With the number of orphaned elephant calves on the rise, a new nursery is being built in the Kruger National Park for abandoned young ellies.
According to Tourism Update, there are plans to build an adjoining guest lodge alongside the nursery. The orphaned young ellies are being relocated from Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre to their new home in the stables at the Jabulani Safari lodge.
Adine Roode, Managing Director of Jabulani Safari, spoke to Tourism Update and said, ‘The elephant nursery will benefit from the availability of a habituated wild elephant herd, the Jabulani herd, which provides a stable and controlled environment to reintegrate orphaned elephants into an elephant social system.
‘We are committed to lead in the development of best practice for sustainable, long-term, orphaned elephant rehabilitation, and contribute to the development of ethical and responsible industry standards.’
Tourists will not be be able to interact with the elephants beyond viewing them as an elephant herd. Experiences with the Jabulani herd however do exist, including the famous elephant swims.
There will be ample space for the elephant calves in the nursery, which will have an indoor and outdoor playground as well as three enclosures.
Image: Pixabay
