The book is written and designed by Tamlin Wightman, HERD’s media and marketing manager for Khanyisa’s birthday on September 26. “This printed book is a tale for old and young but is aimed at children between up to 14 years old. Children from 5 to 7 years might enjoy it as a self-read book, while for younger children it makes a great book to read to little ones. The book is titled Khanyisa Braveheart, The Little Pink Elephant Who Inspired the World, “ said Wightman.
“Khanyisa has the most beautiful heart, and her albino looks remind us of sunshine every day. She is our Meisiekind, our survivor, and this children’s book captures her tale through beautiful illustrations by Aldin Tigere, the son of our elephant manager, Tigere Matipedza,” said Wightman. She said that all profits from the sale of the book go to HERD for the care of the elephants. She said that Khanyisa, a snare survivor and former orphan, has a special story that has already inspired people around the world.
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“We hope her journey of rehabilitation and integration into a herd of her own reaches more people and gives them the hope and positivity we all need more of in life.” Khanyisa was rescued in 2020, as a four-month-old calf who had been trapped in a poacher’s snare for up to four days. “She was alone, with no sight of her mother or herd. She was rescued in time and able to recover at South Africa’s first and only dedicated elephant orphanage,” she added.
She said that while Khanyisa battled many ups and downs, with all the challenges that face fragile elephant orphan calves, she pulled through, with the constant care and help of the HERD team. “She was able to join her new herd full-time, overnighting with them in the elephant homestead next to the orphanage, and spending sunrise to sunset in the wilderness of her new reserve. She found a new mother in older elephant, Lundi, a best friend and sister in Timisa, and a loving older brother in Jabulani, and has continued to form close bonds with all the 15 members of her big, blended family at HERD.” For more information, email media@herd.org.za.
