From Rhinos to Elephants | A Journey of Compassion with Adine Roode

Before Adine Roode started HERD (Hoedspruit Elephant Rehabilitation and Development), she worked with elephant and rhino orphans using the facilities at her mother's centre, known as HESC (Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre). Since its establishment in 1990, HESC has played an important role in the conservation of specific endangered species, particularly cheetahs and rhinos. Adine saw the influx of elephant orphans at the centre, and decided to take the step to create South Africa's first and only dedicated elephant orphanage.

HERD officially launched in 2019, but this followed a long journey in elephant rehabilitation, one that began with the original orphan, Jabulani, and proceeded with the rescue of the herd from Zimbabwe. Adine wanted to give new orphans a chance to rehabilitate close to their own species and to better facilitate the integration process of orphans into the Jabulani herd. The HERD orphanage was built right next to the homestead of the Jabulani herd, a unique blended herd named after elephant bull Jabulani, incorporating the original herd from Zimbabwe and their offspring born in South Africa.

We have shared stories of Adine's past work with rhinos recently as she has stepped in again to help with the rehabilitation of new rhino orphans at HESC, with her expertise in caring for these calves and her knowledge of the milk formula needed.

In this video, we take a look at how Adine's journey with rhinos led to the creation of HERD, and a lifetime of dedication to wildlife in need. Adine has walked a long road with the elephants in our care, from Jabulani who is the same age as Adine's own son, to Khanyisa, the albino snare survivor who we raised through the COVID pandemic. While she manages the care of our newest orphan at HERD, precious four-month-old Phabeni, Adine remains committed to being of service to the rhino orphans and poaching victims who need her too.

Find out more about our story at HERD here:
https://herd.org.za/our-story/

For more about the rhinos:    • Rhinos  

Filmed by Black Bean Productions for HERD Trust