Thank you from Roxy - Founder at Wild is Life
Photo: A new creature stalks the veld at Wild is Life!
Following the extraordinary generosity of many subscribers who made direct donations to Wild is Life after their recent fire, over and above my emergency transfer of funds, we have received this lovely email from Roxy.
My dear David, Koala, and all the lovers of HHC!
I wanted to write, primarily, to thank you all for contributing a significant amount of money towards our “fire fund”. As you may recall, we had a dreadful and angry fire streak through the farm at alarming speed, destroying everything in its path. It was simply terrifying and I was extremely worried about it hitting the Sanctuary.
Luckily, we managed to keep it at bay from this small section of the farm. However, all the surrounding bush, grazing and grasslands were burned. This meant that we had no browse available to cut for our herbivores. To this end, after various appeals, one of which was through David and Koala, we have managed to secure enough money to buy lucerne hay. It is hugely expensive, due to the transport costs, but has been an absolute life saver for all the animals, most especially the browsers - elephant, giraffe, kudu, rhino).
So, my deepest appreciation to you all, for the money and for the many thoughts of care and concern about our dilemma.
Photo: Bales of the lucerne hay contributed by subscribers to see the browsers through until next rainy season
The temperatures have risen considerably in Zimbabwe, with the onset of our dry summer. We anxiously await the rain, due late November, but in the meantime, I find my joy in the explosion from the trees and the rising of the sap in the garden. In Panda Masuie, our release site near Victoria Falls, the elephant are struggling with the heat.
Moyo, having lost the use of one of her ears during an accident, is particularly vulnerable. Elephant use their ears to cool themselves. The continual flapping of the ears cools down the blood, which then keeps the elephant in a state of homeostasis. However, Moyo is 50% down on cooling capacity and worse, she cannot hold the ear back, so it gets very hot in the sun. Of late, we have noticed her being somewhat fractious and bad tempered. We think she was getting headaches from the heat. So, Moyo now has a spa treatment twice a day, where her head and ears are hosed with cool water.
She LOVES it! I think that the attention she is getting also contributes to her improved demeanour! Of course, the ellies mud bathe and swim at lunchtime to cool down. It is certainly the most joyful time of day for them.
Photo: special spa treatment for herd matriarch Moyo
We recently did a rescue of a young bull up in the far north of the country. Having only one photograph to make an assessment, I completely misjudged his age. I thought that sending a vet team by air up to the region, we could bring him home and fix him up. On arrival, the team discovered that he was much bigger than anticipated and certainly would not fit through the door of the plane! However, the team immobilized the youngster and removed the most horrific cable snare from his front leg. It had embedded right down to the bone and was severely infected. (Highlighted in the 4 October post).
The snare was removed successfully, but without ease. Steel cable is notoriously difficult to cut. The wound was debrided and cleaned and long acting antibiotics were given. He was then left behind, with the hope that he would recover. It nearly kills me having to leave an elephant behind in such a state, but I also know that animals have a remarkable ability to heal as well as a resilience that we cannot comprehend.
A team from the Akashinga Antipoaching Unit have been keeping an eye on this little chap. I was worrying about the swelling and lack of movement that he was enduring. However, yesterday, I received new photos and video of him. Well! The change is miraculous. He is still lame but can move at speed, the wound is closing up and the swelling is down. It is not perfect but he is clearly able to get to food, as his body condition has improved tremendously.
Video: one week after snare removal. The male elie calf is eating, moving and on the mend
I am SO happy! Every life matters and this little unknown fellow, wandering alone in the bush, was important to me. One forms a relationship with the rescues and it is a relationship that cannot be put into words. It just is. And it matters.
Apart from HHC, I am not a huge fan of domestic cats. I have no particular antipathy towards them, but I don’t seek out their company. Recently, I was having a meeting and I heard a strange crying coming from the plants nearby. There I found a kitten, possibly 5/6 months old. I was shocked and simply could not understand where he had come from.
Anyhow, Cath cleaned him up, fed him and gave him a cosy basket. Of course, the whole team fell in love with him. I watched him sideways, with my eyebrow raised.
After some weeks, he ventured up to the house and plonked himself on my lap. He settled in, deeply purring and totally content. I did not dare to move, such was the feeling of comfort and joy I was experiencing! I felt love! It happened quite often, that he would seek me out for a quiet few moments of peace and happiness. It progressed. He then joined me in bed! He slept on my chest, purring away, irritable when the usual insomnia kicked in and the light came on. He would be gone in the morning.
However, I soon realized that he was not bonding with me in particular. He is a flake of note. He joins the tour every day and finds a lap and a gentle hand, from complete strangers. He wanders around the entire sanctuary, sometimes sleeping in a flower bed or on a sofa when he feels the need. He brings joy to so many!
Photo: on tour. Unlike most most domestic tabby, this one has daily encounters with some pretty frightening beings - fortunately on the other side of diamond mesh
Now, I miss him. I’ve not seen him for a few days, but he is around. He clearly feels that I am not in need of comfort or therapy at present. To begin with, I was most put out! I now realize and understand the lesson of attachment!
He will never be ‘Mine”. He will always be “His”. His own soul, his own care, his own joy and his own preservation. This is a good lesson.
Sending you all my love
Rox xxx
If anyone wishes to make a direct donation to Wild is Life/Zimbabwe Elephant Nursery at any time, you can do so using the link below. If you are a resident of USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand or the Netherlands, your donation can be tax deductible:
