It’s the middle of October and conditions are exceptionally hot and dry in Hwange National Park. It’s a time of the year when elephants must walk incredible distances between available water and food each day to survive……

Thanks to a reported sighting received from the staff of Verney’s Camp in the middle of the National Park, the DART Team was called to rescue an old bull that had accidentally stepped into a heavy PVC sewage pipe that was now wrapped around his lower front leg and he was struggling to walk…

With so many elephants around, the safety of the team was our primary concern. A few curious elephants made some very, very close approaches while we were preparing the immobilizing drugs and again when we were removing the pipe from his leg… While we remained alert and vigilant however, the whole exercise continued to be safe for both the animals and the DART team.

After a few close encounters and some exciting moments with inquisitive elephants, the plastic pipe was removed from the immobilized elephant and the reversal drug (antidote) was administered.

Within two minutes the massive elephant bull was back on his feet and feeling much better without the foreign object wrapped around his leg….

Grateful thanks must go not only to the staff of Verney’s Camp for reporting the injured elephant and to Park Ranger Mushoshona for their direct help, but not to be forgotten are the kind members of our DART Donor Community who help to cover the cost of hidden expenses like vehicle fuel, wildlife immobilizing drugs etc. etc.