ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 มี.ค. 2024
- Tigere shares a look back at the Jabulani 20-year journey and shares a birthday message from himself and the elephants.
We'll be sharing the stories of Jabulani with you over the next few months as we celebrate 20 years of our lodge in the South African wilderness. We are so proud of our team members, the people who have walked the journey with us. Some have been there from the beginning and continue to shape the stories we tell and help create the kind of world we are passionate about. A world where rescued elephants are given a second chance at a wild life, a safe and protected life. A world where humans are open to learning from animals, and where love and purpose drive each step.
Elephant Manager, Tigere Matipedza is a man many know, for his incredible leadership in guiding the elephant carers at HERD (Hoedspruit Elephant Rehabilitation and Development - www.herd.org.za), as well as his heartfelt storytelling, deep knowledge of elephants, and infectious humour and laugh. We are so grateful for Tigere's presence in our human herd and for his excellent care of the elephants.
Born and raised in Zimbabwe, Tigere began working with elephants at the age of 16 and has gained a wealth of wisdom over the years. Tigere worked with the original herd of elephants, now known as the Jabulani herd, back in Zimbabwe before the herd was translocated to South Africa. Having been through so much together and having spent many years together, Tigere has exceptionally close bonds with each of the elephants. He officially started working with us in 2005 once obtaining the necessary visa and permits, joining his colleagues and the herd and meeting young Jabulani for the first time.
Since then, Tigere has shown exceptional leadership skills and an eagerness to learn all there is to know about elephants and share his knowledge with the world. He completed his FGASA level one in field guiding in 2017. Tigere’s wife and three children live in Zimbabwe - he returns home to spend time with them when on leave. He takes time out to spend with his kids in nature, and tending to his cattle and his land. But he says his misses his other family, the elephants, very much when he is away.
Tigere did not have an easy start in life. He sadly lost his father at the age of six years old, and one year later, lost his mother too. Being one of four brothers, they had to look after themselves, which his eldest brother taking responsibility, who tragically passed away a few years later too. Tigere had to work full time from the young age of sixteen, which he did, on a farm in Zimbabwe.
He asked to work with the elephants, as he found them very interesting, and soon became a stable hand, with the owner teaching him all he knew about elephants. For the first time in his life, Tigere felt like he made a difference to something, with his hard work and care for the elephants. He started to understand them, and fell in love with working with them, it felt more like a hobby, than work.
Discover more:
Meet the HERD elephant carers: herd.org.za/meet-the-team/the...
Watch this previous interview with Tigere: • Carer Conversations ~ ...
Thank you Tigere ❤. I hope you know how very loved you and the others are at Herd/Jabulani, around the world. You are amazing 🎉❤.
This was wonderful. I have wondered how Jabulani came to be. What a wonderful life. I live in SW Colorado and have been a wildlife rehabilitator for native wildlife. I understand the joy and the heartbreak that goes with your career. I know the long-term planning that goes into the planning and training of those that are able to be released back into the wild with many prayers for their success and happiness. God bless you all.
Thank you so much Tigere it is a blessing you are by the Jabulani Herd I have see you for so long in the videos and you teach us by learn how the elephants are and do. 💚💚💯💢You are a great teacher and Stravos have give a lot of love and make the bottles of milk for Khanyisa.
Thank you Tigere for sharing your beautiful story with us and for the love and care you shower the herd with - they too are blessed ❤
Dear Tigere. What a Wonderful history you have given us. A dedicated and hard-working young man who is now, deservedly, Elephant Manager. A deeply humble man who honours and respects his colleagues, especially our dearly-loved Stavros. Your love for Elephants is without doubt. As is our love, appreciation and respect for you. Thank you and God Bless you for everything you do. You are a Credit to Jabulani and Herd. 💖🐘💖🙏
Tigere, you are a blessing to Jabulani and HERD. You are not only a carer, you are a teacher, a mentor, and yes, an expert on elephant characteristics and communication. Elephants it seems to me from these videos, although staggering in size, have sophisticated communications that are far from obvious, and have behaviors that can be quite difficult to read. So Tigere, you have fans around the globe, you inspire including other carers, and we are grateful to you as an earth keeper for so many of us.
Thank you Tigere, your love for the elephants is wonderful. Your insight and wisdom is commendable. Thank you for sharing your experience with us, we really appreciatebit. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼💕❤️❤💕❤️
WOW! My life changes for the better everytime I turn into HERD. I could listen to you all day, Tigere. Your gratitude, kindness, experience, sense of humour and knowledge are the reasons we become better human beings. Thank you for sharing. It is very much appreciated. I am grateful❤
As I sit here this morning, with my coffee, I feel as though I’m sitting at the Jabulani lodge, listening to my favorite carer.
