Protecting Elephants

Over the past six months in Zambia, the operational support provided has included the provision of equipment such as ranger first aid kits and winter jackets, alongside assistance with-operational planning and review through the ranger SMART programme. Financial aid given to the rangers included salary support, performance bonuses, and recovery incentives. Logistical support included the provision of vehicles, fuel, and rations for operations. Ranger welfare was also supported through the provision of medicines and medical transport where required. This vital support enables the ranger teams to successfully conduct their daily duties protecting wildlife whilst remaining safe and highly motivated.

The special anti-poaching unit (SAPU) continues to rotate through field patrols and intelligence-led operations, all allowing for greater security of the elephant release area. With thanks to DSWF, SAPU operations were supported to produce a total of 1,850 Ranger Patrol Days covering a total of 11,529 km through a combination of boat, vehicle, and foot patrols resulting in 22 apprehensions with 11 illegal firearms and 363kg of illegal bushmeat confiscated.

The aerial support unit has been busy conducting flights to assist with the collaring of elephants in the release area and to track certain members of the release herd. The exact coordinates are recorded in SMART, and ground-to-air radios are used to enable teams on the ground to respond. The plane was also used to assist in locating a snared giraffe within Lusaka National Park. The team safely captured, sedated, and de-snared the resident adult male giraffe. The operation went smoothly with the giraffe swiftly back on its feet and expected to make a full recovery.

Human elephant conflict mitigation work continues for the communities living contiguous to the release area, as well as the wild elephants who live in the area and occasionally take to raiding crops – causing damage to the land when they do so. The amount of recorded conflict was less than the previous six-month period, but this is likely to increase again in the upcoming months, as it will be crop-growing season. Trained scouts continued to respond to any reports of conflict, and in the interim periods, continued with their normal patrolling duties. Providing support to the local communities in this way is critical for securing the release area and for protecting the wild elephant herds within it.

The elephant nursery has also been busy with the new arrival of Ndewa, a young female calf rescued a few months ago after being separated from her herd. Our partners in the field had been alerted to the news of an extremely emaciated young orphan elephant, found wandering alone and close to Chikumbi village alongside the Zambezi River. The team rushed to her aid just in the nick of time. Her extreme emaciation meant her condition was critical and it was evident she had been without her mother’s milk for a very long time. Luckily, members of the community bravely acted and guided the calf to a safe area until the team arrived. Ndewa was then assessed and relocated by the team to the elephant nursery, where, with the team's unwavering care and life-saving formula, she made a remarkable recovery. She quickly formed close bonds with her keepers, who continue to provide her with much needed emotional support. Ndewa will continue to grow stronger over the coming months thanks to specialised 24/7 care. Once ready, she will be introduced and integrated into the orphan herd – with whom she will enjoy daily walks in the bush alongside the keepers.

Thank you for your generous support in helping us achieve these incredible outcomes for elephant conservation.

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