0:00:02 > 0:00:04Previously on Elephant Diaries...
0:00:06 > 0:00:08..Little orphan Chyulu was flown
0:00:08 > 0:00:13to the Nairobi nursery after her mum was killed by poachers.
0:00:13 > 0:00:19And changes at the nursery mean eight-month-old orphan Makena is about to have her world torn apart.
0:00:39 > 0:00:44We're bringing you the stories of a unique group of baby elephants,
0:00:44 > 0:00:48all of them rescued from the wild in Kenya, having lost their families.
0:00:48 > 0:00:55Many of these little babies saw their mothers killed by poachers, and all arrived in a state of trauma,
0:00:55 > 0:00:59at an orphanage run by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.
0:00:59 > 0:01:05With the help of a team of 49 dedicated keepers, the aim for the trust's founder,
0:01:05 > 0:01:12Dame Daphne Sheldrick, is to raise these vulnerable babies until they are ready to go back to the wild.
0:01:13 > 0:01:18I'm following the lives of the older orphans at the two release sites in Tsavo National Park.
0:01:18 > 0:01:22The orphans come here when they are two years old and spend their days
0:01:22 > 0:01:27days learning the skills they need to eventually survive in the wild.
0:01:27 > 0:01:31And, at eight years old, some of them are pretty huge and very impressive.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33They're still babies at heart, mind you!
0:01:37 > 0:01:41Here in the Nairobi nursery, Chyulu,
0:01:41 > 0:01:47the newest arrival, is settling into the routine of daily life with her new family.
0:01:47 > 0:01:53Chyulu maybe a newcomer here, but already she knows the milk routine.
0:01:53 > 0:01:57And she's just as keen and eager as all the other orphans.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01It's very obvious which one is
0:02:05 > 0:02:08Chyulu's bottle because it has this teat.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12It's hardly surprising she's so keen to get her bottle.
0:02:12 > 0:02:18It's thought that she was without her mum for about two weeks and, in that time, she became very dehydrated,
0:02:18 > 0:02:22and the tell-tale signs of that are these sunken cheeks.
0:02:22 > 0:02:26You shouldn't be able to see the cheekbones on an elephant of this age.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29So, we need to fatten you up a little bit,
0:02:29 > 0:02:31fill that face out.
0:02:31 > 0:02:38Of course, it's not just the milk that they love so much, it's also the comfort of the sucking.
0:02:40 > 0:02:45OK. Finished! With the milk feed over, one of the other little eles,
0:02:45 > 0:02:51eight-month-old Makena gets her comfort by sucking the ear of the herd's mini matriarch, Lualeni.
0:02:51 > 0:02:55The rest of this naughty gang of seven orphans
0:02:55 > 0:02:59are hoping there's a little bit more milk hiding among the empties.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02But Makena's focus is firmly on her adoptive mother.
0:03:02 > 0:03:08I can't believe this! Look, they have such a close bond, these two.
0:03:08 > 0:03:13Makena and Lualeni have been such good friends for almost a year now.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15But sadly, that can't continue.
0:03:15 > 0:03:23The orphans only stay here till they are around two years old, and then they get moved on to the next stage.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25It seems so incredibly sad.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28All these orphans have already lost one mum,
0:03:28 > 0:03:32and then many of them lose a very, very close friend like Lualeni.
0:03:32 > 0:03:38You have to wonder how on earth Makena is going to cope when Lualeni goes to Ithumba.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41And that move is going to happen very soon.
0:03:43 > 0:03:49Although parting is tough, it's not forever, these two will be reunited in a year or so.
0:03:49 > 0:03:55But in the meantime, Lualeni is guaranteed a warm welcome at the stockades down in Ithumba.
0:03:56 > 0:04:03This is one of the two release sites in Tsavo, and it really is elephant paradise.
0:04:03 > 0:04:10At two years old, Lualeni is ready to start learning about life back in the wild with the Ithumba herd.
0:04:10 > 0:04:17And, of course, she already knows a few of the 22 elephants and the keepers from the nursery.
0:04:17 > 0:04:22But best of all, she won't be leaving all on her own.
0:04:22 > 0:04:28This elephant is Kora, a very handsome male elephant just under two years old.
