Meet the Herd

What does Tokwe Mean?
Named after a river in Zimbabwe

Gender: Female
Approximate date of birth: 1988

The Matriarch of the herd, Tokwe is an extraordinary elephant. She led the way for the original herd that was rescued from Zimbabwe in 2002. Her presence was a big factor in the herd settling down so quickly in our care.

Tokwe was the first elephant to give birth, which was to Limpopo, in 2006. Her second baby, Pisa, was born in 2009. However, she also has two “adopted” elephants that she has cared for namely Kumbura and Timisa, two orphaned elephants that have integrated into the herd.

Meaning ‘Happiness’ or ‘Rejoice’ in the Zulu language

Gender: Male
Estimated date of birth: 1997

Jabulani was found in June 1997 as a four-month-old calf stuck in the mud of a silt dam, and abandoned by his herd. Against all the odds, Jabulani survived his initial ordeal and his health improved. The plan was to release him into the reserve to join the herd of wild elephants there. But the wild herd was not interested in him. Five years later, in 2002, Jabulani found a family of his own when he was accepted by Tokwe, the Matriarch of the elephant herd that was rescued from Zimbabwe and brought to the reserve. This was the significant beginning of our Jabulani Journey.

Second in dominance among the bulls, Jabulani is friendly and very good natured. He is kind, loving with the young elephants, playful and patient, although as he becomes a stronger, older bull, he is certainly more cool and independent in character.

Sebakwe

Named after a river in Zimbabwe

Gender: Male
Estimated date of birth: 1985

The dominant bull in the herd, Sebakwe is part of the original herd that was rescued from Zimbabwe and is thought to be an orphan, but the circumstances are not known. He was raised by humans.

Sebakwe is the perfect example of a ”Gentle Giant”. Although he is a magnificent elephant bull, he is also tender and loving, and very protective of the herd.

Named after areas where Mopane trees grow

Gender: Male
Estimated date of birth: 1987

Somopane originates from Zimbabwe, and was one of the original elephants in the rescued herd. We don’t have details on his early life, but we believe he was an orphan.

Somopane is thought to be the most intelligent elephant of the herd. He is very confident, and comfortable in his skin, not having to prove himself to others. He is also an excellent mediator, often preventing the younger males from entering into fights. He enjoys time alone, especially during grazing hours.

He is fourth in dominance among the bulls.

Meaning ‘something smaller’

Gender: Male
Estimated date of birth: 1989

Fishan was rescued from Zimbabwe with the rest of the herd in 2002 due to the land reformation programme in the country. Much like his peers, he started life as an orphan and survived with human intervention.

In September 2018, Fishan fractured his front left leg, but due to the immense effort of our team and wildlife vets, he managed to recover over time, with the help of a cast and rehabilitation. He has a permanent limp when walking but has healed and walks with more and more efficiency and comfort, keeping up with his herd when out roaming and foraging. Fishan is very independent but also a protective elephant who helps Tokwe to look after the calves.

Fishan is third in dominance among the bulls but still makes sure to assert himself around the younger bulls.

Meaning ‘a lady from the Ndebele tribe’

Gender: Female
Estimated date of birth: 1985

Setombe is one of the elephants that were rescued from Zimbabwe. Much like the rest of the original herd, we have very little information about her formative years, though we know they may have been tough, as she does not trust easily. In 2007, she gave birth to her daughter, Klaserie.

She is the biggest and oldest female of the Jabulani herd, and could very well have been the Matriarch, due to her age and body size, but she is a very nervous elephant, and neither a good decision maker nor a leader. She gets great comfort from being around Sebakwe and Klaserie.

Named after a river in Zimbabwe

Gender: Female
Estimated date of birth: 1989

Lundi is one of the original elephants rescued from Zimbabwe. During the turmoil of the situation there, she bonded with Tokwe, and the two have remained inseparable ever since.

Lundi is one of the easiest elephants in the herd to identify, due to the tears in her right ear that have been there since she came to us – no doubt due to the wear and tear elephant ears go through over time.

Lundi offers loving support to Matriarch Tokwe, assisting with looking after the younger elephants. Her approach is calm, but strict if any of them cross the line.

Lundi has a son named Mambo, whom she is very attached to. She became the adoptive mother to albino elephant orphan, Khanyisa, a calf rescued in 2020 and integrated into the herd following her rehabilitation. Lundi is a natural mother and leader and Khanyisa can often be found close to her side.

Named after a river In Zimbabwe

Gender: Female
Approximate date of birth: 1993

Bubi had a tough start to life in Zimbabwe. She lost her mother to poachers, so was orphaned at a young age. She was part of the original herd that was rescued and brought to the reserve.

Bubi is uncharacteristically short for her age, compared to the other elephants in the herd. She has a very calm demeanor and takes everything in her stride. She has the longest eyelashes of the herd.

Bubi is the mother of Zindoga and is the natural ‘mother’ of the herd, nursing other calves besides her own, such as albino calf, Khanyisa, to whom she plays the role of a dedicated and loving, sometimes overprotective allomother.

What does Klaserie Mean? A river in South Africa, that flows passed Kapama

Gender: Female
Date of Birth: 23 February 2007

Klaserie was the second calf to be born to the Jabulani herd, just six months after Limpopo was born. Her mother is Setombe.

Klaserie is a very relaxed and easy going young female elephant, always taking things in her stride. The bond she has with her mother is very special, and no doubt where she gets her soft demeanor from.

Klaserie is a curious and caring elephant and plays a special role as allomother to the new orphans integrated into the herd. She especially showers Khanyisa with attention.

