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Following a night of almost continuous rain, the Keepers, most unusually, gave the whole herd a lie-in this morning. An hour or so later than usual, the men opened the doors, the orphans plodded out of their rooms, and almost everyone set out for the forest on a grey overcast day. Mokogodo and Olomunyak remained in their stables for the morning because of the poor weather. Out in the forest, unfussed by the cold, Kitich lay down in a patch of thick mud, covering every part of his body in mud.

Kerrio – a matriarch in the making – was at her most impressive today. Later in the morning, the orphans visited the mud bath for another milk feed. As always, the Keepers sent the group of 11 younger elephants down in threes or fours to the feeding area first. As leader of the group, Kerrio checks that all are present, correct and happy. Today, she padded down in the final group of four. She saw that Mokogodo and Olomunyak were not there and turned around. Behind her were three more babies standing on one side of a stream of rainwater. Of course, Kerrio knew that they were not the two babies she was searching for but she knew they needed her help. She strode into the fast-flowing water and escorted Taroha, Mzinga and Talek down to the mud bath.

While Kerrio wandered around in search of Mokogodo and Olomunyak (who were still in their stables), Pardamat decided to upset the peace. The little rascal charged at Talek and pushed her into the visitors. She slid on the slippery wet ground but was rescued by the Keepers who reassured her and sent Pardamat for a timeout in the bushes.

Half an hour later, the second group of older elephants took their places. When big boy Choka was made to wait for his milk, he trumpeted his indignation at full volume, taking even the Keepers by surprise!

Rescued when she was already two, Sholumai is possibly the shyest and most skittish member of the herd. As a result, she tends to overreact and to perceive threats where there are none. Early this morning at the mud bath, she downed her two bottles of milk and then, for no reason at all, charged at Muwingu and Mushuru as they browsed peacefully on branches of lucerne. When she headbutted Muwingu, Choka reacted. He strode over to help his sisters and shoved Sholumai away from the mud bath into the bushes. After resisting the strong bull for a minute, she sprinted off, trumpeting.

Later in the morning, the herd returned to the mud bath for more milk. Nyambeni, Mzinga, Shujaa and Taroha ran down the path to the line of Keepers followed by Kerrio and Pardamat. As they ran in, Raha was waddling out along a parallel path (the baby rhino visits the mud bath before the elephants every day). Today, Mzinga didn’t stop to say hello to Raha – instead, she trumpeted loudly with trunk raised and ears flared. Her scary behaviour did not have the desired effect – as the rhino merely stopped, stared calmly at Mzinga for a time and continued on her way. Nyambeni was standing very still, watching the interaction and then the backside of the rhino as she headed back to the forest.

In the afternoon, it poured and poured with rain and the herd took shelter under the canopies of large trees. The Keepers brought blanket babies Mokogodo and Olomunyak back to their dry stockades early. As the two babies settled in their dry rooms, Weka whirled down the path in their wake. The crafty girl had snuck away from the herd in search of a dry stable!

Just like human babies, elephant babies like to nap during the day. Olomunyak loves napping at every opportunity and also playing in the mud (whenever he comes along a muddy pool, he will either lie down for a wallow or suck water into his trunk to spray in the air). This morning, Olomunyak and Mokogodo were toddling along at the end of the line of elephants heading out to the field. Olomunyak stopped off for a roll around in a pool of rainwater as Mokogodo stood watching him quietly (she does not like getting her toes wet). Tired out after his dip, the little boy then lay down next to a Keeper for a nap. The Keepers have learned to keep close eyes on Olomunyak so he does not get left behind dozing under a tree!

Later in the morning, the herd visited the mud bath for another milk feed. Predictably, naughty Pardamat loves play mounting the girls as well as demanding extra bottles. Today, he kept pestering little Talek. He tried to climb on top of her, she moved away, he followed and so it went on. Observing her unease, Mzinga decided to take one for the team! She stepped in front of Pardamat, offering him her back. He climbed on top of her, slid off onto the muddy ground, stood up and did it all again. Meanwhile, Talek watched on gratefully from the safety of Kerrio’s side.

The older girls are continuing to look out for their beloved Mokogodo. This afternoon, Latika was already at the mud bath when she spotted the baby walking slowly down the path for her milk. Knowing that Mokogodo does not like running water, Latika padded back to a waterlogged area and helped the little girl across. Budding nanny Nyambeni was waiting for Mokogodo on the other side of the obstacle!

