Learn more about the herd

The elephant family has expanded! Pina-Nessi, Bongi and Punda have given birth to young. Find out all about the herd in the park and learn about the threats and conservation of African elephants in the wild.

The elephant mothers

Pina-Nessi

Pina-Nessi is 10 years old and recently became the mother of her first calf, Mosi. You can recognize Pina-Nessi by her light eyes, teeth that stick out slightly and she is often busy with willow branches. She is smart, playful, social and sometimes impatient.

Bongi

Bongi is 18 years old and recently became the mother of her first calf, Ajabu. Bongi can be identified by the hairs on her head. She is slightly smaller than Punda. Bongi has a feisty and impatient nature, but can also be very sweet.

Punda

At 31 years old, Punda is the matriarch of the group. She recently became the mother of her fifth calf. Punda is the largest cow in the herd with the largest tusks. She has a very calm nature.

The calves

Mosi

On Nov. 4, Pina-Nessi became the mother of her first calf, Mosi. Mosi means "first-born. A fitting name, as she is the first African elephant calf conceived and born at Safaripark.

Ajabu

On Dec. 3, Bongi became the mother of her first calf, Ajabu. Ajabu means "wonderful, magnificent, radiant. A fitting name, for this beautiful second calf in the herd.

Tendai

On Feb. 19, Punda gave birth to her fifth calf, Tendai. Tendai means "thankful," because how grateful we are for all the healthy happiness in the herd!

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The herd in the park

The African elephant is endangered in the wild. The population in zoos ensures that the animals do not go extinct. Beekse Bergen is happy to contribute to this and has been working toward this moment since 2015.

In 2015, Punda's herd came from Wupperthal.
Punda was then pregnant with Madiba. On May 4, 2016, Madiba was born.
As part of the management program, Yambo came to the park in August 2021.
Yambo soon felt at home and after a day of getting used to his perk, he met Punda's family on day 2.
Coverings came quickly and after 6 months they were successful.

Family tree

Elephants Pina-Nessi, Punda and Bongi all had calves by bul Yambo. What exactly does this family structure look like? Check out the family tree of the herd at Safaripark below.

beeksebergen olifanten stamboom

Jonge olifanten op de savanne van Safaripark Beekse Bergen

Wat is het Watotowatembo effect?

Watoto wa tembo is Swahili voor ‘jonge olifantjes’. Het ‘jonge olifantjes’-effect is het gevoel van geluk dat je ervaart na het zien van schattige, jonge olifanten. De glimlach die je krijgt bij het zien van de pluizige oren, onhandige bewegingen en zwierende slurfjes. Het is namelijk wetenschappelijk bewezen dat jonge olifantjes ervoor zorgen dat ons gelukshormoon toeneemt. Wil je dit geluksgevoel ervaren? Volg Mosi, Ajabu en Tendai en blijf op de hoogte via onze kanalen.