The day we saved an Elephant
An amazing encounter with a elephant stuck in mud.
Words and Photography by Neil Hamilton-Ritchie.
9th October 2013
During a morning walk through Mana Pools, northern Zimbabwe, we came across this poor sight — An elephant stuck in the mud. We assume she had walked down to the river for a night time refreshment. Six or more hours later and she was still in the same spot burning in the hot sun. The temperature was 40C/105F + degrees and at this point there was little sign of life. When I walked through the mud, it was like a thick glue and incredibly unpredictable. The first step in the mud would only go to your ankles but then the next step could sink you all the way to your chest!
We headed back to camp to gather the tools and prepared ourselves for the rest of the day.
Using canoes we transported the rope and chain across the river. The plan was the pull her into the river so she could exit from another bank. I walked through the river water with the others, film camera raised above my head. The water was up to my shoulders. I only had one roll of film on me so 36 exposures was all I had to document the story. Talk about being very selective with my shots! I had be one step ahead to ensure I had enough shots to cover the story from start to end.
Arriving onto the other side it was now that we saw for the first time the true state of the poor mammal. She started to tussle and wave her trunk around as we approached for a look. It was then that we saw for the first time a sign of life still left in the girl. From then we knew that she still had a good chance for survival. Doug, the guide, had his doubts. He recalled a past rescue attempt that ended unfortunately with a bullet to the head.
Stranded in mud for more than 12 hours and now under the scorching midday sun, it seemed the Ele had accepted her fate.
Doug shoveling mud onto her body to cool her and give her sun protection.
The Ele would tussle occasionally. It’s trunk waving around trying to grab us.
The Ele would tussle occasionally. It’s trunk waving around trying to grab us.
Doug talked to her throughout the rescue to keep her calm.
We wrapped rope around her body and prepared for the pull across the river.
The rope was dragged to the other side of the river and attached to a 4X4. The vehicle pulled hard but the Ele had no budged at all. Soon after the rope snapped and whipped across the water. It was time for Plan B.
A large tree is seen in the distance. A source of food, shelter and life is so close yet so far.
Time for Plan B — A chain attached to a tractor.
It took some time to get the chain around the body properly. The chain had to be pushed arm’s length into the mud, trying to avoid getting it caught in the Ele’s mouth. We were cautious that the chain was secured around the whole body and not pulling on a single leg.
The men wrestle the chain out of the Ele’s mouth.
With the chain finally secured it was time for the big pull. The men scatter just in case she gets back on her feet and begins to charge at us.
The men watch anxiously as the tractor pulls heftily on the chain.
Doug, exhausted, drags the shovel behind him.
Diesel smoke puffed into the air. The strength of the tractor slowly pulled the Ele from the mud’s grasp. Dave and Zacharia, covered in mud after the ordeal, watch as she stands very weak in the water.
As she regains her strength, she slowly points her trunk towards the sky. Could this be a sign of thanks?
The Ele makes her way down the river to the shallow bank. Zacharia and Doug watch as the gentle mammal limps away. The Elephant spent the next few days calling out for her family. We hope her search is over and she has learnt about the dangers of river mud.
