Bubi and Kumbura spend special time with Khanyisa during their morning walk

We have started spending less time in the stables in the morning, and more time out walking and foraging, now that the Jabulani herd are settling with having Khanyisa in their presence.

It is great to see Tokwe (the Matriarch) is allowing Bubi to have time with Khanyisa. Bubi settles when she has Khanyisa near her, and Khanyisa always looks around for Bubi if she is not there. Lundi always stays close by and is not as intimidated by Tokwe, as Bubi is. But the females are starting to settle with the idea that Bubi has naturally become Khanyisa’s suckling mom.

Kumbura, another orphan that was rescued in 2009 and accepted by Tokwe and the herd, has really developed a strong bond with Khanyisa in a short time, they are both clearly very fond of one another. There was a lot of time spent with Bubi and Kumbura by Khanyisa’s side.

Timisa had a brief burst of playtime with Khanyisa, but was more interested in feeding on this occasion.

After a couple of hours we headed back to the stables with the cows only, leaving the bulls behind. Lammie was waiting by the fence to see Khanyisa (so sweet!), and shortly after, Lundi walked Khanyisa back to the orphanage and enjoyed a juicy grapefruit at the gate.

We are happy with the integration so far, and it won’t be long until we have Khanyisa spending more extended parts of her days with the herd in the wild, where we will provide her milk at feeding times.