Natumi’s group of now wild orphans returned to the Stockades on the 3rd May in high spirits, and had fun indulging in all their usual Stockade games as they spread around their old haunt. Lolokwe entertained the Keepers most by taking Mweya for a pushing match, and then having a ride on her back until she managed to dislodge him. Natumi’s group again returned to drink at the Stockades on the 4th and 6th May, but did not spend long there. They were next spotted on the Eastern side of Mazinga Hill on the 12th in the company of a friendly teenaged wild bull, to whom Sosian and Mukwaju were paying a great deal of attention, and against whom Seraa enjoyed rubbing her head. Then a few days later, on the 17th, Natumi’s group came to the Stockades with another wild bull, who at first was unsure of the Keepers, but soon settled down when he observed that the orphans were friendly towards their human family. Natumi went into her old Stockade to enjoy some soft green grass that had sprung up during the recent rains, while the others waited outside for her to emerge, the wild boy pressing himself as close as possible to where she was, but keeping on the outside of the enclosure. He managed to pass the message that they all wanted her to come and lead them off, so she obliged heading to the west of the hill.

Emily’s group had not been sighted for over half a month, but were then spotted on the 14th drinking and taking a bath at a large natural waterhole west of Mazinga hill. Whilst thus occupied a large wild herd approached the same waterhole, and Emily left the orphans to go and greet them, leading them back to the orphans. All then intermingled forming one very large congregation of elephants, who left together, crossed over the Voi River and went to browse in the bushy area of the Voi river circuit. On the 18th, Emily’s group was again accompanied by that of Natumi and were spotted on the southern side of the hill, the friendly wild boy still with them. On the 21st the combined group of orphans arrived in a rush to drink at a waterhole on the southern side of the hill, scaring off a wild herd that was already there. One teenaged boy turned back and was intercepted by Laikipia, who tried to prevent him from accessing the orphans side of the waterhole. However, in the end, he managed to do so, and proceeded to engaged Loisaba in a pushing match, joining his herd about half an hour later. The two groups of our orphans were last seen again drinking at this same waterhole on the 25th.