Yes me to I am have my coffee also!!!
I'm amazed at how smoothly articulate Tigere is with a language that is not his native tongue. The history of Jabulani is so interesting and he tells the story so well! Thanks, Tigere!, For all you have done and all you continue to do!🔆🫶
My favorite carer ❤
Thank you so much for you and your story Tigere. HERD is truly blessed to have you on their team and the elephants know that also! How beautiful!🧡🥰🤗🐘
I love that Tigere is sharing his experiences and emotional journey with the elephants. He said working at Jabulani is a privilege, but I believe they are lucky to have had him there for so long. Happy that he can be with his human family as well as HERD. What a gift he is to this important work. I hope he knows how special he is!
Tigere.. you are a king in the most humblest sense.. you are part of the world. Thank you for such a beautiful account of your journey with the elephants.. and for your service to them.. you make the videos fun.. it is wonderful to follow the HERD with you. 💚🐘 tatenda
Dear Tigere, Thank you for your dedication and care for these magnificent elephants. 🙏🏼🐘🩶
Love his vibe. He’s a great communicator. He’s become someone I respect halfway across the world. Thank you for sharing your experience with us Tigere 🙏👍🏻♥️🐘
Thank you for being such a caring overseer for the elephants and for your leadership among the rest of the team. We all appreciate you very much as we watch the videos and see you in action. You make us all proud to have you at Herd.
My husband and I both love you and the work you do. Thank you for being such a kind and beautiful soul !! 🌺🐘🏵🐘🌸
Thankyou Tigere. Your story is wonderful and full of love. Bless you .
Thank you, Tigere, for such a wonderful real-life story of your time with the elephants and humans who make up the world in which you live. You have created in me a desire to visit Jabulani and HERD, and I am actively formulating plans of how to make my way from Atlanta,Georgia, USA, to Jabulani Lodge. This is now at the top of my bucket list. Thank you for your love and care of this magnificent herd of elephants and people.😊❤️May God continue to bless and keep all of you!🙏🏽
It says a lot about the HERD operation, that these wonderful carers have given so many years to their positions there.
What a family!
Thankyou for all you do 🐘🐘🐘❤
Fascinating how the humble and wise soul of Tigere speaks the language of the elephants
🐘❤🐘
Thank you for letting us know this very interesting story that builds stronger bonds with this most beloved herd. ❤
I love that he knew the elephants from Zimbabwe and that his heart yearned for reconnection. 🫶
Beautiful, grateful, humble heart. Thank you, Tigere.
What a distinct pleasure and privilege it is to hear Tigere's story. :^) I sincerely hope that you'll do similar videos for each carer, including Khensani(sp?). I think many of us think of you as family, although we may never meet this side of Heaven. God bless you Tigere! And may He also bless everyone else at HERD, including our much-beloved
4-legged family members.
❤🐘🐘🐘🐘❤️🐘🐘🐘🐘❤️🙏🏽🐘🙏🏽❤️🐘🐘🐘🐘❤️🐘🐘🐘🐘❤️🐑🐕🐑
Thank you so much for this! I believe I know quite a bit about the origins of HERD, but I love learning more. What a massive undertaking it must be to ensure these magnificent creatures remain among the happiest, healthiest and fattest elephants on the planet! Blessings to all of you 🙏🏼
🥰💜🐘💜🐘💜
Thanks, Tigere🌹
It's a great humans and animals adventures you tell us. A beautiful Heart story. ❤
Such a dedicated man. Loves his 🐘 elephants . Lovely story of your years at Jubulani. Thank you for all you and your team and Adine have done to preserve Elephants in our world. Iwas afraid that all the elephants were going to be killed by poaching .You should be very proud of the work that you due at Jubulani. God bless you all. Thank you.
Thank you Tigere, your work means a lot ❤❤❤
Tigere is truly a angel amongst us, we love and appreciate everything that you do, you have shown us how compassion and patience wins always 💙🩵💙
Wonderful man. Life's lesson learned from a great community of humans and Elllies. ❤
Thank you Tigere, so much!
Your insight and storytelling from your heart!❤️
We all love and appreciate you, for your pride, your dedication, but most of all, your humbleness, and integrity!!
Adine , Stavros, and all the wonderful carers from the past and now today, and in the future!
You are Jabulani, and all your brothers, and the love of all these magnificent creatures, the elephants.