0:04:28 > 0:04:34Now Kora was found wandering all alone, emaciated, really, really thin,
0:04:34 > 0:04:41no mother or herd to be seen, and it's thought the mother and possibly the rest of the herd was shot.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44Kora actually has a bullet wound...
0:04:44 > 0:04:47right underneath...
0:04:47 > 0:04:54Right under the jaw, and it's thought that the bullet ricochet probably off the mother into that jaw.
0:04:54 > 0:04:59It's taken quite a long time to heal and it's not fully healed yet.
0:04:59 > 0:05:06Despite what he's been through, Kora is a lovely elephant and great friends with Lualeni.
0:05:06 > 0:05:10He'll be making the journey with her when they leave in a few days' time.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19Friendships are what see these little orphans through the tough times.
0:05:19 > 0:05:24And to see how these bonds grow and develop, I am down in Tsavo with the older orphans.
0:05:24 > 0:05:30It's early morning and they are heading out into the bush with the keepers for the day.
0:05:33 > 0:05:38Unfortunately, there is one elephant who is always trailing along at the back.
0:05:38 > 0:05:42Her name is Mwega, and she suffers from painful joints and a heart condition.
0:05:42 > 0:05:47Although life isn't easy for her, the trust won't give up
0:05:47 > 0:05:49and are working hard to ease her poor health.
0:05:49 > 0:05:55And what is so lovely is that she is also looked after by her extended elephant family.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58You can see that Mwega's stumbling there.
0:05:58 > 0:06:05But she's got a friend and that is Sosien, probably the fattest of all of these elephants,
0:06:05 > 0:06:09the greediest who normally is just so busy stuffing his face.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13But, when Mwega's struggling, when she gets left behind, he just holds back.
0:06:13 > 0:06:19He stops eating and it's almost as if you can just feel him reaching out to her and saying,
0:06:19 > 0:06:23"It's OK, I'm here, you're not alone."
0:06:24 > 0:06:28Mwega's very slow, isn't she?
0:06:28 > 0:06:30Elephants are incredibly loyal friends,
0:06:30 > 0:06:34and the bond between these two seems to go from strength to strength.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46Here in Nairobi, the keepers play an equally important role
0:06:46 > 0:06:49in the lives of the vulnerable younger orphans.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53They give a huge amount of love and care to the babies.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56But occasionally it's a case of tough medicine.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00Poor Kora has had more than his share of pain and suffering,
0:07:00 > 0:07:06but head keeper Edwin has to make sure his bullet wound is given the best possible chance of healing,
0:07:06 > 0:07:10so it's time for his regular but painful treatment.
0:07:10 > 0:07:14He's just so good when people are treating that wound.
0:07:14 > 0:07:19This is Kelvin, our homeopathic doctor who's treating it with tea tree.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21He's so gentle though.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25Look at him. He's so obliging. You're a good boy, aren't you?
0:07:29 > 0:07:32Now although that wound hasn't healed yet,
0:07:32 > 0:07:36they have decided that he can be moved up to Ithumba.
0:07:36 > 0:07:41He's quite big now and it's really time for him to go
0:07:41 > 0:07:45into a place where he can get plenty of natural food in the wild.
0:07:45 > 0:07:50So they are going to treat him up there and, hopefully, eventually, that wound will get better by itself.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01Oh, look how sweet that is!
0:08:01 > 0:08:06Lualeni, his mate, has come to make sure he's OK.
0:08:06 > 0:08:12Kora's treatment will continue when he and Lualeni head off to Ithumba.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15They have formed a lifelong friendship here
0:08:15 > 0:08:19which will be a great comfort through the stress of the move.
0:08:19 > 0:08:24It's the combination of intelligent caring animals and skilled devoted keepers
0:08:24 > 0:08:30which makes the Sheldrick Trust such a unique environment for these orphans to grow up in.
0:08:30 > 0:08:36Here in Voi, Mwega is making her way slowly back to her friends in the stockade.
0:08:36 > 0:08:40The trust are always looking for ways to improve her health,
0:08:40 > 0:08:46and one of the keepers is mixing up a formula to help ease her sore joints.
0:09:00 > 0:09:06It's inevitable that Mwega is always going to be the last elephant back to the stockade,
0:09:06 > 0:09:08she's much weaker than the others.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12But Daphne has designed a cocktail of supplements that go in her milk
0:09:12 > 0:09:15to try and bring her back, as best she can.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19Now one of the problems that we know Mwega has got is a joint problem.
