In Ithumba, May began with a dash to the finish line. Competitive boys Bondeni and Lodo, joined by dark horse Kindani, competed to see who would lead the way back to the stockades at the end of the day. Just as the race was getting heated, the Keepers intervened by putting each orphan in their respective class.
Nasalot, Noah, Nusu, Yoyo, Tusuja, and a wild elephant arrived at the stockade compound early before the orphans were let out. Noah decided to lie down and take a nap as he waited for his playmates to be let out by the Keepers.
At six o'clock in the morning, the orphans emerged after taking their morning milk. Kindani walked out with a leftover branch in her mouth. Noah woke up and joined Suguroi, engaging her in a conversation that lasted for quite some time. Later, he played with Sattao and Roho while Yoyo engaged Larro in a strength testing exercise. Larro appeared not to have been prepared for the game and so opted to surrender.
After the orphans had their fill of lucerne, Naleku led the way to the browsing field. Kuishi settled to browse with her favourite, Esoit, while Kindani teamed up with her favourite, Bondeni. Yoyo followed the orphans and engaged Roho in a pushing game. Roho couldn't withstand Yoyo’s strength and surrendered. Yoyo then decided to go back to his group, leaving the orphans browsing in the Kone area. Kuishi, Esoit, Larro, and Naleku came across damp soil and had a game of rolling on the ground. Kindani, Bondeni, and Kinyei had their own game a distance away, playing with their own pile of soil. Roho teamed up with Suguroi in browsing while Mukkoka settled to browse with Sattao.
At eleven o'clock in the morning, Lodo led the way to the mud bath bottle feeds. After having their milk, the orphans returned back to the browsing field. They settled north of the mud bath. Roho and Mukkoka came across a bush mud bath and enjoyed splashing mud behind their ears for a cool-off. The remaining part of the day was quiet as the orphans browsed calmly throughout without any major observation.
Yatta, Yogi, Yoyo, Nasalot, Nusu, Noah, Tusuja, and a wild bull joined the orphans in the morning for the feeding of lucerne. The rascal Noah engaged Roho in a strength testing exercise. Noah lost the game to Roho. Feeling strong, Roho then moved to tackle Yoyo but unfortunately lost to the older bull.
After having enough lucerne, Naleku led the way to the browsing field. The orphans settled to browse in the Kone area. Roho and Lodo took a break from feeding to have a strength testing exercise. Their game ended in a draw. The orphans browsed calmly as they headed towards the mud bath. The temperatures were moderate, and the orphans enjoyed feeding in the cool weather.
At eleven o'clock in the morning, Suguroi led the way to the mud bath. Yatta and her family were browsing a distance away from the mud bath and didn't bother with what was going on with the orphans at the mud bath. After taking their milk, the orphans headed for wallowing and shortly afterwards returned back to the browsing field. Bondeni settled to browse with Kinyei while Lodo settled to browse with Esoit. In the evening, Lodo, Bondeni, and Kindani competed to see who would lead the way back to the stockade. The Keepers intervened by putting each into their respective class.
It was a beautiful morning today. The babies enjoyed their breakfast and later walked out to feed on lucerne. They really enjoyed having all the lucerne to themselves, with no ex-orphans in the area to compete with. Later, the babies walked into the bush to browse. A few minutes later, Galana arrived with her newborn baby, Gala, and the rest of her group. Yatta and her family were among them. Wendi scratched on a tree in the bush, trying to decide if she would come to the stockade or not.
In the bush, Esoit, as usual, was busy browsing next to his adopted mother, Kuishi. Later they walked to the mud bath for their milk and wallowing. Wendi and her group joined them, along with Sunyei and her babies. They did not get into the mud wallow but passed by. The babies walked out of the mud wallow and straight into the bush for browsing.
Back in the bush, everyone diligently focused on browsing. The three best friends, Kinyei, Kindani, and Bondeni, led the orphans back home for their milk bottles and bed.
It was a busy morning. The babies enjoyed their milk bottles and then went out to the lucerne area. Soon, Tumaren and her group appeared to join the babies in feeding. Wendi and Galana arrived a few minutes later. Olsekki was amongst them and kept trying to play-mount Roho. It was not a fair match, as Olsekki is twice as old as Roho — ten years old versus five years old! Roho speedily escaped.
In the bush, the babies were much more active. At midday, they had their milk and immediately walked back to the bush to resume browsing. Lodo and Sattao partnered up, while the others stood alone or in small groups.
It was a very quiet morning today. The babies looked very happy and active, enjoying their lucerne peacefully without being disturbed by either the ex-orphans or wild elephants.