God Bless You HERD, I’m proud to be apart of such a beautiful family!!
❤love from Maryland, USA🇺🇸🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘❤️
Lovely conversation with Tigere! Thank you!
Thank you Tigere for sharing with all of us. You and your team are kindhearted and it shows in each video. You are appreciated more than you know. 🐘
The elephants and the other members of the HERD are blessed to have you too Tigere. ❤ Your love and dedication is evident by the successful results of the unified HERD. 🙏 🐘
What a fascinating back story to the Herd. Thank you, Tigere. What an awesome teacher you are. Because I teach elementary students, I know about what I speak! Thank you, Herd, for all that you do. You all are remarkable in what you have accomplished!
Hello Tiger, God bless you, and may you continue with your willingness and joy to work with these animals for another 20 years PARABÉNS PELO SEU CARINHO 👍👍👍👏👏👏👏
Thank you for sharing this wonderful interview with Mr. Tigere! He is an inspiration!!
Tigere you are an amazing person. I remember when I came to Herd and met you. You are just the same in person as you are in the videos. You have such a big heart and so much love to give this magnificent family of elephants 🐘. You took a video of me feeding Sebakwe 🐘 and I kissed his trunk. I will have that experience forever because of you. Thank you for telling us your story. I never knew it took you 2 years to get from Zimbabwe to Hoedspruit. I am so happy that I got to meet you and Adine. She has such a sweet soul and it was and had been a privilege to meet you both. Thank you for loving this amazing family of elephants 🐘. Have a beautiful day ❤️🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘❤️
That must have been so exciting to give to HERD and see the elephants, carers and Adine.
🐘❤️🐘❤️
Tiger ! Thank you for your sage words. It is an honor to meet you. 👍🏻🇺🇸
Wonderful interview and wonderful, kind man. Thank you! ❤🐘🌹🙏🏾
Yes tiger. I’m glad that god out you ther
Much respect to Tigere and his dedicated staff. They are protecting the elephants so the rest of us can hope to experience their amazing souls someday. Many thanks from the world. Blessed be, everyone. Love to the elephants.
Thank you, Tigre, for your 20 years of support and care to Jubalani.
This was fascinating ,informative, interesting, and you could feel the love he has for Adine, Mrs. Roode and the whole HERD team.
I absolutely loved this.
A big thank you for sharing your lives and the elephants with us every day. It is also our honor.
🐘❤️🐘❤️🐘❤️🐘❤️
P.S.
I hope you post this on the HERD channel as well. It was so lovely to hear the history of HERD.
Tigere, it is an honor to hear you tell your story about your relationship with Jabulani and HERD. Your natural leadership qualities are strong and so worthy of respect. This work you do with elephants is so good for all of Nature that includes: the Earth, the plants, the animals and the people. You are setting such an example, such a heartbeat, for how we all need to love our world and to care for our world. Please know that you really do make a difference for all of life. May your continuing life be filled with love and happiness.
What a wonderful surprise to have you Tigre talk with us! Thank you so much! ~ Very interesting stories & informational! ~ We are so happy you are the Manager at HERD~ It is such a blessing the Elephants have you and of course Adine and the entire team. God bless you and everyone at Herd, Spottie, Lammie, and all the Elephants. ~ 🙏❤🧡💛💚💙💜💗🤎🤍
All of God's blessings to you and your family. Much love from Michigan USA Thank you for sharing with us❤
Tigere, you are truly a world treasure of deep wisdom, humanity and compassion. Thank you for sharing your gifts, love of ellies and humble heart. Your stories are wonderful! Blessings from California USA.
Thank you,very interesting 🕊🇺🇲💕
Thank you and the HERD team for taking all your care and efforts to share the herd’s experiences and lives. Its amazing and we see you here in Canada! 🇨🇦🇨🇦
Forgive me for using an overworked word, but that was absolutely “awesome.” Sincerity in its purest form, touched me on so many levels, a privilege to hear from a dedicated , lovely man. Herd is a big part of my day. Blessings to all.
Dedication, love and hope. So grateful for you and the others who care for the Ellies, Tigere! Thank you for sharing your story with us. Blessings to you all from Florida.❤🎉
Thank you, Tigere. That was very interesting.
Tigere is such a great soul. ❤️
Thanks for your hard work, Tigere.
Happy Birthday, Jabulani. You deserve all the praises.
