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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 love Khanyisa ❤️❤️❤️
You are a star ⭐️ warrior 🌟
Best regards
Enjoy this special Day ❤️
Very happy birthday little Khanyisa🎂🎉🎉🎉 With the carers you look so big, but with the herd you are still a baby. It has been a pleasure to see you grow, beautiful and strong, at first always at Lammie’s side, learning and integrating into the herd during these years. Like me, many people love you 🥰🥰🥰 and follow your life in the herd. It is my greatest wish that you have many more years. A big hug to everyone from Costa Rica, I can only imagine how proud you are of your achievements with all the love and care you give to the herd ❤️
happy birthday khanyisa u are still baby for us and will b forever u r most adorable Little angel for all of us love u my girl stay healthy and happy forever with ur herd god bless u❤️❤️💐
Thank you is not enough but… THANK YOU.💜. This wee pink elephant would not be alive except for all of the wonderful people involved, from her rescue to her care and health providers, to the supporters, and the wonderful places like yourselves that give these animals the protection so badly needed.
Happy birthday Khanyisa. May you live to see many many many more.
💜🐘💜🐘🐘💜🐘💜🐘💜🐘💜
Happy birthday Khanyisa, you bring such joy to so many.
My eldest grandson aged 8 is following you with me and he loves to hear about you.
Thank you Adine and carers for everything that you do.❤️❤️
Happy birthday Khanyisa! She is an inspiration to those who know of her. May the radiance of this little Sunshine reach far and wide. She is so loved!
Happy Birthday Khanyisa! I love you very much since you were 4 months old. Today is your birthday September 26: 2024 you are 5 years old. You are so fortunate and well loved by everyone , your human family and your Herd family of 15 elephants who care for you forever fill with love, joy, respect, trust and dignity. Long life baby Khanyisa!
I love reading and these gentle giants.
It was such a privilege to go and visit the Herd while in South Africa .
What an amazing experience !
Wouldn’t trade that for anything. . Feeding and petting Jabulani , and the other 2 bulls was such a thrill .
Thank you so much for your care and loving example of unconditional love 😍
I lost my family to various illnesses and started watching HERD every day under the handle “sweet life”🇨🇦 during my mourning times, and the love and little kahnysia pulled me through!
I’m on the other side of hardship now thanks to you all!
Send you my luvs and light 🙏😍🇨🇦
what a lovely tribute to our “little one” ,I was there at onset with the ups & downs of trying to survive. to all those who care for her, (human & elephant,) & love her as family, thank you. my love to lammie too,she too was there at the beginning
Happy Birthday sweet Khanyisa!!! Thank you Adine for that beautiful story. I have followed you for some time. Khanyisa always puts a smile on my face. She has the most amazing personality!! May God bless all at HERD for the wonderful care and love for the herd!!
Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!!!!!!
Happy Birthday to our little pink marvel. Are you having a sweet potato cake?
Dearest Adine, with tears running down my face, as it has many times since early 2020, both in happiness and sadness, I can at this time send only lots of love and gratitude to you, the birthday girl, carers, elephant family, sheep and others involved in the care of our beautiful little pink Ellie. I am praying for the day when I can visit for a special vacation in SA.
Wishing Khanyisa a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, love to you all. 💚💚💚💚💚💚
What a lovely blog. Well done!
Happy Birthday Khanysia!🎂🍾🎉🎊
Geluk aan Khanyisa met jou verjaarsdag! Ek het eers met Phabeni julle begin volg. Wat ‘n voorreg is dit vir my om die olifante se karakters en wese te leer !
Ek staan stil in verwondering voor God se Skepping! Absoluut volmaak! Herd leer ons baie en verdiep die liefde vir die olifant — ‘n absolute wonderwerk. Dankie vir wat julle span vir hierdie majistieuse diere beteken. Mag God jul Seën in jul groot taak!
Ns Ek mis Phabeni en my hart is nog altyd baie seer. Groete
Happy Birthday cutie pie and lots of love.
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 🎉
Thank you Sunshine Khanyisa you are so beautyful and full of hope. I am sorry🥲 you did not have your Mommy to give you milky and hug you and love you but you have the greatest love of all the entire world to send you love and well wishes. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUNSHINE😍🥳. All the way from Houston, Texas USA.
It is so heart warming to watch all of the mild stones in Khaynisa life so far. Thank you so much for sharing them all with us! I feel as though I am part of the herd from across the globe. Happy birthday sweet princess Khaynisa 💗🌸💓💖💕🐘💕
Happy birthday Pink Princess as you progress towards maturity. 💗 💓
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KHANYISA! YOU HAVE THE BEST EARTH MOTHER ADINE AND ALL HERD CARERS! YOUR ELEPHANT FAMILY PROTECTS AND LOVES YOU TOO! KEEP GROWING STRONG!
Happy Birthday Khanyisa!🎂♥️
Happy Birthday Khanyisa. You beautiful precious ellie. Watching you grow and change with each month has been your gift to all of us. Sending much love to you, Adine and all of your carers. Their love and positivity has been a blessing.
I am so honored to call Khanyisa my sweet adopted baby elephant. What a wonderful personality she has. All of you at HERD have done an amazing job with her care and it is so heartwarming to see her human and elephant family surround her with love.
Thank you all so much. 💕
Done, you have shown me unconditional love through your work with all of the Ellie’s, but especially from every moment since you received Khanyisa at the orphanage, I have been probated to witness the most extraordinary little Ellie with the most inspiring and fun-loving personality! All due to your love and care, along with all of the amazing carers at HERD. I come home every evening from a stressful day teaching 7 year olds, anticipating which video will pop up first from Herd that I can watch. It never fails to calm me, inspire me, and help me have something to look forward to. My dream is to visit the Jabulani reserve!!!!!
With much love from Northern California., Deb
I have been watching Khanyisa grow up from an adorable toddler to such a beautiful young lady! as a matter of fact on my phone home page I have a picture of her! ALL of you, Adine and staff have done such an amazing job raising this little pink one as well as the care you give to all the ellies! blessings abound from the US! my only wish would be to be in a financial state to help…..but with limited income as a retiree it’s next to impossible! but my heart is there with you!
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!
Thanks much HERD for all you do.