THE THUKELA ELEPHANTS RESCUE:

It’s a peaceful scene on the KwaZulu Natal savannah of South Africa. A small family herd of elephants are grazing steadily - the matriarch and the cows multi-tasking as they carefully watch the exploits of the newborn baby as she clumsily tries to play with the three sub adults.

Suddenly the peace is fragmented by the unmistakable sound of a helicopter approaching. The matriarch elephant immediately gives the alarm signal and tries to herd her family into a tight circle of safety, but the young animals are panicking and start to scatter in all directions. Most wild elephants would pay little attention to the large mosquito-buzzing overhead, but for these elephants this sound equals terror.

The pilot however is aware that the sound of his helicopter traumatizes the elephants below. He tries to stay as high as possible to do a quick check on them and then disappear as quickly as he can, allowing the matriarch time to gather her herd before they disperse in too many directions.

As the helicopter disappears and returns to where some large trucks and people are waiting, the pilot spots two large bulls making their way towards the herd at full speed from a distance of almost 5 kilometres away. The bulls had picked up the matriarchs panicked ultra sound alarms while grazing in a riverbed and now ran to the aid of the herd. The helicopter pilot smiled knowing that it would now be easier to locate the large bulls when they came out into the open plains.

These elephants have become known as the Thukela Twelve – a small group of orphaned calves relocated from the infamous Kruger Park elephant culls in the early 1990’s. They have now grown into adulthood, but for them and their offspring the sound of a helicopter still equates death from above.

Almost twenty years ago these elephants watched their own parents and other relatives shot from above. These particular elephants were spared only because they were small calves at the time and had a commercial value. And they’ve never forgotten, after all, their sophisticated ultra sound communication allowed their herd to know about many others of their kind killed in this manner. Sadly the young animals could not comprehend that during a 20-year period thousands of elephants were to be killed in the Kruger National Park in this manner.

In the aftermath of the culling nine orphans were relocated and introduced to the Thukela Biosphere Reserve between Weenen and Colenso in the Estcourt District in the mid nineties but sadly not all relocated calves survived. Within four months three calves aged between 2-3 years died, they were simply too small to survive on their own without the protection and care of their family herd.

However 6 others survived against the odds and they have lived here peacefully, establishing close family ties. Despite their traumatic past they built up strong social bonds and produced 3 calves in recent years. Just a month ago another baby named Sheena arrived. This baby elephant has yet to display any real aptitude for cleverness as she is so indulged by her mother and aunties.

But the dream of seeing elephants become a permanent feature of the Thukela landscape was shattered when the entire biosphere reserve was subjected to a successful land claim, which had been initiated in terms of the South African government’s land restitution policy.

A number of 33 landowners were initially involved in the establishment of the Thukela Biosphere Reserve but due to the threat of pending land claims in the area the reserve disbanded in 2000. Poor management lead to poorly maintained perimeter fencing and the elephants started breaking out regularly. Conflict mounted with neighbouring landowners and communities, which incurred great structural and financial losses.

The successful claimants (Lindaukhuhle Trust) did not want the elephants on their newly returned land and every effort by the elephants’ owners to find a safe destination for the elephants met with failure.

Early in 2006 a decision was reluctantly taken to cull the elephants rather than leave them to an uncertain fate. A group of professional hunters was called in to carry out this grizzly task.

Hlakaniphile, the little one’s father was the first to be killed, but at the eleventh hour, as the hunters were making final preparations to kill the family members, the Thukela elephants were granted a reprieve.

A coalition of animal and environmental protection organizations and individuals got wind of the elephants’ plight and negotiated a stay of execution while a safe haven was found.

A massive re-location operation was underway to save the Jumbos and this helicopter fly-by is just the beginning. A highly competent game capture and relocation team was there every step of the way in this complex, dangerous and highly emotional exercise. Operation Jumbo Journey was a high-octane adventure with military-like logistics and precision culminating in a heart-warming wild animal rescue story.

The end of the story saw the Thukela elephants released into their new home at SanWild, and watched carefully for behaviour problems.

 

But did the operation all go according to plan?
 

Since being relocated to the Thukela Biosphere Reserve the elephants have tried to avoid man whenever possible. Humans it seemed always presented danger to them. The animals had shied away from people whenever they could and preferred the dense and thick bush and inaccessible terrain of the Thukela Biosphere Reserve. It is said that a cull orphan will need at least 20 years to forget how man slaughtered their family! Has enough time passed and will this herd forgive man for the injustices done to them? Already a poacher was killed north of the Thukela River. Ongoing conflict between man and elephants continued on a daily basis.

