Khanyisa & Timisa stumble in the wet weather as Kumbura shepherds the young elephants across streams

The heavy rains sometimes come out of nowhere in the summer and wash over the reserve in abundant streams that arise out of nowhere. This rain disappears quickly, seeping into the land, once the rain stops.

Elephants are adapted to life in the wild, with all its harsh and changing elements but the younger elephants are not as confident in the fast moving streams as the older herd members. Khanyisa and Timisa stay close together with dedicated allomother Kumbura staying right on their tails to keep them safe.

Kumbura’s nervous personality makes her more unsettled in heavy rain but she is only worried about the two youngest in the herd, whom she keeps guard of fiercely. Khanyisa stumbles first, while rushing down the wet path, seeming to be enjoying herself.

But then the youngsters try to take an “easier route” lower down the river bed and realise the water is faster flowing there. Timisa is unsteady and Kumbura starts to get very nervous, moving up and down, side to side, in alarm. The three turn back and head the way the adults have gone, while Jabulani watches over them from above, along with Tigere who is filming.

Timisa stumbles in the stream above and more elephants move in to protect the little ones. Fishan loves swiftly across the stream, as does Zindoga, who quite enjoys the moving water around him.

Our Carers guide and keep watch over the herd even more in heavier weather, to ensure all the members, big and small are safe. Elephants naturally walk in the bush come rain and shine and our goal is to keep life as natural as possible for the rescued herd, especially as we are working toward releasing them little by little into a safe protected wilderness reserve, where there is no human movement, where they can roam freely day and night, without the threat of human-wildlife conflict.

Видео Khanyisa & Timisa stumble in the wet weather as Kumbura shepherds the young elephants across streams канала HERD Elephant Orphanage South Africa