Roxy Danckwerts, a woman of remarkable compassion, recently bid farewell to seven orphaned elephants she had nurtured at her sanctuary.
Despite their challenging beginnings, Danckwerts’ love and dedication ensured the elephants thrived under her care.
Filled with mixed emotions, Danckwerts watched as Bumi, Moyo, and the other five elephants prepared to journey to a new home 700 miles away.
Though difficult, this separation marked a significant step towards realizing Danckwerts’ dream of reintroducing them to the wild.
The journey from Danckwerts’ organization, Wild Is Life (WIL), in Harare, Zimbabwe, to a sanctuary on the western border was challenging.
Transporting the elephants, weighing a collective ten tons, required careful planning and execution.
Tranquilized and monitored by specialist teams, the elephants were gently hoisted onto trucks for the 17-hour journey to the Panda Masui Forest Reserve, supported by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).
This sanctuary offers a safe space for elephants to learn independence before joining wild herds.
Among the rescued elephants, Bumi, a three-year-old male, had a particularly challenging past. He was rescued as a month-old calf in 2019, suffering from severe sunburn after getting stuck among rocks.
Moyo, the first elephant rescued by WIL, was found stranded in water during heavy rains in 2014. Despite the unknown circumstances leading to their separation from their mothers, Danckwerts forged unique bonds with each elephant, providing comfort and care.
Saying goodbye to Moyo, the elephant she first rescued, was bittersweet for Danckwerts. While she was happy they were returning to the wild, she couldn’t help but feel sadness at their departure.
This journey marks another milestone in Danckwerts’ dedicated work as she rescues and rehabilitates orphaned elephants.
As more orphans arrive at her sanctuary, Danckwerts remains committed to providing them a chance for a new life in the wild.
