Khanyisa the beloved orphaned albino elephant has celebrated her fourth birthday! Her real-life story— likened to a Disney feel-good— features heroes, lessons and love:
Hoedspruit, South Africa (27 September, 2023)—’Little’ Khanyisa the orphan albino elephant has a real-life story likened to a Disney feel-good; brimming with lessons, heroes and love. So, it’s no surprise that Khanyisa’s 4th birthday is a pretty big deal and a milestone moment that has us reflecting on all that the not-so-little-anymore ellie has overcome and experienced since her rescue.
A Long Way From Lonely and Painful Days
Khanyisa’s HERD chapters began back in 2020 after terrible circumstances. She was found alone and injured; a snare victim trapped in a wire snare at only four months old, near the Kruger National Park.
Thanks to the kind people of the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency who found and freed her, Khanyisa was transferred to HERD (Hoedspruit Elephant Rehabilitation and Development) which would change the trajectory of her life and that of the elephant carers’.
Khanyisa and one carer in particular, Reply Mahlakwana, formed an incredible bond from the beginning, with Khanyisa taking to Reply like other elephants take to oranges.
Reply was essential in feeding Khanyisa and getting her healthy and strong. He is also said to have been a big source of comfort that guided her through her rehabilitation, was there during pandemic hardships and helped introduce and integrate her into the herd when she was ready. The two are still wonderfully connected.
An Ele-phantastic Future
Corny puns aside, Khanyisa’s future is looking fantastic, with two big milestones under her trunk already—reaching one tonne and having her story told in a children’s book.
These milestones, coupled with Khanyisa’s birthday celebrations, spotlight what the result of one rescue can be and mean, as well as how they will pave the way for more elephant awareness, conservation and rescue efforts for future generations as she and her story grow.
But, Khanyisa and the other elephants at HERD still need our help to ensure more success stories, and one fabulous way to do this is to consider adding something from the ‘Trunks of Pride’ collection to yours.
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