What a night! In the early evening, the Keepers had to move four elephants as their rooms were wet (following downpours of heavy rain). Muwingu and Weka put up stiff resistance, standing obstinately in the corners of their wet stockades and having to be pulled out by a small army of Keepers. Eventually, they settled down to browse in their new rooms and stopped trumpeting their displeasure. Choka and Sileita were far more amenable, walking obediently to their new rooms when the Keepers offered extra bottles of milk. Later in the night, there was a torrential rainstorm which woke up all of the babies. Muwingu and Weka began a chorus of trumpeting and Mukutan soon joined in. The big bull hates thunder and lightning. He was awake for the rest of the night, pacing up and down his stockade and occasionally pushing at the door. Two Keepers did their best to calm him with some success. As soon as the sky began to lighten, the Keepers allowed Mukutan out of his stockade. They knew he would be happier out in the open rather than inside. He strode out and wandered around the stockades, greeting the rest of the herd who were happy to remain in their nice dry rooms. As the rain continued to fall, Mukutan stood outside Choka’s and Sileita’s rooms, playing trunk games with his friends.

Later than usual, the Keepers opened the doors and the orphans wandered out of their stables. Kerrio and Mageno were reluctant to leave their rooms but were eventually persuaded out by the Keepers. The herd headed out to a dripping wet and waterlogged forest where Shujaa, Loldaiga, Latika and Taroha had a fabulous time wallowing together in a large puddle.

When it pours with rain, many orphans – including Nyambeni, Mzinga, Shujaa, Taroha, Mageno, Mukutan and Choka - can be reluctant to leave their warm stables and get their feet wet. This morning, however, the sun shone in a clear sky and every orphan walked happily out of his or her room. As the herd padded up the path to the forest, Choka and Loldaiga stopped off to greet Maxwell. The two elephants extended their trunks through the gaps in his gate to trunk touch the blind black rhino who stood quietly enjoying the attention.

The herd settled down to browse and to play. After filling their bellies, Latika, Muwingu, Muridjo, Mzinga, Nyambeni, Shujaa, Taroha and Pardamat found an enormous muddy area in the forest. Following Muridjo’s lead, they were soon rolling around together in the thick mud, rubbing undersides of trunks and waving legs in the air. As Latika, Muwingu and Muridjo lay on their sides relaxing in the mud, Shujaa, Taroha and Pardamat spotted an opportunity - the three naughty boys clambered all over the three patient girls!

Later in the morning, the orphans enjoyed a peaceful time at the mud bath. They drank their milk and stood quietly around the pool on a cloudy day. Anyone who wanted to paddle or swim had already done so in the forest.

When the herd headed back to the stockades in the early evening, everyone padded obediently into their bedrooms – except for Weka. The feisty girl refused to enter her new room and had to be cajoled in with an extra bottle of milk.

As the orphans were walking out of their rooms, Maxwell was happily rolling around in the mud in his large enclosure. On their way out to the forest, Mukutan, Sholumai, Kitich and Weka stopped at the black rhino’s gate. They stood posing next to the gate, hoping that Maxwell would amble over to greet them. Normally, he would - but today he was so busy rolling around like an enormous puppy that he ignored his friends!

Following yet more rainfall in the night, the forest was awash with puddles and streams. Many of the older elephants had a wonderful time in a wide stream of running rainwater. Sileita, Latika, Choka, Loldaiga, Mushuru, Mukutan and Sholumai paddled and splashed and swam in the stream. As they did so, Choka and Loldaiga playfully climbed on top of Mushuru and Sholumai. The two girls tolerated their advances for just a few seconds before standing up and sending the boys flying. Meanwhile, little boys Pardamat and Taroha were having an equally happy time climbing all over the elephant settee that was Mzinga.

Led by Kerrio and Latika, the first group of younger orphans had a quiet time later in the morning at the mud bath. They drank their milk and browsed on supplementary greens. On cooler days, the orphans are usually less lively. The second group were not quite so peaceful. One or two paddled in the mud bath as Muwingu and Loldaiga had a disagreement over a stream of rainwater next to the visitors’ platform. Both wanted to drink from the spring and neither was prepared to share. They shoved each other and then cheeky Muwingu bit Loldaiga’s tail. He trumpeted loudly as he gave up his place and ran for cover.

This morning, the orphans emerged from their stockades soon after dawn and set out for the forest where they browsed either on their own or in small groups. No one was showing off their scratching skills or special poses. Taroha and Pardamat were playing wrestling games. As their games became rougher, Weka intervened and did her best to calm them down. The mischievous boys ignored her, stopping for a moment but resuming their rowdy game as soon as her back was turned.

Mzinga was not in a patient mood today! The clever girl knows when and where milk feeds happen in the forest in the mornings. Today, she snuck away from the herd and through the bush to the place where the Keepers had placed two wheelbarrows full of bottles of delicious milk. (She has done this before and been intercepted by the Keepers.) This morning, Mzinga caught the Keepers unawares and had already picked up a bottle when she was spotted! She sauntered away with trunk and tail aloft, feeling very pleased with herself.

