April Update – Floods, Babies, and Hope

Scott and I just returned from an exciting March visit full of firsts. As always, there is never a dull moment here at Elephant Havens, and the past few weeks have certainly reminded us just how dynamic life in the bush can be.

First is the rain. We have never seen rain like Botswana is experiencing during this rainy season. There is water everywhere and, with the land already saturated, it has no place to go. Plus, the annual floodwaters from Angola that supply the Delta is just now arriving, which means more and more water is coming every day.

All this rain has severely impacted access to our soft release area that is about six miles from our main orphanage. We simply had no way to drive there over the washed out road. Thankfully, our wonderful friends at Helicopter Horizons delivered food to the two men who are staying there making sure our fences are secure and our first ten ellies—the ones preparing for their release into the wild—are safe.

We watched as our team and the local community filled over 6,000 sandbags to repair washed out roads. Many of the villagers brought corn from their gardens to share, and it became a caring community working together for a common goal. It was just wonderful to witness.

Elephant Havens also dedicated our new tractor with a dump bed trailer (courtesy of our wonderful benefactors at the Dallas Zoo) to the project. You can do a lot with strong backs and shovels—and even more with a big red tractor and trailer.

The recent floods have brought challenges but, along with it, stunning beauty. While the extra water has made some areas more difficult to navigate and required a bit of creative problem-solving from our team, it has also transformed the landscape into something truly exceptional. The bush is alive, vibrant, and full of new growth which, of course, is something our elephants are thoroughly enjoying.

Speaking of enjoyment, the babies are absolutely thriving. With the abundance of fresh vegetation, they are indulging in what must feel like an endless buffet. Watching them explore new tastes and textures is a daily delight. Their playful energy and curiosity are constant reminders of why this work matters so deeply.

When I look at all the little ones in our care (28 in the orphanage and 10 already graduated to the soft release), I am reminded that these extraordinary animals would not be alive today without Elephant Havens. It is truly an honor to be part of this lifesaving work. At each visit, they teach me something new, and I still pinch myself that I get to spend so much time in their presence.

Our community work is also important to us. Recently, we’ve been focused on an important health initiative–rabies prevention. Unfortunately, a local child was bitten by a rabid dog and did not survive. We couldn’t sit by and worry about other youngsters encountering the same fate. So Dr. Caron, our vet, purchased rabies vaccines and got to work vaccinating every dog she could find, knocking on doors and asking for permission. We also did local drives where the community brought their dogs to a specified location. In partnership with the government veterinary department, we’ve provided 700 vaccines to help expand their reach and strengthen protection efforts across the region. It’s a meaningful step in supporting both wildlife and human communities.

Lastly, we were honored by a very special visitor while we were there. Alexander McCall Smith, a longtime champion of Elephant Havens, brought a group of his readers from around the world to visit the orphanage. It was an incredibly meaningful gathering, made even more so when they presented Bee with a #1 Lifetime Award for Conservation and, to my great surprise, honored me with a #1 Kindness Award. Sandy has supported our work since the very beginning, even weaving the orphanage into one of his beloved The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency stories, How to Raise an Elephant. This joyful and deeply touching moment for all of us was a reminder of how lucky we have been in meeting people who share our passion and belief in this mission.

As always, it takes a village. From navigating flooded roads to ensuring full bellies and safeguarding health, every day is a testament to the dedication of this team and the generosity of our supporters.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us. The little ones are growing, learning, and flourishing because of your generosity. We are so grateful for YOU, and I invite you to be part of our family. Whether through a donation, sharing our mission with others, or planning a visit to experience Elephant Havens for yourself, your support is what makes this work possible.

With much love and gratitude,
Debra, Scott, Bee and the entire Elephant Havens team