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Khanyisa’s Story

Khanyisa is a rare albino elephant calf that was found trapped in a snare with severe injuries, in January 2020. Her wounds indicated that she had been trying desperately to free herself for a few days. She had severe lacerations across her neck and cheeks and the top of her right ear was cut. She was alone, with no sign of her herd anywhere. From the beginning, Khanyisa settled in quickly at HERD, with Lammie, our loyal resident companion sheep.

Feeding her was more complicated than usual due to her mouth injuries, but the team managed to find the correct angles to help her drink successfully. Our care team, together with wildlife veterinarian Dr. Peter Rogers, worked tirelessly for three months to ensure the calf’s wounds were treated and healed successfully.

Once her wounds had fully healed, the gradual integration with the herd began, starting with Jabulani, then Lundi and eventually the entire herd. Lundi was chosen as Khanyisa’s adoptive mother and took on the role beautifully.

Khanyisa has gone from strength to strength since her rescue. Her wounds have healed and her bonds with the herd have deepened naturally. She spends sunrise to sunset out in the wild of the reserve with the elephants, and returns to the homestead with the herd for the night. She will remain dependent on milk formula from our carers until she is weaned at approximately five years of age.

This special elephant gets her name from her unique appearance as an albino, as Khanyisa means “Light” or “Sunshine” in the local Shona language.

Khanyisa continues to be a ray of light to us and many of her loyal supporters around the world!

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Donation Total: $60.00 One Time

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Donation Total: $10.00 Monthly for 12 months

Born

2019

Gender

female

Origin

Nov 2024

Relations

Orphaned

By becoming a foster parent, you’re contributing to the care of your fostered elephant. You’re helping us to provide your fostered elephant with everything they need to be healthy and happy. This includes daily supplemental food like fresh bana grass and lucerne, as well as cleaning and maintenance of the elephant homestead. If your fostered elephant needs any medical support, your contribution will go towards providing them with medicine and veterinary care.

 

We offer different foster membership levels and foster payments can be made on a monthly or yearly basis.

 

You can foster an elephant yourself, or you can gift a foster membership to a loved one.

 

All foster parents receive:

 

  • ● A personalised printable certificate
  • ● An anatomy checklist for your fostered elephant
  • ● Access to a private Facebook group for your fostered elephant
  • ● Quarterly updates on your fostered elephant
  • ● A digital birthday card
 

The higher your foster membership level, the more special benefits you will receive. For example, Gold and Platinum foster parents receive unseen photos of their fostered elephant each quarter. For more details on benefits, please contact fosterings@herd.org.za.  

Marula Bronze Silver Gold Platinum

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Food for one week of each month, or

Food for two weeks of each month, or

Food for most days of each month, or

One medication each year

Multiple medications each year, or

One medication each month, or

Multiple medications each month, or

One high-cost medication each year

Multiple high-cost medications each year, or

One high-cost medication each month, or

One veterinary visit each year

Multiple veterinary visits each year
  Note: You have the option to make a once-off donation or a recurring donation.

Khanyisa’s Gallery

Photo 2021-10-14, 19 19 31
video-icon Watch Video
Photo 2021-09-20, 06 09 25
Khanyisa and Lundi under belly 21 Jan 2021 (low res)
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Photo 2021-09-20, 06 10 03

Blogs Featuring Khanyisa

Albino Baby Elephant, Khanyisa Weighs One Tonne!
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Albino Baby Elephant, Khanyisa Weighs One Tonne!
A Day in the Life of Baby Elephant Orphan, Khanyisa
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A Day in the Life of Baby Elephant Orphan, Khanyisa
Albino Baby Elephant, Khanyisa & Her Journey in Blankets
Albino Elephants

Albino Baby Elephant, Khanyisa & Her Journey in Blankets

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We rely on incredible people like you to keep us going. Every cent counts, and no contribution is too small. HERD relies on public funding to cover the operational costs to care for and support elephant orphans and the rescued herd, so we really appreciate your support.

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