Wildlife Conservation Zambia Project #40044

Protecting Elephants

by David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation

Project Report | May 12, 2022
Protecting Elephants - May Update

By Jo Briffitt | Supporter Care & Database Executive

Release Elephant Chamilandu & Calf, Credit GRI

Thank you for supporiting David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) Protecting Elephants.

DSWF continue to fund our ground-based conservation partners Game Rangers International (GRI) in Zambia and their elephant orphanage programme which includes the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of orphan elephants back to the wild. DSWF funding supports GRI’s efforts to ensure a safe and secure environment for release area in the Kafue National Park.

The Kafue National Park is a vast 22,000km², nicknamed the ‘Lungs of Africa’ due to its sheer size and pristine wilderness. It contains an incredible amount of biodiversity with vast populations of African species including elephant. With an area as vast as this to protect, GRI’s ranger and anti-poaching units require key strategic planning and technology to be efficient in reducing human-wildlife conflict and illegal activity within the park and its borders.

Through the use of satellite collars on the elephants in the release stage of the programme and through the collaring of wild elephants within the park the teams can track the elephants’ movements via GPS. This intelligent mapping system identifies ‘hot spots’; areas where the elephants like to reside in on a regular basis. This vital information can be used when determining anti-poaching patrols. The hotspots also provide fascinating insights into elephant behaviour such as that the current release elephants are returning to a safe area of dense forest at night where they feel safe. This technology is also vital in reducing human-wildlife conflict, through GPS alerts on the system which are triggered when an elephant strays close to a community. This allows rapid deployment of the human-wildlife conflict officers to minimise any risk to the safety of the elephant and reduce the threat of loss of crops or structural damage to properties in local communities. This ensures a peaceful coexistence between the elephants and the communities residing adjacent to the national park.

Chamilandu, lovingly known as Chamma, arrived at GRI’s Elephant Orphanage Project in 2007 after her mother was killed by poachers. In 2019, after spending four years roaming free in Kafue National Park, she made the significant decision to return to the safety of the elephant boma to give birth to her first calf, Mutaanzi David – named in honour of our late founder, David Shepherd CBE.

In the past few months Chamilandu has led Mutaanzi away from the boma and sought the company of Tafika, a significant orphan bull of 13.5 years to resume her free-roaming lifestyle.This sudden change in her decision-making sparks a whole host of emotions for the team who have raised Chamma since she was one and a half years old. Whilst we are all thrilled to see her back in the wild, where she belongs, we can’t help but be concerned for the safety of Mutaanzi who, at two and a half years old, is still very vulnerable to predators. We are, however, reassured by seeing Chamma’s close proximity to Tafika who has had close experience with lions. Since they both wear satellite collars, we are also able to track their movements around the clock and can confirm they are moving side by side, not too far from the camp and are well protected by the GRI Team.

Find out more about our work with Elephants

David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) would love to keep you up-to-date with how your generous support is making a difference, share exciting wildlife conservation stories and tell you about forthcoming campaigns, fundraising initiatives and events. If you would like to hear more from us please let us know via our online form: Stay In Touch

Elephant Satellite Collars, Credit Georgina Lamb

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Jan 11, 2022
Protecting Elephants - January Update

By Jo B | Supporter Care & Database Executive

Wamwayi - Image Credit Game Rangers International

Thank you for supporting David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation through GlobalGiving.

Over the past six-months, David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) have continued to work alongside our ground-based conservation partners in Zamia to support the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of orphaned elephants. One of the key elements of this project is the protection of the release site which is vital to ensure the protection of these elephants as they integrate back into the wild.

In the past 6 months Thanks to an incredible, collaborative effort, another two young elephant orphans have been rescued in Zambia, named Chipembele and Wamwayi.

Chipembele: Chipembele (known as chip) was found next to his mother who had very sadly suffered a fatal gunshot wound. Chip was rescued and after some time, having been provided with food, water and a keepers constant company, he began to settle. He was willing to accept a bottle from his keeper within 24 hours of his rescue, but he did not relax enough to sleep for over three days. Chipembele faces a challenging journey to recover from his trauma but is it the best hands for a chance of a life back in the wild, where he belongs.

