David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation

A new orphaned elephant calf has been rescued in Zambia. Little Kavalamanja (pictured) was rescued a few weeks after a female elephant was found killed with her tusks removed.

Elephant Orphanage Manager, Rachael Murton , takes up his story: " Kavala was very emaciated and bearing a few wounds on his body which were infected. In particular his face was quite sunken in and his spine protruding.  He was instantly responsive to us and asking for food trying to eat/drink whatever he could get hold of. After rehydrating him with electrolytes he took immediately to a weak milk formula. With support from the ZAWA vet, Dr Squarre - he was mildly sedated for the journey and travelled well – laying down for most of it, comfort suckling on my finger and trying to keep warm with me and the keepers!”  

Kavalamanja is still responding well to the team and it is hoped that after a period of quarantine he will be able to join the rest of the herd.

Unfortunately, along with this positive rescue story comes some less happy news. It is with great sadness that we report the death of Musa, the little elephant calf found abandoned earlier this year and who the team at the Elephant Orphanage fought so long and hard to save. After weeks of struggle little Musa lost his fight for life and tests have confirmed that he was suffering from the elephant Herpes virus; something which is quite rare in wild elephants. These findings will now be shared with the scientific community.

"Despite this upsetting news, our work to rescue, rehabilitate and release orphaned elephants back into the wild will continue," says DSWF CEO,  Melanie Shepherd. "Each new baby requires high levels of cooperation, energy and resource to bring it through its extremely vulnerable first two years of life and the support received both in Zambia and from DSWF supporters worldwide is vital. Thank you to everyone who supports this project."

For more information on our support to Game Rangers International and their projects, including the Elephant Orphanage and Park Protection in Zambia click here