In the afternoon, the orphans visited a very muddy mud bath for another milk feed. The path down a slight slope to the area was especially slippery. In places the orphans either had to wade through mud or paddle through streams. Latika was at her most caring and kind today. Walking down the slope behind Mokogodo, she kept a close eye on the baby. Whenever they got to a muddy patch or a puddle, she paused, pushed Mokogodo very gently with her trunk, and shepherded her across the obstacle. As the others were charging past for their milk, lovely Latika was tiptoeing down with Mokogodo.

When a Keeper opened Mokogodo’s door this morning, the little girl found Sileita and Latika waiting patiently outside. The two mini matriarchs picked her up and escorted her to the forest, sandwiching the baby between them and touching her regularly as they ambled along. Mokogodo walked happily between them, playfully swinging her tiny trunk in a gesture of happiness.

Talek was doing her scooping-up-every-drop-of-milk thing this morning in the forest. She carefully drank every drop of her own bottle and then pottered around other orphans as they gulped down their bottles. She sucked up drops spilt by messy milk feeders like Taroha, Pardamat, Choka, Loldaiga and Shujaa.

Later in the morning of a cool and cloudy day, no one was keen on getting wet in the mud bath, instead enjoying another milk feed and browsing on the supplementary lucerne. Big boys Mukutan, Choka, Loldaiga, Kitich and Mageno spent most of their time playing wrestling games. Naughty Mukutan was chasing the other bulls and trying to play mount them. As the dominant bull in the herd, Mukutan ignored the Keepers when they whistled to him to leave the others alone but, eventually, he did as he was told and sculked off to the bushes. The growing bull was in an assertive mood!

It was a quiet morning in the forest. The orphans padded out from the stockades in single file and settled down amidst an abundance of green browse. In contrast to most mornings, none of them were playing wrestling or pushing or chasing games. Today, they were not even mud bathing or tree scratching, opting instead to focus on twisting up clumps of soft grass.

Pardamat was at this most mischievous this morning. After finishing his milk, he ran over to Talek and tried to grab her bottle. When his quest was unsuccessful, he headbutted the little girl. Talek took a few steps away before turning back to confront Pardamat. The two small orphans clashed heads and a serious squabble ensued between the rebellious boy and feisty girl. Intervening immediately, two Keepers tempted Pardamat with an (empty) bottle. He broke away and followed them, leaving the others to enjoy their milk in peace. The sibling rivalry between Talek and Pardamat - who sleep in neighbouring stables - has also led to noisy nights over the past week. Whenever one approaches their shared partition, the other kicks up a ridiculous fuss!

Several days ago, the Keepers moved several elephants to new stockades because their old ones were waterlogged. Muwingu, Sileita and Choka accepted the move with relative calm but Weka protested, trumpeting angrily and refusing to walk in without a great deal of persuasion. To the Keepers’ relief, Weka has at last accepted her change of room! Today, she padded in docilely, doing her best imitation of an obedient elephant.

The forest was awash with waterlogged areas and tempting puddles again this morning. Weka lay down in a large patch of mud for a massage and a play. She rubbed her face and every other part of her in the gloopy mud, waving her trunk in circles. Choka found a puddle so deep that it was a pool. He paddled in and squirted water down his back. Kitich, Mukutan and Mageno soon joined him - and the big boys splashed around together.

Pardamat used to be such a well-behaved little boy! When he was first rescued, he was quiet and reserved. As he settled in to his new family, he came out of his shell and changed into a mischievous handful of an orphan. Nowadays, he is still respectful of his elders but not of those younger than himself – as a result, Talek, Mokogodo and Olomunyak tend to either steer clear of him or make sure they stand close to an older female. Milk feeding time brings out the worst in Pardamat. In the afternoon at the mud bath, he gulped down his bottle and made a beeline for newbie Olomunyak. Before he could push the little boy, the Keepers and Kerrio intervened with a pincer movement! Kerrio pushed Pardamat on one side as two Keepers stood in front of Olomunyak who drank on unawares. Mini matriarch Kerrio disciplined the little boy sternly, knowing that Pardamat needs to be kept in his place.

After another night of rain, the orphans padded slowly out of their stockades in the early morning. They gathered outside their rooms in preparation for setting out to the forest. This morning, Mokogodo had quite an entourage, toddling up the path with a posse of nannies. Sileita, Latika, Muwingu, Mushuru and Kerrrio surrounded the smallest elephant in the Nursery as she walked very slowly towards the forest. Soon, Latika, Muwingu, Mushuru and Kerrio resumed their normal walking pace, leaving super-patient Sileita to look after the toddler. Joining the herd out in the forest, the four older females rumbled at their friends to wait for the baby. Everyone paused, Sileita and Mokogodo caught up, and the herd continued on their way.

