Adopt Ludaka
Community members in Rufunsa Game Management Area spotted a young elephant calf wandering alone and confused, desperately searching for the herd that never came back for him. After several days, realising the orphaned calf would not survive on his own, they called for help, prompting Game Rangers International’s Wildlife Rescue Team to race into action and bring the little elephant safely into care.
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Age Rescued
2.5 years old
Rescue location
Rufunsa Game Management Area
Reason orphaned
After 4 long days alone, it was clear his herd was not returning
Current location
Kafue Release Facility
About Ludaka
For 4 days, a 2 and a half year old Ludaka wandered alone before GRI's Wildlife Rescue Team rushed in to rescue him.
The community members in Rufunsa Game Management Area noticed a young elephant wandering alone. After a few days, they realised that his herd would not return, and they should call for help. Game Rangers International’s Wildlife Rescue Team rushed into action and the little calf was safely secured and loaded onto their trailer. During the long journey to Lilayi Elephant Nursery the team checked on him every couple of hours, supplying drinking water, fresh browse and splashes of cold water.
After 8 hours, they arrived at the Nursery and Ludaka rushed out of the trailer and into the boma. There, he spent a few hours calming down before being lured into the stable with some food.
Ludaka was extremely emaciated, having been without his mother for a lengthy period. During the days and weeks that followed great care was taken over his diet, with small steps taken to increase his nutritional intake while supporting his weakened state.
After 8 hours, they arrived at the Nursery and Ludaka rushed out of the trailer and into the boma. There, he spent a few hours calming down before being lured into the stable with some food.
Ludaka was extremely emaciated, having been without his mother for a lengthy period. During the days and weeks that followed great care was taken over his diet, with small steps taken to increase his nutritional intake while supporting his weakened state.
Ludaka grew comfortable to his surroundings at Lilayi found comfort in the Rangers, his surrogate parents. Just like the other orphans, he would rush to his bottle whenever the Rangers approached with the feed.
He grew to be a loveable elephant who bonded with Tuko. The two were often seen side-by-side in the bush. The friendship served them both well as they were relocated together to the Kafue Release Facility in June 2021, when they were both ready for the next step in their journey back to the wild.
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Ludaka found his place in the herd at Kafue, forming bonds with several elephants. However, he stays close to Tuko and Lani who joined them shortly after. After enduring a little bullying in the early days, Ludaka has developed a sense of the elephants who he should avoid and those he can spar with. He is a healthy elephant whose future looks positive as he grows closer to becoming a wild elephant.
Watch Ludaka's translocation from Lusaka to Kafue National Park
Choose your adoption
Choose the adoption option that works best for you. Support Ludaka with a flexible monthly donation of just £10 that you can cancel anytime, or become a dedicated adoptive parent with a year-long commitment to Ludaka's journey. Your support helps give Ludaka the care, protection and expert support he needs as he grows towards a future back in the wild, while also funding the wildlife rangers and community outreach teams working to secure a future for Zambia’s elephants.
Ludaka (monthly)
10
Every month
Valid until canceled
Best Value
Ludaka (yearly)
100
Every year
Valid until canceled
If you are purchasing this adoption package as a gift, please note that the email confirmation of the Adoption will go to your email address for you to forward at your leisure. All subsequent elephant updates will go to the recipient of the gift.
