Thank you for letting us know. We are heart broken with you for Israel, his family, and Limpopo.
2 weeks ago | 292
As a Veterinatian I am interested in asking if an autopsy was done to Limpopo trying to find a cause for her agression, like perhaps a brain tumor that made her change so drastically. My heart is with the team.
2 weeks ago | 233
As a long time supporter of HERD, and like so many, I am still trying to come to terms with the unfathomable and terrible loss of Beloved Israel. At the same time, I simply cannot comprehend what led the normally gentle, sweet natured Limpopo to attack, without provocation, a Carer who had been by her side since her birth. I can only believe that something, as yet unknown, affected her behaviour and her subsequent repeat of aggression would seem to indicate an illness within her mind. This is devastating for HERD and we who see you as extended family. My sorrow at this time is deep for Israel's wife, family, Adine, Carers, and all HERD staff. And my sorrow lies with Tokwe and all the Jabulani Herd. Finally, I am devastated about Limpopo. I will always Love her and pray that this beloved, but suddenly very disturbed young Elephant is restored to the gentle and kind soul she was. I will continue to support HERD and believe we all need time to heal from these unthinkable losses. I remain sure that you will inform us of future developments and, if possible, any results of Limpopo's autopsy which may reveal the cause of her total change in behaviour. I send my Love and Support to all staff and HERD followers, and to Limpopo. May she find peace of mind 🌈🕊🙏. I am just so, so very sor
2 weeks ago (edited) | 380
I don’t have the words to say how sorry I am to hear this. A second shock for all of us who care about HERD. What a heartbreak for the staff to say goodbye to Limpopo after losing Israel. Your online community is still here and thinking of you with love.
2 weeks ago | 100
I can scarcely bare the pain of this decision so I know the entire HERD family is devastated. My thoughts are with you and Israel’s family. And many blessings to Limpopo’s memory and to the 19 beautiful years she lived in this world. As someone who has spent a lifetime in dog rescue, humane euthanasia is NEVER easy, but at times it is truly the only option. Please be kind to yourselves at this heartbreaking time 💔❤
2 weeks ago | 343
I will always remember Limpopo as the first to step forward to help the orphans in need. She was so willing to be an allomother, so caring and supportive. This is so hard to understand. So sorry for everyone involved.
2 weeks ago | 128
My deepest condolences to Adine and Family, founder of the HERD and to all the Carers, Doctor Rogers and everyone who knew, loved and cared for Limpopo and to all of us loyal and dedicated followers of the Jabulani HERD. We all stand together in solidarity and in love for the beautiful baby Limpopo who grew into a beautiful young lady... and for Israel Shambira whose loyalty and love knew no bounds... To the rest of our HERD family: Tokwe, Pisa, Timisa, Khanyisa, Kumbura, Zindoga, Bubi, Lundi, Mambo, Setombe, Klaserie, Somopane, Sebakwe, Fishan, Jabulaini: My deepest sympathies to all 15 of you who loved Limpopo and accompanied her on this journey we call life....❤
2 weeks ago | 128
Will there be an autopsy to find out if she was suffering from anything that could possibly cause such a drastic change in behavior?? This is so heartbreaking. 😢
2 weeks ago | 169
Unbelievably sad. I hope a necropsy was performed to eliminate any question of a physiological cause that might have been unique to Limpopo or that could possibly affect the other herd members. Thank you for the incredible work you accomplish every day.
2 weeks ago | 83
I am so deeply saddened to hear about our beloved Limpopo. Please let us know how Tokwe and Pisa and the rest are dealing with this tragic loss. Limpopo was deeply loved and we still do not know what happened to cause her to lose control of her judgement. I hope the rest of the HERD can now remain together. It is important to share with us the reaction of her Mum, Tokwe and the rest and were they given a chance to mourn her passing. May she rest in peace on Rainbow Bridge..😥
2 weeks ago | 71
Heartbreaking circumstances. I'm sorry this is happening.
2 weeks ago | 98
I am hearboken for you, carers, family and her HERD. I will keep you in my thoughts and send love and compassion to you and yours.
2 weeks ago | 52
I'm so sorry this was the heartbreaking outcome. I know this decision was not taken lightly and that you must all be devastated. I'm very sorry for the loss of both Israel and Limpopo. Will there be an autopsy to see if there was an underlying health issue that led to her unexpected aggression? How is Tokwe? As heartbroken as I am, I continue to stand by HERD and will always support the work you do. I am forever grateful for the lives you've saved and will continue to save. Once again, I'm so very sorry. 💔
2 weeks ago (edited) | 58
Condolences to your whole organization and to Israel's family. You made the best decision you could. You evaluated all the safety measures and exercised the most careful consideration. Even though your hearts are heavy, I hope that you gain healing and strength to guide you and help you continue your organization's mission.