In the afternoon, the orphans visited the mud bath as usual. They drank their milk and stood around quietly, picking up pieces of supplementary lucerne. When the Keepers whistled, the elephants padded back to their forest playground obediently. When the bush is full of pools and puddles, most choose to play there rather than in the mud bath. Today, Mukutan, Kitich and Sileita trunk touched as they paddled together. Not far away, Mushuru was having a fabulous time wallowing in a deep pool of rainwater – she really is coming out of her shell! 

Talek and Nyambeni were playing hide and seek with the Keepers this morning. As the herd wandered out to the forest, the two little girls ran in and out of almost every stockade in search of leftover pellets! When the Keepers whistled, they pretended not to notice and nipped into another room. A few minutes later, Kerrio, Muwingu and Mushuru returned from the forest. The three females confronted the naughty girls, shaking their heads and trumpeting loudly. Without further ado, they rounded up Talek and Nyambeni and escorted them out to join the herd.

Little boys Pardamat and Taroha were using Mzinga as their personal jungle gym today. She lay contentedly on her side in the mud as the boys climbed all over her back, even resting their bellies on her face for a time. One climbed on and then the other and then both at once! Kamili browsed quietly nearby, selecting the freshest clumps of grass to pop in her mouth. Sholumai and Mageno made the most of their height, standing tall to pull down tasty branches from trees.

The rest of the day was uneventful – bouts of browsing broken up by three-hourly milk feeds before the orphans headed back to their warm dry stables for the night.

The Keepers fed the orphans in their stockades at dawn. Half an hour later, their doors were opened and the elephants wandered out one by one. Greeting their friends, they walked up the path and settled down to browse in the forest. After filling their bellies, it was playtime. Some scratched their rumps against trees as others played pushing and chasing games. Feisty Kitich played the pushing game with Mukutan – the determined youngster held his own against the older bull!

Weka, Muridjo and Mzinga were in especially playful moods. Weka was chasing several baboons. When they climbed a tree, she ran round and round the tree, trumpeting loudly. Meanwhile, Muridjo and Mzinga were trundling around after a bunch of nimble warthogs and impalas, enjoying a chase that had no chance of success. The two orphans disappeared into the forest after their prey but soon returned to the herd. 

As the herd walked further into the bush, they found an enormous muddy puddle. Many of the older orphans paddled and then rolled in the mud, with the babies watching on from the sidelines. Kamili did not get her feet wet but stayed close to the herd. She still keeps to herself but is more in the mix these days and less prone to wandering off on her own.

This morning, as the herd ambled out to the forest, three big kids took a left and clambered onto the terrace. Sholumai, Mukutan and Choka often make this detour, hoping to snack on the especially delicious greens that grow along the back of the terrace. Shujaa followed suit today, but only to gain a height advantage in his pushing match against Muridjo (who was at ground level). The Keepers tolerated a brief delay before shepherding them out to catch up with the herd. Out in the forest, best buddies Shujaa and Murijdo continued their pushing game, clashing heads and tiny tusks while trumpeting in excitement. 

Raha was reluctant to leave her warm stable this morning. Even after a lie-in, she stood obstinately in a corner with her back to her Keeper. He struck a compromise, leaving her indoors for a little longer and then cajoling her up the path to the forest. She cheered up once she was out and about, settling down to browse on soft grass after sucking her Keeper’s trouser leg.

Later in the afternoon, the herd visited the mud bath as usual for another milk feed. As Kamili led a group of younger orphans down the path, she came to a halt and refused to budge. Nyambeni, Talek and Olomunyak backed up behind her. Crafty Nyambeni then blocked Kamili’s view with her body and the two others crossed over to another path. Realising that they had somehow got to the mud bath ahead of her, Kamili ended her blockade and jogged down to join them.

Mokogodo always has a security escort - wherever she goes, either a Keeper or at least one eager nanny is not far behind. Her nannies include not only Sileita, Latika, Kerrio, Mushuru and Muwingu but also mini nannies Muridjo, Nyambeni and Mzinga. This morning in the forest, Kerrio was on Mokogodo duty. The mini matriarch walked along very slowly next to the baby and stood close by while Mokogodo drank her milk. Nanny and baby then walked on a few metres to browse on the abundant grass. Kerrio remained close as Mokogodo concentrated on filling her belly (she is developing a voracious appetite for greens).

Moments later, Taroha and Talek padded through the trees for their bottles. The two buddies (who are age mates) stood belly to belly as they drank and then toddled on a few metres to browse together. Gentle Taroha is still close to Mokogodo but has expanded his friendship group to include Talek. After arriving in the next group and drinking his milk, newbie Olomunyak headed off for the nearest tree stump. He rubbed his face and padded around the trunk and leant against it for a brief rest. He loves playing with trees!

