THE ABU HERD

SHIRHENI - "Where the Old Cows Meet"
Shirheni, another of our young females, was born in 1986 and is also a Kruger Park orphan. She joined the herd in 1990. She gave birth to a young bull on the 27th November 2000 (Pula, after she was mated by a wild bull on the 20th February 1999.

PULA - "Rain"
Pula was born to Shirheni on the 27th November 2000, after a night of heavy rain. Pula is the Setswana word for rain, success, and also the local currency. At birth he measured 91 cms in height, and it took him one hour before he made his first hesitant steps. Now a boisterous 2 1/2 year old he charms everyone with his enthusiasm for life.

GIKA - "Turned Over" (refers to her ears)
Gika has very short tusks that are close to her trunk. A Kruger Park orphan, born in 1988, she also joined the herd in 1990. She is our "dizzy blonde"! She has just given birth to the latest baby to the herd (see below)

NAYA - "To Give"
Born to Gika on March 30th 2003, Naya is our latest addition to the family. At two days old she was introduced to everyone in the herd to great acclaim. Small, delicate and very sweet natured she is sure to become a favourite.

KITIMETSE II - "I'm Lost"
Kitimetse was found in our area at the end of 1999, after she had been injured by a crocodile and abandoned by her own wild herd. She was brought to the boma at Abu Camp where her wounds healed and she was slowly introduced to the rest of the Abu herd. She has been totally accepted by the other elephants, and has bonded with our younger cows, Gika, Nandipa, and Shirheni. We estimate that she would have been born in 1996.