A baby elephant was euthanised in Hammanskraal on Thursday when its organs failed almost a month after it was severely burnt in a wildfire at the Pilanesberg National Park in September.
The elephant had survived on its own in the bush for more than two-and-a-half weeks before being spotted by tourists a week ago and taken to a trauma centre set up in Hammanskraal.
”He survived against all odds in the most terrible conditions. He obviously had a terrifying time,” National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals wildlife specialist Karen Trendler said on Friday.
The elephant was the fourth put down because of the severity of its injuries, she said. Two burnt elephants died shortly after being taken to the trauma centre.
A post-mortem on the elephant will determine which of its organs failed.
Trendler is on a team of experts caring for the surviving 13 elephants rescued after the fire, which swept through the park in North West, destroying 5 000ha to 6 000ha.
Also on the team are Knysna Elephant Park expert Lizette Withers, veterinarian Douw Grobler and a number of consultants.
Difficult conditions
Traumatised and stressed, the normally free-ranging animals have found captivity difficult, said Trendler.
Their treatment includes antibiotics to stop any infection, an electrolyte solution in their water to hydrate them, and being hosed down twice a day to slough off burnt skin and stimulate circulation, whereafter they are sprayed all over with a burns preparation.
Some have to be anaesthetised while dead tissue is removed, and at one point they had to be drugged just to be touched.
It is only now that their sense of calmness is returning and their behaviour normalising.
”For the first time yesterday [Thursday], one of the little ones was actually playing,” said Trendler, describing it as encouraging to see the elephant waving a marula branch about.
”They are at that point now where very intensive nursing can start tailing off,” she said, but emphasised that they are still badly burnt and looking terrible.
There are concerns about a couple, which will continue receiving intensive treatment.
They have to start exercising to stop their muscles atrophying and to stretch their scar tissue, but it will take a month or two in an intermediate holding camp before they will be ready for release.
And, when that happens, it will not be back into the park, where the herds have been disturbed by the fire.
”These guys need to go … to a place of stability.”
It is feared that, after their trauma, the elephants might become a danger to humans in a park with as high a density of tourists as the Pilanesberg.
A task group has been set up to identify suitable sites, said Trendler.
Interest
She said the plight of the elephants has drawn phenomenal interest locally and internationally.
”Anything with a trunk and ears brings on these incredibly strong feelings in people.”
While one camp believes everything possible should be done to help them, another is of the opinion they should have been euthanised as soon as they were found to put them out of their misery.
They have also been drawn into the culling debate, with questions asked over why they are being saved when the country has too many elephants as it is and will have to cull some of them.
Their carers are not becoming embroiled in the debate. As long as the elephants are in the trauma centre, the people looking after them will make sure everyone works together to give them the best possible treatment, said Trendler.
Pilanesberg National Park manager Peter Leitner said on Friday that details of any future plans for the elephants will probably be made known by the middle of next week. — Sapa