Sweet, Curious, Brave and Caring! That's Klaserie!

You may also recognise her by the notches in her ears - one in the top right ear and one in the bottom of the left ear. She has short tail hairs and tusks, and is never far from Mom, Setombe.

Klaserie turns 15 years of age today! It has been a pleasure to know her over all these years and to watch her blossom into the elephant she has become! She is always following her curious trunk wherever it tries to take her and she has certainly brought out that investigating side in her mother.

Klaserie was born 23 February 2007, and was the second baby elephant born to the herd. Her mother is Setombe, the Great Dame of the herd (the eldest and biggest cow), and just like her mother, she is a larger framed elephant with pronounced wrinkles. Setombe's nature is sensitive, uncertain, and she often shows some nervousness around new situations or stimuli in the wild. We predict that she may have gone through some trauma in her life, perhaps leading to her being orphaned. Unfortunately, we don't have much background information about the original herd we rescued from Zimbabwe in 2002, but we know that the birth of her daughter in 2007 in our reserve showed that Setombe was settling down and feeling more comfortable in herself and her home environment. Elephants are not known to fall pregnant in times of stress.

We will never know who the father to Klaserie is but fathers don't naturally play a role in the lives of elephants in the wild. We didn't witness Setombe mating with anyone but we predict it was either a wild bull in the reserve or Sebakwe. Setombe has a very close bond with Sebakwe, which is only typical in this very unique rescued elephant family, as older males (bulls) and females (cows) don't live together or socialise in the wild. Sebakwe gives Setombe a sense of security, which has also helped her to raise Klaserie in a secure environment, where mother and daughter felt safe and calm.

Klaserie has had an incredible and doting mother in Setombe, and learnt so many valuable lessons from her and the herd. We can see in her natural confidence and curiosity how settled she is.

Klaserie is easy going and relaxed, taking everything in her stride without too much fuss. She is proving to be a kind and attentive allomother, showing great interest in assisting with caring for the new orphan calves integrated into the herd, such as Khanyisa and Timisa.

Watch some beautiful close ups with the mother-daughter duo in this birthday celebration video, with a birthday wish from our Carers and Adine in the bush!

Discover more about this sweet, caring curious elephant here: [ Ссылка ]

свернуть