'After the Rains' - Project update from Zambia - February 2008

This year's annual rains brought devastation to large parts of Zambia including
the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation supported Elephant Orphanage Project where Phoenix and her little friends Zamma, Chodoba and Chamilandu are being looked after. Their home was literally swept away and the rain made communication almost impossible. We had to find a new home for the elephants and their keepers and our emergency appeal, launched in February, generated the much-needed funds to make this possible.

At the end of February David and his daughter, Melanie, CEO of DSWF, headed out to Zambia (thanks to the tremendous support of British Airways) to see for themselves how things were progressing and to raise funds and awareness locally for the project.

Melanie reported back:

The old site

We were driven by our new part-time Operations Manager, Sport Beattie, a dedicated conservationist originally from Zimbabwe, and accompanied by Belinda Pumfrett, our wonderful volunteer from the UK, on the long hot journey from Lusaka to the spectacular Kafue National Park - one of the largest parks in Africa and quite stunning!

After a gruelling eight hours of tracking through the flood soaked plains it was shocking to see the old site at first hand. The terrible rains and resulting flooding had all but washed away the original camp. What was left of it was slowly being demolished - by the keepers who were systematically removing key structural parts for the new site and by Phoenix who seemed to be enjoying supplementing her diet with a little bit of delicious thatch!

Not having seen Phoenix for four years it was quite a surprise to see her so huge and so strong! She was pleased to see the vehicle, which she associates with food, and we were able to give her a few treats before a 'tour' of what remained of the site. It really put into perspective the terrible time they had experienced as the water levels had risen.

The new site

The location of the new site has been positioned on higher ground next to permanent water, an important consideration during the dry season. Although only half built at the time of our visit, the three babies had already been walked the three kilometres to the new site and were enjoying their temporary new accommodation. Phoenix was kept behind until the site was complete. This was partly because of her adolescent destructive nature so it was important to ensure the new site was 'Phoenix proof' first! But Phoenix was also recovering from a bout of illness. With no matriarch to teach her the ways of the wild, her keepers believe she had inadvertently eaten a poisonous plant. Thankfully by the time we saw her she was full recovered and back to her old boisterous self but it had been a scary time for her keepers!

Baby update

At the new camp site, it's a 100-metre walk from the keepers living area, through thick bush along the river bank, to where the babies are now settled and it was absolutely wonderful to see them! They were a little wary of us - new voices and smells - but delighted to see Belinda who received a very warm and affectionate welcome. Chamalandu who, after his terrible six months alone in the bush and is slowly building up his weight, his strength and his confidence, was particularly pleased to see her.

Sadly, we had far too little time with the babies, but long enough just to glimpse the very individual and endearing characteristics they each have and understand the trauma they must have suffered in their short lives. Watching them at rest with their trunks inactive, they looked so sad, it broke my heart to think how anyone could cause such inhumane acts on these beautiful creatures. But I was completely uplifted by the fresh hope this new camp will bring to the orphaned eles and the dedication and commitment of Belinda and all the keepers.

Seeing little Zamma splashing in the water with his tiny hairy trunk made me realise just how vulnerable these babies are and really see the value of our work and your generous support. In such a rich wildlife area, with year round water and miles from human habitation, they stand a good chance of a successful introduction to one of the countless wild herds in the area.

We were able to leave a small gift of Shetland pony rugs we brought out from England - which have already proved invaluable in the incessant rains and are perfect fits!!

Under African skies

Enjoying a well earned rest with their keeper during one of their daily walks.

We drove back to Lusaka under the most amazing star-studded sky. We will never forget our time with the elephants and we left Zambia full of hope for the future and once again totally in love with this glorious country, its warm, friendly people and of course its wildlife and wild places.

Since returning home we have been getting daily updates from the camp. Phoenix has now joined the babies and is bonding well with them. All are doing very well in the newly completed orphanage and we are all praying that the rains will ease so that everyone can settle down to their new lives and daily routines.

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.

Every little contribution helps wildlife and remember 100% of your donation will go in full to the project - thank you!

You can also help by becoming a member of DSWF. Click here for more information

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