A Cry in the Delta
Every rescued elephant carries a story — and little Sekepe’s is one of courage, kindness, and the will to begin again. Like many of the orphaned elephants in our care, Sekepe came to us as a heartbreaking result of human-elephant conflict, one of the greatest challenges facing wildlife today.
He was discovered near Gunotsuga Village in the Okavango Delta panhandle, alone and frightened, with no mother in sight. No one knows exactly what happened — perhaps she wandered too close to a settlement or was caught amid the struggle for food and space. Whatever the cause, one thing was clear: her calf was now orphaned and in desperate need of help.
What followed was a rescue mission that would test both strength and heart. To bring Sekepe to safety at Elephant Havens, our team had to cross one of the Delta’s deep, winding channels — no small feat when your passenger weighs several hundred pounds and happens to be a sleeping elephant calf.
A Rescue Across the Water
In Botswana’s Okavango Delta, compassion often transcends boundaries — and on that day, it certainly did. Greg and Sue Flaxman, managers of the nearby Kadizora Camp, stepped forward without hesitation to help. Together with the Elephant Havens team, they became part of Sekepe’s extraordinary journey home.
The first challenge was getting him to the water. Gently and carefully, the team lifted the young elephant into a utility vehicle, then drove slowly toward the riverbank. There, under the golden African sun, they faced the next problem: how to get him across.
The solution came in the form of the Flaxmans’ small boat. With patience and teamwork, the rescuers secured the vessel and carefully positioned the calf inside. As the boat pushed off from the bank, the scene was both humbling and unforgettable — a group of people united by compassion, ferrying an orphaned elephant across the shimmering waters of the Delta toward safety.
It Takes a Village to Save an Elephant
When the team reached the far side, the journey continued. With quiet coordination, they lifted and guided Sekepe into the Elephant Havens transport truck for the final leg of his trip. It took many hands and a shared sense of purpose to make it happen, reminding everyone that it truly takes a village to save an elephant.
By the time Sekepe awoke, his world had changed completely. Gone were the sounds of fear and confusion. In their place were soft voices, gentle hands, and the smell of hay and clean water. His wide eyes blinked open, uncertain yet calm. He didn’t know it yet, but he was home.
The “Boat Boy” Finds His Family
Our handlers affectionately nicknamed him “the boat boy,” a cheerful reminder of his unusual rescue. But beneath the nickname lies a story of resilience — not just Sekepe’s, but that of every elephant orphan who finds sanctuary after loss.
In the days that followed, Sekepe began to settle in. At first shy and hesitant, he soon found comfort among his new herd. The other young elephants reached out with their trunks, offering soft greetings. Slowly, fear gave way to friendship.
He began drinking milk from a bottle, napping beside his caretakers, and joining the others for playful splashes in the mud. His transformation was remarkable — a frightened orphan rediscovering trust, joy, and the freedom to play once more.
Behind Every Rescue, a Story of Hope
Every orphan’s arrival at Elephant Havens carries both sadness and promise. Behind each rescue lies loss — a mother gone, a family separated. Yet, in that space of heartbreak, new hope takes root.
Each calf represents another chance to heal the bond between humans and wildlife, to remind us that coexistence is not only possible but essential. Through rescue, rehabilitation, and rewilding, we strive to give every young elephant the opportunity to thrive again in their natural environment.
At Elephant Havens, rescue is not the end of the story — it’s the beginning. Here, the elephants are fed, cared for, and gently taught how to be elephants once more: how to forage, socialize, and build the bonds that define their species.
The Science of Healing and Connection
Modern research has shown that elephants are among the most emotionally intelligent creatures on Earth. Studies by animal behaviorists reveal that they form deep family ties, mourn their losses, and comfort one another in times of stress.
This understanding guides every aspect of care at Elephant Havens. Our caregivers provide both physical nourishment and emotional reassurance, ensuring each orphan feels safe and supported. It’s a delicate balance — blending compassion with the science of wildlife rehabilitation.
Through observation and consistency, the calves learn to trust again. They play, communicate, and eventually form strong surrogate families, preparing them for a future beyond the sanctuary.
From Conflict to Coexistence
Sekepe’s story is also a reflection of the broader challenge of human-elephant conflict — a growing concern across Africa as both people and elephants compete for space and resources.
Organizations like Elephant Havens work not only to rescue orphans but to prevent such conflicts through education and community partnerships. By helping local villages create sustainable solutions — from crop protection methods to eco-tourism opportunities — they turn potential conflict zones into places of cooperation.
As Sekepe continues to grow, his story becomes part of that larger mission: to prove that compassion can bridge the gap between humans and the wild.
A Future Full of Promise
Today, Sekepe is thriving. His once timid steps have been replaced by confident strides. His playful trumpets echo across the sanctuary, a joyful sound that signals recovery and resilience.
Watching him with his new family — rolling in the mud, grazing side by side — it’s hard to imagine the frightened calf who once drifted across the Delta in a small boat. He’s a reminder that even the most fragile lives can bloom again when met with empathy and care.
For our team, Sekepe is more than a rescue success. He is a symbol of everything we work toward — a living bridge between loss and renewal, between people and nature, between the past and the possibility of a kinder future.
When Compassion Leads, Miracles Follow
Sekepe’s journey began in fear but continues in love. His story reminds us that the smallest acts of kindness can ripple outward, changing not just one life but many. Every person who helped — from the villagers to the caregivers to those who support Elephant Havens — became part of that transformation.
In a world where conflict too often dominates, Sekepe’s rescue shows that compassion can still prevail. It teaches us that healing doesn’t only belong to those we save — it also changes those who choose to care.
💛 Welcome home, little “boat boy.”
Your journey began with uncertainty, but it continues in hope — surrounded by the family you were always meant to have.
Sources
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Elephant Havens Wildlife Foundation – Rescue and Rehabilitation Programs
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Save the Elephants – Human-Elephant Coexistence Initiatives
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National Geographic – The Emotional Intelligence of Elephants
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Botswana Tourism Organization – Conservation and Community Collaboration in the Okavango Delta
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Smithsonian Magazine – Why Human-Elephant Conflict Matters
