Witnessing a baby elephant and an adult sheep peacefully sleeping next to each other is perhaps the closest image we can imagine of the metaphor of a lion lying beside a lamb. This is the story of Themba, a baby elephant, and Albert, a sheep, whose unique bond has amazed the caretakers at the wildlife sanctuary.
At just six months old, Themba faced the harsh realities of wildlife when his mother tragically fell into a ravine. The wildlife experts at the Sanbona Wildlife Reserve in South Africa closely monitored the orphaned elephant, hoping that another elephant would step into the role of its mother. Unfortunately, this did not happen, forcing the veterinary staff to intervene to save the baby elephant from starving. Themba’s new home, the Shamwari Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in the Eastern Cape, became the place where he met his future companion, Albert.
Their initial meeting was less than ideal, as the baby elephant caused a commotion by chasing Albert around the pen, forcing the flock of sheep to find shelter for half the day. Despite the rocky start, Themba’s gentle curiosity eventually eased Albert’s worries. Lyndal Davies, a filmmaker and naturalist who documented their journey, observed Themba approaching the bars separating them, extending his trunk to touch and sniff Albert’s thick wool. This gentle interaction sparked Albert’s interest, and he soon began exploring the larger enclosure. From then on, Themba and Albert became inseparable companions, spending their days exploring the enclosure and going on eight-hour walks—crucial for Themba’s development. Remarkably, the duo could often be seen napping on a termite mound they had just dug up together.
Dr. Johan Joubert, the wildlife director at the center, praised Albert’s strength, noting that the healthy sheep was able to play with Themba more effectively than the staff could. Albert became an integral part of Themba’s new herd, displaying behaviors more akin to an elephant than a sheep, including adopting Themba’s diet and even learning to eat thorny acacia bushes. Despite their strong bond, the ultimate goal of the rehabilitation center remains to reintroduce Themba to the wild, which may eventually mean parting ways with this extraordinary duo.
