We had an easy morning with just Bubi and Lundi with Khanyisa in the stables, so that Reply, one of Khanyisa’s carers can become a bit more familiar with the two older females who will no doubt be instrumental in Khanyisa’s elephant family.
As we had mentioned in our previous integration post, Khanyisa will soon be spending longer days out in the reserve with the Jabulani herd. The Herd females are not lactating (producing milk), due to being on contraception, as is it not part of our objective to breed with the elephants. So, we have to have one of her carers alongside the team to provide her with milk at Khanyisa’s feeding times, as it will be too long between her feedings.
Reply spent time with Tigere and a few of the Jabulani carers as they explained in detail, more about Bubi and Lundi’s natures and how they are engaging with Khanyisa. It is the first time that Reply will be working among the bigger elephants. He is a junior carer, one of three that were selected from an underprivileged local community to provide them with the opportunity of a career learning and to work with elephants at HERD.
www.herd.org.za