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Zindoga is certainly not a father yet, but he has received “fatherly” support and examples in a very unique way from the males in his blended herd – both elephants and humans, like our dear now retired carer Stavros seen here.
For now he is more of a brother to the females and Mambo, his closest ally. One day though… we are sure he will become to other bulls what Somopane, Sebakwe and Fishan have been to him, sharing the vital wisdom of age and experience with other elephants growing up and rising in the ranks.
The mature bulls in the herd continue to discipline and teach Zindoga (born 25 October 2007, so 13 years of age), and provide him with the necessary tutelage that older bulls in bachelor herds in the wild would do.
Zindoga is a lot more curious about the younger elephants in the herd than Mambo and has shown curiosity and interest in being close to them.
Zindoga, like the other bulls, will not into musth as they are on contraception currently since it’s against our objectives in saving rescued orphaned elephants to breed with them while we need to provide human protection to them. Our long term goal does entail them being able to breed.
With the Jabulani herd’s unique mix of females and males, mature bulls like Somopane allow for the adolescent bulls like Mambo and Zindoga to gain experience and discipline from within the herd, helping them in their own journey. As of yet, both Zindoga & Mambo have shown no signs of wanting to explore and wander off on their own permanently – this could be because of the structure of the rescued herd and having older bulls around.
Should Zindoga or Mambo decide that they would like to move on, we would manage this change to best suit them and the herd to minimise any impact. For now he is happy among his herd.
Adopt Bubi’s son, Zindoga HERE.
