Born in Harare, Zimbabwe, 59 year old Stavros started off working with wild horses in 1995, and progressed from there to working with elephants in 1998. This seasoned handler hails from Harare, Zimbabwe, where his wife and five daughters still live. He joined Camp Jabulani in April 2002.
Favourite part of the job
Stavros says his favourite part of the job is walking with the elephants. From the moment that they leave the stables in the morning, walking with them while they are feeding, accompanying them to the dam where they enjoy some well deserved downtime, going on the daily elephant back safaris, he just cannot get enough of it.
“I am happy to be with them every second of my day,” enthuses Stavros.
Who is your favourite elephant and why
- Somapane because he is clever and exceptionally good with scent tracking.
- Sebakwe because he has a great personality.
- Tokwe because she’s a very caring mother.
- Jabulani because he listens to commands and always does everything he is told.
“In 2005 I brought my son, Kaswed Friday, with me to visit the lodge. It was an excellent experience for him. Today he is working alongside me at Camp Jabulani, part of our team of 27 grooms.”
Joshua grew up in Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe and started working with elephants in 1987. He left behind his wife and 6 children to join Camp Jabulani along with with his friend Stavros in April 2002.
Favourite part of the job
Joshua says that working with elephants is tremendously fascinating. He really enjoys the continual learning curve he finds himself on through spending extended periods of time with them.
“I recognize some of their languages by now. I never want to stop learning about them. I could write a thick book about them.”
Who is your favourite elephant and why
- Jabulani because he is half-human and half-elephant.
- Sebakwe because he’s such a star. Everything he does, he does well.
- Bubi because she’s calm and relaxed. One could do anything with her.
“I brought my son, Emanuel Dube, to Camp Jabulani in 2007. He loved it so much he did not want to go back. We are still working together here at the camp.”
Israel Shambira (Senior Handler)Israel grew up in Chishe, a village near Grendale in Mashonaland.
He first began to work with elephants and wildlife in 1998 at Dombawera Game Park. Later that same year he moved to Braeside farm near Chinoyi, when the trained elephants he was working with were taken over by Rory Hensman.
In 2002 he again moved – this time to Camp Jabulani when the elephants came to South Africa. He has been at Camp Jabulani ever since.
He is married to Susan and they have 3 daughters (Rumbidza, Charity and Meloldy) and 1 son (Solomon). His family lives in Zimbabwe. Israel’s younger brother, Kenneth, works as a groom at Camp Jabulani as well.
Favourite part of the job
Israel says for him being able to oversee all of the elephants, and not just working with one of them, is what he loves most.
Who is your favourite elephant and why
- Somapane because of his relaxed, easygoing character, and because he responds well to commands.
