AN African elephant bull that escaped from an Eastern Cape game reserve for the second time in recent weeks and was set to be shot last Thursday, received a reprieve from its death sentence.
This is thanks to an expeditious, conservation response from Mount Camdeboo Game Reserve, in partnership with the owners of the elephant, the Eastern Cape’s Department of Economic Development and a conservation task team of elephant and translocation experts.
Although this large bull, aged approximately 20 to 25 years old, has wandered across neighbouring farms and roads, it appears to be an extremely calm and relaxed animal and thus far has not been a threat to anyone.
It is for this reason that the task team of Dereck Milburn of The Aspinall Foundation, Dr William Fowlds, a well-respected wildlife vet, Brett Mitchell, an elephant expert of the Elephant Reintegration Trust, Peter Chadwick, a protected area and conservation specialist as well as Mount Camdeboo, have put forward a pragmatic solution to save the elephant.
The Department of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs were able to issue the relocation permit within a short time.
It was concluded by the parties that it would be in the best interest of the bull to be translocated to Mount Camdeboo.
In only 30 hours, the task team facilitated the translocation.
“The dedication from all parties has been absolutely incredible, and, without the initial call for assistance from Michele Pickover with the full support of John and Sandra Skinner, little would have been possible,” said Milburn, the main coordinator of the effort.
After immobilisation, via aerial darting, the elephant was translocated on Tuesday for release at Mount Camdeboo by Conservation Solutions.
Fowlds, his veterinary team, Conservation Solutions as well as a helicopter were on standby for a period of up to 24 hours to monitor the elephant’s condition during and after the translocation.
A satellite-tracking collar was fitted to allow for the constant monitoring of the bull, which will join a small breeding herd of elephants that were released on to the property in August this year.
It was a complex operation with multiple risks posing a threat to the elephant’s survival.
“Iain Buchanan and Mount Camdeboo Game Reserve, along with Brett Mitchell have been indispensable throughout this operation, as have Patrick Grewar and the Elephants, Rhinos and People (ERP) team,” said Milburn.
“Wild 911, represented by Chris Holcroft, have also truly demonstrated their commitment to wildlife rescue by generously funding this translocation operation,” Milburn concluded.
