Following up on our April blog on Lundi’s recovery, we wanted to share where she is now in her healing journey. You can revisit the earlier update here Over the past month, Lundi’s wound has continued to receive dedicated and consistent care. The team has been cleaning it twice daily using HOCl, with an additional … Continued
When you step around a pile of elephant dung in the bush, it is easy to dismiss it as waste. In reality, it is one of the most valuable sources of information we have about an elephant’s life. From diet and digestion to stress and health, dung tells a detailed story without ever disturbing the … Continued
In April and May 2026, HERD partnered with the Lessons in Conservation (LiC) team to host a three-day outreach programme at Jameyana Primary School. The intention was simple: to help young learners understand conservation and their role in protecting the natural world. What followed was an experience that went far beyond the classroom. From the … Continued
Adine’s Reflection – 12 May 2026 There are moments in conservation that test not only what we know, but who we are. Since early 2025, my journey with Fishan has been one of deep learning, collaboration, and emotional resilience. Caring for an elephant with a chronic injury is not straightforward. There is no single solution, … Continued
Elephants are often described as resilient. They endure droughts, travel vast distances, and adapt to changing landscapes. But resilience does not mean immunity. Like all complex, social animals, elephants experience stress. When stress becomes prolonged or unmanaged, it affects their health, behaviour, and long‑term well‑being. What stress looks like in elephants Stress in elephants does … Continued
An Update from Adine Roode, HERD Founder. Lundi has been nothing short of a trooper. On the 29th of March, a moment in the mud changed everything. Sebakwe pushed her hard, not out of malice, but in a forceful attempt to take over the space where she was stuck. Elephants are powerful animals, and sometimes … Continued
At HERD, we’ve always believed that caring for wildlife and caring for people go hand in hand. To celebrate World Veterinary Day in April 2026, HERD led a community outreach in the greater Hoedspruit area, along with students from Vetbooks to bring essential veterinary care to over 70 dogs, and make a meaningful difference where it was needed most. World Veterinary Day highlights the life‑saving role veterinarians play in stopping … Continued
The First Calf Born into the Jabulani Herd On 19 August 2006, something remarkable happened at the homestead. Tokwe, the matriarch of the Jabulani herd, gave birth to the first calf ever born within the rescued herd. They named her Limpopo, after the great river that flows between South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. In African languages, … Continued
On Sunday, 29 March 2026, on a hot late-summer day, the elephants headed out for their usual afternoon visit to the waterhole, a daily ritual that offers relief from the heat and time for social interaction. Lundi, never one for swimming, did what she usually does. After drinking, she chose the mud instead, coating herself … Continued
As March 2026 concludes, the HERD Team would like to take a moment to reflect with gratitude and extend our heartfelt thanks to our incredible donors, supporters, and followers. Your generosity and unwavering support make everything we do possible, from caring for the Jabulani Herd and protecting their environment to uplifting the communities around us. … Continued
