Thandora the elephant's long walk to freedom

After spending 23 years behind bars at the Bloemfontein Zoo, followed by months of preparation and rehabilitation, Thandora took her first steps to freedom in the Gondwana Game Reserve in the Garden Route yesterday.

When Thandora’s elephant companion died at the zoo, it was determined she needed a more suitable home where she could form part of a herd. Gondwana Game Reserve embarked on a project together with the Bloemfontein Zoo and Conservation Global to relocate Thandora from captivity to the wild. Gondwana Game Reserve was sought out for this relocation as it provided a suitable herd and environment for Thandora as well as the facilities to support her transition.

Thandora has been physically and mentally prepared for a number of months, while living in a boma in the bush – getting used to her surroundings and learning to feed herself. Yesterday afternoon she was released and emotions ran high for all those involved in this monumental journey. After the final release strategy session, the boma doors were opened and Thandora took her first tentative steps into the bush.

According to John Vogel, Gondwana Game Reserve’s wildlife manager, “She was initially reluctant to come out of the boma, which we had expected, since the boma has been her home for nearly two months. She is progressing nicely with growing confidence and she has now travelled two kilometres, and is already browsing and grazing and drinking.”

The 10 500 hectares of reclaimed agricultural land in Gondwana Game Reserve is the perfect space for Thandora. She’s finally free to enjoy the African bush and roam the wide open spaces, like all elephants should.

Visit Thandora at Gondwana Game Reserve

You can go visit Thandora at her new home, along with a host of other beautiful creatures and lush vegetation. Gondwana Game Reserve is situated 25 minutes outside the coastal town of Mossel Bay and a mere four hour drive from Cape Town. George Domestic Airport is only a 45-minute drive from the game reserve (transfers provided) with daily flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town International airports.

As a Garden Route game reserve, Gondwana shares the route’s idyllic climate, second most moderate in the world, and is malaria-free, offering prime year round game viewing.