Elephant Carer, Stavros returns to meet Fenya & see his buddy, Khanyisa 🐘❤️🐘

One of our senior elephant carers, Stavros Chakoma, a dear friend and humble man of great gentleness, wisdom and compassion, retired in December last year, after 18 years with us at Jabulani. 🐘❤️🐘

We have missed his daily presence immensely, but always knew he would come back from time to time as a tutor for HERD, to help and guide us to look after the young trainees, and to help new orphans in their rehabilitation.

After Fenya’s arrival at HERD, it was time for Stavros to return to the job! Stavros says he has had a wonderful few months back home in Zimbabwe with his family, spending quality time with them, and tending to his maize crops. 🌿🏡

But coming back to do a few weeks work at the orphanage not only provides him with an occasional extra income to supplement retirement but it also lets him reconnect with the elephants he has spent much of his life beside, the Jabulani herd. His family, as he says.

Stavros has such a calm presence, even under pressure, yet great strength, in every way, that makes him such a marvel with orphans needing love and care and protection. 🌞

This last week we were excited to welcome him back as he arrived in the night and entered the nursery with Fenya the very next morning, bright and early.

Watch as Stavros meets and takes in the new calf. He expresses a few times how happy he is for this calf, for her to be safe now, in less pain, and able to heal. He thanks Adine for taking Fenya in and welcoming him back to care for the new orphan. Adine similarly is thankful to have Stavros back by her side during this fragile period on Fenya the Survivor’s life. ❤️

After caring for Fenya during the night and keeping watch over her, he spends time with his old chum, Khanyisa, giving her milk and helping to usher her out of the garden and off to the herd to join the elephants on the day’s walk.

Stavros certainly has a knack, a perseverance and hard-earned experience and wisdom that we are grateful to be in the presence of again. 🙏🏽🐘🙏🏽

Please read more about the wonderful Stavros here: https://jabulanisafari.com/the-elephants-are-my-tribe-senior-elephant-carer-stavros-chakoma-retires/

Видео Elephant Carer, Stavros returns to meet Fenya & see his buddy, Khanyisa 🐘❤️🐘 канала HERD Elephant Orphanage South Africa