After browsing for a time in the early morning, the orphans were ready for another milk feed. Some Keepers gathered them in groups of three or four and sent them down to others waiting in a line. The elephants sprinted through the trees in anticipation of delicious milk. Taroha and Talek drank their milk carefully, wasting very little, as Shujaa dribbled a good portion of his onto the ground – he is an enthusiastic but very messy milk drinker!

Later in the morning at the mud bath, Pardamat was throwing his weight around (again). He strode down the path, drank his milk and tried to grab little Mokogodo’s bottle, knocking her over as he did so. One Keeper disciplined Pardamat as two others checked on the baby. Kerrio and Latika also gathered around, standing protectively next to Mokogodo for the morning. 

After the first group left, the second older group took their place. While Sholumai, Mushuru, Mukutan and Kamili browsed on greens, Mushuru, Muwingu and Mageno paddled into the mud bath (despite the cool wet weather). They splashed the water with their feet before lying down along the edge for a wallow, rubbing their faces while waving their trunks.  

Maxwell was standing by his gate this morning as the orphans set out for the forest. Mzinga and Shujaa paused to greet him, extending their trunks through the gaps in his gate. He stood still as they draped their trunks along his back. When the elephants walked on, the blind rhino plodded over to eat his pile of breakfast pellets.

Later in the morning, the first group of younger elephants walked down to the mud bath for a milk feed. Following his behaviour yesterday, Pardamat was not in the group. The Keepers have moved him to the second group as the older orphans will not tolerate any nonsense from him. He enjoys being with older bulls and is quiet and respectful in their company. When the first group left, the second took their place. After drinking their milk, Mageno and Weka began playing the pushing game. What began as a light-hearted contest changed into a fight (possible after Weka accidentally poked Mageno with her little tusks). Ever alert to the well-being of the herd, Sileita separated the two elephants by walking between them. She sent each off in a different direction and restored order with the minimum of fuss. She has become a respected mini matriarch!

It was a peaceful afternoon in the forest. The herd stayed close to the stockades (the forest is lush and green after all the rain). Sileita and Kerrio stood close together today – the Keepers wondered if the matriarch was giving her second-in-command useful advice on how to deal with mischievous elephants!

For a change, the sun shone this morning, invigorating all the orphans. Raha trotted up the path for a wander as Maxwell completed several laps of his large enclosure. As the baby rhino walked past Maxwell’s gate, she paused. Sensing her presence, the blind rhino walked over – little and large stood next to each other for a minute or two before Raha walked off and Maxwell turned around. The baby rhino settled down to browse on her favourite grass as Max began crunching his pellets. 

Later in the morning, the elephants drank their milk and walked on the wallow. Nyambeni and Mzinga (usually the first ones to get wet) padded up to the edge of the mud bath and stood still. Rather than clambering in for a paddle, the two girls turned around and faced the younger elephants walking along in their wake. As Nyambeni and Mzinga gazed at Talek, Shujaa, Muridjo, Olomunyak and Mokogodo, something surprising happened. Kamili – who rarely swims – strode past them and into the water. She paddled and then rolled around in the mud. Several other orphans followed the lead of independent Kamili and soon the wallow was full of splashing elephants.

As soon as their doors were opened this morning, Mzinga and Nyambeni raced over to Pardamat’s stable so they could escort him out. They were impatient, banging on his door and shaking their heads. When the little boy finally emerged, he greeted his big sisters briefly and then ran up the path to the forest, leaving them in the dust. He was eager to hang out with the big boys rather than being fussed over by wannabee nannies! Pardamat is at his best when with older elephants who make him toe the line rather than his peers who tempt him to misbehave.

Out in the forest, the orphans browsed on the abundance of greens. After filling their bellies, Kitich, Shujaa and Kamili lay down and rolled around in a large muddy patch while Sholumai and Mushuru continued to pull down branches from tall trees.

On a cloudy afternoon, the herd visited the mud bath for a milk feed. They emptied their bottles and spread out to browse on the supplementary lucerne. None of the orphans were in playful moods. Olomunyak and Mokogodo stood sandwiched between mini matriarchs Sileita and Kerrio while Mukutan and Choka scratched their backsides against the wall of the raised platform.

Muridjo and Mokogodo are neighbours, sleeping in adjacent stables. Muridjo used to wear a blanket at night-time but does so no longer because she is two years old. Mokogodo is still little and always has a cosy blanket tied around her middle. In recent days, the big girl has become envious of the little girl’s blanket! Last night, when Mokogodo lay down on her bed of hay to sleep, a mischievous trunk was poked through one of the gaps in their shared wall. Muridjo deftly pulled the blanket off Mokogodo who then woke up and complained. Her Keeper tied the blanket on again, Mokogodo lay down and Muridjo stood in her room looking the picture of innocence. Half an hour later, she pulled the blanket off again! 

