In a touching story from South Africa, Khanyisa, a beloved albino elephant, was rescued and brought to the HERD sanctuary by Adine Roode, the founder of the elephant orphanage and sanctuary.
From the moment she arrived, Khanyisa was welcomed with open trunks by the Jabulani elephant herd, quickly becoming one of their own.
Watch the video at the end.
Khanyisa has been raised with the care of the sanctuary’s keepers and the elder elephants. Among these caretakers, she formed a special connection with her nanny, Klaserie. Klaserie, though occasionally forgetting her strength, adored looking after the young elephant.
The herd’s dynamics shifted over time, not due to Khanyisa, but as each elephant developed its unique traits.
Throughout her time at the sanctuary, Khanyisa has had multiple allomothers. Recently, Klaserie has taken on the primary responsibility of nurturing the albino calf. Afternoons are filled with shared joys, learning new skills, and encouraging the young.
Khanyisa and Timisa, another herd member, gave the female elephants opportunities to hone their skills and gain valuable experience.
Klaserie, unlike her orphaned mother, September, grew up within the herd’s safety. As an allomother, she enjoyed interacting with her fellow herd members, though she sometimes became overly attentive to the calves.
Khanyisa spends her days foraging for green grass and small trees, always under the watchful eye of Klaserie.
Though Khanyisa’s trunk isn’t fully developed yet, she can access branches, bark, and bulbs thanks to the help of the older elephants.
Like human infants, elephant calves must learn and develop their skills from the ground up.
The herd’s social structure plays a crucial role in Khanyisa’s development. With Klaserie taking on the babysitting duties, other herd members can enjoy a well-deserved break.