. The tension died away when Kitirua changed direction and started running towards the north. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse east of Ithumba Hill and were briefly joined by Jotto and Dololo before the two boys disappeared into an undisclosed location. In the evening, Bondeni led the way back to the stockade.
Ishanga and Vuria were at the stockade compound early in the morning before the orphans were let out. The two ex-orphans joined the orphans in feeding on lucerne immediately they were let out. Shortly later, Karisa emerged from the western side and joined in feeding on lucerne. Lodo said good morning to Ishanga as Kuishi entwined her trunk with Karisa in morning greetings. Roho had a brief meeting with Naleku as Larro walked down to the water trough to have water. After the orphans had enough of lucerne, Kindani led the way to the browsing field. Karisa escorted the orphans to the browsing field and had a brief strength testing exercise with Mukkoka and Sattao. The orphans settled to browse at Kone area and as the day progressed, the orphans were joined by Sana Sana, Malima, Neshashi, Sidai, Silas, Orok, Kithaka, Jotto, a wild female with one tusk, Enkikwe, and Vuria. The ex-orphans escorted the orphans to the mud bath where Orok joined Lodo, Roho, and Larro in mud bathing.
Shortly later, the orphans walked to the big mud bath for a cooling off exercise. The wallowing exercise was cut short by Vuria, who started bullying the orphans. The orphans couldn't tolerate Vuria's harassment and so walked out and returned back to the browsing field. Larro and Kinyei had a brief soil bathing exercise before resuming to browse. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse east of Ithumba Hill. In the evening at the time of getting back to the stockade, Larro and Sattao were missing. The Keepers couldn't locate them and since the two orphans are very well versed with the area, the keepers decided to let them enjoy their freedom and returned back to the stockade. Half an hour later, Larro and Sattao brought themselves back to the stockade.
This afternoon, a friendly elephant was reported loitering near Kanziku Gate in Tsavo East National Park. The Keepers went to investigate — and came face to face with Ngasha! He disappeared right after being translocated from Umani to Ithumba in August and has been absent for the past seven months. It turns out that he was just busy enjoying and exploring his new home.
It was a quiet morning. The orphans settled for lucerne soon after leaving the stockade. Shortly later, Rapa, Enkikwe, Kithaka, and Jotto showed up and joined the orphans in feeding on lucerne. Roho and Bondeni had a brief strength testing exercise that lasted for quite some time. Kindani settled to scratch on her usual rock. Later, Kuishi came and pushed Kindani away then used the rock for scratching together with her favourite, Esoit. Naleku led the way to the browsing field soon after having enough lucerne. The orphans settled to browse in the Kone area. Naboishu, Sattao, and Mukkoka split from the main herd and headed south. The three boys returned later to rejoin their group shortly before eleven o'clock in the morning.
Larro led the way to the mud bath. After getting their milk, Lodo, Kinyei, and Kindani led their colleagues into the wallowing exercise. Only Bondeni, Naleku, Suguroi, and Olorien boycotted the wallowing exercise. After wallowing, Kinyei, Kindani, Roho, and Lodo participated in a soil bathing exercise. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the Imenti area. The rest of the day was quiet as the orphans browsed calmly throughout without any major observation.
We returned to Kanziku Gate today to see if Ngasha was still around. On the way there, a majestic elephant emerged from the bush and approached the vehicle — Ngasha again! The Keepers treated him to a bale of lucerne, which he happily tucked into. After a brief meeting, Ngasha continued on his way, heading in the direction of Ithumba Hill. We hope that he will make another appearance soon, but either way, we know he is in the area.
Vuria, in the company of two wild juniors, arrived at the stockade compound shortly before the orphans were let out. The two wild juniors fled away when they saw the Keepers accompanying the orphans. The orphans settled for lucerne and shortly afterwards, Suguroi led the way to the browsing field. The orphans settled to browse in the Kone area. Naboishu, Sattao, Mukkoka, and Larro walked to the dam and had water before resuming to browse.
The orphans browsed calmly as they headed towards the mud bath. The temperatures were moderate and not all the orphans participated in wallowing. Bondeni, Mukkoka, Esoit, Olorien, Naleku, and Suguroi boycotted the wallowing exercise. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area. Esoit teamed up with Kuishi and Larro on browsing while Sattao teamed up with Naboishu and Lodo. In the evening, Kinyei led the way back to the stockade.
Vuria, Kithaka, and Enkikwe joined the orphans for feeding on lucerne in the morning. It appears these days that Kithaka and Enkikwe have formed their own group of two, since both of them have identical problems with their back right hind legs. After sharing lucerne with the orphans, Kithaka, Enkikwe, and Vuria escorted the team to the browsing field. Shortly later, the three boys left for an undisclosed location.
