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
At HERD, wound care forms part of daily life. From small scrapes picked up in the bush to more serious injuries requiring veterinary attention, treating wounds is an important part of caring for elephants living in a natural environment. And treating elephant wounds is rarely simple. Wounds are often large, deep, and located on parts … 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
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
Some campaigns raise funds. Others raise voices. The 1000 Echoes for Elephants campaign was born from HERD’s commitment to listening more closely to elephants, to truly hear what they are telling us through their behaviour, social bonds, and responses to a changing world. From the very first Echo on 5 March 2026, supporters from around … 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
Bana grass, or elephant grass, remains a vital supplementary food source for the Jabulani elephant herd. It provides an excellent source of nutrition, including protein and fibre, and is fed to the herd in the stables at night. But recently, keeping this plantation alive and providing enough for the herd has been a full-time job. … Continued
We are incredibly proud to share a collaboration that beautifully bridges the worlds of fine art and wildlife conservation, one that directly supports the orphaned elephants in our care at HERD. Internationally renowned sculptor François Vandenberghe, together with Cafmeyer Gallery and the Izindlovu Fund, has created two exceptional limited‑edition bronze elephant sculptures. Each piece tells … Continued
The heavy rains and flooding that swept across Limpopo in January 2026 have left a deep mark on communities, landscapes, and wildlife across the province. For HERD, the floods were not just a temporary disruption, but a serious test of our resilience. As the floodwaters recede, our focus has shifted from emergency response to long-term … Continued
