A three-month-old baby elephant wandering alone in Mozambique’s Maputo Special Reserve has been successfully rescued.
After stabilizing the young elephant, the focus has shifted to securing the necessary permits to transfer her to a specialized care facility in South Africa, with the long-term goal of reintroducing her to the wild.
This rescue was made possible through the combined efforts of various individuals and organizations, highlighted later in this article.
The calf’s future now hinges on obtaining the required paperwork, with Dr. Carlos Lopes Pereira from ANAC and Dr. Michelle Henley from Elephants Alive working closely with the South African Department of Environmental Affairs to facilitate the process.
The rapid response to the situation began with the Muvucuza Community in Maputo Special Reserve, who spotted the lone baby elephant and quickly alerted park rangers.
Their swift intervention was crucial in saving the calf from immediate danger and deserves significant recognition.
Once informed, a response team was quickly assembled, including members from Mozambique’s National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC), Saving the Survivors, Dyck Advisory Group, and the Peace Parks Foundation (PPF). Their combined efforts were essential to the success of the rescue operation.
The calf was found in a dire condition, weak and hungry after being alone for about three days. Dr. João Almeida from Saving the Survivors described the situation as critical for several hours.
Fresh milk was airlifted from South Africa to stabilize her, and intravenous fluids were administered. Fortunately, the baby elephant is slowly regaining strength, raising hopes for survival.
She is now receiving fluids and bottle feedings every two hours. Encouragingly, she has started passing feces and has a regular sleep pattern, both of which are positive signs of her recovery.
A technical advisor from the Peace Parks Foundation at Maputo Special Reserve noted that it is unusual for elephants to abandon their calves, suggesting that the baby elephant might have been ill for some time.
He emphasized the importance of collective action to protect the reserve’s wildlife and preserve its rich biodiversity.
Maputo Special Reserve is quickly becoming one of Mozambique’s premier tourist destinations. This growing tourism trend could significantly boost local livelihoods, highlighting the essential role of wildlife conservation.
