Rescue Welfare Concern
When a friend passes – in memory of Matambu
The circle of woven green grass dotted with flowers hangs gently from your textured ivory. We placed it there because we felt a need to leave something beautiful in your memory. Our 17-year journey can only be described as a journey of friendship. Once I captured your ear pattern, you were on our records like…
Read MoreSnare saga with sweet ending!
By Harriet Nimmo Elephants Alive were called about a bull elephant on Mahlathini Private Game Reserve (north of Phalaborwa), that had been seen with a horrific snare injury on his front leg. The injured elephant had first been sighted a month ago – but had then disappeared and presumably left the open reserve. It was then spotted…
Read MoreA Will to Live
By Dr. Michelle Henley Matambu Most people who are part of the Associated Private Nature Reserves (APNR) have come to know Matambu. He is a true gentle giant in every sense of the word. Sometimes he bestows a great honor on us by contact rumbling when he senses us. Possibly, we have visited him frequently…
Read MoreMatambu Gets Treatment For His Injuries
Wildlife Vet Joel Alves assessing Matambu injury . Credit: Mike Whatmore We have been following Matambu for 15 years. Over the years Matambu has come to trust our research team, greeting us with low thunderous contact rumbles and often walking over to the vehicle to share a pool of shade with us. Matambu, meaning long…
Read MoreElephant squatter evicted from Ingwelala Camp!
By Harriet Nimmo A bull elephant broke through the perimeter fence and moved into the Ingwelala Camp, where he has been for a number of weeks. He is known to Elephants Alive as Draco, with his distinctive tear on his right ear and elongated wart on his left temporal gland. Although peaceful and gentle, he was damaging a number of trees…
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