Approximately two weeks ago, reports from several sources were received by me of an Elephant that had been seen just off the side of the main tar road into Kariba, around the 53 to 55 Kilometer peg, with a very swollen ,and obviously injured, right front foot.

I reported the matter to the Warden in Charge, Petersen Kagora, who confirmed that he too had received reports, and agreed that a search should be made to try to locate the animal. He confirmed that my assistance would be of great help, and suggested that I carry on in my own time.

With the assistance of Pro Guides, ****** and ******* and a few enthusiastic friends, numerous patrols were made into the area, on foot and by vehicle, covering ground from the Glitterstone Quarry, both sides of the main road, to the Charara turn off, and between the Power line road and the main road.

On Saturday 29th December, ******* and ******** reported seeing him on their way in to Kariba to visit us, at the 53 K peg, on the left side of the road at approximately 7.30 a.m.

It was at this stage that I decided to contact Research Officer Norman Monks of DNPWM, Mana Pools, and ask him if he would be in a position to help by darting the animal, as per suggestion of Petersen Kagora. Previously Chris Foggen had been suggested by Alan Holt of ZCTF, but was not contactable.
 
Norman Monks agreed immediately, providing we had a positive siting, and could locate the animal when he came up to Kariba.

******* and ******** and I reacted as quickly as possible, and were out in the area within the hour, but after a concerted search, failed to find him.

The next morning however, ********, ******** and I did eventually find him……on the side of the road close to the 54K peg, at approximately 9.00am. We immediately contacted Norman Monks again, and he agreed to come up within the next 24 hours, providing we could keep tabs on the animal.

The following morning, AT 6.00am Monday the 31st December, ****** and I met Norman Monks at the 55K peg, and proceeded with him and ********* and party to try and find the Ele……but with no luck!! To cut a long story short, a lot of groundwork was done, both on foot and by vehicle, both in the morning and afternoon.
 
It was during the afternoon exercise that Norman recruited the assistance of *********, ********, and his enthusiastic family and party from *************…….a group of approximately 12 people in all, but even with their help, the Elephant remained elusive. Plenty others however, were seen and checked out.

Norman decided to remain in Kariba overnight, with the hope that next day, 1st Jan 2002, we might get another chance of finding him.
 
Again, after concerted effort from ******** and his crew, with intense cross graining ground sweeps, and vehicle back up covering nearly the whole area between the Power line road, main road, and the Charara road, the Ele remained undetected, until approximately 5.15pm when ****** and I found him just off the main road down one of the wood collecting tracks right on the 55 kilometer peg.

Norman was on hand, as was ********, ********, and ********* for backup, with *********** following through with a video camera. After a short delay in trying to target the animal, several mock charges, and a lot of ducking and weaving, Norman eventually, and very accurately got a dart into the animals trunk from about 20 meters.
Five minutes later, and approximately 500 mtrs from where he was darted, he went down in very thick  riverine jessebush.

The wound was immediately checked for an imbedded snare, and although there was a very deep indentation around the front part of the animals right leg, with huge suppurating  absesses and growths, no sign of a snare  was found, and Norman decided against cutting away, or removing any of the injured and rotten flesh or lumps, for fear that he may cause more damage than necessary. However, large doses of Pennecillin were injected, and the wound cleaned up as much as possible.The antidote recovery jab was then  administered, approximately 40 minutes after the animal went down.
A few minutes later he was staggering to his feet, and eventually moving off in a daze into the thick bush, hopefully better off for the whole incident.
It was the general conclusion that the injury was very old, and that it was indeed caused by a snare that has since rotted, or broken away, leaving part of it deeply imbedded in the animals flesh, and thus causing the continual infection and suppuration, and subsequent growths and abscesses.

Norman Monks ‘s decision of bringing in a qualified Vet  at a later stage, re darting the animal, and getting him to check on the wound before any major operations were made, was then discussed and arranged for a later date when ******** would be available. DNPWM  Petersen  Kagora has concurred with this plan, and given it his full backing, provided National Parks are kept informed, and members of their staff present, or involved.

Meanwhile, we here in Kariba will continue to try and monitor the animal, and see how he progresses.

All in all, I feel the exercise was a great success, and many thanks must go to all those involved for their effort and devotion, and the assistance given in the way of time, vehicles, fuel, and blood sweat and frustration!!! And particularly to Norman Monks for coming all the way up from Mana, and eventually doing a fine job!