BM_JBBritish_elephant_nannies by John Balson   WHILE most women will have babysat for friends and family - few would have played mum to the largest land-mammal on earth.   But that is the challenge faced by the British 'elephant nannies' who help raise young orphans as their own.   Abigail Hearn, 24, and Lisa Olivier, 28, help provide 24-hour care to abandoned youngsters at Knysna Elephant Park in South Africa.    The park is home to a semi-captive population of elephants - most of which have either been orphaned or rescued from abusive circumstances.   When babies are not accepted into the herd the nannies are called upon - and work hard to strike bonds with them.   They clean, feed and comfort the animals through the first tender first weeks of their lives.   Miss Hearn, a zoology graduate from Brighton, was supposed to be at the park for six months 'but just never left' and has now been there 18 months.   "Back in England you wouldn't be able to get experience like it," said the Nottingham University graduate whose boyfriend, Matt Pamment, 24, lives in the UK.   "I get to go out and see the elephants every day and build a relationship with them. It's so surreal - but wonderful.   "I couldn't have asked for a better job. When I go home and see my friends, family and boyfriend I love telling them my stories and it is just fantastic."   Miss Hearn and Mrs Olivier help weigh and feed the the young animals, who can drink about two litres of mineral-enriched milk formula every two hours.   Young elephants need about 16L of milk a day up until they reach 6-months-old and then 30L of milk a day until they are two years old.   They have to ensure they are kept warm with a blanket during cold periods, provide fresh sawdust and a mattress in the sleeping pens and help teach them about the world.   Mrs Olivier, from Somerset, said: "They're such social animals and they learn through social learning so they're always busy, they always need to be kept occupied.    "That's how they learn about the world and how to live the next 60-70 years."   And as young elephants are used to having their mothers with them at all times, the nannies must even sleep beside the young elephants.   They are often assisted in there nanny duties by volunteers from overseas. This includes two British volunteers Melissa Dora, 25, from London, and Paige White, 21, from Bristol, (both pictured) who have both fulfilled their dreams of working with elephants.   They have helped take it in three-hour shifts through the night to comfort and reassure young elephants.   Mrs Olivier, who has recently got married to South African Theo, 27, an elephant manager, said in the past she has gets overly worried about the animals - but describes it as 'a normal new-mother feeling'.   The Exeter University graduate first came to the park to study for her masters in animal behaviour, having previously worked in a clothes shop.   She was only supposed to be there 10 weeks but has now been there two-and-a-half years.   All of their work is monitored and advised by 'elephant mum' founder Lisette Withers, her husband Ian and Dr Debbie Young.    Lisette and Ian have been caring for orphan elephants for 20 years and her first elephant 'Sally' is now the matriarch of the herd.   Many have come from abusive circumstances, while others were earmarked for culling in overpopulated national parks throughout South Africa.   As well as caring for the elephants, Knysna also conducts groundbreaking research into the relationships and dynamics of semi-captive herds.   The ambition for the orphan elephants is to get them to the stage where they can integrate naturally as if they were in the wild.   And while the nannies form incredible bonds with the youngsters they know that ultimately their place is with the main herd.   ENDS