12 Apr 2018

In an effort to help abandoned elephant calves and to promote conservation and co-existence, two Batswana men have partnered to form a non-governmental organisation called ‘Elephant Havens Wildlife Foundation.’

The two, Mr Thapelo Sebetlela and Mr Boago Poloko who have enormous experience in the tourism and conservation industry said the project would ensure temporary shelter for abandoned elephant calves and also tackle issues of human-wildlife conflict which were rife in the northern parts of the country.

The project, which is at the infancy stage, was registered this year, and hopes to close the gap since there is currently no organisation that is involved in saving abandoned elephant calves.

In an interview, the founders of Elephant Havens Wildlife Foundation revealed how elephant calves tended to be abandoned due to separation from their herds as a result of poaching, loss of lives due to farmers in conflicted areas and in some instances elephant calves got stuck in flood plains.

The foundation is situated at a site about 30kms from Maun at Mochaba settlement near Shorobe.

The project manager, Mr Bampoloki Nthusang said developments at the site were underway, while they were awaiting finalisation of the permit from relevant authorities.

He said the foundation aimed to provide temporary shelter to the elephant calves.

He however said they would ensure the elephants’ wildness nature was maintained as the intention was not to tame them, adding that they would be released back to the wilderness after some years, and that professional elephant handlers would be on site. ENDS