In Zimbabwe’s arid and challenging landscapes, two baby elephants, Kadiki and Bumi, faced a precarious future after tragic incidents left them orphaned and injured.
Kadiki fell victim to a lion attack at just one day old, sustaining deep claw wounds on her trunk and significant damage to her tail.
Meanwhile, one-month-old Bumi found himself trapped among rocks, enduring severe sunburn.
Rescued by seasoned animal rescuer Roxy Danckwerts, founder of the Wild is Life charity, and the Zimbabwe Elephant Nursery (ZEN), Kadiki and Bumi were airlifted to safety near Harare.
Under Ms. Danckwerts’ care and the support of the International Fund for Animal Welfare, their inspiring journey to recovery unfolds.
Kadiki underwent surgery to amputate part of her tail and received treatment for her trunk. At the same time, once almost unrecognizable upon arrival, Bumi now exhibits a playful personality, enjoying activities like playing with tires.
Ms. Danckwerts, who has rescued over 20 elephants in the last five years, emphasizes elephants’ intelligence and unique needs.
She highlights, “Elephants are highly intelligent, with physical and emotional needs unparalleled in other mammals.”
The fate of Kadiki and Bumi’s mothers remains unknown, a common plight for elephant calves facing dangers such as drought, poaching, accidental falls, separation from herds, or predator attacks.
Thanks to a groundbreaking partnership between Wild is Life-ZEN and IFAW, these rescued elephants and others have a chance for a new future in the Wild. They can roam safely in a vast forest reserve, protected from poaching or hunting.
While the sanctuary herd learns essential skills for survival in the Wild, nine original residents have already started the rewilding process, transported to Panda-Masuie, an 86,000-acre forest reserve near Victoria Falls, ensuring a secure future.
Ms. Danckwerts envisions Moyo, the first orphan elephant she rescued, taking on a maternal role for Kadiki and Bumi.
The young elephants may stay at the nursery for up to two years before transitioning to Panda-Masuie for integration into wild herds.
Jimmiel Mandima of IFAW underscores the incredible relationships between animals and humans, emphasizing the importance of providing traumatized and damaged elephants a chance to thrive.
The Panda-Masuie reserve serves as a secure corridor, disrupting poaching routes and safeguarding rescued and wild herds.
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