0:09:19 > 0:09:24So she gets aloe vera and other supplements to help that, just a general tonic to pick her up.
0:09:24 > 0:09:29But there's a chance that she's got a weak heart, maybe even a hole in the heart.
0:09:29 > 0:09:34But she gets so much love and attention here, you really wouldn't know,
0:09:34 > 0:09:39apart from the fact that she's a little thinner than the other elephants, a little slower.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42With all the attention these elephants receive,
0:09:42 > 0:09:50it's not surprising that even when they go back to living in the wild, they still like to keep in touch.
0:09:50 > 0:09:55Round the back of the stockade, former resident Emily has come to pay a visit.
0:09:55 > 0:10:02She was the matriarch here, but a year ago she and another elephant, Aitong, went back to the wild.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05They've since been joined by some younger orphans from the stockades
0:10:05 > 0:10:09and all are thriving in the wilds of Tsavo National Park.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14These visits are all about saying hello to their old friends.
0:10:14 > 0:10:21But they say elephants never forget, and it seems they have an ulterior motive!
0:10:22 > 0:10:26Every evening, the orphans get some browse to snack on during the night.
0:10:26 > 0:10:31Aitong obviously remembers this from her days at the stockade
0:10:31 > 0:10:34and fancies some of those tasty branches for herself.
0:10:41 > 0:10:47But it seems Emily can't resist the temptation either, and soon they are both tucking into stolen goods.
0:10:47 > 0:10:53But the naughty pair have been spotted,
0:10:53 > 0:10:57and head keeper Joseph tries to move the browse out of reach.
0:11:11 > 0:11:16But, as soon as the coast is clear, they are up to their old tricks.
0:11:19 > 0:11:26At the end of the day, no-one minds too much. Although Emily and her pals have left home,
0:11:26 > 0:11:32helping out with a few extra rations when times are hard is what families are all about.
0:11:32 > 0:11:39Including this little group, there are 20 ex-orphans who are now living in the wild.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43They represent journey's end, but what about the two little ones in Nairobi
0:11:43 > 0:11:47who are about to start the first leg of their journey back to the wild?
0:11:54 > 0:12:01It's early morning at the Nairobi nursery, and the last day here for Lualeni and Kora.
0:12:01 > 0:12:07After a night with their keepers, all the orphans are keen to meet up with their elephant friends again.
0:12:10 > 0:12:14Makena is straight out to be with her adoptive mum, Lualeni.
0:12:14 > 0:12:20These two are never apart, spending all day, every day, side by side.
0:12:26 > 0:12:34New arrival Chyulu is greeted by two of the older girls, including Loijuk her neighbour and adoptive mum.
0:12:34 > 0:12:39Mornings normally follow a predictable and well-organised routine.
0:12:39 > 0:12:44Here at the nursery this morning, our little orphans are being a little bit mischievous.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48Just like children, some mornings they wake up and that's it, they all go nicely off in a line.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52Other mornings you have to encourage them a bit. Come on, you lot!
0:12:52 > 0:12:55It isn't easy.
0:12:55 > 0:12:56They're getting big these guys!
0:12:56 > 0:12:58Come on!
0:13:02 > 0:13:09Eventually one of the keepers leads Chyulu off and the rest of the group follow. All except Kora.
0:13:09 > 0:13:14He's the oldest male here and just wants to do his own thing.
0:13:14 > 0:13:20He's definitely growing out of nursery life and is ready for a bit more independence,
0:13:20 > 0:13:25so it's down to head keeper Edwin to firmly get him moving.
0:13:32 > 0:13:36The rest of the little orphan herd have made it out into the bush.
0:13:36 > 0:13:40But naughty Kora has managed to give Edwin the slip.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42Kora, Kora,
0:13:42 > 0:13:45Kora, Kora.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48He's nowhere to be seen.
0:13:51 > 0:13:57Eventually one of the girls, Sian, decides to go into the bush and find Kora herself.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00Kora, Kora, Kora...
0:14:04 > 0:14:05Sian is going for Kora.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10Sian, Kora.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12Kora, Kora, Kora!
