Sadness at Amanzi’s death

‘Beautiful’ elephant calf dies after falling in storage dam at mine in Phalaborwa

WEDNESDAY MARCH 9 2016

CONDOLENCES have been pouring in for the elephant calf Amanzi who died last week. The calf was separated from his herd more than a week before after it fell in a storage dam at a mine in Phalaborwa in Limpopo.

Amanzi was taken care of by staff of the non-profit organisation Elephants Alive at the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre.

Elephants Alive made the announcement on its Facebook page last Wednesday: “It’s with a heavy heart that we have to let you know that dear little Amanzi has passed away this afternoon.

“It is with great sadness that we say farewell to this beautiful baby elephant; as many of you know, he has touched everyone who has come to hear of him and his story and we thank everyone for all the support and love given to help this calf.”

Followers of the page posted messages of shock and sadness. Nichole Victoria said: “Oh no! Poor sweet baby Amanzi, a life lost too soon but his impact and sweet face never forgotten.

“He deserved to live and thrive and grow into a strong bull.

“I’m so sorry to the ones who tried so hard and were with him day in and day out. His life mattered and still does in his passing. Rest in peace little Amanzi.”

Tammy Hasenpflug posted: “Bless his little heart. He fought so hard. I am so sorry for your loss.

“All of us around the world grieve with you for this little lost soul.”

Karen Trendler of the Thulathula rhino orphanage, who has experience in raising elephant calves, said it was extremely difficult.

“Elephants are probably the most difficult animals to hand-raise.”

Trendler said calves were highly intelligent and had a complex social system which consisted of aunts and other relatives which is different from rhinos “where it is a one-onone basis”.

When a calf got separated from the herd it had a huge impact on them.

“Depression sets in quickly,” and because of their young age “they are desperate to bond to anything”, which included humans she said.

“But this is not the only challenge. Milk for the calves is very hard to get as it is “very high in fat but has tiny fat globules”.

The closest thing to elephant milk was coconut oil or palm oil, she said.

There were other challenges on the horizon Trendler said.

Like rhino poaching, elephant poaching is on the rise in the northern parts of the continent.

The trend could come down south and would create a large number of elephant orphans.