Summer is in full swing in Hoedspruit and the elephants at HERD (Hoedspruit Elephant Rehabilitation and Development) were treated to a midday swim on a hot afternoon.
Many South Africans follow the ellies taken in by the centre. Most are orphaned or injured and receive special care until they join the resident herd.
HERD is South Africa’s first dedicated elephant orphanage built on the Jabulani Safari grounds.
‘Mambo and Setombe picked up a scent on one of the trees, possible from the wild elephants. Bubi was not in a good mood at all and not entirely happy with Adine being there, and it expressed clearly!’ HERD writes on Facebook.
‘Bubi does not seem to trust females very much, though we do not know why, possibly from her earlier start in life. She can be being protective over Khanyisa too. Many notice that she does not seem to spend time with the other cows of the herd either, keeping to herself a lot. She is quite a complex elephant, but with a heart of gold!’ the post continued.
‘In the meantime, Khanyisa was being whisked away with Lundi, Tokwe, Limpopo, and Kumbura into the deeper part of the dam for a proper swim. They didn’t stay too long before returning to shallower waters, and a little pink trunk following in tow, often holding on to Kumbura and Limpopo’s trunks! It was just too sweet.’
‘Soon they moseyed out of the dam, and returned to the bush while some of the other elephants stayed on for a longer swim, including Timisa and Bubi, still in her mood!’
Take a look at the animals having some fun in the sun.
Picture: Screenshot from video