In the bush, the orphans met with some ex-orphans, including Melia and Lualeni with their babies Milo and Lexi among them. They interacted together for some time, until the orphans walked to the dam for a drink. Lualeni, Lexi, and Ukame joined them. Kindani was busy scratching against a tree while Kuishi and Suguroi played together in the mud.
At mud bath time, the babies had their milk but did not like to wallow because it was cold. Ex-orphans Tumaren and Lualeni, along with their babies Tembo and Lexi, arrived but just stood under the shade of the big tree.
Back in the bush, Suguroi and Naleku browsed together while Roho stood on his own. Later, the babies walked home for their milk and bed. No ex-orphans or wild elephants appeared at the stockades this evening, and there was no more rain in the area.
It was another quiet morning. The babies woke up and found their milk ready for them, which made everyone very happy. Outside, Lodo greeted Mukkoka and invited him to a game. Bondeni and Kindani had a silent chat, until Bondeni started playing with Roho.
Out in the bush, Mukkoka and Lodo were still busy playing with each other. Kinyei stretched up on a rock, trying to reach the greenest leaves in the treetops. Later, she led the orphans back home for bedtime.
This evening, a few ex-orphans made an appearance, including Lualeni, Yatta, Nasalot, Naserian, and Tumaren, along with their babies. They drank water and left for the bush. There was no more rain today.
It was a wonderful and busy morning. After the babies had their milk bottles, they walked out to feed on lucerne. They found a big group of ex-orphans waiting for them, including Kinna, Chyulu, and their kids, along with two wild bulls. Cheka was very protective of his little brother Charli when some orphan babies tried to approach. Led by Kindani, the dependent herd soon made their way into the bush.
In the bush, everyone was very busy and active. Esoit teamed up with Mukkoka while everyone else kept to themselves. At the mud bath, they had their milk and walked straight back to the bush for browsing. No one was eager to get into the mud bath, as it was very cold.
Back in the bush, everyone browsed together on the slopes of Ithumba Hill. The day passed without incident, until they returned home for their evening milk bottles. No rain today and no signs at all.
It was a wonderful morning as the babies had their breakfast and walked out to feed on lucerne. They enjoyed the first 30 minutes in solitude before ex-orphan Naisula arrived with her baby, Nyx, and Neshashi, who recently went wild. They joined the babies for lucerne and remained there after the orphan herd headed into the bush.
Out in the bush, the orphans were very active. Olorien threw greens in the air, while Larro, Kindani, and Lodo browsed together. At the mud bath, everyone enjoyed their milk bottles. Mukkoka, who can now hold his own bottle, showed off his self-feeding skills. Later, they went to the dam to drink water and then walked back to the bush for more browsing.
Back in the bush, Roho browsed on his own while Larro ventured to the top of the hill. When they returned to the stockades in the evening, they were joined by many ex-orphans, including Sunyei with her two babies, Siku and Saba; Mwende with her baby, Mala; and nannies Ukame and Naseku. They drank water and left. The rest of the herd seemed fine. There was no rain today.
Sidai, Sita, Silas, Naserian, Njema, Wendi, Wema, Wiva, Yatta, Yogi, Yoyo, Mwende, and Mala joined the orphans in the morning for feeding on lucerne. The orphans didn't stay for long due to competition from the ex-orphans. Kuishi, followed by Esoit, led the way to the browsing field. Sattao settled to browse with Mukkoka and Suguroi. Kinyei browsed a distance away from her colleagues but rejoined the group later. Roho engaged Bondeni in a light pushing game. Esoit, Kuishi, Naleku, and Olorien came across loose soil that they used to have fun on. Later, Suguroi, Naleku, Olorien, Lodo, and Kindani visited the Kone dam for a drink.
At eleven o'clock in the morning, Larro led the way to the noon bottle feed. In the afternoon, Kindani teamed up with Lodo in browsing while our grown-up boys and girl — Sattao, Mukkoka, and Kuishi — teamed up together as they discussed matters that were not disclosed to anyone else.
In the evening, the orphans were joined by Tumaren, Tembo, Lualeni, Lulu, Lexi, Naseku, Kalama, Barsilinga, Motomo, Roi, Chyulu, Cheka, Charli, Sunyei, Siku, and Saba. Naleku and Suguroi had a brief interaction with babies Lexi and Saba. The ex-orphans with their babies escorted the orphans back to the stockade and thereafter left for an undisclosed location.
