Adopt Chamilandu
Chamilandu was only 1.5 years old when her mother was shot by poachers, leaving her a helpless orphan in South Luangwa National Park. Today, Chamilandu has made history by becoming the first orphaned elephant to give birth to a wild-born calf!
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Age Rescued
1.5 years old
Rescue location
South Luangwa National Park
Reason orphaned
Mother was killed due to poaching
Current location
Kafue National Park
About Chamilandu
Chamilandu, lovingly known as Chamma, is one of the most remarkable elephants in Game Rangers International’s history.
Chamilandu was only 1.5 years old when her mother was shot by poachers, leaving her a helpless orphan in South Luangwa National Park. After receiving help and care from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife as well as local conservation NGOs, Chamilandu was flown to the Kafue Release Facility in November 2007.
Chamilandu was a strong, healthy, and boisterous young elephant calf, however, she was severely traumatised by the loss of her mother and family. She suffered from nightmares and even screamed out when she slept, but with the reassurance, care, and attention of her Keepers, Chamilandu began to calm down and settled into her new life.
Over the years, Chamilandu grew into an incredibly affectionate and caring elephant. As the matriarch of the Release Herd, she welcomes and comforts any young new orphans that are translocated from the Lilayi Elephant Nursery.
In 2015, Chamilandu was almost entirely free-roaming, spending most nights outside the protection of the Boma with Batoka. However, in October 2017, In September 2017, Chamilandu was isolated and mounted by a wild Kafue bull elephant whilst in oestrus (reproductively receptive).
On 9th September 2019 Chamilandu returned to the elephant boma with the other orphans at lunchtime. This was highly unusual as she had not been inside for over four months so the team were immediately on high alert. Chamma seemed tired and leaned against the boma structure to rest for a while. When she moved away she looked uncomfortable and was clearly not relaxed. She urinated and a number of the orphans became highly interested in the scent as she displayed nervous behaviours. It was beginning to become very evident that something was about to happen.
The entire team stood in amazement to witness the first wild born calf to an orphaned elephant in Zambia, a truly historic moment for the project and arguably the entire species. Mutaanzi-David represents a success story of an orphaned elephant who went on to become a mother of a wild calf who has not been hand-raised by keepers.
Choose your adoption
Choose the adoption option that works best for you. Support Chamilandu 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 Chamilandu's journey. Your support helps protect Chamilandu as she thrives back in the wild alongside her two calves, Mutaanzi David and Lula, while also funding the wildlife rangers and community outreach teams working to secure a future for Zambia’s elephants.
Chamilandu (monthly)
10
Every month
Valid until canceled
Best Value
Chamilandu (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.