In the morning, the orphans set out for the forest as usual, spreading out to browse in small groups. Olomunyak has settled in so well with his new family. This morning, the friendly chap was toddling around saying hello to all the humans and elephants in his orbit. He raised his trunk in greeting to several Keepers and stood quietly next to them before moving on to the elephant members of his family.

The rest of the day passed peacefully except for rather a lot of trumpeting at the mud bath in the afternoon. Several orphans are in the habit of making a noise as they pad down the path, just in case no one has noticed them! Today, Weka and Mageno trumpeted so loudly at the top of the path as they emerged from the bushes!

This morning, the weather was cold and wet. It rained for much of the night and was still drizzling in the morning. The orphans padded out slowly to the forest – except for Mokogodo and Olomunyak who were kept in their stables until the rain stopped.

Out in the forest, some Keepers gathered the orphans into groups and sent them down for another milk feed. The elephants sprinted through the bushes to the line of Keepers waiting with bottles held aloft. Usually, the babies are grouped with age-mates but not always. Today, naughty Pardamat was put in a group with Choka, Loldaiga, Muwingu and Sholumai – four of the oldest members of the herd! He ran in behind them as fast as his small legs could carry him. After gulping down his milk, he walked over to Talek but was seen off by Muwingu before he could even think of picking a fight with the little girl. Muwingu is a strict nanny with Pardamat in contrast to Mushuru who tends to be protective. 

The sun came out for a short time in the afternoon. Maxwell enjoyed a sunbathe in his muddy enclosure – he lay down for a time in a warm spot before browsing on his large pile of pellets. As he was in a good mood today, he was happy to share them with his warthog friends.

Raha was full of energy this morning. While still in her stable, the little rhino began drilling her nose (where the stump of a horn is emerging) into the ground, rubbing her tiny head from side to side. (Maxwell used to do the same thing when he was a baby.) After a good head massage, she lay down on the leftover greens in her stable and rolled around on her back for an equally satisfying back massage! Raha is doing well – she is putting on weight and her skin colour has improved, changing from ash to grey. This morning, she almost jogged out to the forest behind her Keeper where she settled down to browse on her favourite soft greens. 

Maxwell was not so energetic. He wandered slowly around his large enclosure several times before eating his breakfast of pellets and lucerne and relaxing under a tree. This morning, his regular visitors – the warthogs – were nowhere to be seen. Perhaps, they sensed that the rhino was not in a welcoming mood today.

The elephants headed out to browse in the bush in a long line. This morning, tiny Mokogodo was following her new friend Olomunyak around. She enjoys his company. The two babies approached little Raha for a brief greeting and then toddled on with their Keeper. The rhino tolerated their presence for a moment and then walked purposefully away. Mokogodo’s former best friend, gentle Taroha, has extended his circle of acquaintances but still checks in on his special buddy periodically.

The elephants padded out of their stockades at first light and stood quietly on another cloudy morning. Cheeky Shujaa snuck into the fenced garden for an extra snack but was herded out by a Keeper. Soon Mushuru led the herd out to the forest and they settled down to browse. As the day became warmer, Loldaiga and Mageno played the pushing game and Kitich wrestled against Choka. The four bulls clashed heads, broke apart, twisted around and clashed again. Meanwhile, Kamili, Muridjo and Taroha found a tree stump particularly suited to scratching. They rubbed their backsides and then their sides before going back to browsing.

Maxwell was up and about at dawn this morning. After a Keeper brought him some pellets and lucerne, he settled down to eat his breakfast. A family of warthogs soon joined him, having popped through the spaces in his fence. The small pigs knelt next to the large rhino, at ease in his company. After filling his tummy, Maxwell lay on his side relaxing under a tree.

After visiting the mud bath in the afternoon for a milk feed, the herd headed back to the forest. When they came across some impalas grazing in a clearing, Muridjo, Sholumai, Mushuru, Weka and Muwingu could not resist giving chase. They charged towards the innocent impalas who moved a short distance away and settled down to graze again. The elephants ran towards them and the impalas ran away. Watching the game from the sidelines, Kamili thought about joining in but decided instead to continue browsing.

The weather was so miserable this morning that Maxwell had a lie-in! The rhino is always up and about at first light, trundling around his enclosure or greeting one or two elephant orphans or enjoying his breakfast with the warthogs. But not today. It was raining so much that Maxwell spent most of the morning lying on his large bed of dry hay. Eventually, he plodded out to his enclosure, encouraged perhaps by the noisy monkeys running all over his roof.

Raha also had a lie-in although not such a long one. The little rhino remained in her stable until the middle of the morning and then walked very slowly out to the forest for a wander and a browse. Still wearing her blue blanket, she settled down to enjoy the lush grass. 

