Rescue and Protect Orphaned Elephants in Botswana

A Chapter of joyous transformation for baby elephants

At Pelorus Foundation we are delighted to share our latest update from our local project partner in Botswana, Elephant Havens Wildlife Foundation. As Botswana’s only elephant orphanage, Elephant Havens continues to grow into a leading example of compassionate and science-driven elephant conservation.

Two new orphans, Rosie and Joy, were rescued over the last year and are now thriving under expert care. Alongside them, every orphan at Elephant Havens continues to receive round-the-clock support, emotional comfort, and the space to learn, socialise, and eventually prepare for life back in the wild. Up to date, you have given 39 orphaned baby elephants a second chance at a full, wild life.

A new best friend: Rosie

Rosie, a newly rescued 14-month-old elephant calf found alone and starving near Sekanduko in Botswana. The rescue team from Elephant Havens transported her 12 hours back to the orphanage, giving her IV fluids and fresh browse along the way. As daylight arrived, they discovered her most unusual feature: Rosie is partially albino (leucistic), with white hair, pink skin behind her ears and along her trunk, pale khaki-coloured eyes, and striking white eyelashes, a rarity none of the team had seen before.

Despite her malnourished state, she remained calm and trusting, quickly taking to bottle feeding and adapting well once her glucose issues were stabilised.

Within just four days, Rosie began walking out into the elephant pasture and soon joined the main herd, where she has been warmly accepted by all, (except for Joy, who is learning to share the spotlight). The team describes Rosie as a “rare gift” and celebrates her resilience, gentle nature, and extraordinary appearance. The newsletter closes by inviting supporters to help foster Rosie and contribute to her ongoing care, expressing deep gratitude for the generosity that makes such rescue stories possible. 

Veterinary care continues to save elephant lives

Elephant Havens’ on-site full-time veterinarian has already become an essential part of the orphanage’s progress. This expanded medical capacity now provides:

• Immediate veterinary care during rescues, including for the latest arrivals, Rosie and Joy.

• In-house lab work, including blood testing and ongoing health monitoring.

• New contributions to elephant health research, a field with limited existing data.

• Support to surrounding communities, such as spay/neuter clinics, treatment for domestic animals, and assistance with the darting and relocation of rhinos and large bull elephants when required.
  
  

The community cares for the elephants, and the elephants care for the community.

Elephant Havens continues to model a powerful approach to human-elephant coexistence. Income generated through elephant care directly supports local people, which turns conservation into community opportunity.

Recent initiatives include:

• New toilet facilities for local schools.

• Specialised hair care for over 100 children through Kay's Ellie Hair Project.

• Continued operation of school buses for three different schools, ensuring children can travel safely through elephant corridors.

• Ongoing success of the elephant-dung paper project, which generates income and supplies materials for nearby schools.

Still, an Urgent Need: Veterinary equipment for future rescues

As rescue operations increase, (including several recent orphan intakes), Elephant Havens urgently needs additional veterinary equipment. A new dart gun and red-dot scope will support safer, more humane rescues of distressed elephant calves.

We hope you will help us raise US $5,500 (UK £4,000) toward this essential next step.

Thank you, as always, for your generous and continued support. Your compassion is shaping a future of safety, healing, and hope for elephants and for the communities who live alongside them.