Elephant Encounter

WRITER: JESSICA WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY: WILD HORIZONS

Elephants are an embodiment of Africa. They cover themselves in Earth’s red soil. Their wrinkled skin is like a map of trails through the wilderness. A sense of tranquillity encompasses them, yet we never doubt the power and strength they will call upon when necessary. When we protect elephants, we are protecting an inherent and beautiful part of this wild continent.

The elephants walk with casual purpose, muscles rolling and rippling beneath their thick grey skin. Never do they stop interacting through low rumbles and gentle touches. It is hard to imagine that these elephants, with such distinct family bonds, were once orphaned. That Jumbo, who wears his confidence like a second skin, was once a small, distressed calf whose future hung in the balance. But he was, just as they all were. This is the story of the Wild Horizons Elephant Sanctuary and the gentle giants who found a haven here.

During the drought between 1984 and 1986, the elephant population in Hwange National Park had exceeded the park’s carrying capacity. As part of their management plan, the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority proceeded with what they called the grim but essential decision to cull 2,000

elephants to improve the survival chances of other wildlife. Many baby elephants were left orphaned in the process, some of which were transported to nearby farms, where in time they outgrew the land they were living on and once again were in desperate need of a new home. With an unwavering conservation ethos, Wild Horizons was identified as the ideal candidate to take care of the the orphaned elephants. Jumbo, Jock, Jack and Miz Ele, fondly known as the ‘Founding Four’, were brought to the private concession owned by Wild Horizons and slowly the rescuerehabilitate-release process began.

Since it opened its doors to elephants in need, the sanctuary has been a safe space for dozens of injured and abandoned elephants and a stepping-stone on their way back into the wild. When the sanctuary started, Wild Horizons could not have imagined the extent it would play in elephant conservation. However, as elephants continue to face persecution in the wild, it is imperative that an ethical, professional and experienced team of caretakers is available to provide them with the care and medical attention they need. The origin, challenges, success and release programme are detailed in an enthralling and moving documentary shown to guests who visit the sanctuary. Guests are then given the opportunity to spend time observing the elephants in their natural environment.

This non-intrusive encounter symbolises just how well conservation and tourism can work together. Seeing the elephants grazing, swimming or just ambling through the bush inspires an affinity with nature that connects guests to the gentle giants.

The bond between the herd is an almost tangible force, a golden thread weaving them together. Scientifically, this can be explained by an elephant’s well-developed temporal lobe that gives it the ability to be self-aware and to have empathy for others. But on an emotional level, as orphans themselves, they seem to understand the need to provide comfort and support to an elephant that feels alone and afraid. Though their love was born from tragic circumstances, the sanctuary and the Wild Horizons team have given them a beautiful life.

Elephants are classified as a ‘Vulnerable’ species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List. The difference between ‘Endangered’ and ‘Vulnerable’ is subtle, but essentially it has to do with a species’ chances of survival. ‘Endangered’ species have a risk of going extinct in the not-too-distant future, while ‘Vulnerable’ species, such as elephant, have enough numbers left to give us time to intervene and save them. The Wild Horizons Elephant Sanctuary is doing just that.

As well as the educational encounters offered to tourists, Wild Horizons also reaches the future decision makers and custodians of the environment. Annually, over 1,000 children from local schools visit the sanctuary where they learn about this keystone species and observe them in the wild. This grass roots education initiative seeks to change perspectives and encourages a harmonious existence between humans and wildlife. Additionally, the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust (formerly the Wild Horizons Wildlife Trust) is located on the same property, where a team of conservationists and scientists conducts research, facilitates the rescue and rehabilitation of injured animals, and runs the only wildlife disease and forensics laboratory in the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA).

From humble beginnings, the sanctuary is now widely recognised as a key player in the conservation of the African elephant and shows us how, through dedicated, compassionate initiatives, tourism and conservation can work together with great success. ■