A new arrival has joined the HERD Elephant Orphanage in South Africa. At dawn, Khanyisa, an orphaned baby elephant, was introduced to her new family, receiving a warm welcome from her adoptive mother, Lundi, and Tokwe, the herd’s matriarch.
The initial greeting involved a thorough inspection, where Lundi and Tokwe used their trunks to explore Khanyisa and her blanket.
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After this introduction, Khanyisa joined the herd for their morning trek. She began to bond with various members of the group, especially Timisa.
Throughout the day, Khanyisa was cared for by several “allomothers,” including Bubi, Limpopo, Tokwe, and Kumbura.
They showed her around the orphanage, highlighting the best grazing spots and helping her adjust to her new environment.
The HERD Trust, also known as Hoedspruit Elephant Rehabilitation and Development, was founded after 24 years of experience in rescuing and rehabilitating elephants displaced or orphaned due to conflicts with humans.
The herd featured in the video, the Jabulani herd, includes 16 elephants. Eleven of these 11 are orphans, and the remaining five were born into the herd.
A nearby lodge, the Jabulani Lodge, has been established to support their ongoing care efforts. Proceeds from the lodge help fund the orphanage’s operations.
The HERD Trust uses videos to share its mission globally. These unedited, authentic recordings of the elephants have garnered tens of thousands of views, helping to spread awareness about their work.
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