Animal Welfare South Africa Project #58927

Help an Elephant, Help a Herd

by Hoedspruit Elephant Rehabilitation & Development

Project Report | Jun 19, 2026
Lundi's Injury and Her Road to Recovery

By Marlien Van Der Westhuizen | PR & Senior Fundraiser

We are happy to share a seasonal update from our beloved HERD and let you know how our elephants are doing.

On a hot afternoon at the end of March 2026, what began as a familiar routine for the herd changed in an instant.

Lundi had joined the others at the waterhole and, as she often does, chose a mud bath over a swim. But when dominant bull, Sebakwe, moved into the same space, the interaction escalated quickly. In a sudden moment, his tusk penetrated deep behind her front leg, leaving a severe wound and causing significant blood loss.

The injury was serious. The wound extended deep into her axilla (underarm), measuring around 20 cm at the opening and reaching an estimated 50 to 60 cm into her body.

There was initial concern that her lungs had been affected, but thankfully there were no signs of air bubbles in the blood, suggesting they had been missed.

Emergency Treatment

The veterinary team responded immediately.

Lundi was carefully brought back to the homestead where it was safer to treat her. She was placed understanding sedation, allowing the veterinarian to work safely while she remained upright. The wound was thoroughly flushed, partially sutured to control bleeding, and left with a drainage opening to prevent infection.

She received long-acting antibiotics and strong pain relief, both injected and later given orally.
These first steps were critical in stabilising her and reducing the risk of complications in such a deep, non-sterile wound.

Daily Care and Ongoing Treatment

Recovery did not happen overnight.

Two weeks after her injury, the full impact became clear. Lundi was anaemic, her body still recovering from the trauma and the blood she had lost. A blood transfusion was considered, but quietly, and almost remarkably, she was already starting to regain strength on her own.

At the same time, another threat lingered beneath the surface. Tetanus is silent and unforgiving, especially in deep wounds like Lundi’s. It is the kind of risk that keeps you awake at night, knowing how quickly it can take hold and how little chance there is if it does.

So, we acted before it ever had the chance.

After careful discussion, the team chose to vaccinate her, taking every precaution to protect her during this vulnerable stage. Lundi received her tetanus vaccine on 24 April 2026, with a booster planned soon after.

It was another small but critical step in her recovery. Another way of standing beside her, making sure she had every possible chance to heal.

Please have a look at the video - Lundi is Seriously Injured by Dominant Elephant Bull Sebakwe

The Role of the Herd and Carers

Throughout her recovery, Lundi remained part of the herd.

In the early days, the elephants stayed closer to the homestead, reducing the need for long walks while she was still weak.

Remarkably, her bond with Sebakwe remained unchanged. He approached her calmly after the incident, and the herd continued to support her in their own way.

At the same time, her carers showed unwavering dedication. They carried out treatments morning and evening, adapting their approach based on Lundi’s responses and ensuring she remained as comfortable as possible.

A Remarkable Recovery

Nearly three months after the injury, Lundi’s wound is close to fully healed.

Despite its depth and severity, her body has repaired itself steadily, supported by careful veterinary care and daily attention.

Elephants have an extraordinary ability to heal, aided by a strong immune system and efficient response to inflammation, and Lundi’s journey has shown this clearly.

Today, she continues to walk with the herd, forage, and enjoy mud baths again.

Her recovery is not just a medical success. It reflects the combined effort of skilled veterinary care, dedicated carers, and the quiet strength of an elephant who simply carried on.

Lundi’s injury reminded us that when disaster strikes, there is no time to prepare. We must be ready.

Your support helps us respond immediately when disaster strikes, providing urgent veterinary care and the daily treatment elephants need to survive and recover.

If you believe in being there when it matters most, please consider donating today to our project: Help an Elephant, Help a Herd

Thank you as always for your unwavering support. Your generosity makes every moment of joy, healing, and connection in the HERD possible.

With gratitude,

The HERD Team

Links:

Lundi is Seriously Injured by Dominant Elephant Bull Sebakwe

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Feb 20, 2026
Clash of the Bulls

By Sunel Craythorne | Donor Care Officer

With hearts full of gratitude and hope, we share this heartfelt update from our HERD, letting you into the journey our elephants are walking this season.

The elephants are spending a lot of time out in the bush, and recently there has been quite a few incidents where wild elephant bulls have been seen circling around our herd.

One late afternoon, in February 2026 Pisa had an encounter with one such bull and chased after the younger wild bull. She stayed away the whole night, returning only in the early morning hours the following day.

A few days later, Mambo too left the herd to join a young bull, but fortunately he came back at around 7 p.m. the same day.

While elephants are not strictly territorial, our Jabulani herd considers themselves the “owners” of the homestead and the surrounding reserve area.

During February we saw the elephants moving around a lot while searching for delicious marula fruit to eat. They even ventured close to the main roads in search of marulas, which makes it extremely dangerous to drive on these roads at night.

As our herd was making their way home one afternoon a wild bull suddenly appeared. The bull is one of the older bulls on the reserve. Jabulani immediately turned around and approached the wild bull. It seemed that the bull’s mere presence annoyed Jabulani and he wanted to drive him away. This whole confrontation between the two bulls was witnessed by a group of very surprised Jabulani Safari guests who were there for one of our unique elephant experiences.