While conflict between the elephants and man continued, the final preparations were made and the elephants were to be lifted from this place of danger.

Special care needed to be taken with little Sheena and her mother Gangile. Bukisa the dominant bull elephant could be a real danger to himself; the other elephants and the re-location team should he get riled.

Nellie the matriarch also posed a threat and had to be targeted first. If her capture did not go well initially, the whole operation may be in jeopardy.

It was an operation fraught with difficulty but the human team of specialists were deeply committed to running the operation as smoothly as they could, and giving these elephants another chance to have a secure future in a wild sanctuary.

HOW THE RESCUE OPERATION UNFOLDED:

15 September 2006 - SanWild

How we managed to get over the last couple of weeks, remains a mystery and I cannot even begin to tell you about the personal sacrifice, stress, trauma and problems we have had to experience to save a single family group of elephants from culling. Our problems ranged from pledges not being delivered, to material shortage, to labour problem, to threats from hunters to shoot the elephants, to bureaucratic red tape, to sore backs, to lack of donor funding to complete the project in time, to misunderstandings, to personal doubts, to fatigue, to snake bites, to rhino damage, to utter madness. However the worst to me on a personal level was the undelivered promises and downright lies.

Many times one is confronted with the question if you support culling or not, but believe me the issue is not quite that simple. In a recent article in one of the leading Sunday newspapers Ian McCullum (a well known Springbok rugby player) addressed the issue that deals with the moral issues surrounding the culling of elephants. I leave it up to you to decide. Click here to read Ian’s article: Let’s not rush to make decisions we may regret.
 

What is important to us at SanWild is the increasing problems that will face wildlife with the re-distribution of land in South Africa. There are a number of private game farms and reserves on which land claims have been lodged and only time will tell if these claims will be successful and what will become of the wildlife that live in these areas. Sadly if a land claim is successful, we do not foresee a safe and secure future for the wild animals. We therefore realize more and more every day that safe sanctuaries like SanWild will become crucial in the future to ensure the safety of large numbers of wild animals. However to gain financial support for our concept remains difficult and major mindset will have to change so that the man in the street will realize that the key to wild animal welfare remains in land acquisition.

At Thukela a number of landowners were initially involved with the setting up of the Biosphere Reserve but due to the threat of pending land claims in the area the Thukela Biosphere Reserve disbanded in 2000. Poor management lead to un-maintained perimeter fencing and the elephants started breaking out regularly. Conflict mounted with neighbouring landowners and communities, which incurred great structural and financial losses. During this time a person from the community north of the Thukela River was also killed.

Since 2004 a number of avenues have been investigated to improve management through joint venture initiatives and the possible selling and relocation of the elephants. In October 2005, after all attempts failed to resolve the issue or to secure a future for the elephants, the elephant owners approached an independent group of professional hunters to assist in the destroying of the elephants in the biosphere. A culling project was initiated for the last week in March 2006. On the eve of destroying the first bulls, Mr. Steve Smit of Animal Rights Africa negotiated a stay of execution promising to find a safe haven for the elephants within a couple of days. The culling of the elephants was put on hold and after much negotiating; a sales contract was drawn up in April between the elephant owners, Animal Rights Africa and SanWild to secure the elephants safety. The animals were purchased for an amount of R50.00 per animal to accommodate legal requirements in relation to the alienation of company assets.

SanWild and ARA took over legal ownership of the elephants at the beginning of May 2006 and since the signing of the contract ongoing loss and increasing damage was done to neighbouring landowners and community’s infrastructure, due to the roaming elephants.

On the 26th of June 2006 Mr. Vic Albers submitted a letter applying for a destruction permit to EKZN Wildlife from Emaweni Game Ranch, a neighbouring property where the elephants took up residence and caused substantial damage.
A further letter was submitted to the EKZN Wildlife office from another neighbour, Mr. Sean Bosse from Thukela Game Ranch indicating the losses they have incurred to date and asking that EKZN Wildlife intervene to resolve the problem.
 

The initial capture that was scheduled from the 17th to the 19th of September 2006 had to be moved to the 9th to the 12th of October 2006 to ensure that import and relocation permits by both Limpopo Nature Conservation and EKZN Wildlife could be issued in time for the relocation to take place on the set dates.

I am happy to report that all is now on track and it seems that we have actually managed to get Operation Jumbo Journey together.

