Phabeni
Phabeni is an orphaned elephant that was rescued in November 2023.
HERD (Hoedspruit Elephant Rehabilitation and Development) Elephant Orphanage in South Africa
https://herd.org.za/animal/phabeni/
Every elephant needs a herd. As a species, their strong family bonds and delicate social dynamics are integral to their wellbeing and survival. Because of this, orphaned elephant calves have a slim chance of survival in the wild. HERD’s elephant orphanage in South Africa gives them a fighting chance by stepping in as their family and protectors when they need it most. You can help us give them a second chance at life.

Why the Herd is Unique
Over the years, the herd continued to accept wild elephant calves that needed a new family, who had lost theirs as a result of human-elephant conflict.

Together, the elephants spend their days happily roaming and foraging in the wilderness with their loyal carers, many of whom have travelled from Zimbabwe with the herd.

At night the elephants return to the HERD Homestead which lies adjacent to the HERD Orphanage, allowing for close contact with orphans that are still in need of humanitarian assistance during their rehabilitation.

Every member of the Jabulani herd, both female and male, young and old, is an integral part of their unique family. Each elephant has a distinctive character and unique bonds with the rest of the group.

Phabeni is an orphaned elephant that was rescued in November 2023. One morning, a woman living near the Kruger National Park woke up to find an elephant calf on her property. Unfortunately, there was no sign of his mother or herd. It is not known how the calf was displaced or how he came to be on the property, but he was likely separated from his herd through some event and was unable to find his way back or escape from the property due to the fencing around it.

With the help of officials from Nature Conservation at the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency – including the veterinarian who helped rescue Khanyisa – the calf was transported to Kruger National Park’s Phabeni gate, where the HERD team was waiting for him. The calf was named Phabeni, which means “shelter” in Sotho.

At the time of his rescue, Phabeni was estimated to be about 4 months old. He weighed just 122kg – a little bit less than Khanyisa weighed at the time of her rescue, also at 4 months of age. Fortunately, Phabeni started drinking from milk bottles right away, and he will hopefully begin gaining weight soon.

From the moment he arrived at the orphanage, Phabeni has shown himself to be a very feisty little one. He knows what he wants and he makes sure he gets it, even if it means clambering over a scale or climbing through his water trough. Within his first 24 hours at HERD, he had already knocked an adult man over – more than once!

Phabeni is currently staying in the orphanage, with Lammie by his side. The carers are keeping a close eye on him, as orphans are at their most vulnerable during the first few weeks after their rescue. An orphan’s condition can take a turn for the worse at any moment, and the team knows to be prepared for anything. Phabeni has been through a very stressful and traumatising time, and he needs to recover both physically and emotionally.

We know the coming months will be filled with many sleepless nights and worry-filled days. But Phabeni deserves a second chance at life, and we will do everything possible to give him that chance.

HERD Elephant Orphanage
https://herd.org.za/