Page 117 - Discover Botswana 25th Edition - 2025

DISCOVER BOTSWANA 25TH EDITION 117
CONSERVATION
After five years, it is time for them to be moved to phase two of the operation, which
entails going into a soft release area. Here, they will have minimal to no human contact
for a further five years where they will rely on each other to continue just as wild elephants
would. Phase three of the operation continues with collaring and a release into the wild
areas of northern Botswana. These elephants will be monitored and observed to ensure
their well-being.
Although the primary function of the sanctuary is the care of the orphans, there is
so much more to the operation that extends to elephant conservation, elephant ecology,
education and community outreach. Botswana has the single largest elephant population
in Africa and with that comes human wildlife conflict. There is much work to do in this
domain to help mitigate the impact that wild elephants have on communities living
in close proximity to the herds. Rural villagers here plant crops in the rainy season for
example, only to have their fields raided by elephants. On top of this, people are often
injured and even killed by them. Elephant Havens’ education programme starts with
educating everyone who visits the sanctuary on how to live and behave around elephants.
The sanctuary also seeks to assist farmers by helping with infrastructure in the form of
bridges and boreholes so that people start to actually see benefit in sharing their land
with these gentle giants. School children, often walking through elephant country, now
have a bus that transports them to and from school each day, while seamstresses, funded
by Elephant Havens, are working hard to provide these youngsters with school uniforms.
Previous pages: Rescued elephants enjoy the quiet sanctuary that is Elephant Havens. Often
traumatized and alone when rescued, they join the others and immediately start forming bonds.
Previous pages:They say the eyes are the windows to the soul. Elephants are noted as being
extremely intelligent and social beings. One need only look into an elephant’s eyes to connect
with these remarkable animals.
Facing page: Around the clock care for the orphans by their handlers is done with the utmost
love and respect by the dedicated team at Elephant Havens. It is feeding time for this youngster
as Akanyang Mosabata and Ketumetsi Masole provide milk to this thirsty baby.
Above: After a day of wandering, feeding and socializing, the young orphans spend the night
in their individual bomas. Their constant appetite is supported by deliveries of mophane tree
branches for them to continue feeding through the night.