Sunyei, Saba, Lualeni, Lulu, Lexi, Naseku, Chyulu, Cheka, and Charli joined the orphans for feeding on lucerne in the morning. Naleku, Suguroi, Larro, and Olorien competed to win the heart of baby Charli. Charli, unable to withstand all these girls competing for him, ran back to his mother. Upset, Naleku decided to walk to the browsing field. Suguroi followed, and later everyone left, leaving the ex-orphans to enjoy the leftover lucerne.
At the browsing field, Bondeni teamed up with Naleku while Kuishi, Larro, and Esoit settled together to browse. The morning was quiet as the orphans browsed calmly, heading towards the mud bath. At eleven o'clock in the morning, the orphans arrived at the mud bath in groups and had their milk before heading back to the browsing field. In the afternoon, Sattao settled to browse with Larro while Suguroi teamed up with Naleku.
The orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area where they were briefly joined by the ex-orphans. The ex-orphans left towards Kalovoto after a brief interaction with the orphans. In the evening, Kindani led the way back to the stockade.
It was a quiet morning as the orphans left the stockade to start another new day. The orphans settled briefly for lucerne. Naleku, as with most times, was the first one to quit feeding on lucerne and headed for the lush vegetation at the browsing field. Yatta and her family showed up at the stockade compound as the rest of the group prepared to follow Naleku. As Yatta, her kids, and grandchild settled for lucerne, Kuishi led the remainder of the group to the browsing field.
The orphans had a quiet morning as they browsed slowly towards the mud bath. On the way to the mud bath, the orphans were briefly joined by Sapalan, Kinna, Kama, Kaia, Mulika, Mkuu, Mwende, Mala, Ukame, and Ishanga. Sapalan had a brief interaction with Larro before parting ways. Sities, Turkwel, Siangiki, and Kalama arrived early at the mud bath and left before meeting with the orphans.
At eleven o'clock in the morning, the orphans had their milk, then skipped the wallowing exercise and returned to the browsing field. The orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area. The afternoon was quiet as the orphans browsed calmly throughout the remaining part of the day.
Olsekki and Enkikwe arrived at the stockade compound early before dawn. The two boys relaxed at the stockade compound, waiting for the orphans to come out and have lucerne together. After taking their six o'clock morning milk, the orphans left the stockade and joined Enkikwe and Olsekki outside. Suguroi and Naleku walked straight to the browsing field. Kinyei and Olsekki held a brief meeting, but no one understood what they were discussing. Kinyei then left to join her colleagues. Enkikwe and Olsekki followed the orphans and browsed together up to ten o'clock in the morning when they parted ways.
Kuishi teamed up with Kinyei in browsing as Kindani found a suitable tree that she used to scratch her ear. At mud bath time, the orphans were joined by Yatta, Yetu, Yoyo, Yogi, Yebo, Mulika, Mwende, Mkuu, and Mala. Yatta interacted with the orphans briefly before walking back to join her group. Yebo, who had accompanied his grandmother during the interaction process, was convinced by Naleku to stick with them instead of following his grandmother. Yebo was put in the midst of the orphans and walked to have fun in the water.
When the orphans were getting into the water for wallowing, Yebo didn't trust the orphans and sought help from his mother by bellowing loudly. Yetu heard the cry of her baby and came running to find out what was happening. Yetu got into the water, picked up Yebo, and left immediately to join their family. Kindani, Kinyei, Lodo, and Suguroi were the only ones who participated fully in the wallowing exercise.
On the way back to the browsing field, the orphans met with Sities. The rest of the afternoon was quiet as the orphans browsed calmly throughout without any major incidents.
Yatta, Yogi, Yoyo, Yetu, Yebo, Esampu, Roi, Mteto, Sapalan, and Enkikwe joined the orphans for feeding on lucerne in the morning. Naleku, Suguroi, and Olorien had a good time with Yebo and Yogi. Shortly later, the orphans headed for browsing, leaving the ex-orphans behind. The orphans settled to browse in the Kone area. The temperatures were moderate, and the orphans browsed calmly until mud bath time when Lodo led the way to the mud bath.
After taking their milk, the orphans headed for a mud bath. Soon after getting into the water, two Egyptian geese flew over them and landed on the water. This brought an abrubt end to their fun: Bondeni, startled, ran out of the water with a great trumpet, followed by his friends.
On the way back to the browsing field, the orphans came across a bush mud bath and decided to have fun in it before resuming their browsing. The remaining part of the day was quiet. The orphans browsed calmly until five o'clock in the evening when Kindani led the first group back to the stockade.
It was a quiet morning, with no ex-orphans showing up to join the orphans for feeding on lucerne. Sattao had a brief conversation with Kinyei, while Roho engaged Bondeni in a morning warm-up strength-testing exercise. Larro then led the way to the browsing field, and the orphans settled to browse at the Kone area.
Sattao, Roho, Mukkoka, and Lodo split from the main herd and browsed at a distance as they discussed matters concerning boys. Later, the four boys rejoined their colleagues at the time of going for the noon bottle feeds. Suguroi and Kindani competed to see who would get to the mud bath first, with the active and playful Suguroi winning the race.
After having their milk, the orphans scattered in the bushes close by for bush mud baths. Roho joined Olorien in mud bathing, while Larro went alone to a separate area. Kindani, Kinyei, and Bondeni teamed up in another separate mud bath and had fun for quite some time.
In the afternoon, Larro teamed up with Mukkoka and Sattao in browsing. Galla briefly joined the orphans and later left to an undisclosed location. In the evening, the orphans returned safely to the stockade for yet another night.
Naisula, Nyx, Galla, and Neshashi joined the orphans for the feeding of lucerne in the morning. Nyx had a good time playing with Kinyei, Lodo, and Naleku. Kindani and Bondeni settled to scratch on their favourite rock. Shortly later, Naleku led the way to the browsing field.
At the browsing field, Suguroi settled to browse with Mukkoka. Olorien settled to browse with Galla and Kuishi. The orphans browsed slowly as they headed towards the Kone dam. Kuishi, Esoit, and Lodo visited the dam briefly, then had water before resuming to browse. Kinyei browsed with Larro.
Shortly before mud bath time, the orphans were briefly joined by Loijuk, Lisha, Lili, Neshashi, Nyx, and Naisula. At mud bath time, Roho led the first group for the noon bottle feeds. Mutara, Mambo, Turkwel, and Sities passed at the mud bath area, heading to an undisclosed location.
In the afternoon, Larro picked a stick from the ground and used it to scratch her chest. Roho teamed up with Kindani and Naleku in browsing. The rest of the day was quiet as the orphans browsed calmly throughout without any major observations. In the evening, Larro was the last one to return to the stockades after dodging the Keepers for quite some time.
Wanjala was outside the stockade compound early in the morning and welcomed the orphans once the gates were opened. He settled to feed on lucerne with the orphans and later escorted them to the browsing field. Galla also joined and taught the orphans how to go down and cut shrubs using their mouths. His students were Suguroi, Kindani, Naleku, Larro, and Roho.
Later, the orphans passed at Kone dam for water before heading to the mud bath. After having their milk, the orphans headed for a bush mud bath, and only Roho, Suguroi, Kinyei, Bondeni, Wanjala, Sattao, Larro, and Naleku participated fully in the bush mud bath. After having enough of the mud bath, Olorien led the way back to the browsing field. The orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area. Mukkoka, Sattao, and Roho split from the main herd and browsed a distance away for some time before rejoining the group.
In the evening, Roho and Olorien came across some drying mud that they enjoyed smearing themselves with. Later, Kindani led the way back to the stockade.
It was a quiet morning with no ex-orphans joining the orphans for feeding on lucerne. The orphans didn't stay long, as Naleku and Suguroi led the way to the browsing field, rumbling to communicate to their colleagues that it was time to head for fresh feeds in the bush. Olorien, Lodo, and Roho were the last ones to leave the lucerne feeding area. On the way to catch up with their colleagues, the orphans came across two crane birds and charged at them. The crane birds flew away, leaving the orphans trumpeting in excitement.
The orphans settled to browse in the Kone area. Larro, Kuishi, and Esoit climbed a few metres east of Ithumba Hill, then came down later when it was time to go to the mud bath. Kinyei led the first group to the mud bath. After having their noon bottle feeds, the orphans headed for a bush mud bath.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse north of Kalovoto. The area was dense with bush, so the orphans couldn't browse far away from their Keepers. They were a little scared of venturing deep into the bush. In the evening, Bondeni led the first group back to the stockade.
Kalama, Narok, Tumaren, Tembo, Barsilinga, Malima, Oltaiyoni, Wanjala, Orwa, Ndiwa, Naseku, Esampu, Pare, Mteto, Teleki, Maramoja, Sana Sana, Naboishu, and a wild elephant joined the orphans in the morning for feeding on lucerne. Naleku and Suguroi had a good time with Tembo. Later, Sunyei led the orphans to the browsing field. At the browsing field, Roho teamed up with Naleku while Kuishi settled to browse with Kindani and Esoit. Roho walked away from Naleku to join the boys.
