Adopt Bupe
On October 9th, 2023, a tiny 10-month-old elephant calf was rescued by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife and Conservation South Luangwa after enduring five long days alone in the wild. Carefully monitored by Lion Camp Zambia in the hope that his mother or herd would return for him, it soon became heartbreakingly clear that the young calf had been abandoned.
Adoption Certificate
Monthly video updates
Exclusive tracking updates
Watch live bottle feeds of the Nursery Herd in Lusaka
Join quarterly Q&A sessions with the team
Receive GRI's quarterly reports
Access all via the new GRI Adoptions App!
Age Rescued
10 months old
Rescue location
South Luangwa
Reason orphaned
After 5 heartbreaking days alone, it was clear his herd was not returning
Current location
Lusaka Elephant Nursery
About Bupe
Chamilandu, lovingly known as Chamma, is one of the most remarkable elephants in Game Rangers International’s history.
Rescued in 2007 after her mother was killed by poachers in South Luangwa National Park, Chamma arrived as a deeply traumatised young calf.
The Elephant Rangers recalled her crying in her sleep and suffering from nightmares after losing her family. But over time, her playful, confident personality began to shine through.
Today, Chamma is known as a calm, caring, and affectionate matriarch. She naturally took younger orphaned elephants under her wing, comforting nervous new arrivals and helping guide the herd. Despite her difficult start in life, she grew into one of the most confident elephants in the release programme, adventurous, independent, and deeply social.
She also has a bold and free-spirited side. Chamma was one of the first elephants in the herd to spend long periods roaming freely in the wild, often choosing independence while still returning to check on the younger elephants.
Choose your adoption
Choose the adoption option that works best for you. Support Bupe with a flexible monthly donation of just £10 that you can cancel anytime, or become a dedicated adoptive parent with a year-long commitment to Bupe's journey. Your support helps give Bupe the care, protection and expert support he needs as he grows towards a future back in the wild, while also funding the wildlife rangers and community outreach teams working to secure a future for Zambia’s elephants.
Bupe (monthly)
10
Every month
Valid until canceled
Best Value
Bupe (yearly)
100
Every year
Valid until canceled
If you are purchasing this adoption package as a gift, please note that the email confirmation of the Adoption will go to your email address for you to forward at your leisure. All subsequent elephant updates will go to the recipient of the gift.