Bondeni and Roho started their day activities by engaging in a strength testing exercise that saw Roho emerge victorious. As the day progressed, Kuishi, Lodo, and Larro visited the Kone dam where they had water before resuming to browse. After taking water, Lodo met with Roho who attempted to block his way. Lodo decided to use force to clear his way. The two boys locked their trunks in a fight. Mukkoka passed by and separated the two boys. Roho walked to a dam while Lodo headed east. Suguroi developed an itching ear and visited a nearby tree to scratch it against the tree. Kinyei, Naleku, Esoit, and Kuishi came across stagnated water and used it to splash behind their ears to cool off.
At eleven o'clock in the morning, Kindani led the way to the mud bath. The orphans had their milk, then Kinyei led them for a cooling off exercise. After having enough of wallowing, the orphans passed at the water trough to quench their thirst before returning to the browsing field. In the afternoon, the sun was hot, prompting Mukkoka, Naboishu, Kuishi, Esoit, and Sattao to relax under trees with nice shade before resuming to browse later when the temperatures dropped to a favourable level. In the evening, the orphans returned safely to the stockade for yet another night.
Jotto, Enkikwe, and Kithaka joined the orphans in the morning, sharing the lucerne with them. Shortly after, Naleku walked down to the water trough for a drink, followed by Suguroi, Mukkoka, Kithaka, Kindani, Sattao, and Larro. After drinking enough water, Naleku led the way to the browsing field. Enkikwe and Jotto had a light strength testing exercise before following the orphans. The orphans settled to browse in the Kone area. Naboishu, Larro, Lodo, and Kuishi visited the Kone dam and had water before resuming to browse. At eleven o'clock in the morning, Kinyei led Lodo and Olorien in the first group for the noon bottle feed. After taking their milk, the orphans headed for a wallowing exercise, with Lodo and Roho being the last ones to quit wallowing. The orphans then headed for a drink before being led back to the browsing field by Kuishi.
In the afternoon, Lodo developed an itching ear and settled to scratch against a nearby tree. Olorien, Kinyei, Naleku, and Esoit settled for a brief soil dusting exercise before resuming to browse. Larro came across a tree stump that she used to scratch her belly.
In the evening, on the way back to the stockade, the orphans met with Kithaka, Jotto, and Enkikwe. Sattao decided to join the three boys and refused to go back to the stockade with his colleagues. An hour later, Sattao was brought back to the stockade by Kithaka, Enkikwe, and Jotto. The gate was opened, and Sattao got in to join Mukkoka and Kuishi, who are his bedmates.
Ambo, Mapia, Rapa, Jotto, and Enkikwe joined the orphans in the morning for the feeding of lucerne. After the lucerne feeding, Naleku led the way to the browsing field, with the junior ex-orphans escorting the orphans. At the browsing field, Larro teamed up with Esoit and Sattao in browsing. Later, Enkikwe, Jotto, Mapia, Ambo, and Rapa disappeared into an undisclosed location after failing to convince Mukkoka and Sattao to join their group. Roho had a brief strength-testing exercise with Lodo, while Sattao took some time off from browsing to engage Mukkoka in a pushing game.
Later, Suguroi, Lodo, and Roho visited the Kone dam to drink water. After drinking, Roho and Lodo decided to cool off in the water since the temperatures had started to rise. Bondeni found a rock to scratch his itching body, while Kinyei had a brief soil-dusting exercise. Sattao walked to join Esoit in feeding, while Naleku, Roho, Suguroi, Larro, and Olorien sought shelter under a tree with nice shade to cool down before their noon bottle feeds. After getting their milk, Lodo, Roho, and Suguroi led their colleagues into mud bathing. Lodo, Suguroi, and Kindani emerged as the stars of the day in wallowing, having a prolonged session. Challa briefly joined the orphans from the northern side before heading west. Naboishu, Naleku, Mukkoka, and Sattao occupied different trees for scratching exercises. Esoit and Kuishi lagged behind but joined their colleagues later. In the afternoon, Kindani and Kuishi had a brief girl-to-girl talk before resuming browsing. In the evening, the orphans returned safely to the stockade.
Kandecha, Kibo, and Chemi Chemi joined the orphans in the morning for lucerne. Kindani, as usual, settled to scratch on her favourite rock. Shortly later, Naboishu and Bondeni joined her in the scratching exercise.
After feeding time, Naleku led the way to the browsing field. The sky was clear as the orphans went about their browsing business. Roho teamed up with Sattao as Lodo joined Kinyei in browsing. The orphans were again joined by Kandecha, Kibo, and Chemi Chemi, along with Enkikwe, Jotto, and Sana Sana.
Sana Sana clearly ulterior motives: She made a beeline for Naboishu, who was her favourite when she was stockade-dependent. It appears that something was brewing up between the two. The Keepers didn't give the matter great attention, only to later realise that Sana Sana had come for her favourite boy. With Naboishu by her side, Sana Sana left with Kibo, Kandecha, Chemi Chemi, Enkikwe, and Jotto.
