Thank you for helping Moyo in her hour of need

(The orphan herd at Wild is Life/Zimbabwe Elephant Nursery)

One of the extraordinary causes that you, as subscribers to this Substack page support, is the work of Roxy Danckwerts and her team in Zimbabwe, who look after baby elephants who have been orphaned, often in traumatic circumstances. (Wild is Life/Zimbabwe Elephant Nursery - ZEN)

While most people’s reaction to baby elephants is “How cute!” the reality that ZEN has to deal with is very much harsher.  The calves they take in are frequently traumatised and need round-the-clock care as well as specially-enhanced and very expensive milk.

As soon as possible, calves are introduced to a herd of older orphans at a nursery in Harare. Here they grow until they are ready, as a group, to be “rewilded” in the Northwest of the country, where they have the best chance of integrating with wild herds of elephants.

Rewilding is a bittersweet experience for Roxy and her team, who devote so much care and compassion to each elephant, growing to know them over the years as much-loved family members.

Just weeks ago, a small group with their matriarch, Moyo, made the move from the nursery to the rewilding site. It proved to be a traumatic journey.

I’d like to share updates from Roxy, below.

All the words and images in this post are courtesy of Wild is Life/Zimbabwe Elephant Nursery.

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May 31

Moyo, Kura, Unity, Bumi, Coco, Sally and Sienna who made the move yesterday from the Wild is Life/Zimbabwe Elephant Nursery in Harare to Panda Masuie near Victoria Falls for the next stage of their re-wilding journey have arrived! It was an extremely long and arduous trip, right through the night, arriving earlier today.

Unfortunately, during the journey Moyo was injured. She is currently under excellent veterinary assessment treatment and care. We are optimistic for her swift and full recovery.

Once we have further information on her situation, we will let you know…

We are so grateful for all your kind messages of love, encouragement and support from around the globe - it has made all the difference to the team

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June 3

I remain in Panda Masuie together with my specialist team and will do so until Moyo is fully recovered.

As with any translocation, there is always risk. Unfortunately, in this instance, Moyo was critically injured on the truck during the road trip up to Victoria Falls. She lost a fair amount of blood and had some very serious wounds.

Upon arrival, a decision was made not to immobilize her immediately to give her a chance to recover from the arduous journey which lasted for 20 hours. This gave Moyo a chance to build up her energy, hydration and her blood glucose levels. 24 hours later, after stabilizing, Moyo was immobilized again and assessment was done by some of Zimbabwe’s best veterinarians, Chris Foggin and Harley Peacock (Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust) assisted by Greg Foggin. Moyo struggled to come around from the sedation but her wounds were treated, stitched up, and antibiotics were administered to keep infection at bay.

She is receiving regular pain medication to keep her pain at a manageable level. In my experience, I have found that elephants suffer from pain in ways I have not seen in other animals. Moyo is receiving a highly nutritious and specialized diet, including an array of vitamins and minerals to boost her immune system. She is surrounded by her girls; Unity, Coco, Sienna and Sally, who all arrived safely and in good health. I am living down at the boma at the moment, alongside my incredible team.  (A boma is an African version of a corral created from wood poles).

(The vigil at Moyo’s bush hospital)

We are all exhausted and emotionally drained but we fight onwards. Moyo is taking the medication by mouth and is able to mudbath. She is not able to lay down yet but remains comfortable, surrounded by her girls and my team.

We have now passed the 72-hour mark which is critical. If she was going to deteriorate further from her injuries, I believe that she would be showing signs of doing so. This critical juncture has given us all a lot of hope. We are not out of the woods yet but our hope and courage continues to grow in stature for a positive outcome from this most traumatic event.

On a more positive note, Bumi and Kura have been introduced to the resident Wild Is Life herd, resident at Panda Masuie. Kura greeted his old friends with great joy and elation. It was wonderful to see and the ellies are already out in the bush enjoying their new home and new friends.

We ask you to keep Moyo in your thoughts and prayers at this time. We will try to keep you updated as and when things happen. Sometimes it is difficult to keep in touch with my team in Harare due to poor communication from the bush.

I thank you all for your support and understanding through this difficult time.

(Kura is the male elephant who seemed so attracted when I chanted the Green Tara mantra while meditating with the elephants at ZEN last year. To see the video click here).

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June 5

(Moyo’s bush hospital)

Update from Moyo’s Bush Hospital in Panda Masuie

Moyo is making small steps toward recovery. We are far from out of the woods yet, as we are just managing the risks of severe infection, as well as keeping her sustained with good nutrition and a lot of spiritual love and affection. She is weak but stoic and I believe that wild animals have a remarkable capacity for healing within the right environment. We can give her the tools such as clean water, clean sand and mud. She then uses these tools to help herself. We're also getting her moving a little so, that she does not lose too much muscle and to keep her circulation in good order.

She does better at night when her appetite increases and the temperatures have dropped. She finds daytime tiresome as it's very hot here. Our bush hospital is a hive of activity. Cast iron pots of various foods are cooked continuously for her. Medications are carefully measured out and all the tricks we have to hide the mountains of tablets are used. We change up the mix continuously so that the trust we are building is not broken.

Wild elephants visit at night which I have found alarming. However, they're polite and cautious of the electric fence and have not tried to breach it. Coco and Unity are very interested in these roaming balls and check them up at the fence as if they're at a pub.

Everyone is boned-tied with the relentless duties of day and night. However, spirits are good and the camaraderie around the campfire is excellent.