The orphans settled to browse at the Kone area, where they were briefly joined by the Queen, a well-known wild female, and her family. There was drama when Naleku and Suguroi got carried away by them. The elephants’ joy was cut short by the keepers when they intervened and brought the girls back to join their colleagues. Larro teamed up with Sattao as Olorien led the first group to the mud bath.
At mud bath time, the sun was shining with a cool blowing wind. Only Kinyei, Kindani, Larro, Lodo, Roho, Naleku, and Suguroi participated fully in the wallowing exercise. The rest of the group walked through the water just to get their legs wet. After wallowing, Naleku, Kinyei, Suguroi, Sattao, and Esoit participated in a soil dusting exercise.
As the orphans finished their mud bath activities, Kinna, Kaia, Mundusi, Olsekki, and Siangiki passed by and headed south of the mud bath. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse east of Ithumba Hill in rocky terrain, enjoying the still lush vegetation available. In the evening, the orphans passed at the Kone dam for an evening cooling off exercise.
Ithumbah and Iman joined the orphans for the feeding of lucerne in the morning but left shortly afterward to an undisclosed location. The orphans settled to browse just a stone's throw away west of the stockade, eagerly anticipating the arrival of two new babies from Kaluku. Lodo and Roho kept themselves busy by browsing together and occasionally engaging in a pushing game. Bondeni found a nice tree to scratch his ear on.
Shortly before eleven o'clock in the morning, the truck carrying Vaarti and Mayan arrived. After the two boys were offloaded, milk was provided, and they quickly drank it before being walked down to meet the Ithumba orphans. Kindani, Kinyei, Bondeni, and Esoit were the first ones to meet the new babies. The second group to meet them consisted of Olorien, Naleku, Suguroi, and Lodo. Bondeni tried to charge at Vaarti but was cautioned by the Keepers to stop. Vaarti was quite inquisitive as he went around, interacting with Suguroi, Kinyei, Mukkoka, Esoit, and Larro, although Larro bit his trunk, making Vaarti retreat. Mayan tried to challenge Sattao but was surprised by how easily Sattao pushed him away.
After receiving and interacting with Vaarti and Mayan, the orphans walked the two boys to the mud bath for the noon milk feed and a cooling exercise. On arrival at the mud bath, the two boys watched their seniors go into the water and gingerly followed suit.
In the afternoon, the sun was hot, prompting the orphans to take cover under trees with nice shade to cool off. Later in the evening, the orphans passed at Kone Dam where Vaarti and Mayan took in a lot of water to compensate for what they had lost due to the heat. Back at the stockade, the new graduates shared a room with Esoit, who is always kind and welcoming.
Wendi, Wiva, Wema, Wimbi, Naserian, Njema, Lualeni, Lulu, Lexi, Galana, Gawa, Gala, Sunyei, Siku, Saba, Sana Sana, Naboishu, Malima, Ndiwa, Wanjala, and Enkikwe showed up early at the stockade compound before the orphans were let out. Mayan and Vaarti had a good first night at Ithumba and walked out in the morning with their newfound friends. They interacted for the first time with the ex-orphans who had reported in the morning. Only Wendi was hostile and pushed Vaarti when he extended his trunk to say hi to her. Naleku and Suguroi got themselves busy with Gala as they tried to win her trust. Galana allowed her baby to interact with the two girls.
Shortly later, Kuishi led the orphans away after they had enough lucerne. The orphans settled to browse north of the stockade. Esoit became the teacher of Mayan and Vaarti, following them all the time until Kuishi came to pick him up. The morning was quiet as the orphans browsed calmly around the hill as they slowly headed towards the mud bath. Kinyei and Suguroi came across a nice shade and opted to take a break under the tree before continuing their journey.
At mud bath time, the orphans had their milk, and then Mayan and Vaarti got into the mud bath water briefly before coming out. The orphans settled for a soil dusting exercise before heading for a drink. Under one of the acacia trees, a group of ex-orphans was relaxing, and to our surprise, Mayan walked directly to say hi to them. Shortly later, Maramoja volunteered to escort Mayan to join his group of juniors. After taking water, the orphans went back for the soil dusting exercise. Kitirua, Malima, and Maramoja joined the orphans in rolling on the soil. Mayan had the courage to ride on Malima, who didn't mind him and didn't push him off when she got up.
Vaarti had a brief meeting with Mukkoka before moving on to say hi to baby Tembo and Oltaiyoni. In the afternoon, the orphans settled in the Kone area close to the Kone dam, allowing Mayan and Vaarti to access the water whenever they were thirsty or needed to cool off. Kuishi spent the better part of the afternoon looking after the two new boys. In the evening, Vaarti, Mayan, and Esoit were put in the first group and led the way back to the stockades.
