By Megan Whittington | Social Media and Fundraising Assistant
A warm hello to all of our wonderful GlobalGiving supporters! We are so excited to be able to update you on Khanyisa in this report. Can you believe she is just a few months away from her second birthday now?
Miss Sunshine has grown substantially since our last report in February, weighing in at 304kg in March, 311kg in April, and most recently, 322kg in May. Click HERE to watch her latest weigh-in, in which we used her new (and bigger) scale donated by Izindlovu Fund.
Khanyisa has recently graduated to three hourly bottle feedings, which she gets day and night, including when she is out in the bush with the herd. She now joins the Jabulani herd, her new family, each and every day for a full day of foraging, swimming in the dams, and playing with young Timisa. Timisa was rescued in 2016, making her around five to six years old this year and closest in age to Khanyisa. She is a kind and gentle calf and is ever so patient with the very spirited Khanyisa. The pair have formed a heartwarming bond, as can be seen in this VIDEO of them sand bathing together.
Khanyisa also remains as close as ever to her adoptive mother, Lundi, and to her allomothers, particularly Bubi, who is exceptionally doting and protective of the baby elephant. The younger cows of the herd have also stepped up as allomothers, showing a level of care and kindness that is inspiring to behold.
After a full day of foraging with her family, Khanyisa returns to the orphanage to spend her night with dedicated sheep companion, Lammie. If you haven’t seen our updates on social media yet, you’ll be excited to learn that there is a new face at the orphanage too! Her name is Nungu and she is a Dorper sheep and retired orphan companion. Like Lammie, Nungu is a seasoned surrogate mother and as a result, she is wonderful with Khanyisa. The pair of sheep now spend their days grazing together while eagerly awaiting their young charge’s return. Meet Nungu HERE.
Khanyisa may be growing, but she will still require a special milk formula from us for around the next three or so years. Her carers are as dedicated as ever, always patient and loving in their approach with young Sunshine who relies so heavily upon them. A secret favourite of hers has got to be Stravros Chakoma, who recently bade us farewell as he left to enjoy retirement in Zimbabwe. Although we will miss Stavros and his knowledge greatly, he is so deserving of some rest and has left the herd and Khanyisa in extremely capable and experienced hands.
None of the daily operations we perform at HERD would be possible without you, our kind and loyal supporters, for whom we are unbelievably grateful.
Thank you for your continued friendship and passion for elephants and conservation. We look forward to checking in again in a few months time!
Links:
By Sue Howells | Project Leader
By Sue Howells | Project Leader
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