What does Limpopo Mean? The name of a river in Zimbabwe and a province in South Africa

Gender: Female
Date of birth: 19 August 2006

Limpopo was the first elephant calf born to the Jabulani herd. Tokwe, the Matriarch, is her mother. The birth was an emotional time for everyone, as elephants are known to not reproduce, if they are under duress or in an unhappy environment. So, this was a significant event for everyone.

Being the eldest of the younger elephants, Limpopo is very much the big sister of the herd, always protective and tending to the younger elephants. A trait she may well have learned from her caring mother. Limpopo is an intelligent and beautiful young female, very alert to the other elephants feelings and emotions. Whenever they encounter dangerous animals on the reserve, such as lions, she will be one of the first of the herd to react in a protective manner. She is her mother, Tokwe’s biggest fan, always backing her up and giving her daughterly support. It is beautiful to watch her love and devotion to her.

What does Mambo Mean? Originates from the Shona tribe meaning ‘King’ or ‘Chief’

Gender: Male
Date of Birth: 29 August 2009

Mambo was the fourth baby elephant to be born to the herd. His mother is Lundi. Growing up, her always listened to and learned a lot from his mother and the other elephants, both male and female, in the herd. Mambo has a tear in his right ear, which resembles the torn ear that his mother, Lundi, is well recognised for.

Although Mambo has always been playful, he is learning discipline and independence as he grows into his juvenile years. He is starting to make his own decisions and is more steadfast in his actions. He loves to spend time with Zindoga.

Pisa

What does Pisa Mean? Meaning ‘Heat’

Gender: Female
Date of Birth: 13 November 2009

Pisa is Limpopo’s little sister, and the 2nd daughter to Tokwe, the Matriarch of the Jabulani Herd. She made quite the entrance into this world. Whilst out in the bush, Tokwe went into labour, after showing no signs that she was close to her time, and after only one hour of labour, little Pisa was born, and walked back approximately 4km’s on one of the hottest days of summer, side by side with her mom. And so, we named her Pisa, meaning “Heat”.

From birth, Pisa showed great self-confidence, and that has continued to grow with her age. She often leads the herd when out foraging, and can be quite jealous of other younger elephants of the herd. Pisa thinks she is an adult elephant, but yet like all the other younger elephants, she still needs the protection and support from the entire herd. She is often seen playing and spending time with the younger elephants, Kumbura and Timisa and recently Khanyisa.

What does Zindoga Mean? Means ‘Lonely’

Gender: Male
Date of Birth: 25 October 2007

Zindoga was an unexpected addition to the herd. Bubi, his mother, gave no sign of being pregnant, nor did she show any pre labour signals. Overnight she gave birth to a young elephant calf in the homestead, seemingly silently overnight. Still to this day, we are all stumped by that morning’s surprise.

Zindoga is a handsome young elephant, and has quite a competitive streak, often sparring with Mambo or the older elephants, such as Jabulani. This helps to enhance his skills as a young male wanting to show off his stamina and grow his dominance.

What does Kumbura Mean? To Remember

Gender: Female
Date of Birth: Estimated to be in 2009

Kumbura had a traumatic start to her life. In 2009, due to a new fence being erected on a privately owned farm over the Limpopo River, an elephant herd had been displaced and was moving through the farms bordering the river. We believe Kumbura to have been separated from this herd. She was seen wandering on land close to lodges and campsites, on the border of Botswana and South Africa and is believed to have been alone for up to three months. She was traumatised and vulnerable and there was no sight of her mother or herd. She is a strong survivor and found a new herd with the Jabulani elephants, who have given her the strength and support she has needed.

She has a naturally caring nature, and is always looking out for Timisa and now Khanyisa, the two youngest orphans With Khanyisa, Kumbura always makes sure the calf has a companion wherever she goes. Considering her tough start to her life, she is a incredibly caring elephant towards others and has a natural instinct to protect the younger elephants.

Timisa

What does Timisa Mean? Courageous

Gender: Female
Date of Birth: Estimated to be in 2015

Timisa is an orphaned elephant successfully integrated into the Jabulani herd. Her mother died due to the effects of a drought in the region where Timisa was found. Tokwe, the Matriarch of the herd, took her under her trunk, and became her adoptive mother. With Tokwe’s guidance, Timisa has settled in beautifully with the herd.

Timisa was very weak when she first arrived, but in time, her health improved dramatically, and she gained good weight. Her little tusks are growing and she is already standing taller than some of the carers.

She loves to play, sand bathe and swim out in the reserve.

The introduction of Timisa to the herd was a very heartwarming sight. The herd trumpeted and surrounded her in a protective circle immediately. Fishan was the first to show his acceptance of Timisa into the herd, followed by Tokwe. Thereafter the whole herd participated in welcoming the new elephant. Timisa has bonded very well with Pisa and Kumbura and of course, the newest orphan integrated into the herd, albino elephant, Khanyisa.

Name meaning: Khanyisa means “Light” or “Sunshine “in the Shona language

Gender: Female
Date of birth: Estimated to be around 26 September 2019

Khanyisa is an orphaned albino elephant calf that was found trapped in a snare with severe injuries, in January 2020. The wounds indicated that she had been trying desperately to free herself for a few days. She had severe lacerations around the back of her ears and neck that stretched around her mouth and cheeks. There was no sign of her herd anywhere.

At HERD elephant orphanage, Khanyisa was able to rehabilitate and recover from her wounds and trauma, and started the gradual integration into her new herd, the Jabulani elephants. With the emotional support of the elephants, she thrived and was adopted as the herd’s own, with female elephant Lundi as her adoptive mother. Khanyisa has gone from strength to strength, her wounds have healed beautifully, and her bonds with the herd have deepened. She spends sunrise to sunset out in the wild of the reserve with the herd, and returns to the orphanage overnight, as she will remain dependent on milk formula from our carers until she is fully weaned at approximately four years old.