Elephant rescued from snare in Phalaborwa
Conservationists in Phalaborwa saved an elephant caught in a cable snare, highlighting the ongoing poaching threat in the region.
PHALABORWA – An elephant bull narrowly escaped losing his entire ear after becoming trapped in a snare, thanks to a coordinated rescue effort by several conservation organisations.
The Phalaborwa Natural Heritage Foundation (PNHF), Balule Nature Reserve, Wildscapes Veterinary Services, and Hope for Wildlife Helicopter Services worked together to give the animal a second chance at life.
Rescue effort by wildlife teams
PNHF’s Eugene Troskie told the Herald that the organisation was alerted by a Phalaborwa resident who had spotted the elephant with a cable snare around its ear near the Water Board Road.
After fundraising efforts were completed, the elephant was located a few days later.
Rangers from Balule Nature Reserve assisted with drone searches and on-foot tracking.
The rescue team included wildlife veterinarian Dr Joel Alves of Wildscapes Veterinary Services and helicopter pilot Jana Meyer from Hope for Wildlife Helicopter Services.
“The bull had a thick cable snare tightly wound around his ear,” said Troskie.
“The snare was successfully removed, and the wound was cleaned and treated before the elephant was safely revived and released back into the same area.”
Although the injury was severe and the elephant will be left with permanent damage to his ear, Troskie said the wound is expected to heal well.
Recovery and ongoing threats
PNHF warned that poaching remains a serious problem in the region, with devastating consequences for biodiversity.
Troskie expressed gratitude to Elephants Alive and PNHF donors for providing the funds that made the rescue possible.
Members of the public can report poaching or request assistance with snare removal by calling 082 614 3688 or emailing phalaborwaheritage.info@gmail.com.