Oltaiyoni, Naseku, Olsekki, Barsilinga, and Ndiwa joined the orphans for the feeding of lucerne in the morning. Mayan and Vaarti had a brief interaction with Barsilinga and Olsekki. After the orphans had enough of lucerne, Larro led the way to the browsing field. It was a quiet morning as the orphans settled to browse in the Kone area.
Olorien happened to meet Vaarti and Mayan, and instead of embracing them, she turned and tried to back-kick them. The two boys moved and joined Kuishi, who showed them love by placing her trunk on their backs. Esoit was watching the unfolding events keenly, as he didn't want to lose his big sister to the new boys.
At eleven o'clock in the morning, Larro led the way to the noon bottle feed. After getting their milk, Mayan and Vaarti, with new friends Esoit and Bondeni, headed for a soil dusting exercise. After soil dusting, Mayan headed to meet Kuishi, and both of them raised their trunks up to check whether there was any danger around.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the Kone area. Olorien teamed up with Lodo and Larro, while Roho settled to browse with Kindani. The rest of the afternoon was quiet as the orphans browsed calmly throughout the remaining part of the day.
Barsilinga, Olsekki, and Enkikwe were sleeping comfortably outside the stockade when the orphans were let out. The three boys woke up and joined the orphans in waiting for lucerne distribution. Mayan walked to Enkikwe and tried to familiarise himself with him, while Vaarti familiarised himself with Barsilinga. Esoit requested Bondeni for a pushing game, but Bondeni declined as he wasn't ready. Esoit then moved to join Roho, who didn't hesitate to engage Esoit in a pushing game.
At the browsing field, the orphans were briefly joined by Mutara, Turkwel, Kalama, Mambo, and Kainuk. Larro settled to browse with Mukkoka and Lodo, while Sattao, Olorien, Mayan, and Vaarti joined Rapsu, Enkikwe, Kithaka, Mapia, Rapa, and a wild bull at Kone dam to drink water. Later, Mayan had a brief conversation with Esoit before heading for the noon bottle feeds.
At the mud bath, the orphans had their milk then headed to drink water. They waded through the water to cool off their feet before taking water and returning to the browsing field. In the afternoon, Vaarti and Mayan settled to browse together as they talked and reflected on the few days they had been in Ithumba. The two boys were joined by Kindani and Suguroi, who counselled them on how to live with their seniors.
In the evening, Vaarti, who had learned the routine, led the group back to the stockade. A few metres from the stockade, Vaarti started racing to ensure that he was the first one to get the evening milk.
The orphans left the stockade immediately after having their morning milk and settled for lucerne. Mayan and Vaarti are really settling in well and enjoyed the lucerne just like their colleagues. Esoit tried to climb the stockade wall but didn't succeed as the Keepers discouraged him to prevent injury. Shortly later, Kuishi led the way to the browsing field. Esoit had a brief conversation with another orphan, but it wasn't clear what they were discussing. Olorien had a brief talk with Mayan, who later walked to join Kuishi in browsing. Naleku settled to browse with Kindani and Olorien, while Bondeni engaged Roho in a strength-testing exercise.
Later, the orphans visited the Kone Dam for a drink before heading to the midday bottle feed. On the way to the mud bath, Vaarti engaged Esoit in a pushing game, but their game didn't last long as Kuishi came over and separated the two boys. At mud bath time, the orphans were joined by Garzi and two wild bulls. Mayan tried to walk towards one of the wild bulls for greetings, but the wild bull was hostile and threatened to push Mayan. Scared, Mayan retreated to his colleagues.
In the afternoon, Bondeni engaged Esoit in another strength-testing exercise that ended in a draw. The rest of the day was quiet as the orphans browsed calmly without any major observations.
Vaarti and Kindani entwined their trunks in morning greetings soon after leaving the stockade. Roho engaged Bondeni in a strength-testing exercise, while Esoit settled next to a nearby rock for a scratching exercise as he waited for his favourite older sister, Kuishi. The orphans settled to browse in the Kone area. At the browsing field, Roho had a meeting with the two new boys, Mayan and Vaarti. The three boys had a good time together before parting ways.
The orphans browsed calmly and slowly as they headed towards the mud bath. At mud bath time, the orphans had their milk first, then headed to wash their feet before returning to the browsing field. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area. Suguroi browsed with Naleku, while Mukkoka browsed with Sattao, Lodo, and Mayan. Olorien teamed up with Roho. In the evening, Vaarti led the first group back to the stockades.
