Cape Town - After months of preparation and rehabilitation, Thandora is finally released into Gondwana Game Reserve.
Gondwana Game Reserve in the Garden Route has embarked on a project together with the Bloemfontein Zoo and Conservation Global to relocate Thandora, a 27-year-old elephant, from captivity to the wild.
Thandora had been in captivity for 23 years and when her elephant companion died at the zoo, it was determined she needed a more suitable home where she could form part of a herd.
Gondwana Game Reserve was sought out for this relocation as it provided a suitable herd and environment for Thandora as well as the facilities to support her transition.
Thandora has been physically and mentally prepared for a number of months, while living in a boma in the bush - getting used to her surroundings and learning to feed herself.
On Monday she was released and emotions ran high for all those involved in this monumental journey. After the final release strategy session, between 13h30 and 14h00, the boma doors were opened and Thandora took her first tentative steps into the bush.
According to John Vogel, Gondwana Game Reserve's wildlife manager, “She was initially reluctant to come out of the boma, which we had expected, since the boma has been her home for nearly two months.
“She is progressing nicely with growing confidence and she has now travelled two kilometres, and is already browsing and grazing and drinking.”
He added, “We are guiding her down into a valley near the elephant cows and their young.”
About 10 500 hectares of reclaimed agricultural land will be the perfect space for the elephant’s safety and life satisfaction.