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On 25th November 2021 we were contacted by Conservation South Luangwa (CSL). A baby elephant had been found stuck in a hole used by the local community for drinking water near Chiwole Village, Nsefu. It seems he had spent the night there trying to climb out. There was no sign of the mother or any other members of the herd.
The elephant was rescued by a team of scouts from CSL and Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) and brought to the Chipembele Centre. He was estimated to be just 2 to 3 months old and was in good condition, despite his ordeal. Our three keepers took it in turns to stay with him around the clock, feeding him every three hours on the milk formula and supplements advised by Game Rangers International (GRI). GRI sent one of their experienced elephant keepers, Aaron, on the plane to Mfuwe to oversee his care. The keepers named him Wamwayi meaning ‘the Lucky One’.
A few days later it was agreed by the team at Chipembele and the experts at GRI that Wamwayi was in such good condition, he should be moved to GRI’s Lilayi Elephant Orphanage, just outside Lusaka, where he would have the comforting company of other elephants. Royal Airlines kindly provided a free flight to Lusaka on 30 November .
A team involving DNPW, Chipembele and GRI staff loaded Wamwayi onto the Chipembele truck and he was transported to Mfuwe Airport, where he was met by Theo Olivier (Technical Adviser for Rescued Animals under GRI) and Dr Phiri (DNPW vet from Mumbwa). He arrived safely at Lilayi that evening and has settled in very well.
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