Sending love, hugs and the best wishes from Brazil 🇧🇷
Thanks Tigere ❤❤❤ It was truly inspiring. As Adine once said it is not just a job, it is growing old with them 😊😊😊❤❤❤🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Love all the Ellies and the Team❤❤❤🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🐘🐘🐘
I just wish we could “download” ALL of his observations, experiences and analyses for others to build upon. They are priceless. Thank you so very, very much, Tigere. You’ve built a legacy. 🙌🏾 And with all my heart, I believe that these fellow sentient beings appreciate your “behavioral translations.” 😊😊
Congratulations Tigere. You have done a fantastic job, explaining about 20 years of HERD.What a wonderful experience working with these very special creatures. You all are a great team and Adine is wonderful. I will listen to your explanation again. Thank you again for a wonderful story and I wish that all of you will celebrate another 20 years together. May God bless you all with excellent health, a long life and much wisdom.❤🙏❤
Thank you Tigere ❤
There’s many years of combined experience in this video. Thank you, Tigere. I hear Adine whistling in the background. ❤
I can imagine how wonderful it is to be working with the Jabulani Herd for so long. Congratulations Mr Tigere!
What a great video - beautiful, inspirational, moving... So much respect and gratitude to you, Tiger - thank you for the wonderful work you and your other team members do and it's truly lovely to hear your story and your thoughts and feelings.
Many of us can't help these animals directly but we have such an enormous debt to them as human beings, for displacing them, destroying their habitat and killing so many of them in cold blood.
My heartfelt thanks to all of you for the healing work you do.
For my part, I'm saving up to visit Jabulani one day to thank you all in person - meanwhile back here in the UK I'm watching, liking, sharing, donating when I can, and droning on in my friends' ears constantly about HERD, its amazing elephants and people, and their precious haven.
May the gods bless you all abundantly, more and more every day ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
So humble and gracious with his appreciation for the team at HERD! Tigere’s passion & pride for Jabulani is so beautiful ❤🐘❤
Ahh Tigere, what a wonderfull story, i love to listen to you, to hear your experience and wisdom.
You are one of a kind
Thank you for al the hard work you do.
Thank you❤
❤️❤️❤️🐘🐘🐘🌳🌳🌳
Amazing Tigere I hope to visit Jabulani Lodge to meet the wonderful team and elephants xxx
Tigere, thx for all u do out there & educating us as well. 🐘🐘🐘🐘Very m7ch enjoyed watching this video. Puts smile on my face.😊 I'm sure all the ellie herd & the workers & visitors greatly appreciate your amazing care, knowledge & support. Many of us from around world sure do. God bless & take care! 🙏
What a blessing to have this time with you, Tigere. The Roode Family made a warm and wise decision in waiting for you to join them. Your soul is so wise, calm, accepting and supportive. You shine. You were born for this assignment in life. Thank you for your hard work with nature, animals, people and designing new, productive ideas. PLEASE have a "Tigere Talk" once a month - you really help us relate. Especially those who can never visit Jabulani. The more heartfelt knowledge we receive, the easier it is for us to bring the cause to others. God Bless You, Tigere. --- (We Love You Stavros! (◔‿◔) TATENDA JABULANI/HERD/ADINE/ROODE FAMILY/CARERS, VISITORS, SUPPORTERS!!! TATENDA!!!!!
Tatenda Tigere for all this information and the love you put in your work. Greetings from France
This man is a philosopher in overalls! With his calm personality he would be so good at teaching African school kids about taking care of the Wild animals especially elephants. I will look forward to the next philosophy session from Tigere!
Thank you for your great contribution to The Herd. How sad you had to miss those two years without the elephants. It must be so rewarding to be part of the elephants lives. You and the whole team are my heroes. Beautiful people. ❤
You are a very important part of the team of carers. Thank you for sharing your story with us. We hope to see you for many more years
Tigere's stories are so interesting. But the best thing is his kind, open and humble dedication to his own growth, as well as the elephants well being. I am moved and inspired.
I’m grateful for your journey and your love for the elephants Tigere. Thank you so much for sharing your story ❤
I love and admire your attitude! We need people like you to teach American's how to be appreciative and honorable and have a desire to do good! Thank you for all you do! God bless you and all the Carers and Adine!--Oh and of course, the elephants!
Yes. Americans need to remember honor, gratitude, care for each other, commitment, the good of all, true service in business and personal relationships. Tigere expresses these values describing working with the Roodes and the elephants. The Roodes have been models of healthy love in relationships and bringing integrity and honor to the Jabulani and HERD business entities. And the Carers share with one another and the elephants. It's no wonder the elephants "pay it forward" with group members. Humans and ellies take care of each other at Jabulani and HERD. Well done.
Hi Tigere 👋🏻 you're a wise and humble man. Thank you for dedicating your life to this amazing elephant herd!💚
So interesting…Thank You…I could listen to Tigere all day! His big heart and love for the elephants as well as Jabulani are so evident. It would be interesting to listen to other carers as well!
Olá bom dia 🇧🇷
Amazing stories and history! Tigere and to all, thank you for sharing and everything you do for the Herd. ❤️🐘❤️ please continue your dedication to these magnificent animals. ❣️
Tigere, that was such an interesting and educational insight into the workings of Jubalani and Herd. Thank you for your wisdom, love and dedication to the elephants. I can see why Adine and Mrs Roode saw your leadership qualities. It's very precious the close respectful and kind relationships that are part of HERD. It's a testament to Adine, as a happy work environment starts at the top. I really enjoyed listening to you. A very kind soul indeed. ❤🐘🐘🐘🙏🇦🇺
Tatenda Tigere ❤❤❤ and for everyone else at the HERD and of course Adine!!❤❤❤
Jabulani is an absolute sweetheart ❤
Tigere, you are awesome. We thank you for all you do. ❤🐘❤️❤️❤️🐘. We love and respect you all for all your hard work. ❤️
Thank you for your love, care, and support for the elephants, sheep's, and other animals...you really do make a difference! It takes a special person for this job and a love and caring ❤️. Many blessings Tigere..
Tiger is so very articulate; especially with a second language. He is a wonderful story teller. The love he has for Herd shines from this eyes.
Well spoken Tigere!!!Everything you say is sincerely coming from your heart. All the love and support you and the carers have for all the elephants. Yes they are extremely intelligent as we all know. Everyone can learn a lot from them. Your work is in a way enviable as I can see how content and happy you are as part of the Jabulani family, an important contributor, along with the other carers and everyone else who takes care of the elephant family. Everyone has great mutual respect for one another as well as respect for all the elephants. It's hard work looking after orphan infants 24/7 making it possible for reintegration with the other elephants. I love how accepting the elephants are with the orphans, Phabeni at the present time. So delightful watching his growth. Keep up the good work everyone. I enjoy all the videos, the elephants, Adine and all the carers who make all this possible. Thank you to Mrs Roode, Adine's mother and Adine. Initially none of this would be possible without them. And definitely the carers are lifesavers. God love you all at HERD.❤ Happy Birthday to Jabulani.
I love that you are giving the carer's credit and recognition for the hard work and their love of the elephants and the dangers that they face everyday - modern day hero's!
🤍Thank you Tigere!🤍
Such a delight to hear your story! Thank you for sharing. It helps us learn so much more about the herd and how we can all support one another.
Loved it!! Enjoyed learning so much about Herd and about the love Tigre has for the elephants. I enjoy getting to know the individuals.
Tigere, thanks so much for your love and dedication to the HERD. May God bless you and your family, human beings like you, are hard to find nowadays. Adine has an amazing team of good hearted people that share her passion and love for elephants. Lots of blessings to all of you!!!🐘♥️🥰🍀🙏🏻👏🏻
What a nice man.
No truer words spoken ! Thank you for your care of these amazing elephants and much respect for you and all the people working there. Keep safe and take care. Regards from Tasmania.
I could listen to Tigere all day. Such a wonderful advocate for elephants. Wonderful man, thank you for all you do ❤️
What a special man. Appreciate his respect and admiration for the Roode family, and his humble gratefulness for the opportunities he has been given. It was sad to hear that he was originally separated from his elephant family, and his fellow carers. But he made his way back to them. His words are eloquent and wise. It is obvious that the elephants and the Herd organization have had an enormous impact on the man he has become. It is also interesting that he considers each individual involved, including the elephants, as part of one functioning entity. They all work together to have success. Really enjoyed this. ❤
Tigere . Thank you so much for sharing your journey and experiences. It was wonderful to listen to you! I’m sure the elephants love you and appreciate your caring for them.
It really is a blessing to be amongst such sentient animals. The team are so kind and caring. So nice to see you Tigere and hear your story with the Herd so far. Keep up the good work.😊
WOW! THAT WAS WONDERFUL. BRAVO!
What wonderful stories and those yet to come...🐘❤❤
Thank you Tigere for this very interesting post. Thank you for caring so much for the health and welfare of the elephants. Thank you Adine for the joy you are bringing to us. God bless ❤
Thank you so much Tigre. Your story is inspiring. I couldn’t imagine the Herd without you ❤
Thanks to all of you amazing people
Wish, I could have the Honor to meet you, Sir.