The Elephant Sanctuary
Entry posted by Aurelia
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When I mentioned elephants yesterday, some of you might have thought I had one too many cups of coca leaf tea. So before I get a bad reputation in the neighbourhood, let me clarify things. I went to visit an Elephant Sanctuary situated just outside Johannesburg. What a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon!
This is one of three elephant sanctuaries in South Africa that provides a safe haven for elephants that have been orphaned or rescued from zoos. In the course of a 2-hour educational tour, visitors have the opportunity to learn more about ellies and their natural habitat as well as interact with some of these gentle giants. I made friends with a 9-year old cow named Temba who was brought over all the way from the Kalahari desert in Botswana. We got on so well that I got kissed several times - each kiss consisting of a large trunk attaching itself to my right cheek and sucking away. I've prepared a little album for the guests that might come by today or in the next few days.
These sanctuaries currently host 12 elephants most of whom will eventually be sent to different game reserves around the country when they reach maturity. The ones that are most used to people will be sent to smaller parks to prevent them from being trampled on by their wilder cousins. What I find interesting about these places is that in a way they also raise awareness about the plight of these lovely animals in Africa what with the ivory trade still in full swing in certain parts of the continent. These are extremely intelligent and sensitive creatures and we have much to learn from them, I think.
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