January 2012 News

Successful Elephant Calf “Bezi” relocation

On Sunday 15 January 2012, just over two months after his initial rescue, elephant calf “Bezi” has been successfully relocated from Conservation Lower Zambezi (CLZ) base camp to Elephant Orphanage Project (EOP) – Lilayi, Lusaka.

Now approximately four months old, having been treated and vaccinated against Anthrax (a naturally occurring disease present in the Lower Zambezi in 2011) Bezi was flown to Lusaka yesterday attended by Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) vet Dr. Harvey Kamboyi. After a slightly longer than expected quarantine period at CLZ, last week ZAWA and the Zambian Government Veterinary Department gave CLZ and the EOP permission to move the elephant calf to his new home. At Lilayi, Bezi will become the newest and youngest member of the now four-strong herd of orphan elephant calves. He will enjoy walks with his new friends and be looked after by the EOP team, one of whom, Lasick – he already knows very well!

During his 2 months at CLZ a combined team of CLZ and EOP carers have tirelessly fed Bezi a complex formula every 2 hours, cleaned wounds, taken temperatures, recorded behaviour and played with Bezi around the clock. It is thanks to them that his condition was stabilised and although he is still underweight it is hoped that Bezi will now gain strength and friends in his new environment! Ultimately it is intended that these calves will move to Kafue and be reintegrated into the wild.

Huge thanks to all at the EOP – Sport Beattie, Rachael Murton, Tanya Shober; Robert Stacey and Royal Air Charters for transporting Bezi from Royal Airstrip to Lusaka free of charge; and all at ZAWA and the Vet Department for their expert assistance.

Elephants might fly after all!