Sana Sana, Naboishu, Ndiwa, and Malima joined the orphans in the morning. The ex-orphans had a good time with the orphans as they enjoyed feeding on lucerne. Later, Kinyei, Sattao, and Bondeni walked down to the water trough and had a drink before heading for browsing. Malima and Sana Sana escorted the orphans a few metres away from the stockade.
At the browsing field, Esoit browsed with Kuishi, while Sattao and Kinyei moved a distance away from their colleagues. Moments later, Sattao and Kinyei came back running, which brought tension to the rest of the group as no one knew why they were running. The Keepers quickly intervened by calling the orphans by their names and whistling to calm them down, preventing the situation from escalating.
Mayan and Vaarti had their own game of rolling on the ground. After their game, Vaarti walked over to meet Kinyei and had a conversation that lasted for a while. One reason Vaarti wanted to meet Kinyei was to find out why she and Sattao had given everyone a fright, despite not encountering anything earlier on.
The orphans passed by Kone Dam on their way to the mud bath. At Kone Dam, they had a brief meeting with Ambo, Mapia, Kithaka, Enkikwe, Garzi, and Zurura. At mud bath time, Kinyei led the first group for the noon bottle feeds, while Vaarti led the second group. After getting their milk, the orphans headed for wallowing. Only Mayan, Kinyei, and Suguroi fully participated in the wallowing exercise.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area. Lodo and Roho browsed together, while Bondeni, Esoit, Vaarti, and Mayan had a meeting that didn't last long. In the evening, Vaarti, who is now familiar with the routes back to the stockades, led the first group back.
Mayan settled to scratch his neck along the stockade wall soon after leaving the stockade. Esoit greeted Roho in the morning, while Bondeni rolled on the ground for a game. Vaarti joined Mayan in scratching along the wall, and later, Naleku led the way to the browsing field. The orphans settled to browse at the Kone area and were joined by Rapa, Enkikwe, Mapia, Kithaka, and Garzi. The ex-orphans didn't stay long with the orphans. Mayan and Vaarti had a brief interaction with Mapia and Rapa before the Keepers called them back, as they wanted to leave with the ex-orphans.
At eleven o'clock in the morning, Olorien led the first group to the mud bath. The sun was shining with a cool blowing wind. The orphans had their milk and then tested the temperature of the wallowing water. Since the temperatures were low, the orphans only washed their feet before returning to the browsing field. On the way back, the orphans met with Tomboi, who waved to them using his trunk to greet them. Mayan was tempted to follow Tomboi but was stopped by the Keepers, as Tomboi was heading to an undisclosed location.
In the afternoon, Lodo and Suguroi took a break from feeding and had a light strength testing exercise before parting ways. In the evening, Mayan led the way back to the stockades.
Soon after leaving the stockade, Vaarti and Mayan settled to share the same pile of lucerne. The two new boys later walked to a nearby rock for a scratching exercise. After enough scratching, Mayan and Vaarti climbed up a steep area close to the stockade but realised it was unsafe due to the rocks. They walked down to join their colleagues. Mayan briefly joined Roho but left because of hostility shown by Roho.
In the browsing field, Esoit engaged Bondeni in a strength testing exercise, while Mayan settled to browse with Vaarti. Lodo, Suguroi, and Naleku browsed at a distance from their colleagues. At eleven o'clock in the morning, Olorien led the way for the noon bottle feeds. After getting their milk, the orphans headed for wallowing, but only Mayan participated fully in the wallowing exercise. The orphans stopped at the mud bath water trough for water and then returned to the browsing field. Mayan engaged Esoit in a pushing game, while Roho played with Lodo.
In the evening, the orphans were joined by Kauro, Ambo, Kithaka, Enkikwe, Rapa, and Mapia, who appear to have formed a group of young boys. The young ex-orphans escorted the orphans back to the stockades.
The orphans settled for lucerne immediately after leaving the stockade. Mayan and Vaarti settled to scratch on a rock, which has become their favourite spot every morning. The two boys rejoined their group later after they had enough of scratching. Shortly after, Queen's family showed up and joined the orphans in feeding on the lucerne. However, some of the teenagers in Queen's group started harassing the orphans, making them uncomfortable.
Kuishi led her group to the browsing field, with Kindani, Bondeni, Esoit, and Kinyei passing by the stockade water trough for water before following their colleagues. The orphans settled to browse north of the stockade as they slowly headed towards the mud bath. It was a quiet morning as the orphans browsed calmly throughout until mud bath time, when Vaarti led the first group for the eleven o'clock milk feed. The orphans had their milk then water before returning to the browsing field.
