By Jade
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
By Jade
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
By Jade
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
By Jade
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
By Jade
Thank you for standing with us through every chapter of Fishan’s journey. Your compassion makes it possible for us to provide him with the specialised care he needs, especially during times like these when nature adds unexpected challenges. Weather Delays and Planning Ahead We had scheduled a second X‑ray session for Fishan this past Monday, … Continued
By Jade
At HERD, we are passionate about nurturing the next generation of conservation leaders. Each year, we have the privilege of welcoming students from institutions like the NewBridge Graduate Institute to gain hands-on experience in elephant care, wildlife conservation, and community engagement. These students bring energy, curiosity, and fresh perspectives, and in return, they leave having … Continued
By ffc_admin
During the month of March 2024, we encountered a few weeks of ups and downs when it came to Phabeni’s health. This is always stressful for the team as calves are so fragile and can make a turn for the worse quickly without you knowing why. While Phabeni is doing well now, we wanted to … Continued
By ffc_admin
Once the elephants in our herd become sexually mature, they need to be put onto contraception, as a matter of South African legislation that makes it illegal for semi captive elephants like ours, who rely on human care and support, to breed. Before these rules and regulations were put into effect by the Department of … Continued
By ffc_admin
For World Veterinary Day, we are celebrating all the incredible wildlife vets who have played vital roles in our work with elephants and other animals over the years: Dr Peter Rogers and the team at Provet Wildlife Services, Dr Johan Marais of Saving the Survivors, and Dr Ben Muller who accompanied Adine and Khanyisa after … Continued
