The Power of Sisterhood: "How Female Elephants Are Shaping Herd Harmony in Kafue"

Blog by Lysia Biemba

GRI-Research Assistant- Behavior/Human -Wildlife Assistant

The release herd heading out for the morning walk with the dedicated keepers.

Over the past few months, the team at the Kafue Release Facility (KRF) has witnessed a remarkable transformation in the dynamics of the pre-release elephant herd. With the herd now being predominantly female, we’re seeing powerful shifts not just in hierarchy, but in daily behaviour, cohesion, and overall herd harmony. 

A Calmer Morning at the Boma 

Where once there was a "gang" of impatient youngsters clustered at the Boma gate each morning, eager to start their bush walk, now there is something different, something gentler. The mornings have become a time of quiet bonding and relaxed social mingling. Rather than clustering at the gate or jostling to be first out, the elephants now engage in object play (usually with bare branches, left over from their nightly browsing), wander calmly around the Boma, and interact peacefully as they wait. This shift in energy, from restless anticipation to composed companionship, marks a notable change in herd dynamics and we believe it’s no coincidence.

The Influence of Female Leadership

Elephant societies in the wild are typically matriarchal, led by experienced females who guide group decision-making, offer stability, and maintain social cohesion. Now, with Kavalamanja, the eldest female naturally taking on the matriarch role and surrounded by a female majority (for the first time in our history), we are seeing more nurturing behaviours, stronger bonds, and less tension in the group. This shift mirrors natural elephant behaviour, where female-dominated herds offer security, emotional support, and structure - attributes which are particularly critical in semi-wild rehabilitation settings like KRF.

What About on Walks? 

We are continuing to monitor whether these behavioural changes extend beyond the Boma, and early observations suggest they do.  The shift toward a more female-dominated herd has noticeably influenced the group’s overall energy during bush walks. The elephants appear more synchronised, calm, and less reactive than before. Bullying behaviours have markedly decreased, and there are fewer displays of dominance. Instead, everyone tends to browse or graze peacefully, largely minding their own business. Walks have become more about exploration and quiet companionship than competition or conflict, a heartening trend we’ll continue to document. These calmer, more self-regulated behaviours further support the idea that a female-led herd dynamic fosters not only social stability but also a healthier, more natural rhythm of life both inside the Boma and out in the bush.

Why This Matters?

At Game Rangers International, elephant rehabilitation is about more than physical care, it’s about restoring the social and emotional structures elephants need to thrive. Many of the orphans arrive highly traumatised, having lost their mothers and families due to horrific poaching or human-elephant conflict,. Recreating a stable, socially supportive environment is essential for their recovery. 

Understanding how gender composition affects social structure and welfare is vital, not only for the long-term rehabilitation of rescued elephants but also for informing future rewilding efforts. These insights will help us design environments and social groupings that promote natural behaviour, emotional wellbeing,

and successful reintegration into the wild.    

The observed shift in herd behaviour signals a significant step forward in this journey and serves as a powerful reminder of the depth of elephant social and emotional intelligence. The emergence of a female-led, cohesive herd mimics natural conditions and gives us hope that these elephants are not only healing, but also adapting the skills and social bonds needed for future rewilding.  

This shift reinforces the importance of GRI’s holistic, welfare-focused approach to wildlife rescue and release. By creating space for natural social dynamics to emerge and by allowing elephants like Kavalamanja to grow into their roles as leaders, we are not just saving lives, we are restoring a birthright and really giving these elephants the best chances to survive and thrive back in the wild where they belong.