Annabelle is one of five elephant orphans who found a new home at the Zimbabwe Elephant Nursery (ZEN). ZEN is currently based at Wild is Life. Wild is Life is an established rescue center and sanctuary for orphaned, abandoned and injured wildlife in Harare, founded by Roxy Danckwerts 18 years ago. ZEN was founded in February 2014 after orphaned elephant baby Moyo was rescued. Moyo was found alone without her herd. On her arrival Moyo weighed only 56kg, so it is assumed that she was a premature baby and it’s possible that this was the reason she couldn’t keep up with the herd. But Moyo has a fighting spirit and she survived and with Moyo’s arrival the Zimbabwe Elephant Nursery was founded, the only recognised and legal elephant nursery in Zimbabwe.
Annabelle was part of a group of 3 elephants (Annabelle, Matabele and Kukurukura) who was given to ZEN in July 2015 for rehabilitaion and eventual release by Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks). These 3 elephants had a very traumatic experience before they arrived at ZEN. They all sustained severe injuries prior to their arrival at ZEN. Annabelle was around 3 years old on arrival and she is missing a signifcant portion of her trunk. This renders her unable to fulfil certain tasks such as feeding and foraging. She is also missing her tail. It is assumed that that these injuries were caused by a lion attack, when she was a baby. Though she has had a traumatic experience and most like suffers from Post traumatic stress disorder she has made a very good recovery and is now a very happy elephant girl. She is a very intelligent and curious and her nickname is „the Negotiator“, because as the oldest female she has taken over the role as a mini matriarch. Even she is still a toddler, Annabelle is watching over her little herd, ensuring that Sizi and Moyo do not wander too far, that Matabele and Kura do not hurt eachother and that the keepers are close by to protect them all.
Annabelle’s first surgery: „Annabelle, an elephant orphaned in Zimbabwe, needs your help!“ weiterlesen