STORM2K

A conservation team were left baffled when 11 elephants arrived at their camp in Empangeni, Zululand to rescue a herd of antelope who were being held in a boma.

Conservationist Lawrence Anthony said on Tuesday that a private game capture company had been working on the Thula Thula Exclusive Private Game Reserve capturing antelope that were to be relocated for a breeding programme.

Shortly before relocation the antelope were being housed in a boma enclosure.

The team were settling in for the night when a herd of 11 elephants approached the boma, he saidThe herd circled the enclosure while the capture team watched warily, thinking the herd were after lucerne being used to feed the antelope," Lawrence said.

"This went on for quite a while until the herd seemed to back off from the boma perimeter fence."The herd's matriarch, named Nana, approached the enclosure gates and began tampering with the metal latches holding the gates closed.

She carefully undid all the latches with her trunk, swung the gate open and stood back with her herd.

"At this stage the onlookers realised this was not a mission for free food, but actually a rescue," said Lawrence.

The herd watched the antelope leave the boma and dart off before they walked off into the night.

Thula Thula resident Ecologist Brendon Whittington-Jones said: "Elephant are naturally inquisitive, but this behaviour is certainly most unusual and cannot be explained in scientific terms". - Sapa

Just another reason that elephants are my favorite animal,
Bronni! They're such intelligent animals with amazing memories,
as well. I collect anything elephant, and, have elephant carvings
and figurines scattered all throughout my house.

Thanks for sharing that amazing story!

Hey Breeze I wish I had of known your love for Ele's . My mother inlaw sends me a lot of African art. Including some original carvings from ebony and soap stone. Some of them I had duplicates of an I just sold them on e-bay. If I had have known I would have given them to you!

Just a personal story here. My Sister inlaws best friend lived on a game park. She was walking with the ranger in the bush and a lone male bull was looking at them. They moved slowly out of sight of him, they thought he was gone. In a fit of rage the old male had done a circle and come around from the back. They have no idea why or the reason behind it, but this big bull scewered this woman with his tusk, straight through her belly and out through her shoulder. Honestly I would rather face a lion than a peed off Elephant. Many people do not realise how aggressive they can be!

Who says animals are dumb????

What a great story! It brings a new meaning to CYA!

Oh, yes - they can definitely be aggressive! As with all
wild animals, we definitely have to be careful where we
wander in certain situations, such as mating times or
getting too close to the little ones!

And, I appreciate your thoughts regarding the elephant
carvings, Bron!

Check out this link - it's within 25 miles from me:

Hohenwald Elephant Sanctuary

It's kinda like a home for retired elephants!

AWW Breeze it looks like a wonderful place. I love the "they packed there trunks!"

Have a look here, I went to Thembe with my folks before I came to the USA. Here are some pics from there web site. Thought you might like to have a look at them. http://www.tembe.co.za/gallery.asp