An elephant, nicknamed Freddie because of the Freddie Mercury song I want to break free, has made a number of visits to households in Phalaborwa.

According to the Wild Heart Wildlife Foundation, Freddie has “apparently broken out of the reserve at PMC Phalaborwa Mine (which is adjacent to the Greater Kruger National Park and associated private nature reserves), and is roaming”.

The foundation added that he was only looking for water and did want to cause any trouble. “Unfortunately the pool was empty. Usually these elephants get chased back into the reserve using drones. Let’s hope this is the case with Freddie too!”