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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 more about the threats and conservation of African elephants in the wild.
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The elephant enclosures
In 2024, the elephant valley was opened as the third enclosure for the elephants, a necessary expansion given the growth of the group. With this third enclosure, the Safari Park has become very flexible in the management and housing of the elephants. Which elephants stay in which outside enclosure is regularly alternated. This gives the elephants new stimuli each time and keeps them curious.
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The herd in the park
The herd consists of her daughters and granddaughters. Occasionally, one of the bulls can also be found in the herd. When one of the elephant cows is in the fertile period it will always be Yambo. At other times, Calimero may also occasionally join the herd. The three little ones, being females, will always remain part of the herd. In the wild, females also usually remain in the herd where they were born their entire lives.
The herd of Punda
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Punda (1992)
In 2015, Punda moved to the Safari Park with two daughters and a son. She was pregnant by then and gave birth to daughter Madiba in 2016. Punda is the matriach of the herd and is the biggest cow of the herd with the biggest bumper teeth. She has a very calm nature.
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Bongi (2005)
Bongi became the mother of her first calf, Ajabu, in 2023. Bongi herself was the first calf from Punda and was born in Wuppertal. Bongi can be recognized by the hairs on her head. She is slightly smaller than Punda. Bongi has a spicy and impatient character, but can also be very sweet.
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Pina-Nessi (2003)
Pina-Nessi was born in Wuppertal. In 2023 she 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.
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Madiba (2016)
In 2016, Punda became the mother of Madiba. She was the first elephant calf ever born in the Safari Park, as well as the first calf ever born in the Benelux.
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Mosi (2023)
On November 4, Pina-Nessi became the mother of her first calf, Mosi. Mosi means 'first born'. A fitting name, she is the first African elephant calf conceived and born in the Safari Park.
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Ajabu (2023)
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.
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Tendai (2024)
On Feb. 19, Punda became the mother of her fifth calf, Tendai. Tendai means "thankful," because how grateful we are for all the healthy happiness in the herd!
Pedigree
Elephants Pina-Nessi, Punda and Bongi have all had calves by bull Yambo. What exactly does this family structure look like? Check out the family tree of the herd at Safari Park below.
Sabi & Carla
Sabi and Carla are always together, often with one of the bulls, and never with the Punda herd. In the wild, herds usually consist of females who are all related to each other. So Punda's herd has a natural composition and we would like to keep it that way. Adding an unrelated elephant cow to the herd could cause unrest.
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Carla (1986)
Carla, along with four other elephants, came to the Safari Park in 1988. Of all the animals currently living in Safari Park, Carla is the one who has been here the longest. Carla is easiest to recognize by the fact that she does have fangs and is always with Sabi.
The elephant bulls
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Calimero (1978)
Calimero came to the Safaripark from Basel Zoo in 2004 as part of the European Management Program. Although the goal was for Calimero to produce offspring at the Safari Park, unfortunately this never happened. Calimero is the largest and heaviest elephant in Europe.
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Yambo (2004)
Yambo came to the Safaripark from the Spanish Safaripark Cabarceno in 2021, also as part of the European Management Program. Within a very short time, Punda, Pina-Nessi and Bongi worked pregnant, with the birth of three daughters as a wonderful result.
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