At eleven o'clock in the morning, Olorien led the way to the noon bottle feeds. After having their milk, the orphans participated in wallowing and later in a soil dusting exercise. In the afternoon, the orphans settled east of Ithumba Hill. The orphans browsed calmly throughout the remaining part of the day. In the evening, Kinyei led the way back to the stockade. Shortly after six o'clock, Naboishu was brought back by Jotto and Enkikwe.
In the morning, ex-orphans Kinna, Narok, and Makena, along with Kinna’s babies Kama and Kaia, were relaxing outside the stockade. Baby Kaia and Makena were slumbering deeply. At six o'clock in the morning, the orphans had their milk, then walked out to start their day. The orphans settled for lucerne with Kinna's team. Narok, who appears not to have forgotten Lodo whom she had kidnapped sometimes back, went and started sharing lucerne with him. The Keepers were not worried because Lodo had now become wise enough to make his own decisions, and he knows that Narok will lead him astray. Kindani and Bondeni settled to scratch on their usual rock. Roho had a brief interaction with Kaia before moving on to play with Lodo.
When it was time to leave, Kinna went to escort the orphans out to the browsing fields — and was disappointed to find that her daughters did not follow her! She rumbled deeply, which sent both girls running over.
The orphans settled to browse in the Kone area. Lodo engaged Mukkoka in a pushing game as Esoit settled to play with Bondeni. Shortly before ten o'clock in the morning, the orphans were joined by Enkikwe, Jotto, and Sana Sana. The sun was getting hot as the day progressed. Sattao, Roho, Enkikwe, and Lodo jumped into Kone dam for a cooling off exercise. Naboishu was happy to see his old friend, Sana Sana. On the way to the mud bath, Naboishu disappeared with Sana Sana, Enkikwe, and Jotto.
At eleven o'clock in the morning, the orphans had their milk and thereafter participated in a wallowing exercise. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. The rest of the remaining part of the day was quiet. The orphans browsed calmly throughout without any major observation.
Narok, Kilabasi, Kofi, Namalok, Ithumbah, Iman, Mundusi, Nasalot, Nusu, Noah, Lenana, Lapa, Sunyei, Siku, Saba, Chaimu, Loijuk, Lili, Sidai, Silas, Yatta, Yetu, Yoyo, Yogi, Yebo, and three wild bulls reported to the stockade compound. The wild bulls stood at a distance away, as their mission was to try and court Narok. The dependent orphans didn't spend much time with the ex-orphans due to competition for the lucerne. After a short breakfast, Naleku led the way to the browsing field.
At the browsing field, the orphans were joined by Musiara, who is newly living wild. Mukkoka, Sattao, and Lodo had a brief meeting with their old friend. The three boys wanted to know where Musiara had been for the past few days, as he had been absent. Musiara informed the boys that if they wanted to know, then they should be ready to join him in the wild.
At mud bath time, the weather was chilly and only Roho, Kinyei, Kindani, Lodo, and Suguroi participated in wallowing. In the afternoon, Musiara escorted the orphans back to the browsing field. The clouds cleared, giving way to sunshine. Naleku, Bondeni, Olorien, Kuishi, and Esoit visited Kone dam for a cooling off exercise. In the evening, Musiara escorted the orphans back to the stockade where he joined Nasalot, Nusu, Noah, and Narok, who had arrived earlier. He later left with their team to an undisclosed location.
Bondeni, Kindani, and Kinyei settled for a scratching exercise soon after leaving the stockade in the morning. The rest of the team settled for lucerne. The orphans enjoyed their lucerne without any disturbance since no ex-orphans or wild elephants showed up in the morning. At the browsing field, Kinyei teamed up with Lodo in browsing while Olorien, Kuishi, Esoit, and Larro came across loose soil that they used for a soil dusting exercise before resuming to browse. Later, Bondeni engaged Roho in a strength testing exercise but ended up losing the game to the tough Roho. Musiara joined the orphans shortly before eleven o'clock in the morning and was welcomed by Larro.
At mud bath time, the temperatures were moderate, and the orphans participated in wallowing soon after getting their milk. Kinyei and Musiara led the team into a soil dusting exercise soon after having enough wallowing. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse east of Ithumba Hill. The weather changed abruptly towards evening, giving way to rains that brought a cooling effect to the environment. The orphans were happy and enjoyed playing with wet soil, which in turn cooled themselves down. At five o'clock in the evening, the orphans returned safely to the stockade.
