Khanyisa’s first bottle in the wild

Khanyisa’s first milk bottle in the wild!

Over the past two months, we have been gradually introducing orphaned albino elephant, Khanyisa to her new family, the Jabulani Herd. Khanyisa was rescued in January after she was found with a snare wrapped around her face and severe injuries to her face, ears and neck.

Fortunately, her wounds have healed well, which led us to the start of her integration.

Khanyisa has been taking two hour walks with the herd into the reserve for the past couple of weeks. Adine decided it is time she spends longer with them (approximately another two hours), and so, for the first time, she had her milk bottle in the wild, and in the company of the other elephants. The females of the herd are not lactating (producing milk) because they are on contraception, as it is not part of our objectives to breed with the herd. Therefore, we will supply Khanyisa with her essential milk formula until she is fully weaned between the age of 4 – 5 years.

Adine chose an open space to give Khanyia her bottle, where all the elephants could see what was happening and so that they did not worry about her. Herman, one of her dedicated carers, gave her the bottle and she drank it well. Once finished, she joined the herd and walked into thicker bush where we continued to watch her settle with them again.

Khanyisa didn’t have her usual energy from the start of the day; she was quite reserved and less excitable, but otherwise, she was okay and did so well on the longer walk. Sometimes we have those days!

Overall we were happy with this next step of her integration.

We will get Reply, her other junior carer to assist with the next bottle feeding in the bush. He joined the elephant care on the walk to observe the process.

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