Sadness at death of baby elephant
HIS name was Amanzi, and in his short life this baby elephant crept into the hearts of so many South Africans.
But Amanzi is no more. He never recovered from being separated from his mother and herd after he fell into a storage dam at a mine in Phalaborwa in Limpopo more than a week ago.
Despite the hard work of rescuers from Elephants Alive and the staff at the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre, where he was taken, he died on Wednesday afternoon, on the eve of World Wildlife Day.
Even though special milk formula had been flown in to feed Amanzi, it was not enough to save his life.
At one point things looked hopeful. Elephants Alive posted on Facebook that he had gained a kilogram. Everyone was rooting for him to pull through.
But then the following message hit social media on Wednesday afternoon: “It’s with a heavy heart that we have to let you know that dear little Amanzi passed away this afternoon.
“It is with great sadness that we say farewell to this beautiful baby elephant. As many of you know, he touched everyone who came to hear of him and his story, and we thank everyone for all the support and love given to help this calf.
“Thank you to Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre for your complete dedication given to Amanzi’s care and comfort, to the vet Peter Rogers and his team for your experience and constant watch, care and attention, and to every single person who has donated towards his formula and who has been supporting Amanzi.”
For so many people, the African elephant is the most majestic of creatures on our continent and, indeed, the planet.
So when they are felled by poachers, there is usually anger and despair from wildlife lovers, as well as those tasked with keeping tuskers on our plains.
But at least Amanzi didn’t die in this way, it was pointed out on social media.
There was also grief when news emerged that Soshangane, a huge bull in Balule Private Nature Reserve, which adjoins Kruger National Park, was found dead this week.
Soshangane was given his name 10 years ago after a powerful chief because he commanded the respect of the younger bulls.
He had just started coming out of his musth cycle and was involved in a fight with another bull on February 10.
While his injuries appeared superficial, although his right tusk had been broken, his condition deteriorated in the days that followed, according to a Facebook post by Elephants Alive.
Vets did not want to immobilise him in case he dropped on the side where he had a tusk wound. If this had happened, they would have been unable to clean it. Since they had seen worse wounds, it was decided that nature should be allowed to take its course.
And that it did. This week rangers found his body, untouched by poachers, but felled by infection caused by the tusk wound on his back.
“It is difficult to describe how it feels to lose an imposing presence such as Soshangane. He had a wonderful nature and was so well loved by all from Balule Private Nature Reserve. We will sorely miss you, our elephant chief !” posted Elephants Alive.
Within hours, more than 20 000 people had pressed the like button, and dozens had bade farewell to the giant, expressing gratitude he died of natural causes, and not at the hands of poachers.