By Ricki Kirschner | Project Leader
This is our first official report for the Every Single Elephant Counts project, which was created to raise much needed funds for the orphaned elephants in our care. Our project was launched three months ago, with a target set at USD207, 360.00 of which we have raised USD2, 627.00 so far, THANK YOU to everyone that has supported the project!
Mopane and Raekie the orphaned elephants
We are delighted to report that as of March 2019, Mopane officially weighs 280Kg, and is becoming a strong and healthy young elephant bull. He still has his bottle feedings of milk, but is spending most of his day out foraging in the perimeters of the HESC grounds.
It has been four months since Raekie the orphaned elephant was brought into our care. The past few weeks have been challenging at the orphanage. Raekie has not been well since her arrival and has been battling with a bacterial infection. Sadly, her health has dropped from hero to zero. Please pray for her and send your positive thoughts and love to help boost the morale of our dear carers and curators fighting to look after her at this time.
News from the Orphanage
Bana Grass Plantation
Every morning one of the team members will visit the Bana Grass plantation at Camp Jabulani to pick fresh Bana grass for the elephant orphans at HESC. The grass provides a good source of protein and vitamins and is also good for their digestive system.
Why do elephants eat fresh dung?
Mopane and Raekie, love a decent helping of fresh elephant dung each morning. Fortunately, the HESC is able to get fresh dung each morning from the herd at Camp Jabulani. It may sound strange, but it is a natural phenomena called ‘coprophagia’ that is seen in many animals, not only elephants, whereby they eat the feces of their elders. It is most common in baby elephants that are transitioning from drinking only milk to including solid foods into their diets.
Funding
Funds raised from the Every Single Elephant Counts project allow the Wildlife Conservation Trust (WCT) to continue to rehabilitate, protect and give sanctuary where needed to this endangered species.
The WCT is currently trying to raise funds to move the elephants to a new section of land, close to but outside the HESC perimeters, to ensure that we have ample space and facilities set up and ready for any future elephant calves that may be brought into our care.
Thank you to everyone that has supported the Every Single Elephant Counts project. We are exceptionally grateful. Please continue to support us where you can.
Yours in conservation,
The WCT and HESC team
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