2 weeks ago | 44
Such a sudden change in temperament in elephants can be caused by intense physical pain, which may be caused by something internal that's not visible from the outside. For example one of the elephants in the Thula Thula Game Reserve in Zululand suddenly started to kill rhinos. Eventually he had to be euthanised as he was also a threat to the carers and to the visitors. In an autopsy they found out he had had something extremely painful going on with one of his tusks, something that absolutely wasn't visible from the outside. You can read all this in the memoirs of Anthony Lawrence, "The Elephant Whisperer", which is worth a read anyway, I found it the best book I have ever read in my whole life.
2 weeks ago | 26
Dears Aldine & Cares!! Thank you for your Honesty. Heartbreaking decision but necessary. You all deserve the supreme security, including the 🐘🐘. May God bless you all!! 🕊️🌿🕊️❤️ RIP Israel🌟
2 weeks ago (edited) | 50
😢Qué trágicas noticias, primero Ismael y ahora Limpopo, no imagino lo que habréis sufrido. Una decisión desgarradora. Mucho amor para todo el equipo de HERD
2 weeks ago | 33
I was shocked and deeply saddened by these events. Yet somehow, I felt this fate awaited Limpopo. A kind soul, whose life was devoted to elephants, has tragically passed away — and now his beloved elephant follows... Perhaps it is not an exaggeration to say that this is the most trying, most difficult time in HERD’s history. But every elephant lover, and everyone who loves those who care for them, will now stand strong and support HERD. Time and patience must be given to the HERD team, so that the wounds may begin to heal. There are so many questions that need answering, and I hope that soon we will receive many of them in a video... Stay strong.😞🐘
2 weeks ago | 57
This is so shocking, painful and tragic for you all. Dealing with the shock and loss of Israel, then managing the situation for the best for everyone's safety and the welfare of the elephants. I hope you can work out what changed with Limpopo and you are able to support Israel's family. Thank you for sharing this update at such a sad and difficult time.
2 weeks ago | 31
HERD Elephant Orphanage South Africa
HERD Announces Update on Elephant Incident and Safety Measures
The Hoedspruit Elephant Rehabilitation and Development Trust (HERD) continues to mourn the tragic loss of our beloved carer, Israel Shambira, who lost his life on 13 September 2025 following an unexpected incident involving Limpopo, a 19-year-old female elephant under our care.
In the days following the incident, our dedicated carers remained in a state of heightened stress and concern, particularly regarding the safety of being near Limpopo. After extensive consultation among our senior carers, HERD Elephant Manager Tigere Matipedza, and founder of HERD, Adine Roode, with additional guidance from elephant behaviour expert Brett Mitchell, HERD resolved to move Limpopo along with six of her companions to a secure 35ha enclosure at the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre (HESC), located approximately ten kilometres away. The plan was to house the group at HESC under a temporary holding permit while a suitable long-term rewilding site could be identified. The remaining nine elephants were to remain at HERD.
The available enclosure allowed for the carers to manage Limpopo and the other elephants under a protected contact type of management. This decision was made on ethical and humane grounds to ensure the safety of HERD personnel and the responsible management of the elephants. The selection of elephants to be relocated was based on the best available data and the elephant social bonds.
On Friday, the 19th September 2025, as the selected elephants started their walk from the HERD boma, within a few hundred metres, the elephants from both groups began vocalising, becoming very excitable. The elephants, who had left, quickly returned to the others. During the excitement, unfortunately, Limpopo showed hyper-aggression towards one of our senior carers, Last Scholar, and our operations manager, Stefan du Toit, who was present as a safety guide. Despite our team’s best efforts to manage the situation, the escalating risk posed by Limpopo’s aggressive behaviour has ultimately made her presence unpredictable and unsafe for all staff at HERD and on the reserve.
Following further expert guidance and careful internal deliberation, HERD faced the devastating, however unavoidable decision to euthanise Limpopo. This unenviable decision was made to ensure the safety and protection of our staff and the welfare of the remaining herd. Limpopo was humanely euthanised.
This loss has left our carers, co-workers and immediate community heartbroken. Limpopo had been under our care since birth, and her sudden change in temperament remains unexplained. Since her passing, the rest of the herd has shown no signs of aggression and remains calm and settled.
Our thoughts remain firmly with Israel’s wife and children. We are committed to supporting his family during this painful time and have already been deeply moved by our community's compassion. We are also honoured to welcome Israel’s wife and family from Zimbabwe to HERD, where together, we will pay tribute to his legacy.
Those who wish to support Israel’s family further can donate via herd.org.za/product/in-memory-of-carer-israel-sham…
We kindly ask for compassion and understanding as our team processes these traumatic events. HERD will continue working with advisors to strengthen our safety protocols and uphold our responsibility to both elephants and carers.
All existing and future adoption funds for Limpopo will be redirected into a dedicated elephant research and welfare fund, established in her memory to help strengthen future care and safety practices: herd.org.za/animal/limpopo/#foster
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has stood by us during this time of profound loss, helping us to honour the memory of both Israel Shambira and Limpopo.
herd.org.za/blog/update-on-elephant-incident-and-s…
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 2,714