Foster an Elephant

Tokwe is the Matriarch of the Jabulani herd. Born in 1988, she led the way for the herd that were rescued from Zimbabwe. She is exceptionally kind, patient, accepting and nurturing, always leading by example and an excellent decision-maker. Tokwe is the mother of Pisa and Limpopo and continues to welcome orphans to her family too.

Born in 1997, Jabulani was found abandoned, injured and stuck in the mud of a silt dam. Nurtured and hand-reared by the team at Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre (HESC), he soon met his new family, the rescued herd from Zimbabwe. Jabulani is loving, playful and loves attention. He is a very active and curious elephant, always paying attention to everyone around him. He is currently second in dominance among the bulls.

Born in 1987, Somopane is one of the male bulls that were rescued from Zimbabwe. He is the most intelligent of the herd and an exceptional mediator. This peacemaker is fourth in dominance among the bulls. He loves time on his own, away from the herd, preferring the quiet and calm of the bush, his happy place. His sense of smell is phenomenal.

Sebakwe, born in 1985, is an impressive elephant bull that is one of the rescued elephants from Zimbabwe. He is the dominant bull of the herd as well as the tallest and largest elephant. Yet he is still tender, loving and very protective of all of the elephants that make up his family.

Lundi was born in 1989 and is one of the female elephants rescued from Zimbabwe. She is the mother of Mambo, but helps Tokwe, the Matriarch, with all motherly duties for the herd. She is the adoptive mother to albino orphan, Khanyisa, and has played a major role in helping the calf to integrated into the herd. Her approach is calm but strict with the younger elephants. Tokwe finds much relief from Lundi’s love and support. She is a loyal and honourable elephant.

Setombe is the largest and oldest of the female elephants in the herd. Born in 1985, she is one of the rescued elephants from Zimbabwe. Sadly she does not trust easily, and we have very little information about her formative years as to why. Due to her nervous disposition, she could not be the herd Matriarch. She is a wonderful mother to her daughter Klaserie and has a special bond with Sebakwe.

Bubi is one of the female elephants that were rescued from Zimbabwe. She was born in 1993 but was orphaned soon after, as she lost her mother to poachers. Bubi has exceptional manners and expects the same from her peers. She is the mother of Zindoga yet tends to mother the rest of the young ones like her own, especially the newest orphan, Khanyisa.

Fishan was born in 1989 and is one of the rescued elephants from Zimbabwe. He is third in the dominance among the bulls in the herd. Fishan is extremely smart and has a lot of patience and time for the younger elephants. In September 2018, Fishan broke his leg and has recovered well with an incredible team effort, but walks with a slight limp in his front left leg now.

Mambo is the fourth of the five babies born to the herd. He was born in 2009, to his mother, Lundi. Mambo is well-known and loved for his naughty ways and his playful antics. As he gets older he enjoys challenging the older bulls and sparring with his closest friends, Zindoga and Limpopo. He especially loves taking on Setombe.

Mambo is Lundi’s son and is an energetic and mischievous yet loving young elephant bull. He is increasingly independent as he grows up, often challenging the older bulls.

Klaserie, born in 2007, was the second baby elephant born to the herd. Her mother is Setombe, and just like her mother, she is a larger framed elephant with pronounced wrinkles.

Klaserie’s nature is much like her mother’s, too; she is very easy going and relaxed, taking everything in her stride without too much fuss. She is proving to be a kind and attentive allomother, showing great interest in assisting with caring for the new young orphans integrated into the herd.

Born August 2006. Female. Limpopo was the first baby born to the herd in August 2006. Tokwe, the Matriarch is her mother. Her arrival was a particularly emotional one for everyone, being the firstborn and a sure sign of a healthy and happy herd. Much like Tokwe, she is protective and caring to her younger siblings, and exceptionally curious. Limpopo is a remarkable daughter, always supportive of her mom’s role in the herd and a fine allomother, giving new calves plenty of attention.

Kumbura is a rescued orphaned elephant who was found alone on the border of Botswana. She was born in 2009 but was sadly separated from her herd for some time before being rescued. She has blossomed since her rehabilitation with us in the elephant homestead and become a loving, considerate young female. She is especially protective over and attentive to the new orphans, perhaps knowing what they have gone through. She is therefore one of the best allomothers in the herd, giving young elephants like Timisa and Khanyisa endless care and company.

Pisa is the fifth and last elephant born to the herd. Tokwe, the Matriarch, gave birth to her in 2009. Her sister is Limpopo. Her name means ‘heat’ as she was born in the wild – after Tokwe showed no signs of going into labour. This little fighter walked 4 kilometres back to the elephant homestead on one of the hottest days of the year. Her self-confidence continues to shine as she likes to take a lead role when the herd are walking and foraging.

Timisa is a rescued orphan elephant who was found alone in the Kruger National Park. Estimated to be born in 2015, she was introduced to the herd in November 2016 very soon after arriving in our care. She settled in beautifully after Tokwe took her under her wing (trunk) and welcomed her into the herd. Timisa is a joyful and healthy elephant and spends most of her time with the other young females, Khanyisa, Kumbura and Pisa.

Khanyisa is a rare albino calf, who was found trapped in a snare in January 2020, with terrible injuries. The team at HERD rehabilitated her successfully and are gradually integrating her into the Jabulani herd. She will still rely on her carers to provide her with essential milk formula until she is weaned at approximately four years of age. Khanyisa means “Light” or “Sunshine” in the local Shona language. Her story has captured the hearts of many people around the world.