Elephant Calves, Phabeni & Khanyisa Meet at the Orphanage Fence! Plus a Weigh-in!

Phabeni has been making all kinds of new friends, from sheep to members of his own species. He has now met not only big bull, Jabulani but Khanyisa as well as Timisa and Pisa too! Phabeni is getting more and more comfortable with these meetings and lifts his trunk now and again to investigate the gentle giants before him.

It’s such a beautiful sight to see the elephants getting to know the new orphan, but there is a long road ahead, as he needs Phabeni to first pick up weight and grow stronger, as well as more secure in his new surroundings.

Back in the nursery, watch Phabeni have a weigh-in, followed by breakfast milk bottles. The little calf gained weight nicely in the first week, but then dropped 4kg of the 8kg he gained. Babies do usually lose weight in the first 10 days after birth though, so this is not unusual. Phabeni is now drinking his bottles much better, and we’re sure he will pick up weight for the next time on the scale.