When Phabeni was just four months old, he was spotted wandering alone near the Kruger National Park in South Africa, with his mother and herd nowhere in sight.
Our partner, HERD, raced to his rescue. They found the little calf covered head-to-toe in wounds and showing signs of severe starvation and dehydration. Judging from his condition, it is likely Phabeni had been alone for at least several days.
To put it in perspective, elephant calves are much like human children, totally reliant on their mothers throughout their infancy and juvenile years. They will usually stay with their mothers until they are around 16 years old.
Our partner is a dedicated elephant orphanage that provides around-the-clock care and specialized nutrition to elephant calves orphaned through poaching or snaring. The team currently cares for 17 rescued elephants.
The most urgent need for Phabeni right now is a special milk formula. It closely mimics his mother’s milk and is CRITICAL to his survival.
Orphaned elephant calves are at their most vulnerable during the first few weeks following their rescue and are highly dependent on the correct nourishment, care, and companionship.
As social beings used to the tight fabric of a family, elephants need other elephants for their well-being and survival. Once fully healed, HERD’s orphans are gradually introduced to the Jabulani Herd – a unique and close-knit family of 17 rescued and orphaned elephants from Zimbabwe and South Africa, who are always accepting of new calves.
Phabeni has constant companionship and comfort in the form of Lammie, his surrogate sheep mother… Credit: HERD