The elephants headed out as normal in the morning. They browsed quietly in the forest, taking shelter under the canopies of trees when it rained. Olomunyak and Mokogodo remained in their stables and joined the herd a couple of hours later. Like Raha, they kept their blankets on for the morning. The Keepers kept the herd quite close to the stockades today as they could hear the roaring of lions in the distance. Only Loldaiga and Mageno were feeling playful – the two bulls clashed heads as they wrestled against each other, slipping and sliding in the muddy forest.

Talek and Pardamat sleep in neighbouring stables and they often squabble after dark in their rooms. Last night, Talek extended her trunk though a gap in the partition and woke up Pardamat. She pushed her head against the wall and he pushed back and then the two indignant babies began trumpeting. Their Keepers calmed the situation and both went back to sleep (eventually).

Latika is a very fussy nanny and hovers around the babies like a shadow. Her favourite is Mokogodo but she will take any baby! This morning in the forest, Latika and Mokogodo were standing so close that the little girl was leaning against her nanny. Although she is still small for her age, Mokogodo has an appetite for greens – this morning, she was walking along very slowly, pulling up clumps of grass. When lovely Latika walked over to check on little Talek (who was hanging out with a Keeper), Weka took her place. The stand-in nanny rumbled to Mokogodo, trunk touched her, and settled down to browse until Latika returned.

It was another quiet afternoon at the mud bath. The weather was cool and cloudy and the elephants stood quietly around the wallow but were not tempted to get wet. Kerrio and Talek rolled around on the mound of muddy soil before the herd headed back to the forest.

This morning, the Keepers led the orphans out to browse in the bush. Sileita walked along at the end of the line, ensuring that everyone was there, especially her brood of babies – Taroha, Talek, Olomunyak and Mokogodo. When Talek lagged behind, the mini matriarch trunk touched her backside gently, pushing her to catch up with the others. After browsing for a time, Kerrio and Shujaa began their (almost daily) pushing match. They chased each other and draped trunks on back and pushed heads. Kerrio doesn’t make any allowances for Shujaa’s smaller size – this morning, the gentle girl was even pulling his tail, much to the feisty boy’s annoyance. When Shujaa decided that enough was enough, she kept egging him on to play!

Later in the morning, the second group of older orphans (plus naughty Pardamat) padded down to the mud bath after the first group had returned to the bush. Today, the little boy really overstepped the mark and was soundly punished. He dared to give Sileita – the matriarch of the herd - a big shove from behind. In response, she knocked him to the ground and he lay there trumpeting in alarm. As Sileita stood over him, Mukutan – the dominant bull of the herd – took pity on the young boy. He helped him to his feet and a downcast Pardamat walked away to the other side of the mud bath.

Olomunyak has developed an endearing habit of sneaking back to the stockades ahead of the herd. When the Keepers gather the elephants together to split them into groups late in the afternoon, the little boy sneaks away, taking a short cut past the offices to his stable, rathe than the route used by everyone else. Generally, little Mokogodo pads along in his wake, doing her best to keep up with her new friend. As there is no harm in his habit and he is so determined, a Keeper walks along with the two babies and sees them into their rooms where delicious snacks of sugar cane await.

Raha was wide awake early this morning, pacing around her stable as she waited for milk. She gulped down her bottle and almost ran out of her room! The small rhino jogged ahead of her Keeper as she walked up the path and then ran back to him, squeaking along the way. Out in the forest, she enjoyed a good suck on his trouser leg before walking very carefully across a stream of rainwater. Finding a muddy puddle, she lay down for a massage and rolled onto her back with legs waving. Later in the morning, tired out by her energetic day, Raha lay down under a tree for a nap – her Keeper had to wake her up when it was time to head for home!

The elephants also had a great time in the forest this morning. Choka (an especially playful bull) found an enormous pool of rainwater. After a sedate paddle, he cavorted around, waving his trunk and splashing water in every direction. He was soon joined by Mukutan and the bulls played a water-sparring match. Not far away, Weka and Latika had found another deep puddle. They paddled together, entwining trunks, and then Latika lay on her belly while Weka leant against her and draped her trunk along her back. Sholumai, Kitich and Taroha, meanwhile, were paddling quietly in another forest pool.

In the afternoon, the herd visited the mud bath for a milk feed and a browse on supplementary lucerne. No one played in the wallow as most had already had fun in the many forest pools.

In the forest this morning, the herd spread out to browse and play in small groups. Latika enjoyed a face massage (one of her favourite pastimes). She knelt down with her bottom in the air and rubbed her face vigorously on the muddy ground, flapping her ears all the way over. Soon, Sholumai wandered over to join her and the two big girls played trunk-entwining, chasing and scratching games around a tree. Not far away, Mushuru (who never used to show much interest in nannying) was fussing over Pardamat, Mzinga and Talek. The three younger ones squashed up together as she trunk touched them all affectionately.

