DSWF - Rescue and release programme for victims of Zambia’s poaching war

Welcome to the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation

		PROJECT: Phoenix - The Elephant Orphanage Project - rescue and release programme - established and supported by The David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation for victims of Zambia's poaching war

		Location: Zambia
		DSWF Support: Operational in Zambia since 1991 with this project starting in 2001 with the rescue of baby elephant Phoenix.
		Funding to date: over £500,000 of which a percentage has been granted to the rescue and rehabilitation of Phoenix and the establishment and running of the Elephant Orphanage Project.

		Project Summary: When David Shepherd first visited Zambia it was home to 250,000 elephants and 3,500 rhinos. Today just 25,000 elephants survive and all of its rhinos have been lost. Poaching continues today and results in orphaned babies such as Phoenix. This project is designed to rehabilitate these tragic animals and eventually return them to the wild.

Elephant Orphanage Project Update - June 2008

Notes from the field by Belinda Pumfrett, volunteer

Growing fast: Zamma, Chamalandu and Chodoba on their morning walk

Measuring up, medical advice and milk

Every month, as part of our research, we measure our ellies to see how fast they are growing. This had previously been done by using a tape measure until Zamma decided he would like to see what it tasted like. So this month we made a special measuring pole that is harder to bite. Their shoulder height is:

Zamma: 95cm
Chamalandu: 1.19cm
Chodoba: 1.23cm

Chodoba being measured

Everyone thinks that Chodoba is growing fast and so it will be interesting to see what his height is next month.

At the beginning of June we had a visit from the Zambian Wildlife vet, Dr Ian Parsons. He came to give our ellies their quarterly check-up. He spent a day with them going on their morning walk and taking part at feeding time. He gave us lots of great advice and explained to us simple daily tests we can do. Amusingly, he showed us the best way to take their temperatures - using an ordinary thermometer. Zamma was the least keen on having a digital device popped up his bum! As with the very expensive Zambian polo ponies, we now take their temperatures, both morning and evening. A dramatic change in their temperature is the first indicator that they might be ill, sometimes happening two days before there are any other symptoms.

Another piece of advice from Dr Parsons was to extend their morning walk, missing out on their 8.30am feed, so the ellies get the maximum time to browse in the park. Our first walk was a great success ending with a fun mud bath before lunch. Deciding he was full, Chodoba led the others to a small and particularly muddy water hole where they were all soon rolling around in the mud and paddling in the shallow water before having a good scratch and dust bath.

Dust bath fun

Dr Parsons also took blood and dung tests and gave them the all clear. The elephants are not used to all this attention. Chodoba took it all in his stride, Chamalandu was a little more nervous and poor Zamma had to be sedated before his tests could be done. Other useful observations included the best hygiene techniques, data collection and, in order to start the weaning process, to take Chamalandu 'off the bottle'! Now she drinks her milk from a brand new blue bucket, although she got rather excited at her first attempt and managed to cover everyone in milk! She is growing up fast and this week we noticed that her tusks are just beginning to peep through.

Toddler trouble


Zamma explores new things!	Zamma feeds himself

Like any toddler, Zamma is a fussy eater. One day he loves his milk, the next he has to be coaxed into drinking it. He has always been like this and so his milk has been reduced to 2 litres a feed to satisfy his appetite. He spends all his walks feeding on soft grasses, reeds and soft leaves in the park and the keepers are also helping him find new foods by observing what the others eat and giving him samples to try. Every evening his favourite leaves are put in his stall to browse on during the night.

Occasionally Zamma goes off his milk altogether and so we give him a re-hydration supplement and keep him close to the boma, making sure he is feeding well in the field. One afternoon Chodoba and Chamalandu went off for their usual walk, leaving Zamma near the boma to feed. They had only been gone 10 minutes when we heard the most almighty trumpeting coming from the other side of the hill. Chamalandu, on realising that Zamma wasn't with them, started running around in circles and, eluding her keepers, ran straight back towards the boma, ears out, shrieking. We saw her coming over the hill, frantically looking for Zams. So we called her and she ran around the pond, only coming to a halt when she spotted him calmly feeding. She then settled down to eat nearby and could not be persuaded to leave Zamma to go on her walk. So Chodoba, the keepers and scout had a quiet walk without her.

Chodoba takes charge

Chodoba … off for a walk

Even though Chodoba doesn't often play with the others, he is very protective of them. He has gained in confidence so much that he has recently taken to charging anything he thinks might be a threat to 'his herd'. Our local baboons and waterbuck are now becoming extremely wary of him! When he charged our neighborly waterbuck the other day, Chamalandu thought this was a great game and started running after him, until she realised what he was actually up to and came darting back to the safely of her keepers! He is also fond of our blue Landrover, which isn't surprising as they get their food from it on occasion when they have to be fed in the field. Unfortunately, one of our local lodges also has a blue game-viewing Landrover, and coming around a corner the other day, it came across our ellies coming back from their walk. Chodoba decided he would pop over to say hello. So, much to their surprise, they found themselves being charged by a small cheeky ellie. The tourists were terrified as he popped his trunk up to have a good sniff and so now our keepers are staying well away from the road, just in case they bump into any more game drives.

Gun fire surprise and ZAWA scouts

On 23rd June our scouts heard gunshots. This was followed by trumpeting and distress calls from our local elephant herd nearby. Fearing the worst, the scouts immediately came into camp and we contacted park Head Quarters. Luckily we found out that it was the local hunters who were taking their clients out in the GMA (Game Management Area). It was a very windy morning and so the sound had carried right across the park. It is good to know that our scouts are as concerned about poaching as we are.

That afternoon we had a visit from the new ZAWA scouts who were being taken on an introduction drive of the park. They have just graduated and popped in to find out more about the elephant project. We gave them a quick talk and introduction to the elephants that were resting in their stalls after their lunch. The new scouts were very excited to see an elephant close up as trunks were extended in greetings and even more excited to touch an elephant for the first time. We look forward to seeing them again and working with them in the future.

If you are interested in helping DSWF to save Zambia's wildlife and help release Phoenix in to the wild, please follow the links below to make a donation or you can phone the Foundation Office on 01483 272323.