The orphans settled for lucerne soon after leaving the stockade. Shortly later, ex-orphans Pare, Chyulu, Cheka, Charli, Sapalan, Naisula, Nyx, Esampu, Mteto, Siangiki, Olsekki, and Wiva showed up and joined the orphans in feeding on lucerne. Naleku and Suguroi got an opportunity to interact and play with babies Charli and Nyx. Roho, Kuishi, and Esoit settled for a scratching exercise. Later, Kuishi had a brief meeting with Sapalan before leading her team to the browsing field.
The ex-orphans followed the orphans at the Kone area. An hour later, the ex-orphans left for an undisclosed location. Kuishi teamed up with Esoit in browsing while Lodo teamed up with Roho. The orphans browsed calmly as they headed towards the mud bath. Olorien led the first group to the noon bottle feeds. Suguroi led the second group while Kindani led the third one. After getting their milk, the orphans headed for wallowing and thereafter participated in a soil dusting exercise. Bondeni developed an itchy ear and walked to a nearby tree where he scratched his ear against it. The rest of the remaining part of the day was quiet as the orphans browsed calmly throughout without any major observation.
The orphans settled for lucerne soon after leaving the stockade. It was a quiet morning. Naleku led the way to the browsing field. The orphans settled in the Kanziku area where they were joined by Sana Sana, Naboishu, Jotto, Musiara, and Dololo. Later, Nasalot and her family passed by and ended up leaving with Sana Sana, Naboishu, and Jotto. Musiara and Dololo stuck with the orphans and browsed together up to mud bath time.
The weather was chilly, but some orphans — Roho, Kindani, Kinyei, Larro, Lodo, and Suguroi — participated fully in the wallowing exercise. The remainder, led by Bondeni and Naleku, only washed their feet by wading through the water then headed for a soil dusting exercise. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse east of Ithumba Hill. Jotto and Musiara parted ways with the orphans and headed to an undisclosed location.
Suguroi and Naleku came across a drying waterhole and had a cooling off mud bath before resuming their browsing activities. Larro, Kuishi, and Esoit split from the main herd and climbed up the hill. At five o'clock in the evening, the Keepers gathered the orphans to take them back to the stockade. To their surprise, Kuishi, Larro, and Esoit were missing. Several Keepers set out in search of the missing three. An hour later, Kuishi, Larro, and Esoit were located, browsing lazily in a little group. All three slowly walked back to the stockades.
We awoke to a wet morning, after a night of rain. The orphans settled for lucerne soon after leaving the stockade. They fed peacefully without any disturbance from outsiders. Roho shared his pile of lucerne with Olorien, while Bondeni had a brief scratching exercise on a nearby rock. After having enough lucerne, Kuishi led the way to the browsing field. The orphans settled to browse in the Kone area. Roho had a lone game of rolling on the ground and later accompanied Lodo to the Kone dam, where the two boys had water before going back to join their colleagues. The orphans were joined by Enkikwe, Kithaka, Musiara, and a junior wild boy. The wild junior was a bit unsettled when he saw the Keepers and ran away to an undisclosed location. Later, Enkikwe, Kithaka, and Musiara followed the wild junior.
The weather was chilly, and at mud bath time, the orphans just waded through the water to wash their feet. The water was too cold for a proper swim. In the afternoon, Kuishi teamed up with Naleku, Sattao, Larro, and Esoit in browsing. Later, a wild bull passed close by, heading to an undisclosed location. Mukkoka, Lodo, Bondeni, and Sattao raised their trunks, as if waving at and greeting the wild bull. The wild bull didn't bother to check the orphans but continued with its journey. In the evening, Kindani led the way back to the stockade.
It was wet in the morning following rains received early at dawn. After taking their morning milk, the orphans walked out slowly and carefully as they tried to avoid slipping and falling on the slippery grounds. The orphans settled on lucerne. Olorien shared her lucerne with Bondeni while Esoit shared his pile with Kuishi. Shortly later, Naleku led the way to the browsing field. Roho and Bondeni had a brief strength testing exercise.
At eight o'clock in the morning, a group of ex-orphans arrived at the stockade compound — with a surprise addition in tow! Galana had brought her tiny little baby ‘home’ for an introduction. She was joined by her first-born daughter, Gawa, Makireti, Naserian, Njema, Wendi, Wema, Wimbi, and Siku. Makireti was the lead nanny, assisted by Gawa, Siku, Wema, Njema, and Wimbi. After a brief stopover at the stockade, Galana and her team headed east towards Kalovoto. The baby looked very healthy and energetic.
Galana is the first ex-orphan to have a baby in 2024. Now, we are just waiting to see who will come back home with a second baby this year.
At the browsing field, Lodo had a lone game of rolling on the wet grounds. Later, he was joined by Kuishi, Lodo, Larro, and Kindani. At mud bath time, the weather was chilly, and the orphans only waded through the water after taking their milk. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. Mukkoka, Sattao, and Lodo split from the main herd and browsed a distance away. They rejoined their group later, when it was time to return to the stockades.