0:14:15 > 0:14:22It takes a few minutes but she eventually emerges triumphant with this naughty boy in tow!
0:14:23 > 0:14:28At last the whole group are on the move again, but they are still in a frisky mood.
0:14:46 > 0:14:51Once they start to play, they don't want to stop. Yeah.
0:14:51 > 0:14:57The little ones here see the humans as part of their extended family and some of the young males
0:14:57 > 0:15:03are taking their chance to practise a bit of charging, including Kora who is getting rather big!
0:15:08 > 0:15:13Sadly, this is the last time that this herd will be together
0:15:13 > 0:15:20as tomorrow Lualeni and Kora will be leaving for Tsavo National Park and life for them will never be the same.
0:15:27 > 0:15:33When they leave the nursery and move to the Tsavo release sites, they'll be in with the big ones,
0:15:33 > 0:15:37and our little orphans will experience some very significant changes,
0:15:37 > 0:15:41especially when it comes to their relationship with the keepers.
0:15:41 > 0:15:46It's very evident the difference in how the keepers relate to the elephants here in Voi,
0:15:46 > 0:15:53and how they do in Nairobi, because these, as you can see, are much, much bigger creatures.
0:15:53 > 0:15:59So, not only are they beginning the process of separation, in distancing themselves from the elephants,
0:15:59 > 0:16:03but potentially these are hugely dangerous creatures,
0:16:03 > 0:16:09and I can't quite believe that I'm standing right up against the backside of such a massive creature
0:16:09 > 0:16:13and feeling really pretty comfortable. And you can sense that,
0:16:13 > 0:16:17and the elephants can sense it too because they are very smart
0:16:17 > 0:16:24and they know now their direction is turning inwards and relating to other elephants, not to people.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28So a hand will reach out, an elephant will want to greet you.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30You let it, and then you just stop.
0:16:31 > 0:16:37This gradual separation is particularly important when there are wild elephants around.
0:16:37 > 0:16:42The recent rains have drawn lots of them into the area
0:16:42 > 0:16:48and the orphans need to make the most of these opportunities to interact with wild herds.
0:16:49 > 0:16:54It's a deliberate move on the part of the keepers to stay back like this.
0:16:54 > 0:16:58They want the elephants to start taking control of their own lives.
0:16:58 > 0:17:05There's so much to be learned from these wild herds, such as where to find food and water in tough times.
0:17:05 > 0:17:11And when they are ready to go back to the wild, they may even join up with these herds.
0:17:11 > 0:17:16For the Tsavo orphans, it's all about saying hello!
0:17:18 > 0:17:23Here in Nairobi, all anyone can think about is the imminent goodbyes.
0:17:23 > 0:17:28Well, it's nearing three o'clock which is the time that all these orphans normally get a bottle.
0:17:28 > 0:17:35They are going to get their milk, but they are being led back to the stables where there are two trucks.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38Now those trucks are going to carry Lualeni and Kora off to Ithumba,
0:17:38 > 0:17:42and obviously to do that we need to get the elephants into the trucks.
0:17:42 > 0:17:47So, at milk time, they are going to be tempted in with a bottle, just as a rehearsal for tomorrow.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57It really is quite extraordinary to see Lualeni.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59You can tell she is very subdued.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01Look how far back she is from the rest of the herd.
0:18:01 > 0:18:05Normally she's right there being the mini matriarch making sure they're all together.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08But she is definitely lagging behind.
0:18:08 > 0:18:10She is an intelligent elephant.
0:18:10 > 0:18:15She knows there is a change in the air and she is not entirely happy about it.
0:18:23 > 0:18:28Well, look at that. Makena has gone in the truck but Lualeni is having none of it.
0:18:28 > 0:18:36This is as far as she's ever got, and you can hear from the other truck, Kora is trumpeting. He's not happy.
0:18:36 > 0:18:43Now obviously it's a vital part of the move to get these two elephants into the back of these trucks.
0:18:45 > 0:18:46Lualeni just is not interested.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49She is not going into that truck.
0:18:49 > 0:18:53She's seen other elephants go into the truck and not come back,
0:18:53 > 0:18:55and she clearly doesn't want to be one of them.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00Lualeni seizes a chance to give the keepers the slip.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09She tries to hide in Makena's stable.
