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by Adine Roode
There are different ways to “age” an elephant, but according to elephant age ranges, Khanyisa is no longer a calf. At five years of age, she is officially a juvenile and will be until around nine years. At 10, she will move into the realm of a small adult. Our little pink silly-billy in her orange blanket chasing after a sheep with a tail like a trunk… she is no longer a baby.
Five years feels especially long and significant when it’s the first five years of life. Calves are more fragile and vulnerable in the early stages of life. I am in that strange predicament many mothers and fathers find themselves in: wanting our little ones to grow big and strong overnight but hoping too that they will stay small forever, small enough to need us and to still look cute even when they’re tearing up the living room—or bush.
Khanyisa likely has her second set of molars now, possibly even the third. As a juvenile, it is typical that she is still dependent on milk, as it is around 4 to 5 years old that elephants are weaned from their mothers. She is on the path to being fully weaned, but to give her the very best start in life, we have been taking it slow. We’ve considered the seasons, preferring to wait for warmer weather and a lusher wilderness to supplement her diet. The bush has entered Spring, but we will only see changes in a month or so, as the rains return and start to transform the bush into a greener Eden.
The earth has helped raise Khanyisa, and support her and her herd, through food, shelter, enrichment, stimulation, and lessons. The water has given our little juvenile hours of joy, as she splashes and submerges herself in its coolness. Kumbura might still keep an eye on Khanyisa in the waterhole, but Meisiekind is a proficient swimmer now. When it comes to the trees, her trunk is still mastering its full potential, but big and strong it will one day be. For now, she has help from Sebakwe and the other elephants, as they bring down large branches from the trees for her to feed from. They help strip nourishing bark and uncover water sources and tasty bulbs and roots in the ground for her, by digging with their feet.
In the first years of life, everything is new, everything is amazing. You’ll notice that by how many times a human toddler says, “Wow” each day. There is no better time for curiosity and excitement for life to flourish. If you ever need a reminder of this, just watch a child, or a little pink elephant, playing in the sand by a stream. They have all they need, as long as someone is there to watch over them.
Looking back at our little albino calf in her zebra blanket, curled up with her carer, Herman in the nursery, I believe that we have been able to help Khanyisa heal from her hard beginnings. Only positivity and kind-heartedness remain, an inspiring sense of courage and confidence. She has many more experiences and adventures to have, and each new phase will reveal different sides of her character.
I am grateful to our supporters, Khanyisa’s family around the world, who have followed her journey over the months, and the years, and helped us to help her. I always know I can turn to your comments and find inspiration in reading how Khanyisa’s life has touched different generations, how your grandchildren are learning about elephants through her. How your grandparents are tuned into YouTube daily to watch her story.
We are all learning together, and remembering that you are there for Khanyisa is the greatest gift on this anniversary of Khanyisa’s life.
Thank you, and happy birthday to our little juvenile, Meisiekind.
Happy birthday to my warrior princess. Its been a privilege to watch you grown into this amazing being. My the universe continue to bless you. Sending much love
What a wonderful journey for Khanyisa and HERD especially Adine who she still runs to when out in the bush with the herd, an elephant never forgets❤
Happy Birthday to our little pink marvel. Are you having a sweet potato cake?
What a lovely blog. Well done!
Happy Birthday Khanysia!🎂🍾🎉🎊
Happy Birthday to our wonderful baby! Just look how you’ve grown! It’s been such a pleasure watching you get to this point, I can’t wait to see what the next 5 years brings 🎉
Such a special milestone for our girl! Thank you Adine for all the hours spent helping Sunshine survive. You & the keepers helping her want to live. A special girl raised by special people. Thank you! 🥰💖
A big, elephant sized thank you Adine, to you and the entire HERD family. We all need each other.
could u mb get a pic at the dam of khanysia all big & pink? pleaseeeee
Hi Adine,
You and your team are remarkable.
I watch how you all cared for Khanyisa and helped her to reach this ripe old age of Juvenille.
All the love, nurturing and special care is how she has grown into such a beautiful young calf. The veterinary care was also truly amazing. I am so grateful to all of you for helping this beautiful little girl, Khanyisa.
Continued Blessings to all. Happy Birthday Khanyisa. You are beautiful. I love the bond you share with Adine. it is truly lovely to see in pictures.
