As the side doors of the lorry were opened the new babies peered out into their new surroundings, before hurrying towards their milk bottles which were very comforting after their long journey and arrival at a new destination of new sights and smells. Mapia recognized Sana Sana and playfully tried to challenge her but Sana Sana would not stand for that so pushed Mapia away. Rapa tried to bully Mapia but was told off by the Keepers. Sana Sana and Malkia spent most of their day feeding with the three new babies. Mapia, Malima and Kuishi have settled in very well indeed, loving the taste of the abundant browse around them, still green from the rains, and it was marvellous to see how they processed and yet strangely recalled their new surroundings, having all been orphaned old enough to have a very clear recollection of Tsavo where they were born. We are sure they will adore their new home in the wild, with new and old friends alike. In Malima and Mapia’s case, being victims of drought and both abandoned and left for dead by their herd it is possible they will come across their families again one day.  

Just as Mapia, Malima and Kuishi arrived at Ithumba, the decision was made to move little Dupotto back to the Nairobi Nursery where she could be closely monitored given her drop in weight recently and her continued poor body condition. From Nairobi we are able to afford her more intensive care with routine follow up blood works while we work hard to get top side of her ailment. She happily boarded the translocation lorry following a milk bottle, and has settled right back into the routines of the Nairobi Nursery which she left over two years ago now, happy in the company of the Nursery babies and strangely comforted in being back in the safety of the cosseted Nursery environment. 

Meanwhile at the stockades this month, ex-orphans Orwa, Bomani and Narok came by on quite a few days to spend time with the dependent orphans. This trio is always on the lookout for any of the others who might be ready to join them in the wild, and although the Keepers are wise to their tricks, they still managed to make off with a vast number of dependent babies one day! They took Lemoyian, Kithaka, Siangiki, Olsekki, Turkwel, Oltaiyoni, Roi, Tusuja, Namalok, Dupotto, Kamok, Galla and Pare, and it took the Keepers quite some time to locate them all and take them back into their custody and then back to the stockades. They really had to be on their toes after that.

Kithaka, Barsilinga and Garzi continue to do their own thing as well and although they spend a majority of their time browsing with the babies and returning to the stockades most nights, they still like to wander off and browse on their own during the day as well. The Keepers love watching the relationship between Barsilinga and Garzi as they seem to be the best sparring partners and not a day goes by where these two don’t engage in some kind of wrestling match for hours. 

On the 14th we were shocked to discover Tomboi had returned with a wound on his side. He arrived at the compound in the morning looking in good condition and went for a drink at the water hole. He then approached the Keepers and turned to the side as if to present his injury for treatment. The Keepers immediately gave him some lucerne to convince him to stick around as they made arrangements to call the SWT/KWS Tsavo Vet. Taru Carr-Hartley flew to Voi to collect Dr Poghon and the SWT de-snaring team also arrived after being alerted by the Keepers, and stayed with Tomboi until the Vet arrived with Taru around noon. Tomboi was treated and an arrow removed from his side; despite the arrow being deep it had missed the stomach wall. He coped well with his operation and when we caught up with him a few days later the wound had healed nicely.

The day before the Nursery babies arrived, ex-orphan Sunyei, her baby Siku, Kibo, Loijuk, Ishanga, Meibai and Makena, who had been away for one month, showed up at the stockade with a wild bull plus Olare, Tumaren, Melia and Kandecha. Makena and the others all stood where the orphans would come out as if welcoming them outside. Kauro and Esampu walked down to the water trough and joined the wild bull to drink water – Esampu remains fearless in the face of wild bulls and bigger older elephants and given her sass they too tend to ignore her and let her proceed, breaking elephant protocol! Roi and Mundusi interacted with baby Siku for a long while before Siku ran to her mum. 

10 year old ex-orphans Naisula, Kitirua and Kilaguni also visited on just a couple of consecutive days this month. They fed on lucerne with the dependent orphans in the stockade compound and stayed with the dependent orphans throughout the afternoon.

Having moved to Ithumba nearly two years ago now, we are enjoying watching Sapalan and Namalok really grow and come into their own. Namalok is showing signs of becoming more independent and for once stood up for himself as well when Rapa tried to steal some of his milk from his milk bucket. Sapalan also used to be very quiet but has been spotted initiating pushing games and even tried to climb on Namalok as well. It was very nice to see him lively and strong considering his bout of ill-health, and now competing with his fellow age-mates.