Elephants | Family Affairs and other matters

DRAMATIC ELEPHANT RESCUE

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

My friends at Norman Carr Safaris in Zambia have sent me some amazing photos of a dramatic elephant rescue. The elephants that feature on my blog are very possibly from the same herd! Generally speaking most conservationists believe that man should not meddle with the natural order of nature. However, every rule has an exception and the dreadful plight of a baby elephant trapped in the mud of the Kapani Lagoon and her mother, who had also got stuck trying to save her yesterday had them all in a frenzy of activity. They simply could not stand by and watch them struggle and slowly die. South Luangwa Conservation Society together with their neighbours - ZAWA - the wildlife authority - agreed and they all joined forces to try and save the mum and baby. Thanks to Abraham Banda who got these great photos of the unfolding drama...... The family herd desperately trying to help the screaming Mum and baby escape, but they were completely stuck in the deep, rapidly drying mud with no chance of getting out:- The brave and skilled SLCS team manages to slip a rope under the baby, narrowly avoiding mums thrashing trunk - and starts to haul her out ..... ' Nearly there - the whole team is hauling as hard as they can.....But the baby is terribly frightened and won't leave mum's side Again - she's out and we think we're almost there.....But despite frantic waving and shouting - she won't leave her mum One more try - the team pull her further away from mum this time.....They unwrap the ropes and help her to her feet This time - thanks to a young herd cousin calling her to safety.....she makes a dash for it as the rest of the herd scream for her to come to them Now back to mum who is dehydrated and exhausted - they've been pouring water over her to try to protect her from the scorching midday sun. SLCS staff carefully slip a rope under her... and the tractor starts to pull and pull - inching her out of what would have been a muddy grave - she seems to sense that there's a chance of escape and begins to struggle for her life. With us all shouting encouragment and just willing her to keep going "come on Mama, come on Mama"....... to the delight of us all - she makes it! Weak and wobbly she drags herself out she runs to find her baby and the rest of her waiting herd! The happiest possible ending! The SLCS team all share a celebratory drink on the Kapani deck with their relieved guests! This is all in a day’s work for the amazing Rachel McRobb and her outstanding team at The South Luangwa Conservation Society. Go to www.slcszambia.org - it’s a fantastic site and well worth a visit. You will be amazed at what this relatively small group can achieve – their dedication and commitment to wildlife is inspiring. Together with their local wildlife authority – the South Luangwa Area Management Unit of the Zambia Wildlife Authority, they are extremely effective at anti-poaching activities including anti-snaring and patrolling in vulnerable areas of the National Park. Rachel and her team are also skilled at darting snared animals, removing the snares and treating the horrific wounds they cause. Their awareness raising activities and work with other local conservation groups are incredibly effective. Of course – this all takes money so they are always looking for people to consider becoming regular supporters. My friend Christina wrote "It was extremely heartening for us all to see how many local people joined in the efforts to free these two elephants – the cheers of joy, first when the baby ran to his cousin and then when Mum was finally released from the jaws of the sticky, cloying mud were wonderful! Everyone seemed to identify with the mum’s plight - we all saw the incredible emotional bond between the worried herd members and mum and baby. Thank you SLCS and ZAWA and also all the NCS staff who bravely fought to make this a happy ending!"

DRAMATIC ELEPHANT RESCUE

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

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My friends at Norman Carr Safari in Zambia have sent me some amazing photos of a dramatic elephant rescue. The elephants that feature on my blog are very possibly from the same herd! Generally speaking most conservationists believe that man should not meddle with the natural order of nature. However, every rule has an exception [...]

RE-BRAND ZAMBIA COMPETITION

Monday, February 7, 2011

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I am going to very reluctantly let you know about a brilliant competition. I want to win it and of course the more of you who know about it, the less chance I've got. I've been sent the details by the safari lodge I stayed in with my father when we were in Zambia the summer before last. We had a truly spectacular time on safari and the prize for coming up with a new brand slogan for Zambia is a 15 day safari. Zambia is truly amazing - abundant wildlife, majestic scenery, tranquil lakes, vibrant culture, friendly people, bush adventure and home to the famous Victoria Falls – one of the “Seven Natural Wonders of the World”. My elephants live in Zambia (although looking a little bit grey in comparison!):-

AMBASSADOR FOR ZAMBIA

Friday, March 5, 2010

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Last night I went to a press conference for the Zambian Tourist Board in a London hotel. My VIP friend invited me and I was delighted to go along. I got to talk to the Managing Director, the Marketing Manager and the Board Chairman of the Zambian Tourism Board and to tell them how passionate I was about Zambia - that my Grandfather is buried in Lusaka, that I was in the Luangwa Valley last summer with my father, that I have many blog friends from that area and that I believe Zambia is one of the last great wildernesses of the world with so much to offer a certain type of tourist AND then one of them asked me to send him my CV because they are looking for Ambassadors for Zambia. We stayed at the Norman Carr Safaris when we were there in the summer and I have many previous posts about our experience. They have devoted much time and effort into developing a fund to support and sponsor local children. Look at these gorgeous children taken from the Yosefe School where they are on the lookout for sponsorship. Their Kapani School Fund is searching for more sponsors to enable them to fulfill their commitment to well over one hundred sponsored students in 2010. Despite the global economic crisis they still managed to achieve a great deal in 2009; * Nearly two hundred pupils sponsored * Raised funds to extend and refurbish library * Built three new classrooms * Assisted and supported community to build three further classrooms * Replaced classroom roof blown off in storm * New computer and generator purchased * Stationery and sports equipment provided * Safari Guide mentoring project continued * Game drives and bush camp experiences for pupils Unfortunately, the downturn continues to have adverse effects in our part of the world. Increases in school fees and general costs together with a marked loss of sponsors means that they risk a delay in fulilling our commitment to some our sponsored pupils. So if anybody is interested in finding out more about how you can change young lives and help Zambia to a brighter future please contact kapani@normancarrsafaris.com So now I just need help with my CV. WHAT SHALL I SAY???? Here is a picture taken in the Luangwa Valley by Christina from Norman Carr Safari's recently of a herd of 100 elephants - some of them using their trunks like naval periscopes:- I