The greatest act of love is letting go

A monumental step for the Wild is Life rehabilitated elephants of Panda Masuie

This green season in Panda Masuie Forest (our 30,000-hectare protected rewilding area just outside of Victoria Falls) has provided the best possible conditions for release as compared to last year. Recent abundant rainfall has transformed the landscape into a lush paradise, with water and food readily available across the forest.

The timing could not be more perfect for our rehabilitated Wild is Life elephants to take this step, as they are entering a world that can fully sustain them.

Sizi calmly walking the lush bush a few days before meeting the wild herd.

On March 13, two groups of our rehabilitated elephants set out from our rewilding facility in Panda Masuie Forest. Matabele (a large beautiful bull) was leading the Wildis Life group of elephants deep into the Wenela Block, east of the Wild is Life Boma and Main Camp.

After walking for 6 kilometres, Paradzayi (Head Elephant Carer) and his team encountered what they had hoped for: a breeding herd of over 70 wild elephants. As the two groups faced each other, something incredible happened. The wild elephants paused, listening. The Wild is Life elephants rumbled softly, answering. Then, one by one, they stepped forward and approached the wild herd.