On this global day of generosity, 15 orphaned elephants are dearly hoping you’ll spare them a thought…
The Jabulani herd is a tight-knit herd of rescued elephants who have found comfort, solace and safety in each other – and in our partner, Hoedspruit Elephant Rehabilitation and Development (HERD).
Each elephant has survived the devastating trauma of losing their mother – some even witnessing their mothers’ brutal slaughter.
Now, these orphans are safe from poachers – but they desperately need food.
As climate change and relentless drought strip their landscape of natural vegetation, 15 orphaned elephants desperately need a reliable food source.
Relentless drought conditions in Limpopo have left the land bone-dry, and a herd of rescued elephants is struggling to find enough food. Credit: HERD
In South Africa’s Limpopo Province, years of erratic rainfall and prolonged dry spells have left precious wildlife struggling to survive.
For the Jabulani herd, the situation is especially dire. These are semi-wild elephants, some orphaned by poaching or snaring in South Africa, and others saved from being culled in Zimbabwe.
As rescued animals, they would not survive being released into the wild. They rely fully on the HERD sanctuary for food, but our partner is battling the effects of drought.
As drought conditions worsen each year and natural vegetation diminishes, there is simply not enough food in the semi-wild environment to sustain the elephants.
Today, we need your help to feed 15 orphaned elephants who are relying on your kindness.
Amid worsening drought and diminishing natural vegetation, HERD’s bana grass plantation is critical in sustaining the elephants. Their current crop is finished and they must replant as soon as possible. Credit: HERD
Our partner has created a three-hectare bana grass plantation – a sustainable, nutrient-rich, fast-growing and highly drought-tolerant crop. This bana grass has been the perfect buffer against the dry, harsh conditions in Limpopo – BUT it has reached the end of its lifecycle.
We must replant the crops to keep the elephants fed right away.
Replanting now, at the start of Limpopo’s rainy season, gives the grass the best possible chance to thrive and provide enough food for the elephants for the next five years.
Together, we can replant the bana grass and help secure enough food for an orphaned elephant herd for the next half-decade. Credit: HERD
It costs $75 (£58) to replant one row of Bana grass. If we can raise $6,300 (£4,800), we can fully restore the plantation and guarantee a steady food supply for the entire herd for FIVE YEARS.
The first 25 donors to give $250 (£190) or more will earn the title of Bana Grass Guardian! You will receive a personalized digital plaque – a lasting tribute to your generosity and symbol of hope for the elephants’ future that YOU helped plant.
Please email info@animalsurvival.org once you have made your donation, with the name you would like on your digital plaque.
Please donate generously today to help us give 15 rescued orphaned elephants in South Africa the food and safe future they need.