Wamwayi: Little Wamwayi was found stuck in a mud hole with no sign of his mother or herd nearby to help him. The 2-month-old calf was provided with essential care by GRI who stabilised his condition and provided some much-needed comfort. Wamwayi responded well after some much-needed rest and nutrients and was deemed strong enough to take the next important step of his rehabilitation. Wamwayi was transferred to the Lilayi Elephant Nursery where he can now socialise with other orphaned elephants and start his journey back into the wild.

The Bigger Picture

Over the past 12 months, DSWF have continued our 37-year legacy of providing unwavering support to protect some of the world’s most endangered species. Over the course of 2022 we will continue to support our long-term conservation partners to protect wildlife, tackle wildlife crime and reduce poaching threats alongside engaging and supporting more community groups working to protect wildlife.

Thanks to your help, we have granted over £11 million in direct conservation support to turn the tide on extinction.

On behalf of everyone at DSWF and the wildlife we fight to protect, Thank You.

Chipembele - Credit Game Rangers International

Links:

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Sep 15, 2021
Protecting Elephants - September Update & Campaign

By Jo B | Supporter Care & Database Executive

Thank you for supporting David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation through GlobalGiving. As well as providing you with your bi-annual Elephant project report full of fantastic news and results of this project we would also like to inform you about an exciting campaign.

In June 2021, DSWF supported our ground-based conservation partners Game Rangers International to relocate two orphaned elephants in Zambia from the Lilayi Elephant Nursery to the Kafue Release Facility to begin their journey back to the wild.

Both elephants, named Ludaka and Lufutuko, were found frightened and alone outside the confines of the Kafue National Park in Zambia. Young elephants like Ludaka and Lufutuko are highly dependent on their mothers to acquire the necessary social and behavioural skills that equip them to meet life’s challenges. Male elephants don’t leave their herds until between the age of 12-15 whilst females remain with their kin for life. This was therefore a worrying situation prompting David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation’s ground-based conservation partners to rescue both elephants and bring them to the Lilayi Elephant Nursery.

Once at the nursery, Ludaka and Lufutuko received round the clock care by an experienced team of Keepers and veterinary specialists. Over the last few years, they have defied the odds and grown into strong playful elephants prompting their relocation. Now that they are physically strong and old enough to be weaned off milk, Ludaka and Lufutuko have joined the older elephants at the release facility. Here they will learn the importance of herd structure, hierarchy and etiquette, which is a vital element of their development and journey back into the wild. Their relocation to Kafue Release Facility marks a momentous moment for the orphans and for all involved in their rehabilitation.

Since 2007, DSWF has supported the rescue of 49 orphaned elephants like Ludaka and Lufutuko. Nine of these have now graduated to the release facility where they have begun their process of reintegrating into the wild and one is now fully wild.

In the last 40 years, African elephant populations have declined by 40%. Projects like the Lilayi Elephant Nursery are vital to safeguard the future of these gentle giants, if we do not act now, they could disappear in our lifetime.

Watch the video about Ludaka and Lufutuko’s journey here.

How can you help this vital work continue?

This week GlobalGiving are hosting their annual Little by Little Campaign, this means that all donations donated through GlobalGiving to David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation between Monday 13^th and Friday 17^th September will receive 50% match funding from GlobalGiving. So, if you donate £20 today, we receive £30 towards Elephant conservation making your contribution work that little bit harder!

We are hugely grateful that you have chosen to support us to help turn the tide on extinction. Thank you.

Little by Little Campaign T’s and C’s

Campaign runs from Monday 13^th to Friday 17^th September.
Donations up to the amount of $50 / £36 will be match funded by 50%.
One donation per unique donor will be match funded.
New monthly donations set up this week will be 50% match funded and your 4th donation will be 100% matched!
All DSWF GlobalGiving projects are eligable for match funding.

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