‘Buffalo Soldier’ saves the day

Park ranger stops elephant in its tracks

A RANGER at Manyane Resort outside Rustenburg, North West, was hailed a hero after coming to the rescue of journalists when an agitated male elephant almost tipped over their vehicle while on a four-day tour through Moses Kotane Local Municipality.

The elephant was the first animal spotted near a dam in the resort.

Park ranger Solomzi Radebe, 42, drove closer as the 52-year-old male scratched its torso against a tree trunk.

Radebe said he saw the elephant getting agitated and charging towards the vehicle. Just before it reached the front passenger side, the ranger shouted “Buyela emuva! Buyela emuva!”, meaning “get back” in isiZulu.

The elephant stopped dead in its tracks, took a step back and walked away, leaving behind a deafening silence in the vehicle.

Radebe, nicknamed “Buffalo Soldier”, is regarded as a true animal whisper. He has been employed at the resort for 18 years and can communicate with all animals.

“I was not scared when the elephant approached the vehicle. I have been doing this for so long that I can see when they are unsettled.

“I told him to stop when I noticed he was planning to tip over the vehicle. The animals are used to my voice and we have an understanding.”

Such experiences are nothing new for Radebe. He has a scar between his eyes from an encounter with a black rhino. He was guiding tourists when they were ambushed by a male and female rhino.

“I was hit by one of the rhinos as I was trying to save the tourists. I woke up in hospital, but knew I had to go back to the wilderness. Of course, my family was against it, but I knew the only way to heal was going back to the wild.”