In the afternoon, Vaarti and Mayan trained themselves on how to peel bark from trees using their tusks. Melia and Milo joined the orphans briefly before parting ways. Naleku, Suguroi, Vaarti, and Mayan were interested in playing with Milo and followed Melia. The Keepers intervened and blocked the four orphans from following Melia since she was heading far east to an undisclosed location. Kuishi settled to browse with Mukkoka and Bondeni. Later in the evening, Dad, Suyei, Siku, Saba, Lenana, Lapa, Ishanga, Mulika, Mkuu, Mwende, Mala, Nasalot, Nusu, and Noah passed close to the stockades heading towards the east.
Vaarti settled on his usual rock for scratching and was later joined by his friend Mayan. The orphans enjoyed some lucerne before Naleku led the way to the browsing field, followed by Mayan, Vaarti, and Suguroi. They settled to browse at the Kone area, and it was quiet as no ex-orphans joined them in those early hours of the morning. However, as the orphans visited the Kone dam, Mutara, Mambo, Kainuk, Suguta, Turkwel, Melia, Milo, Kandecha, and Sities joined them. After taking water, the ex-orphans escorted the juniors to the mud bath.
Despite the shining sun, the temperatures were low due to the cool blowing wind. The orphans had their milk and then headed for wallowing. Only Lodo and Mayan participated fully in the wallowing exercise, while the rest of the group only washed their feet before heading to drink water. The ex-orphans didn't stop at the mud bath but walked straight past as they headed towards the Imenti area. Only Mutara and Sities briefly joined the orphans in the water before leaving to catch up with their colleagues. Sities had a brief meeting with Suguroi before bidding her goodbye.
After drinking water, the orphans had a brief soil dusting exercise, where Roho attempted to ride on Bondeni when Bondeni lay down to play. Esoit came to Bondeni's rescue as he tried to push Roho off Bondeni. In the afternoon, Kindani came across loose soil and used it for a soil dusting exercise. The rest of the day was quiet. In the evening, Mayan led the way back to the stockades.
Chyulu, Charli, Cheka, Kina, Kama, Kaia, Narok, Kandecha, Mutara, Mambo, Suguta, Sities, Kainuk, and the Queen’s family showed up at the stockade compound in the morning and joined the orphans in feeding on lucerne. Naleku and Suguroi engaged Charli in a friendly pushing game. However, Charli's brother, Cheka, didn’t entertain the two girls playing with Charli and drove them away.
Narok entered the stockade and drank water from the small water trough. Kuishi stood outside, watching in disbelief as to why Narok preferred the water inside the stockade instead of drinking from the big water trough outside. Naleku moved to Mambo and had a good time with him before leaving to catch up with her colleagues, who had already left for the browsing field. The orphans settled to browse north of the stockade. Kinyei had a brief meeting with Mayan before parting ways.
At eleven o’clock in the morning, Olorien led the way to the noon bottle feeds. The sun was hot, and only Lodo and Larro participated in wallowing. The rest of the team settled to drink water before being led away by Kuishi. On the way to the browsing field, the orphans saw Dad at a distance and raised their trunks in the air to say hi. Dad, who is in musth, didn’t bother with the kids and continued his journey heading south of the mud bath.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse east of Ithumba Hill and had a quiet remainder of the day. The orphans browsed calmly without any major observations.
Chyulu, Cheka, Charli, Narok, and Teleki joined the orphans in the morning. Chyulu kept her family together and tried to avoid interaction with the orphans, while Teleki and Narok mingled freely with them. Mayan had a good time with Narok, while Vaarti had a brief conversation with Teleki. When the orphans had enough of lucerne, Naleku led the way to the browsing field.
It was a hot day, so Vaarti and Mayan took a break from feeding to relax under a tree to cool off. Kinyei teamed up with Kindani, while Bondeni briefly engaged Roho in a pushing game. Sattao and Mukkoka browsed a distance away from their colleagues, rejoining them later as they headed for the mud bath. Olorien led the first group to the mud bath, while Kindani led the second one. The orphans had their milk and then headed to the water trough to drink. Only Kinyei, Lodo, Esoit, and Suguroi participated in wallowing. Naleku, Roho, Larro, Mayan, and Vaarti opted for a soil dusting exercise instead.
In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area. Lodo and Suguroi took some time off from browsing to engage in a light strength-testing exercise. The exercise ended prematurely when Naleku passed by and pushed them away. In the evening, the orphans were joined by Kithaka, Kauro, Ambo, Rapa, and Enkikwe, who later escorted them back to the stockade before disappearing into an undisclosed location.