Later in the morning, the herd visited the mud bath for a milk feed. Kerrio is the mini matriarch of the first group of younger orphans. She padded down the hill last this morning, drank her milk and then wandered around the wallow, quietly checking on Talek, Olomunyak, Mokogodo and Taroha. Job done, she lay down on the mound of soil for a roll around – where little sister Nyambeni joined her minutes later for a rather wet dust bath.

As the orphans were wandering in the woods in the afternoon, Kerrio and Muridjo got a fright when three warthogs trotted across the path in front of them. Perhaps out of surprise, they began trumpeting, about turned and ran for the stockades! Their reaction upset Mzinga and Nyambeni who ran around in circles with trunks raised and ears flared. Luckily, the Keepers were able to calm the four girls before their behaviour had spread throughout the herd.

Maxwell was up and about at first light today. He drank from his water trough, completed a couple of laps of his enclosure and began grazing on lucerne, pellets and sugar cane. The warthogs soon popped through the fence to share his breakfast (they are especially fond of pellets). Afterwards, Max lay down on a patch of mud while one of the warthogs used his bulk for a body massage – the pig leant against the rhino and rubbed himself all over.

Out in the forest this morning, Mzinga and Nyambeni were being very responsible (if rather young) nannies. The two two-year-olds were looking after Olomunyak and Mokogodo, escorting them from one bush to the next and being extremely protective whenever an older boy dared to approach. The two babies were lapping up the attention from their big sisters.

In the afternoon, Choka and Mukutan were not behaving well. After drinking their milk at the mud bath, the older bulls were being so rowdy that they were given a time out by the Keepers and escorted away from the youngest members of the herd.

The sun came out for a short time later in the afternoon. Taroha was spending time with Shujaa – the younger brother followed his older brother everywhere he went, even browsing on the same plants. Taroha is full of admiration for feisty Shujaa! Not far away, Weka was lying down, allowing Pardamat to clamber on and off his elephant-settee-friend – a possible match made in heaven of the naughtiest orphans in the Nursery!

Last night, Taroha was making lots of noise. His stable is closest to the kitchen where the Keepers prepare the night feeds. Sometimes, when he hears the sound of milk being mixed, he becomes impatient. Last night was one of those nights! The naughty boy trumpeted, he banged his door several times, he woke up his neighbour, Olomunyak, in the hope of enlisting an accomplice. As soon as he was given his bottle (first as he is next to the kitchen), his behaviour changed back into that of a gentle obedient boy. After he went back to sleep, Taroha had a bad dream – he was trumpeting and moving as he lay on his bed of hay but did not wake up.

In the morning at the mud bath, Taroha was trailing along after Shujaa as the older boy walked along the rope cordon. Tiring of the hero worship, Shujaa shoved his little friend who fell over, stood up and kept on walking. Ever watchful, Kerrio checked on Taroha and gave Shujaa a telling off.

Later in the day, the whole herd returned to the wallow. They padded quietly down the path in groups – except for Mushuru and Mukutan who heralded their arrivals with loud trumpets. After drinking their milk, they spread out to browse on lucerne or drink from the trough or enjoy a dust bath on the mound of red soil. Today, it was Sholumai’s turn to discipline the naughtiest boy in the herd – when Pardamat ran into her by accident, he was rewarded with a sharp shove. The herd padded back to the forest where Kerrio and Loldaiga had a playful time. After pushing heads and bodies, Kerrio clambered on top of Loldaiga several times, waving her trunk in excitement.

This morning, there was a jam outside Mokogodo’s door! Five orphans – Sileita, Kerrio, Latika, Mzinga and Nyambeni – were subtly shoving each other as they jostled to be in the best possible position to welcome the little princess when she finally emerged. Of course, Sileita, as the matriarch, would emerge victorious in this contest. When a Keeper opened her door, Mokogodo found Sileita standing in front of her with the other four clustered behind. Sweet Taroha, emerging from his stable, found the path to Mokogodo blocked by the gaggle of girls. He shoved Mzinga and Nyambeni out of the way, darted through the gap, and caught up with the rest of the herd as they ambled out to the forest. 

After filling their bellies, several orphans began scratching themselves against trees as others played in the mud. Mageno enjoyed a vigorous massage against a tree stump and then a patch of muddy ground. Muwingu, Latika and Kitich played pushing and chasing games.

In the afternoon, the sun came out (making a welcome change). Kamili, Shujaa and Taroha wandered around together, browsing over a rocky area and then paddling in a puddle. Weka, Muridjo, Mukutan and Kitich were also enjoying the sunshine as they played trunk-twisting and pushing-face games – the girls were in one clearing and the boys a few metres away. Mushuru, another budding mini matriarch, was spending time with her favourite baby – following Olomunyak around like a shadow. Mokogodo, meanwhile, was having a lovely afternoon sandwiched between Sileita and Latika.