Even though the other bull may have been slightly older, Jabulani won the confrontation without so much as a scratch and honestly, what chance would you have against Jabulani? It’s better to be his friend! Interestingly, Somopane, our bull known for his peaceful nature ran away when the bull arrived. While Sebakwe, who is the largest bull on the whole resort did absolutely nothing. We assume Sebakwe did not view the intruder as a threat and is perhaps calmly waiting for a bigger challenge.

When these interactions between the Jabulani herd and the wild elephants take place, our carers do not interfere. They allow the elephants the freedom to display natural elephant behaviour and stake their claim to their home.

Since then, the wild bulls have moved to the northern side of the reserve and have not yet returned.

Thank you, as always, for your unwavering support. Your generosity makes every moment of joy, healing, and connection in the HERD possible.

Don’t forget to check our social media for daily updates and news!

With gratitude,
The HERD Team

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Oct 24, 2025
Rising Together After Loss

By Sunel Craythorne | Donor Care Officer

With hearts full of gratitude and hope, we share this heartfelt update from our cherished HERD, letting you into the tender journey our elephants are walking this season.

In the wake of Limpopo’s passing, the Jabulani herd has shown remarkable resilience. Tokwe, the matriarch, remains central to the herd’s structure and continues to lead with calm authority. Despite the emotional disruption caused by the attempted relocation and the loss of Limpopo, the herd has stabilised, and no abnormal behaviour has been recorded.

To better understand the emotional impact, we’ve begun analysing dung samples to assess stress levels within the herd. We acknowledge that mourning is a natural part of elephant behaviour, and we expect signs of grief to surface over time. Interestingly, while the bulls have not shown particular interest in Limpopo’s absence, Sebakwe has noticeably responded to the loss of Israel, his longtime caregiver. Their bond was rare, marked by mutual respect and quiet wisdom, something that only comes with age and deep connection

Pisa has been checking in with Tokwe more frequently, offering quiet companionship, yet still maintaining her playful nature with Zindoga. Setombe and Klaserie, who were never closely bonded with Limpopo, continue to lead confidently during bush walks, unaffected by the recent changes.

Fishan has shown signs of irritation, which we’ve traced back to pain in his leg. He’s been observed resting his head against trees to relieve pressure. Dr. Johan Marais, prominent South African veterinary surgeon, who was scheduled to assess Fishan in September, had to postpone his visit. Once he returns from photographing Big Tuskers in the Kruger National Park and in Kenya, we’ll proceed with X-rays and review Fishan’s treatment plan.

Overall, the herd’s interactions remain gentle. They have not displayed aggression toward one another or their carers, which is a reassuring sign of emotional stability during this difficult time.

The Way Forward for HERD

Our commitment to both elephants and carers remains unwavering. The events of September have deeply impacted our HERD family, reinforcing the importance of strengthening safety protocols, supporting our team, and deepening our understanding of elephant behaviour.

We have reviewed all safety measures to ensure that our carers are equipped not only with the necessary training, but also with emotional intelligence and support. Every decision moving forward will continue to prioritise both human safety and the welfare of the herd.

To better understand the emotional and physiological responses of our elephants, we are exploring the creation of a dedicated on-site laboratory. This facility will allow us to study stress markers in real time through faecal analysis. By combining these findings with detailed behavioural observation sheets, HERD can identify subtle changes that might otherwise go unnoticed. This research will help us adapt care strategies more effectively, deepen our understanding of herd dynamics, and strengthen our long-term welfare approach. Through this initiative, named “In Memory of Limpopo,” we aim to honour her legacy by improving our methods and minimising future risks. This will also be incorporated into the rewilding programme.

Our mission remains unchanged: to provide a safe, nurturing environment for elephants in need, while honouring the bonds between people and elephants that lie at the heart of HERD.

Looking ahead, we are focused on establishing a long-term strategy for elephant rehabilitation through rewilding. This includes developing approaches that mitigate the chronic stress of releasing elephants, especially orphans, into the wild without a proper social structure. Our goal is to build their capacity to thrive independently, at a pace that respects their emotional and biological needs, and within a supportive social system.

HERD will continue to lead in developing best practices for sustainable, long-term orphan elephant rehabilitation. We are committed to contributing to ethical industry standards that are credible, accredited, and endorsed by stakeholders. We know we are not perfect, but our dedication to learning through every setback and success strengthens our resolve. As a species, we share a collective responsibility to protect orphaned elephants throughout their lives.

Elephants are under the custodianship of people, and their value extends beyond conservation, they represent a shared global responsibility. We must ensure they are protected and supported in ethical ways that enhance both humaneness and humanity.

The Jabulani herd, rescued from a perilous situation, continues to receive care in a protected and comfortable environment that meets their biological and social needs. Despite the challenges we’ve faced, including several heartbreaking losses, we remain committed to their well-being for the entirety of their natural lives.

Thank you, as always, for your unwavering support. Your generosity makes every moment of joy, healing, and connection in the HERD possible.

Don’t forget to check our social media for daily updates and news!

With gratitude,
The HERD Team

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