Typical day at Ithumba

A typical day at Ithumba starts early, before sunrise, and is organised around the activities of the elephants that can be approached very closely but always following instructions of their carers.

Around 06:00 the doors of the stockade are opened and the young elephants are allowed to walk freely around. This is a perfect time to see them gather around a waterhole where they often meet with ex-orphans previously released in the park who come to greet them and spend the day with them. The visitors can then spend some time walking with them in the park, as long as they remain close to the stockade.

Around 11:00 the elephants gather near a waterhole where they are fed, or sometimes know how to feed themselves, with huge bottles of milk suited to their size. They also take advantage of the water and the dust.

Later in the afternoon, the elephants come back to the stockade and receive another meal before settling for the night.

 

Young African elephants (Loxodonta africana) drinking at the waterhole, David Scheldick Wildlife Trust, Tsavo East National Park, Kenya, 6

Young African elephants (Loxodonta africana) interacting with their carer of David Scheldick Wildlife Trust, Tsavo East National Park, Kenya, 4

Young African elephants (Loxodonta africana) playing with the red soil, David Scheldick Wildlife Trust, Tsavo East National Park, Kenya, 7