0:19:10 > 0:19:16But she's soon spotted and persuaded to return to the trucks.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19Edwin, things aren't going much better with Kora then?
0:19:19 > 0:19:20Not all that better!
0:19:20 > 0:19:23They are just not budging, are they?
0:19:23 > 0:19:27- They are getting as far as this door and that is it.- Not yet.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31He wants that milk so badly.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33I've seen other moves.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36And usually there's one elephant that you have a problem with.
0:19:36 > 0:19:41But is this the first time you've had a problem with both of the elephants you are trying to move?
0:19:41 > 0:19:45Yes, this is the first time we've got all not getting in.
0:19:45 > 0:19:49- So this is the worst it's ever been, is it?- Yeah.
0:19:49 > 0:19:54They're just like toddlers, they can be so stubborn at this age.
0:19:54 > 0:20:00If this doesn't happen tonight, tomorrow is going to be such a stressful morning
0:20:00 > 0:20:05because the only way to get the elephants in, if they don't come in by themselves, is to use force.
0:20:05 > 0:20:10Straps are going to have to be used and a lot of manpower to push those elephants in.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12Come on, Kora,
0:20:14 > 0:20:16ELEPHANTS GROWL GENTLY
0:20:18 > 0:20:21Listen to that rumble.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24Kora, come, come.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30Edwin, this doesn't look like it's going to happen, does it?
0:20:30 > 0:20:33Yes, it seems not to be working.
0:20:33 > 0:20:34Well, I'll tell you something.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37I'm not looking forward to tomorrow morning!
0:20:37 > 0:20:43It's time to admit defeat and let these two go back to their friends at the stables.
0:20:43 > 0:20:48But not every goodbye is as tough as tomorrow's will be.
0:20:48 > 0:20:55In Voi, an orphan female called Illengwesi has taken her chance to go off with some wild elephants.
0:20:55 > 0:21:00And head keeper Joseph wants to make sure that she is OK.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02Does this happen often?
0:21:02 > 0:21:09Yes, it happens often. And when they are being integrated back into the wild, that's what they do.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12They go maybe for one or two days and then they come back.
0:21:12 > 0:21:17Slowly they go with the wild ones and where they can be accommodated quite well
0:21:17 > 0:21:21and they think that they will be OK, they just go with them and stay out.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23- OK. Let's go and see if she's OK. - Yeah.
0:21:24 > 0:21:29After half an hour of searching, news comes through from some of the other keepers
0:21:29 > 0:21:35that Illengwesi has left the wild herd and been picked up by Emily and her friends.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37There they are.
0:21:41 > 0:21:45This is a real treat, a little jaunt. A night out on the town!
0:21:45 > 0:21:50It's really very nice for Illengwesi and it's a surprising encounter.
0:21:50 > 0:21:56But it's all another step back into the wild, little by little, because she's how old?
0:21:56 > 0:22:03Illengwesi's seven years old, which is a good age of her joining Emily in the wild.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05And I think she'll do quite a lot.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07Illengwesi!
0:22:11 > 0:22:15OK, I'm going to come up out of the hatch.
0:22:15 > 0:22:17- Illengwesi.- Hello, Illengwesi.
0:22:17 > 0:22:19Illengwesi.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30Yes, she'll be OK.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35But that's so nice, isn't it?
0:22:35 > 0:22:41We're actually seeing another step, the transition for these younger generation.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43And it isn't just make or break.
0:22:43 > 0:22:47They don't just suddenly go off, all at once. It's little by little.
0:22:47 > 0:22:53- Getting a bit of experience and they know can always come back to you guys.- Yes.
0:22:55 > 0:23:00For Emily, taking in new orphans is a clever way of slowly but surely building her own herd,
0:23:00 > 0:23:05creating a family to replace the one she lost, and helping to ensure
0:23:05 > 0:23:09they all have the best chance of survival in the wild.
0:23:09 > 0:23:11Hello, Emily.
0:23:13 > 0:23:17Hello, girly.
0:23:24 > 0:23:29It's almost as if Emily is just coming to you and saying to you,
0:23:29 > 0:23:34"Don't worry, Illengwesi is safe. We're back in the wild, job done."
0:23:34 > 0:23:37You can see how intelligent they are.
