Introducing the Chipembele Crash
A series of NFTs featuring photos of inclusions from Chipembele – a 7,525 carat Gemfields emerald – highlighting the importance of transparency and traceability, and giving back to charity
Intanda (‘star’) is impossible to miss with her trademark floppy ears. She can be most often found listening to the chatter of the rhino minders (known as boma teams) with her headphones on. Though she was shy when she first arrived at the North Luangwa National Park, never straying far from the security base in the evenings, she has since found her feet, and is now a mother.
Kango (‘chief’)
Kango (‘chief’) also took time to adjust to life at the North Luangwa National Park. To meet him now, you would never guess that he was once bullied by bigger bulls. Today, Kango is a leader among the bulls, with a distinctive hole in his left ear, a following of adoring lady rhinos and a few calves carrying his genes. He found his confidence after the North Luangwa Conservation Project sheltered him for two years, allowing him time to heal from his wounds.
Mapalo (‘blessing’) was one of the first five rhinos to be reintroduced to the North Luangwa National Park in 2003. This was a seminal moment, as rhinos had been declared nationally extinct a decade before. Mapalo is a spirited and protective mother, as evidenced by her tiara and sharp sabre-like front horn. She has even been known to frighten monitoring officers so much that they flee up the trees to hide!
Mwamba (‘at the top’) is a dominant male in every sense. Descended from black rhino royalty, he has always been brave, mature and playful, like his dominant ancestors at North Luangwa National Park. As a calf, he would scrape his dung – a ritual to signal dominance and mark one’s territory by spreading one’s smell along game trails. Mwamba is fun as well as forceful, as shown by his irresistible cheeky grin.
Subilo (‘hope’) arrived in North Luangwa National Park as a mature 12-year-old bull ready to face the world. He quickly established himself as a leader, edging out other bulls and fathering multiple calves. He’s one of the best, sweetest and most mild black rhinos around, if a bit difficult to track and monitor. Now one of the most senior of the bunch, he can be a bit grumpy, but his pink bow tie bears testament to his dapper bearing.
Tamala (‘last born’), the last of the rhinos to be released and re-integrated into North Luangwa National Park in 2010, has fit in seamlessly. A chilled-out earth child, she has embraced everything about the park, from the vegetation, to social pressure, ticks, flies, and everything else. At her happiest when relaxing in a muddy wallow, she is always cool, calm and collected, as grounded as the earth beneath our feet.
Chipembele
North Luangwa Conservation Project
The programme delivers hands-on and effective conservation focusing on protected area management and community empowerment. For more information, visit:
Proof of Donation
With a track record in providing transparency and trust through technology within the gems and jewellery sector, Provenance Proof is now launching Proof of Donation, a new service designed to securely track and trace donations to enhance trust in philanthropic projects, by applying cutting-edge technology.