Orphan elephant Khanyisa’s second milk bottle feeding in the wild

It was not that long ago that we were surrounded by lush, vibrant greens of the foliage and colourful flickers of buoyant butterflies, as we were blessed with a wet summer compared to previous years.

How quickly the seasons change! The wilderness of the reserve has evolved rapidly to dusty hues of oranges, greys and browns and framed with dry branches instead of leafy trees.

But the seasons don’t stop the healthy appetites of the Jabulani herd and a growing Khanyisa, as they went for their morning family walk. Khanyisa had her second bottle feeding while out on the walk, this time it was her carer Reply that assisted with feeding her. The feeding went well; all the elephants were relaxed yet curious, and soon little Khanyisa joined them back to forage for some tasty branches and leaves!

Look out for sweet moments exchanged between Timisa (an orphan rescued and adopted by the herd in 2016) and Khanyisa.

www.herd.org.za/foster-an-elephant