0:23:37 > 0:23:42- Are you happy to hand over responsibility to Emily? - Yes, very, very happy.
0:23:42 > 0:23:46Great! Let's head home before it gets too dark.
0:23:57 > 0:24:01It's a very early start for everyone in Nairobi.
0:24:01 > 0:24:08It's five o'clock in the morning, everybody's up and everybody is set for Kora and Lualeni's big move.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11Now, although the next half hour could be a little bit stressful,
0:24:11 > 0:24:15this is such an exciting time for both of the elephants.
0:24:15 > 0:24:19They've made it through the nursery, this is graduation day.
0:24:19 > 0:24:24That's the bigger picture. The more immediate picture is, I hope we can get them into the trucks!
0:24:26 > 0:24:30In the stables, there's just time for Lualeni to say a last goodbye
0:24:30 > 0:24:36to a sleepy Makena who's blissfully unaware of what's about to happen.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40The orphanage's founder Daphne finds saying goodbye
0:24:40 > 0:24:45to her elephants too emotional, so she keeps watch from a distance.
0:24:49 > 0:24:55And now, time's up for Lualeni, and she's led towards the trucks.
0:24:55 > 0:24:59Because yesterday's rehearsal didn't go as smoothly as everybody would have liked,
0:24:59 > 0:25:04they are going to use these which will make it a little bit stressful.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06These are going to go round the elephants.
0:25:06 > 0:25:11People are going to pull from one side and other people are going to push from the back.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15So far so good.
0:25:15 > 0:25:17We've got Lualeni this far.
0:25:17 > 0:25:21It's OK, sweetie, shhh, shhh...
0:25:29 > 0:25:34The guys are in front with a bottle of milk trying to...
0:25:34 > 0:25:36LUALENI CRIES OUT
0:25:42 > 0:25:46This is when it starts to get a little bit stressful.
0:25:46 > 0:25:50Lualeni does not want to go into the back of the truck.
0:25:50 > 0:25:54She's trumpeting. That's going to stress Kora out.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57She's nearly in.
0:25:57 > 0:26:04Push, push. Poor little Lualeni. She does not want to go in.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07You can see it's very, very stressful for her.
0:26:10 > 0:26:12My heart is pounding.
0:26:12 > 0:26:17But at least she's safe inside the truck now!
0:26:18 > 0:26:20Now it's Kora's turn.
0:26:20 > 0:26:25If they can just get him that little bit closer.
0:26:25 > 0:26:29Pushing from this distance is obviously going to be quite tough.
0:26:29 > 0:26:33He's a slightly bigger, stronger elephant than Lualeni.
0:26:37 > 0:26:42That's as close as he's going to go willingly, so the time has come...
0:26:42 > 0:26:44KORA CRIES OUT
0:26:56 > 0:26:59You can see Kora in there.
0:26:59 > 0:27:04Oh, it's such a shame, the ears are going out, the trunk's going up.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06He doesn't know what's going on.
0:27:13 > 0:27:17This is such a time of real mixed emotions when you're watching all this go on.
0:27:17 > 0:27:22You know, it's stressful, it's babies that you've watched grow up
0:27:22 > 0:27:25going through stress and being so frightened.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28And yet, of course they're going on to such a good place.
0:27:28 > 0:27:33But it's also when you realise that none of this should be happening.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35These elephants shouldn't be orphaned.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37They shouldn't have to go through all this.
0:27:37 > 0:27:41They should be with their mothers, safe in a herd.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45Kora and Lualeni are in the trucks.
0:27:45 > 0:27:51There's no trumpeting so they've obviously resigned themselves.
0:27:51 > 0:27:56They're going on their journey and I'm certainly very sad to say goodbye to them.
0:27:56 > 0:28:00Lualeni, I've watched just develop so much
0:28:00 > 0:28:03and she's in there and I wish her all the best!
0:28:06 > 0:28:13The whole of their human family have turned out to see these much loved babies on their way to a new life.
0:28:25 > 0:28:30Back in her stable, Makena has heard Lualeni and Kora and is very anxious.
0:28:36 > 0:28:38Next time on Elephant Diaries,
0:28:38 > 0:28:42how will Lualeni and Kora cope when they arrive in Ithumba?
0:28:45 > 0:28:48And how will Makena cope without her adoptive mum?