There are a number of people I would like to thank by name. Firstly Andre Grobler for his hard and dedicated work, without his help it simply would not have been possible. The sore eyes, broken back and cursing and swearing will never be forgotten, but you have truly managed a miracle. Thank you to Andre’s team as well, thanks a million to you all. Keeping 45 workers happy and motivated, and fed, is a difficult job indeed. Thanks also to Rebecca and Flora for your dedicated cooking, washing and ironing that kept the team fed, clothed and clean and going.

I would also like to thanks our donors – from the biggest to the smallest, you have made Operation Jumbo Journey possible; without your funding we would not have been able to purchase the necessary materials to do the construction.

I would also like to thank Steve Smit and Michelle Pickover of Animal Rights Africa for their dedication and hard work and also Hein Ungerer. Thanks to you Hein for making that initial call and believing in SanWild. If you did not come to the elephant’s assistance and asked me to take them, they would all have died a terrible death. 

12 October 2006 - SanWild

On the 9th October 2006 all logistical teams moved onto site at the Thukela Biosphere Reserve in the Weenen area of KwaZulu-Natal to start the capture and relocation of the elephants. However all did not go according to plan and Operation Jumbo Journey was proving to be a massive undertaking “with the Thukela elephants truly living up to their reputation.”

On the morning of the 10th October 2006 the initial reports indicated that the herd of elephants had been spotted only 3 kilometres of flat terrain from where the recovery and transport trucks were parked and where the team had assembled. Only 9 elephants were seen and we were not sure where the other three elephants were.

First there had been problems with the initial helicopter that was hired for the capture, and when a replacement helicopter finally arrived from Harrismith, it was too hot to capture the elephants. As a result the capture was postponed until late afternoon, by which time the herd had moved quite a distance on the plateau and were just above a large, steep valley. There was too little daylight left to complete the capture and just taking some members of the herd was not an option at all. Consequently it was decided to dart and collar some of the elephants so that they could be found easily the next morning.

The darting of the matriarch, Nellie went quite quickly and there were no problems with fitting the tracking collar. Within 15 minutes she was up and fully awake. The next elephant to be darted was Umfomo but unfortunately he went down in a very inaccessible area and it soon proved to be impossible to fit the tracking collar in the dense bush where he went down. After 20 minutes of hard work and frantic bush clearing the veterinarian called off the team as he was getting concerned about the elephant breathing and the antidote was administered that allowed Umfomo to wake up. During this darting it was also discovered that he had lost the tip of his trunk, most probably as a result of a poacher’s snare. Fortunately the injury had healed and the trunk is still functional.

Soon afterwards another male, Bukiso was darted and successfully fitted with a tracking collar. Although the collaring of the two individuals was done quickly and effectively, all the elephants clearly showed their fear of the helicopter’s buzzing overhead. After collaring, the cow returned to the breeding herd and the bull rejoined the other large bull.

The next morning we found that the elephants fear of people and helicopters resulted in them moving 14km down into a totally inaccessible area under the cover of darkness. A decision was taken the next morning to not drive them back forcefully as this could result in more trauma and possible mortalities to people and elephants, especially to the very small calf. Our team decided to pull out of the operation temporarily, leaving all their equipment and trucks in place, to give the elephants a chance to settle down and return to the plateau in their own time.

For three weeks we tried to use people on foot and also another small helicopter to drive the animals out of the mountainous area with no success. They moved even further away and although we found this very frustrating, the elephants were holding out in an area where they could not inflict any damage to property or be a danger to people. For the time being they were safe and out of harms way.

By now we had very good cooperation from the KZN conservation officials and some of the landowners that previously threatened to shoot the elephants. They were keeping close tabs on the elephant’s movements by means of the telemetry tracking collars and we had to just wait patiently for the elephants to “do their thing” and decide to move on their own accord. Sadly there was no way we could let the elephants know that we just wanted to help. Fortunately this time also allowed the young calf to grow stronger which in return would mean a better chance of surviving the relocation.

In the meantime we are bringing you a report and photographs of the young elephants that was moved to the Thukela Biosphere Reserve after their families was culled in the Kruger National Park.

Please click here for report and photos, note: the pictures are unfortunately not the best but please keep in mind that they were taken years ago. Please be patient, as this report will take some time to download.

14 November 2006 - SanWild

The team remained on standby for 5 weeks before the elephants decided to move back to the terrain in which the team could successfully execute a capture operation.

