The Lilayi Elephant Nursery

The Elephant Orphanage in Lusaka, Zambia

 

 

Hi friends,

 

During my last trip to Zambia, I got to spend some time in Lusaka (I usually head straight down to the Zambezi River after I've landed in Lusaka) and popped in at the Lilayi Elephant Nursery which is situated at Lilayi Lodge. I had been dying to go and see the elephants so I was thrilled that I finally got a chance to visit them. Next time I manage to squeeze in a Lusaka visit I hope to have lunch at the restaurant at Lilayi Lodge, how fabulous does it look?

 

 

  

The Lilayi Elephant Nursery is managed by Game Rangers International and is home to rescued elephant calves. Here they are cared for, looked after, rehabilitated and receive huge amounts of love before they are taken to the Kafue Release Facility  and released where they are with wild elephants in the Kafue National Park.

 

When I was there in the beginning of September there were 4 baby elephants. At a certain time each morning you can stand on the viewing deck and watch the elephants receive their milk bottles. One of the cutest things I've ever seen, was watching these babies run to the pen to get their milk bottles. They finish a 2l bottle of milk in 5 seconds!

Here are some photos:

 

 All of these babies that are in the orphanage have sad and tragic stories that just break your heart. Like Suni, she was 8 months old when she was found - poachers had attacked her mother and when she tried to defend her mother she was attacked with an axe on her spine! This paralysed her back right leg. She had intense nerve damage but thanks to the dedication and love from the elephant nursery who massaged her, treated her with acupuncture and developed a brace for her she can now walk! How amazing is that!

 

You can meet the rest of the Lilayi babies here, Nkala (the smallest one) is my favourite <3

 

A very, very big THANK YOU to everyone that supports this amazing organisation from those donate, to those that work with the elephants - you are all so wonderful!

I'm busy with an exciting new project that will offer you a chance to help out - look out for details about it soon!

 

 

For more information about the elephant orphanage, click here.

 

 

Love Always, The Glam Green Girl xXx