Lusaka Elephant Nursery - Zambia
Orphaned elephants need a new herd and a new homeCelebrating Nanzhi’s first birthday
Celebrating Nanzhi’s first birthday
1 March 2026
Any time an elephant calf turns one, it’s a cause for celebration. Their first year is a crucial time for them to survive—which is nearly impossible without a mother.
Recently we celebrated Nanzhi’s birthday, one of the elephant calves in our care at Lusaka Elephant Nursery in Zambia. Read about her incredible first year below.
Orphaned elephant calf Nanzhila at Game Rangers International’s Elephant Orphanage Project in Zambia. Photo: © GRI
It was a quiet Sunday when a young elephant calf was first spotted in the Nanzhila Plains of Zambia. She was wandering around alone and without her mother. And then—she disappeared into the thick brush. We searched for her, day after day, and feared the worst because she was so small, and in an area teeming with lions. Time was running out.
Then, one week later, she miraculously walked into a nearby camp, visibly dehydrated and weak. The chase was finally over. Our heroic partners at Game Rangers International (GRI) took her into their loving care at the Lusaka Elephant Nursery, and her long journey back to the wild began—a process that can take up to 15 years.
For orphans like Nanzhila (Nanzhi for short), the first year is the hardest. Tragically, some orphaned elephants never make it to their first birthday. They have been through too much and cannot recover from the devastation of losing their mothers.
That is why their first birthday is always a cause for celebration. Nanzhi could be found in time, could quickly receive lifesaving care and was able to survive. All because there are people that care for her.
Bonding with her new family
The orphan herd at the Nursery is made up of three boisterous boys named Bupe, Kasungu, and Mataya. These rambunctious fellows love to roughhouse and play fight—but with Nanzhi they are perfect gentlemen. They accepted baby Nanzhi into the herd with open trunks, caressing her gently with much curiosity.
Bupe has stepped up as the patriarch of the Nursery and he especially has shown a keen interest in baby Nanzhi. He is very sweet and gentle with her and makes sure that the other boys do not push her around.
Bupe reaches out his trunk toward Nanzhila in a gentle goodnight gesture—an affectionate ritual that reflects the deep bonds formed between the rescued calves at GRI’s Kafue Release Facility. Photo: © GRI
Nanzhi is adjusting very well to life at the Nursery. She trusts her Keepers, is bonding with the boys, and is growing bigger and stronger each and every day.
Nanzhi is always last to go into her stable at night and just before she enters, something special happens. Bupe peeps through his stable and reaches out his trunk towards Nanzhi. She pauses and stands there quietly as Bupe gently touches her, reassures her, and says goodnight. It’s a simple gesture but shows their deep and loving bond.
A bright future
Now that Nanzhi’s first year has passed, we see a bright future for her. She will continue to get specialized care at the nursery, and her wonderful keepers will keep raising her like her mother would have.
Every one-year-old needs devoted, one-on-one care. At Lusaka, each baby elephant has a dedicated Keeper who lovingly steps into the sacred role of being their mother, to help them survive. They help build the crucial bond during bottle feeding that the orphans need to feel safe and loved.
The Keepers also help the calves learn how to socialize and bond with the other elephants, and eventually how to browse for food to eat and for water to drink and bathe in—all important parts of being an elephant.
They will continue caring for Nanzhi until she is ready to go back to the wild. Until then, Nanzhi is more than happy to keep spending time with Bupe.
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