As November began, we looked skyward, eagerly anticipating the arrival of the rains.
As is typical this time of year, Tsavo had gotten very dry, prompting many of our ex-orphans to circle back home. Many mornings, nearly 40 elephants have been found gathered outside the stockades, as dependent orphans and their wild-living friends mingle for water and supplementary lucerne.
Ex-orphan visitors included Mweya and her daughters, Mwangaza and Mwitu; Pika Pika; Sagala; Kihari; Mbirikani; Rorogoi; Panda; Naipoki; and Mudanda and her daughter, Miale. Later in the month, big bull Laikipia also made an appearance. The ex-orphans are always very polite to their younger friends. Everyone browses peacefully together, showing their affection through rumbles and trunk hugs.
Most mornings, newborns Miale and Mwangaza stole the show. The babies flopped on the lucerne grass as if on a mattress, playing and waving their tiny trunks, all under tight security from their many nannies. Youngsters Busara, Losoito, Baraka, and Rokka — who were not receiving as much attention as usual due to the wild-born babies — bore this shift in the spotlight with great stoicism.
The presence of the ex-orphans gave our big boys the confidence to continue exploring their independence. Ndotto and Lasayen were particularly keen to join Mudanda and co., sneaking away from the herd and even spending the occasional night out. Most days, however, we found them waiting outside the stockades when it was time for bed.
Meanwhile, Ngilai continues to treasure his little rituals. Most mornings at the compound, he pads first to the lucerne area, picks up a stash of greens, and walks back to the trough with lucerne balanced on his head. Ngilai is a bit younger than Ndotto and Lasayen — nine years old to their ten — so it makes sense that his reintegration journey is unfolding a few steps behind.
However, by month's end, all four of our big boys were ready to forge their own path. Ndotto, Murit, Ngilai, and Lasayen peeled away from the herd at dawn and did not return, spending the night out with Mudanda, Miale, Rorogoi, and Ndii. They like to spend time with this mini herd of ex-orphans, as they do not wander far from the stockades. Reintegration is all about baby steps!
While they are intrigued by the prospect of an independent life, our big boys get stage fright around their larger, wild counterparts. One afternoon, a huge wild bull with massive tusks arrived at the baobab water hole and interacted with the orphans. Both Ngilai and Lasayen planted themselves by their Keepers, observing the bull from a distance. A curious Tamiyoi took several steps towards the bull before changing her mind and turning away.
The Voi Kids — Akina, Ashanti, Baraka, Busara, Dabida, Epiya, Hildana, Itinyi, Juni, Kenderi, Kilulu, Losoito, Manda, Rokka, Seri, and Ushindi — are a fun-loving, theatrical group of elephants, but a few take things to the next level. Kilulu and Hildana are our resident showboats, always parading with extra gusto when they see a Keeper’s camera trained on them.
Meanwhile, Manda, Ashanti, and Kenderi are our milk champions. In the morning, they eagerly push at their stockade gate, vying to be the first out. Ashanti treats every meal like a high-stakes competition — and she isn’t above subterfuge to try to sneak in some extras! Upon finishing her milk one morning, she ran to the feeding trough and then innocently darted back in the hope of fooling the Keepers and getting a bonus bottle.
The 17th of November started on a wonderful note — with the arrival of rain! During the night, there was a welcome downpour, and the orphans woke up in especially good spirits. Lasayen and Ndotto arrived for breakfast after spending the night out but the ex-orphans did not visit. Kilulu, Godoma, Busara, and Baraka gathered around the pile of lucerne while Lemeki and her ‘little sister,’ Losoito, scooped up range cubes together and Hildana rubbed his rump against the wall of the terrace. When the herd headed out to browse, Ngilai laid his trunk along Losoito’s back as they walked along the path. Everyone was so visibly happy with their change in circumstances.
We often remark that our big nannies — Mbegu, Godoma, Tagwa, and Tamiyoi — have the patience of saints. But even saints have their limits! One afternoon, Tamiyoi and Emoli found an enticing gully that was the perfect size for a double dust bath. The two friends lay down inside it, side by side, and enjoyed a moment of peace. It wasn’t long before chunky Kilulu arrived. With no space left, he sat on top of Tamiyoi, resting his large bottom and all his weight on her. Poor Tamiyoi realised her relaxation had come to an end. She pushed him off, struggled to her feet, and stomped away.
Mbegu, matriarch of the Voi dependent orphans, is the most in-demand nanny. One morning, Ashanti was clinging onto her, trunk kissing and rubbing against her as they walked out from the stockades. Catching up with them, Busara also planted herself next to Mbegu. The youngsters often squabble over Mbegu’s affections, but that day, they managed to share their adopted mama without any jealousy.
The latter half of the month brought more and more rain. This put a marked spring in everyone’s step. After a night of good rain, the orphans set out earlier than usual, knowing that a world of lush green grass and shoots was waiting for them. They gathered in the walkway before we even had the chance to whistle and, under Rokka’s leadership, jogged out to the bush. Tamiyoi, Godoma, Lemeki, and Thamana led the herd up the hill. Full of cheer, Busara rolled down the slopes, posing and showboating along the way.
November ended on a very exciting note. As the orphans were having breakfast outside the stockade, Mweya and her ex-orphan herd arrived with over ten wild elephants in tow! We recognised the visitors from their frequent appearances at the baobab water trough. The compound was full to capacity, with orphans, ex-orphans, and wild elephants standing shoulder to shoulder.