Described by many as dangerous, crazy and damage causing, the small family herd of elephants browsed peacefully in their new home this morning unaware of the controversy their rescue had caused with a number of unsympathetic individuals that would rather have preferred to see them dead.

Reports from Thukela early on Friday morning indicated that the elephants was on the move and hopes soured that another urgent rescue could be mounted.

By Friday afternoon, the logistical teams, veterinarians and helicopter pilot had assembled back on site and everybody was geared up to ensure that the second capture would culminate in a successful relocation.

Brilliant flying by the helicopter pilot, Mr. John Bassey of Bassair and the expertise of Dr. Douw Grobler and his team soon saw all the adult members of the herd immobilized successfully. The sights of the small calf Sheena standing bravely next to her sleeping mother watching the approaching helicopter brought tears to the eyes of many spectators watching from a safe distance. The little calf waving her little truck at the helicopter with ears flapping excitedly allowed people a brief flashback of a similar situation of a cull operation many years ago. This time however the elephants were being saved and not culled.

The darted elephants were quickly loaded and moved in the recovery vehicles to the transport trucks to be woken up. Sadly the little calf was gored by one of the adult cows as she recovered from the immobilizing drugs. The rescue team could not reach her and were extremely worried about her injuries. Fortunately on arrival at their new home she could be separated inside the transport truck from her family and was treated successfully for minor injuries and will fully recover. She was released with her family to start their new lives in the SanWild Wildlife Sanctuary

Only 9 elephants could be found and they were all relocated successfully during Operation Jumbo Journey. It is believed that the other three missing elephants had been shot or hunted and no trace of them could be found.

In a daring and courageous elephant capture operation that started on Saturday morning a group of so-called “problem elephants” were captured and relocated to their new home at SanWild.

The SanWild Wildlife Trust wishes to thank all their donors and supporters and other organizations that assisted to mount Operation Jumbo Journey. In particular Animal Rights Africa, Beauty Without Cruelty, Africa Blessings, The Foundation Brigitte Bardot, Born Free and the Murry Foundation who purchased an adjoining farm to ensure that sufficient land was available for the elephants.

10 January 2007 – SanWild

When the Thukela elephants arrived at SanWild, their “reputation” had preceded them and there were many “prophets of doom” that predicted that these elephants would prove to be damage causing and man killers. However, here at SanWild our positive approach to wild animals have taught us in the past that given sufficient time, peace and quiet, animals are the most forgiving creatures God has ever created. Unlike man, they are happy with very little and all they require is their “little place in the sun”.

On the day of their arrival at SanWild the initial group to arrive broke out of the temporary holding boma immediately and disappeared into the reserve. After a few anxious hours, we realised that they had not moved far away from the offloading point and this indeed was a good sign. For many years, the Thukela elephants had always fled into inaccessible areas at Thukela and preferred to stay up on the large hills where man could not easily reach them. Their battered feet are proof of the hard time they had. Fortunately, the SanWild Sanctuary has very similar topography and the elephants immediately moved off into a remote area where they settled down.

Since their arrival, they have been monitored around the clock for behavioural problems of which none can be found. Daily foot patrols ensure that the elephants are okay and close observations have revealed a very well adjusted and peaceful group of elephants.

We are also truly grateful to let you know that little Sheena had recovered completely from the injuries sustained when she was attacked and gored by one of the large females in the recovery truck during the capture and relocation. She is doing just great!

We are delighted to report that it seems that the ex-Thukela elephants have finally found a home where they feel safe.

20 October 2008 – SanWild

The elephants are doing great. No behavioural problems have been observed at all despite all the prophets of doom that wanted to see these elephant’s dead. They are being observed on an almost daily basis and we are happy to say that they show all the signs of happy and contented African elephants.  

Recently the elephants were filmed for a local television program titled “Saving more than lives” produced by Michelle Garforth. For the filming Dr. Douw Grobler who relocated the elephants was invited back to SanWild and on meeting up with the elephants again, he could not believe how well adjusted these “problem animals” were.

OPERATION JUMBO JOURNEY DVD:

You can still catch all the action of this ambitious rescue project if you purchase your own “Operation Jumbo Journey” or “Saving more than lives” DVD, sold by SanWild to raise funds for other wild emergency rescues.

DVD’s are sold at $50.00 each including packaging and postage. Kindly email us with your payment and postal details for a speedy delivery at sanwild@pixie.co.za

Photos note: photos copyright Jennifer Bruce