Residents
Elephants at Elephant Havens
MmaMotse
A local person reported MmaMotse when she was starving, and in December 2018 she became the orphanage's very first rescue. Named after the Setswana word for haven, she now leads the herd as a matriarch.
Resident since 2018
Tsholofelo
During a drought Tsholofelo was found alone and badly underweight on an island near Eretsha. He put on more than 100 lb within a month of arriving. His name is Setswana for hope.
Resident since 2019
Tshepiso
Before they caught Tshepiso after a lengthy search, staff came across the bodies of her mother and of a young elephant close by. She has grown into one of the herd's matriarchs.
Resident since 2019
Bonolo
Bonolo's mother was probably poached. After local people reported the calf, staff followed her for a whole day before the rescue. She has only one tusk, and was born that way. Unique from the start, she has grown up safe and loved at the orphanage.
Resident since 2019
Sandy
People killed Sandy's mother, and a lion then attacked him by the Gomoti River before staff could treat his injuries. He is named after the writer Alexander McCall Smith. Despite such a hard start he survived, and now has a herd of fellow orphans around him.
Resident since 2020
Mofalodi
Mofalodi lost his mother in the mass elephant deaths of 2020, which are thought to have been caused by water contaminated with cyanobacteria. Out of that tragedy, he found a new family at Elephant Havens, growing up among other orphans until the day they can return to the wild.
Resident since 2020
Lerumo
Lerumo's mother was shot on private land outside Maun. The calf was rescued by helicopter and treated for a shotgun wound in her trunk. Today she's growing up among the other orphans, a little closer each year to the day she can return to the wild.
Resident since 2021
Seloko
Seloko's herd left him stuck in thick mud, and staff dug him out. Fittingly, his name means mud.
Resident since 2021
Bokamoso
Bokamoso was ten months old when a farmer kept track of her until the team got there. Her name translates as future. Thanks to that farmer, she now has one to look forward to.
Resident since 2021
Lesago
When Lesago's mother died during a drought close to Chobe National Park, workers at a nearby lodge phoned the orphanage at once. His name means lucky, and with people that quick to help him, it suits him perfectly.
Resident since 2022
Mela
Mela, aged about a year, was discovered alone and underweight in the Chobe District. Her name means to grow. And grow she will, safe among the other orphans.
Resident since 2022
Tsala
Farmers near Kasane shot Tsala's mother, who later had to be put down. Tsala, whose name means friend, makes plenty of noise when it's time to eat.
Resident since 2023
Makoba
Makoba was about six months old and had been hurt by a leopard when he was found by Makoba Lagoon. He's safe now, growing up with a new family of orphans who will one day head back into the wild together.
Resident since 2023
Neo
Neo, whose name means gift, was extremely thin when she was found in the village of Sekondomboro. She's in safe hands now, surrounded by a herd of orphans who, like her, are getting a second start.
Resident since 2023
Boteti
Boteti's mother collapsed from heat stroke just outside Kumaga Game Reserve. The calf takes her name from the Boteti River nearby. She carries a piece of home in her name, and one day she'll return to the wild she came from.
Resident since 2023
Sekepe
Sekepe had lost consciousness by the time rescuers reached him near Gunotsuga, and he had to be ferried across a channel of the delta by boat. It took a whole team to save him, and he's now growing up safely with the other orphans.
Resident since 2023
Succeed
Succeed's mother is believed to have been shot near Maun. He had colic when he arrived, and he is named after the supplement that helped him recover.
Resident since 2023
Khwai
Khwai was about eight months old when her mother fell, broke her legs and died. Despite this awful event, she was taken in by the caring people at Elephant Havens and, thanks to them, has another chance at living a truly beautiful, wild life.
Resident since 2023
Noname
Noname came in at seven months old, one of several calves rescued in quick succession. Drought or conflict with people probably killed her mother. Whatever her start in life, she now has people who care for her and a herd to grow up in.
Resident since 2023
Misha
Misha's mother was probably shot during a dispute over water near Matsaudi, and two children alerted the orphanage to the calf. She carries the name of Dr Misha Kruck. She was saved thanks to two children who cared enough to speak up.
Resident since 2023
Chanoga
A farmer shot Chanoga's mother in the leg, and she was due to be euthanised. Staff collected the calf before that happened. That quick action saved her, and today she's growing up among friends.
Resident since 2023
Tsitsiriga
TsiTsi had lost her tail to a hyena and was seen with two bulls just beyond the orphanage's fence. She was safe within two hours, the quickest rescue the team has made.
Resident since 2024
Sediba
In a drought, Sediba fell 5 m into a well that had been dug by hand, and a crane truck was used to hoist her out. It was quite the rescue, and she has been safe ever since.
Resident since 2024
Hairy
Hairy was rescued during a drought in which many local elephants died. He gets his name from the thick tuft of hair on his head. He was one of the lucky ones, and today he's growing up with the other orphans.
Resident since 2024
Tsutsubega
Tsutsubega lost her mother to conflict with people and was quick to form a bond with her handler.
Resident since 2024
Kavimba
Elephants Without Borders alerted the orphanage to Kavimba, alone in the village of the same name near the Namibian border; her mother probably died from lack of water. Mud baths are her favourite thing.
Resident since 2024
Bua
Bua was spotted roaming with cattle and donkeys near Hongwa. His name means talker, and he lives up to it.
Resident since 2024
Joy
Joy was discovered on the A3 highway by Botswana's Department of Wildlife, and she was the first calf to use the orphanage's new intensive-care nursery. Her name says it all: she's safe now, and growing up surrounded by care.
Resident since 2024
Rosie
Rosie was alone and starving in the Okavango Panhandle when she was found. She has partial leucism, which gives her white hair and pink skin. Every bit as special as she looks, Rosie now has a safe home until she's ready for the wild.
Resident since 2025
Matsaudi
Matsaudi lost her mother when a conflict with a farmer over crops ended in the mother's death. At Elephant Havens she has found new companions, and the chance to grow up and roam free again one day.
Resident since 2025
Angel
During what was probably a drought, staff kept watch over Angel in Ngarange for three days before bringing her in. Their patience paid off, and Angel is now safe with the herd of orphans.
Resident since 2025
Skondi
After his mother died in a drought, Skondi wandered among the cattle and donkeys of Sekondomboro village until he was rescued. He has swapped the cattle for a family of his own kind.
Resident since 2025
Raindrop
Raindrop was badly dehydrated after losing her mother. She shares her name with a soft toy from someone's childhood. She's well cared for now, and on her way to returning to the wild one day.
Resident since 2025
Delta
Delta's mother died in a conflict with people, and three young fishermen came across the calf by the Thamalakane River. Those fishermen changed her life, and today she has a new herd to call family.
Resident since 2025
Magic
Magic was standing beside her dead mother in the Okavango Panhandle when she was found, and she took nearly three months to accept her carers. It took time, but trust came, and now she's part of the family.
Resident since 2025