Excitement in the Delta
Category: Uncategorized | Date: May 24 2008 | By: elephantsofbotswana
After a quiet day of watching Pula, Ntongeni and Nandipa munch their way through the Terminalia forest behind the research tent, everything kicked off in the afternoon and we did not where to look or what to do; take photos, write notes, draw elephant ID’s!!!! Early afternoon, the bulls Spartacus, Lysander and three others pitched up and started getting fiesty, with each other. I think that Nandipa may be coming into oestrus and the boys are trying to win her favour. The largest bull got terribly upset with us, having been sparring with Spartacus around a termite mound, he then took it out on u. Charging us, head shakes, trees and sand were flying everywhere. We stood our ground and he soon lost interest and moved on…… in one hell of a huff. Thoughout all this Nandipa kept out of the way with Ntongeni and carried on feeding, Pula did not know what to do with himself, join in? Or stay out of the way? He decided on making friends with the youngest bull to arrive before returning to the safety of Nandipa’s side.
I wonder who will show up today??
Pula is released
Category: Uncategorized | Date: May 17 2008 | By: elephantsofbotswana
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.
Tags: elephant, Elephant Back Safaris, rehabilitation, release
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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. -
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