I have been upgraded to a tent although it's a bit cooler on the ground is much more comfortable. I love the quiet moments of the night.

Moyo’s multiple injuries are still life-threatening, but each sunrise brings us closer to hope. She has bonded us all together in this perilous journey. And I found a newly discovered courage and resilience that I never thought I had.

(Preparing food for Moyo)

She may well have been brought to her knees seven days ago but she has stood unaided since she arrived. She rests her head and her trunk on the poles of the boma and sleeps standing up. She fights, we fight, you fight and for that, we are very grateful.

• We are going through mountains of supplies which is considerably draining on our resources. If anyone is able to assist - in cash or in kind for any of the following, we will be eternally grateful:

• Fruits, grains, and vegetables from the market in rather large quantities.

• Medications: pain meds, antibiotics, and immobilization drugs, those we have to buy

• Fuel

• Hay bales

• Care packs for the staff which include soap, toothpaste, playing cards, T-shirts, magazines, biscuits, Mazowe orange, airtime for the staff phones, washing liquid

• Very large cooking pots for the fire.

(It was at this point I was in direct touch with Roxy and donated $5,000 on behalf of all who subscribe to this page).

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(A recovering Moyo eating at boma)

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June 12

This golden child, Moyo, is still fighting and although there are still a multitude of major problems, she is making progress. She is responding to treatment and has more energy and appetite.

January Gweshe, Paradzai Mutize and their teams do not stop! Day and night there are pots of food being prepared for Moyo, firewood collected to keep her warm at night, browse and Banna grass harvested, milk bottles prepared, vegetables chopped, washing up done, tablets hidden in curious ways to get Moyo to swallow them (she’s wise to our tricks!), snatches of sleep and banter around the night fire. The sense of teamwork and camaraderie beyond any “job” is palpable. Everyone here has a part to play in Moyo’s recovery.

I’m still in my tent … it’s a cosy little bubble where I too, grasp some sleep and oblivion. Apart from the roaring serenades of local lions, it’s very peaceful...

Moyo has had some really rough days this past week and our fears of infection have been massive. Yes, we get low in mood, but there’s a continuous sense of optimism that keeps us fighting. And it keeps her fighting too.

I’m so very proud of our Team and of Moyo. Such champions, one and all!

I cannot thank you all enough for the outpouring of generosity, both material and spiritual for Moyo. I’ve been overwhelmed by this support and so uplifted by the encouragement and kindness. My gratitude indeed and Tatenda (thank you!), from the Team

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(A dust bath for Moyo)

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June 16

I have happy news today! Moyo is back and here to stay, all being well...

Although her wounds are not yet healed, the life-threatening situation has passed and now she just needs time. She is in good spirits, walking with purpose, browsing more, finding grass that she likes, and interacting with both the Carers and her little brood.

Today she will take a short walk outside the fence to leave the rung of her herd so that the first introductions to the local herds are started. Full introduction is some time away.

As said, I would circle back to her injuries which include part of her tail was lost, a badly damaged ear, injury to her hind and the roof of her mouth.

Moyo will take more time to recover from the mental anguish that she has endured, as will her Care team. Those are unseen injuries and who knows how they will affect her, and her human family long term. We do know that elephants have a remarkable resilience, so I’m hoping that she will eventually turn the page and resume her loving and indomitable self.

Camp life continues and will do so for some time. Taking our foot off the pedal at this point would be crazy, so we continue as before, but certainly with gratitude and hope in our hearts. Every member of Wild is Life Harare and Panda Masuie has played a vital role in this journey. I express my heartfelt gratitude to them, one and all.

To January, Paradzai, Thomas, Solo, Brian, and Timothy, who have selflessly put themselves in the line of direct fire with Moyo’s wellness, I offer my respect and wholehearted congratulations.

To the veterinarians, Chris Foggin and Harley Peacock of Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust, I thank you for helping me save Moyo’s life. I’m forever in your debt. I urge donors and supporters to please follow and help with this worthy organization.

And to YOU… the followers and generous givers to the Moyo cause… never have I been more relieved nor more grateful. I send you my love, each and every one of you, and thank you with my hands open and my heart filled.

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For subscribers who would like to follow more about Moyo and the work of Wild is Life/Zimbabwe Elephant Nursery, you can do so on Facebook here.

If you would like to make a direct donation, or visit the Wild is Life/Zimbabwe Elephant Nursery website, please click here.

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(With Roxy Danckwerts at Wild is Life/Zimbabwe Elephant Nursery)

Would you consider becoming a paying subscriber to my newsletter? Each Saturday I post an article sharing the wisdom I have learned from my own lamas. In their gentle, but incisive way, their teachings help cultivate our self-reliance, compassion and wisdom. Ultimately, they lead us on the most direct path to enlightenment.

In becoming a paying subscriber, you not only support me and my work. About 50% of your subscription money goes to charities whose founders and work I personally know, and have supported for a long time. They are charities who stretch every dollar in ways most of us would find quite extraordinary:

Wild is Life/Zimbabwe Elephant Nursery - an elephant orphanage and wildlife rescue in Zimbabwe),

Twala Trust Animal Sanctuary - the animal rescue centre in Zimbabwe,

Dongyu Gyatsal Ling Initiatives - which supports Buddhist nuns in the Himalayas, and

Gaden Relief - which supports Buddhist activities in India, Nepal, Mongolia and Tibet.

I very much hope that you may join our community of kindred spirits on this journey of compassion and wisdom.

Warmest wishes,

David