Phabeni, the orphan elephant calf, has successfully joined his new family at HERD (Hoedspruit Elephant Rehabilitation and Development) Trust, South Africa’s first elephant orphanage.
Adine Roode, Founder of HERD, shared Phabeni’s integration story, calling him a “little champion”.
“We started little elephant bull Phabeni’s integration phase by getting him used to some of the elephants in the rescued herd, first through the fence at the bottom of the garden and then trunk-to-trunk. The fence surrounding the orphanage protects the orphans and keeps out unwanted visitors, but it also helps with the introductions, as the elephants on either side are able to get to know one another, and their unfamiliar smells and sounds, in a less intimidating setting.
“Older bull, Jabulani, also once an orphan himself, spent many mornings with Phabeni during the months of December and January, standing at the fence daily for about an hour or so. Jabulani is as calm as a millipede, which makes him a great elder for our little ones to be around. He is not overly eager, like some of the elephants in the herd, and doesn’t reach out to claim a new arrival with an octopus grip. He is composed and collected and has a massive impact on the emotions of the little orphans,” said Roode.
Phabeni showed huge interest in Jabulani during these morning visits, but he would also take a moment here and there to lie down for a nap under the reeds, while Jabulani stood close by on the other side of the fence.
“There were times when the little bull stuck his minute trunk out to Jabulani – barely reaching the other side of the fence, never mind Jabulani himself. But his purpose was less to touch, and more to smell and listen to him and the elephants in the background. This helped Phabeni get to know the herd slowly, so that he would not be overwhelmed by their presence when the time came to meet them trunk-on,” said Roode.
The day finally came when HERD felt ready to introduce Phabeni to Jabulani without the fence, as the orphanage felt that both elephants were ready for this brave new step.
“That morning, we called out to Phabeni in the orphanage garden. The little calf looked uncertain at the bottom of his garden as Jabulani did not stop at the fence to spend time with him. He came as we called him and followed the path from his little corner den, through the open orphanage gate and then through the big swing gate to the homestead where Jabulani was feeding. What an amazing moment to see him approaching the giant bull, knowing Jabulani had once been that little orphan too, a little bull waiting to be accepted.
“Phabeni walked to Jabulani, with us, his human herd, following. He didn’t blink, stop or hesitate for even an instant. He stopped about a metre from Jabulani and pulled a bana grass leaf toward himself to munch on. The two elephants stood like that for a minute or five before Phabeni stretched out his trunk to Jabulani. Jabulani reached his trunk out too, smelling in Phabeni’s direction, acknowledging him. That was it. No trumpeting. Just a peaceful meeting,” Roode said.
Finally, at the end of their interaction, Jabulani decided to move towards the gate of the homestead, with Phabeni following.
“Phabeni smelled Jabulani and left us behind, while he followed quickly after him. It was time for a milk bottle, time for Phabeni to return to the orphanage. Jabulani walked over to the orphanage garden with Phabeni, dropping him off at the gate. The little bull turned around and wanted to follow Jabulani, but once he smelled his bottle and started to drink, he was quickly unaware of Jabulani and the bigger bull left again.
“This was the first morning of introductions and we were pleased to see that over the rest of the day, Phabeni showed no signs of stress, and drank all of his milk bottles. What a little champion!” Roode concluded.
Take a look at Phabeni’s first interactions with Jabulani and the HERD team below:
