It is this continuum between people and elephant that Chadwick writes about so
eloquently in his book “ The Fate of the Elephant”.
Background
Elephants can live for 50 years, so when Doug and Sandi Groves adopted Jabu,
Thembi and later Morula, rescuing them from culling operations that had left them
orphans, they knew they were making a life-long commitment to the trio.
Elephant Personalities
Jabu, short for Jabulani, a Zulu name, means happiness and indeed Jabu’s zest
for life is inspiring. Jabu is a proud and handsome bull, who enjoys his role as
alpha elephant of the small herd. He is kind, playful, generous, big-hearted and
dependable. Of the three elephants he is the most independent and confident. Jabu
loves interacting and building solid relationships based on mutual trust and respect. He is predictable and unconditional in his giving. Thembi, is a common Zulu name meaning trust. Thembi is the sweetheart of the herd and the smallest in stature. Perfectly formed, pretty and dainty, Thembi knows a few tricks for getting her way. Smart and very social, she loves to be the centre of attention.
Morula, is named after a beautiful African fruit tree. Her strongest personality trait is
one of great gentleness; she is mildnatured, sensitive and easily bruised
emotionally. She can be described as a wallflower but she blossoms beautifullywhen love and attention are focused directly on her. Morula weaves a powerful
magic of her own as in her quiet and subtle way she captures your heart with
her sincere, loyal and sweet nature.
Living With Elephants
Doug and Sandi Groves have strived to find ways in which their adopted elephants
can act as ambassadors to their wild counterparts. In 1999, the Living With
Elephants Foundation (LWE) was launched as an organisation that could help the
Groves and their trio fulfil their elephant sized dreams.
LWE Vision
Living With Elephants Foundation (LWE) is dedicated to relieving conflict and
competition between the African Elephant and human populations in Botswana. You
can learn more on this subject at:
www.livingwithelephants.org