As part of the research, we monitor the release and rehabilitation of captive elephants from a camp near here. So far we have released five, and all have taught us so much about elephants and their individuality. To date we have released four males, Mafunyane, Thando, Seba and Benny and one female, Nandipa. Yesterday we released Pula, a young male. I have been really stressed about this release and have had many a restless night, because he is so young, he is captive born and it was a cold release. By cold release I mean that his routine was not changed prior to release, which we know helps with the process. To try and help, he was released near Nandipa and it was incredible to see their reunion (Nandipa was a brilliant Aunt when he was born). Ntongeni (Nandipa’s calf) was beside himself with excited as he had a playmate and gave Pula a hard time sparring him – Pula was incredibly patient with the little one. Pula only remained with them a couple of hours and then ambled into camp. He inspected all the skulls we have there, trying to work out who was who – a couple he knew and it was these he spent the most time with. He then spent the rest of the day feeding before ending up at the boma (where his herd are kept at night). I feel for Pula, we all do, the researchers, the staff the mahouts. He must be scared, lonely and confused. GO PULA – you can do it. You’ll be OK, we are all behind you.
Dear All, It has been a LONG hot day here int here in the delta, and I have only just got back (2030 local time) - I logged on and was greeted by messages hoping the elephant with the collar down was OK. It is really lovely to know that people out there care about the elephants and what we are up to. Thanks so much for keeping our spirtis up. Best wishes Kate
Bad news I am afraid. No one is up in camp to tell them the news so I thought I would tell you. We have had a satellite radio collar stop working three months early. The collar was due for renewal in July. We have had problems getting downloads recently with computer programs going down and not reloading and we have only just got things up and running only to discover that we have not had a download from the collar since April 12th. So now we have to hope that the VHF part (the part that emits a sound) is still working and we can track him. As he is 45km away through the flood waters this will involve getting a plane up here to track from the air. Not the best news to end the day. I am going to go to bed and hope tomorrow is a better day. Best wishes, Kate
What a wonderful surprise I got today. I was about to cross over the mopane bridge when I spotted something brown in the middle - it was an otter. Unfortunately it was too far away and too quick for photos. This is a very rare sighting indeed and I am really chuffed. I am new to this blogging and have only just discovered that we get comments from people. Thanks to all those that have written in, it is good to know that we are being read. A few have requested some photos of Maun and so I will include some which I think depict Maun’s character. Until later. Kate
Nandipa is a 19 year old female elephant that was released from the captive herd at the neighboring camp in September 2003. She was released as she was never fully accepted by the matriarch in the herd and when two of the other young females had had babies she became very jealous. I have to say that I was a little nervous about releasing an adult female as it had not been done before, I need not have worried as she has done very well. In May 2005 she had a baby male calf and proved the release and rehabilitation a huge success. Her calf was named Ntongeni, which means ‘he who knows everything‘ by the mahouts that used to look after Nandipa. It is always great to see her, and I feel that a worried mother (at least I imagine that is how it feels!!!) and when I see any of the released elephants out there doing their thing I feel incredibly proud. Both Nandipa and Ntongeni are looking very well and very happy, and I am happy for seeing them.
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Hi, I am Kate Evans, or more commonly known as Elephant Kate. I am a zoologist whose great love is elephants. Since 2002 I have been living my dream by researching elephants in the Okavango Delta in Botswana. I decided I was going to be an elephant researcher when I was seven. I was living in Asia at the time and visited the elephant orphanage in Kandy, Sri Lanka. It was there that I made up my mind I was going to work for these majestic and intelligent animals. I made a promise to an elephant and we all know an elephant never forgets!!!! It took me 20 years to finally realise my dream and start my life as an elephant researcher. It was 20 years well spent and now I have to pinch myself most days to make sure it is true and I am living my dream.
I now head up a team who are researching the elephants and trying to work out the social and ecological needs of the largest remaining population of the African elephant. From time to time, other team members will add their thoughts and experiences.
I love sharing my experiences - so I hope that this blog is a medium through which you will be able to join the elephants and I on our adventures in the Okavango Delta, Botswana.
