World Elephant Day is trotting toward us, and HERD are inviting all of us to pave a path of hope with Trails for Trunks. Especially after the loss of Phabeni, it’s a small but mighty way to remind these elephant heroes that they’ve got their own human herd supporting them!
South Africa (18 July 2024) — The Hoedspruit Elephant Rehabilitation and Development team (HERD) have been in many people’s thoughts as of late after the heart-wrenching news that little Phabeni, an elephant orphan that Good Things Guy loved as much as the rest of the HERD community, sadly crossed over his rainbow bridge.
Adine Roode shared a beautiful letter in honour of Phabeni’s passing; reminding us why the elephants in HERD’s care need every drop of support they can get.
“The odds of survival for elephant orphan calves is low…There is simply so much against them each step of the way for the calve, since they are not able to thrive on a standard milk formula that suits all and does not need to be changed,” she said.
Processing her own emotions of deep grief and echoing those of all Phabeni’s carers aloud, Adine reflects:
“At first, I thought…what now? What do we do with ourselves now? But I remembered quickly, the herd. We still need to be there for the herd. In a way, they rescued us in this moment of tragedy.”
Time has certainly passed slowly since Phabeni’s last moments. But the best way to honour the little calf and all the happy endings HERD has made possible is to keep hope marching on.
World elephant day is on 12 August and HERD are inviting everyone to join them for the days leading up to it with the Trails for Trunks event where participants have the option to be the master of their own trails by picking any activity (running, walking or even swimming) and spreading the word of HERD. This way, we can all raise our trunks to the Jabulani herd and their future.
Simply print a HERD Trails for Trunks 2024 stamp, take a pic of yourself in action and share your effort on social media using these hashtags: #trailsfortrunks and #worldelephantday2024. Participation is free.
Those in Pretoria can join the HERD family at The Big Red Barn in Irene on 17 August for events ranging from running to cycling. Here, tickets will be R200 per person.
You can find out more by contacting marketing@herd.org.za.
View this post on Instagram
Sources: HERD
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google.
Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:
Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.
by 