Baby Joy lights up the entire orphanage

In October 2024, the continuing drought brought to Elephant Havens a torrent of calls from far and near. Through the course of the month we had eight new babies in our care. The last to be rescued that month came to us as none of the dozens before her had.

This little one, just two months old or so, was found on the main paved highway that leads out of Maun to Zimbabwe. Traffic was stopped, as passers by were taking pictures. She was clearly without her mother and her herd and seeking safety. A Land Cruiser happened upon the scene, and to this little one’s good fortune, it was part of the Botswana Department of Wildlife fleet. Curious as to the commotion, they stopped and found this little elephant.

They literally picked her up and put her in the back of the twin cab! Bee was promptly called and asked to meet them at headquarters in Maun. We loaded up and were there when they arrived. Within 45 minutes she was home and the first tiny baby to be admitted to the new intensive care nursery. The contractor had literally completed the nursery that week.

Our vet, Dr. Botes, started an IV, and we got her hydrated and warm in the new nursery quarters. She was soon stabilized, and KT took over the task of acclimating her to the bottle and dealing with her little sunburned ears. (When elephants are that young, they are actually partially pink, with some pink in the ears and little pink toenails.) She is absolutely irrepressible. From day one she has had tremendous energy, and she loves her handlers.

Joy arrived before she had started teething. The process can be a difficult time, but she weathered that well. She was not certain about the water hole or the mud wallow, but she needs the mud and the sand bath that follows. With KT’s help, she became tolerant of the process, and she now runs to her wallow. She even tries to do her own sand bath with her tiny little trunk.

Even with all of that said, there are no words that can really convey to you the life and spirit this little girl brings to her every waking moment. She initially weighed in at 220 pounds and became curious about solid foods as soon as she got her teeth.

We now feel she is out of the woods, and we introduced her to the herd last week! Boka, only a baby herself, has taken over her care and little Joy is adjusting to a new elephant Mother instead of KT, Onks,Tsepi, Erick and the other loving handlers. Our handlers still never leave her side and share the experience with Boka who wants to claim Joy as her own.

She came from stopping traffic on the roadside in 100+ degree heat with no mother, no milk, no water near. That she can now enjoy each new discovery and each new romp with her handlers is a gift. She is truly a joy to all who encounter her.

Want to see more?
Here are some videos of little Joy that are too cute not to share:
Joy taking a nap and snoring
Joy playing with Onks
Joy wrestling Onks

You can help support Joy’s health and care by fostering her.