By Roxy Danckwerts: This past summer season was particularly hard for all the elephants, with brutally high temperatures and delayed rains. When the rains finally arrived, with gusto and a burst of green, the mood at the camp was lifted instantly!

Moyo had struggled with the heat and spent a lot of time mud bathing, and cooling herself down. However, she held herself well and although she was still healing, she went further afield with her own little herd, searching for food. With Limpopo joining her herd, Moyo was truly back with all of her own, including young Bumi who had been somewhat forlorn without his friend.

Once everything had fully greened up, we joined the two herds together during the day. They had met occasionally at the pond to swim together at lunch, but had not spend the full days’ foraging together. I was concerned that the older females would give Moyo a hard time, but to my relief, there were no problems.

Moyo loved the rains and would play and move around at speed, her entire demeanor showing self pride, humour and wellness. To our astonishment, Moyo would lead the whole herd out during the morning and then back in the evening. She walked with purpose, with her head held high and looked every bit the true leader that she is.

There have been some very low moments during the past eight months or so, where I have considered bringing Moyo back home. However, I was waiting for the rains to see how well she would integrate and how she would adapt to her new environment.