Fishan Brave Elephant who Survived a Fractured leg

After he fractured his leg in 2018, elephant bull Fishan grew closer to the elephant cows in the herd, like Tokwe, as well as the younger elephants. His injury made him more vulnerable. As a result, he could no longer share his section of the homestead with his friend, Bubi, and her son, Zindoga, as a young bull like Zindoga would likely try to challenge him and cause a fight, taking advantage of his weaker position. Fishan now shares his section of the homestead with Tokwe, the Matriarch, and her daughters Limpopo and Pisa, and integrated orphans Kumbura and Timisa. Although Fishan is still very close to Bubi, this change in sleeping arrangements led to him becoming close to Tokwe and the younger elephants.

Fishan’s injury and resulting limp also meant that he could no longer walk as fast as the other bulls, and therefore could not keep up with them when the elephants were out foraging on the reserve. Tokwe noticed this and began to walk with Fishan at the back of the herd, at a pace that he is comfortable with.

Fishan now often helps Tokwe and the other females to take care of the youngsters. Unlike other bulls, who often forage further away from the herd, Fishan tends to forage near the cows. He is very protective of them and can often be seen standing close to Timisa and Khanyisa, and watching over them.

Though Fishan is a gentle elephant, he is not afraid to step in to discipline the younger bulls and keep them in line. In this way, he helps to maintain harmony in the herd.

How to identify Fishan?

Fishan has thick tusks that point outward. His tusks are not as long as Sebakwe or Somopane’s tusks, but they are longer than Jabulani’s tusks. His right tusk is worn down on the side. From the front, his ears appear to have pointed tips. There is a small triangular gap near the top of his right ear, as well as a few small holes along the side of the ear. His head is more angular than those of the other bulls. Due to his 2018 leg fracture, there is a slight bend in his front left leg, near his foot. There is a circular scar further up this leg, due to the pressure sore he developed from sleeping on his left side after his injury. He has very long legs, and he has a slender body that is not as wide as those of the other bulls. He has uneven tail hair – one side has sparse hair and the other side has almost no hair.

Without your generosity and kindness, it wouldn’t have been possible for us to care for, support and protect Fishan after his injury.

Thank you for all your donations and fosterings for this incredible bull and survivor.

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Warm Regards,

Adine and The HERD Team