Continued blessings in your journey little one and the Herd included everyone who provides the love, care and nurturing.
Blessings,
Rebecca
Adine,
Your words are so beautiful and eloquent! are you and the Herd came alongside sweet Khanyisa and she just thrived! Her beautiful elephant family accepted her and they love her.
What a blessing and a joy she is! Thank you so much for sharing her with all of us!
Love,
Sandy
Thank you for the learning experiences and the love we have witnessed. Your sanctuary is both a haven and a joy for those of us who are unable to get around much anymore.
Happy happy birthday sweet (and spunky) Khanyisa! Your beautiful spirit is a symbol of hope for your fans who adore you.
Adine, you are an inspirational Angel to all of us privileged to witness your Ellie work. You and the carers bless us every day by sharing your love and care of these majestic creatures.
Thank you for all that you do.
Leigh
Arizona, USA
Adine, you are the human mother to Khanyisa 🐘 that I always wished I had. You are my inspiration and my idle. khanyisa 🐘 is so lucky to have you in her life and we are so lucky that you have shared her with world. I am sure the bigger she gets she will still want close contact with you. I wish Khanyisa 🐘 the happiest of birthdays with her elephant 🐘 family and her human family as well as her extended family around the world. Happy 5th Birthday to our sweet pink princess. enjoy your day 🎈🎁🎊💐🎂🐘❤️
Adine, thank you for sharing your beautifully
written Blog with us. Khanyisa girl is very blessed to have made her way to you and your amazing team. Thank you for the love and kindness you give to all these beautiful souls. 🙋♀️❤️🙏🏻🐘👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I have had the delightful 5 years to watch her grow and grow 🪴 I love 💞 her so much!! I can’t wait to see what the future brings!!
Birthday blessings to the wonderful youngster that has captivated so many. Prayers for many more healthy years.
Happy 5th Birthday Princess 🎂🎂🐘🐘🐘🐘🎂🎂🧚🏾♀️🙌🏽💖🕯️💫
When Khanyisa was first rescued I looked daily for updates. I am so thankful she’s doing well. I want to follow her progress and her life.
Happy Birthday khanysia I’m so happy for you to be so loved by your HERD and all the carers. Love to you for another happy and healthy year!! Thank you for the videos. love one of your many foster moms, Joan from Wisconsin ❤️
Khanyisas story is amazing, Her little life such a miracle. The work that HERD has done in helping her overcome the damage of that horrific snare is a testiment to the world that there is amazing healing that can take place through sincere love and devotion to living beings. It has been a joy watching Khanyisa grow in the love and protection of the HERD. Thank you Team Herd – know these elephants are a gift to the world. 💖🐘💖
Adine your letter is so refreshing. That little elephant has a lot of love being sent her way. When she was critical I couldn’t wait to get home from work to get an update on her status. In some way her difficulties made mine seem less important. I’m so grateful you and your team helped Khanyisa pull through. Blessings!
Beautiful birthday wishes. Thank you Adine and all the miracle workers at The Herd for helping these beauties survive such a complex world. Shall we all pray someday that we will have our priorities right.
Beautiful letter, Adine! Thanks for watching over Khanyia! Much 💕.
Beautiful Khanyisa will remain our baby!!! So grateful to have come across your channel! ♥️🐘♥️
khaniysa is beautiful story, a story but entirely on love trust and hard work. Good bless her always and all of you who give do. much of yourselves to her and others like. her. she is an angel and you are all messengers of God. Stay blessed all of you
This is such a beautiful story to read. Made my day. Happy birthday Khanyisa❤️🐘❤️
Watching Khanyisa’s inquisitive nature is such a beautiful sight! She has a lust for life & proves it with every swimming hole, bottle holding, root digging, Timisa teasing, carer loving & love rumble moments. She has proved how smart elephants really are, even at her young age.
I can’t wait to see her new challenges this upcoming year. Happy Birthday, Meisiekind!❤️
Hi Adine, thank you as always for the update of dear Khanyisa, I have also followed her progress from day one and have so much respect for all you and your team do. Wishing you all the very best for the future. Thanks again, and love to our birthday girl. Xx💕
It is so lovely to read about Khanyisa’s growth & progress. She brings me joy & warms my heart. Thank you, little sunshine!