Adopt Nanzhila
Little Nanzhila was rescued at just 10 months old after being found alone, weak, and dehydrated in the Nanzhila Plains of southern Kafue National Park. After days of searching by ground and air, she finally sought safety near a safari camp, where a dedicated rescue team brought her to the Lusaka Elephant Nursery for urgent care.
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Age Rescued
10 months old
Rescue location
Nanzhila Plains, Kafue National Park
Reason orphaned
Found alone, dehydrated and exhausted
Current location
Lusaka Elephant Nursery
About Nanzhila
At just 10 months old, Nanzhila should have been safely by her mother’s side, learning the rhythms of the wild, surrounded by the warmth and protection of her herd. But instead, she was alone. Frightened. Wandering the vast Nanzhila Plains of southern Kafue National Park, with no mother in sight and no companions to guide or shield her.
Her small footprints marked the beginning of an extraordinary story of survival, one that would inspire everyone who took part in her rescue, as well as many more who would follow her journey back to the wild.
Nanzhila was first spotted on a quiet Sunday evening in the Nanzhila Plains. The sight of a lone calf sparked immediate concern. Having received the troubling report, we mobilised from the nearby Kafue Release Facility (KRF) at first light, heading out by vehicle, with drone support in hopes of finding her again. After hours of searching through the open lands and dense thickets to no avail, we returned to camp disheartened but as determined as ever.
On Wednesday, the little elephant was seen once more in the same area. The urgency and scale of the search increased as our conservation partners, African Parks, deployed a fixed-wing aircraft with one of our experienced Elephant Rescue Rangers positioned onboard as an aerial spotter. But Nanzhila seemed to slip back into the wild as quickly as she appeared, once again vanishing into the landscape that inspired her name. We feared time was running out for the poor calf, alone in an area with an active lion population.
Remarkably, nearly a week after she was first spotted, Nanzhila reappeared, walking right into the grounds of Nanzhila Plains Camp, visibly exhausted, dehydrated, and weak. Her small frame bore the weight of trauma, stress, and fear. But somehow, she had an instinct to seek help as she lingered close to the safari camp, as if sensing that she would be safer near humans. The camp reported her presence, and an incredible and immediate collaboration ensued to save her.
African Parks flew in Dr Michelo, the Zambia Carnivore Programme Vet, by helicopter, as we mobilised on the ground, ready to support her. Working together, Nanzhila was darted for immobilisation, stabilised, and transferred by vehicle for immediate care at the Kafue Release Facility. Our Elephant Rescue Rangers, Mathews and Yotam, stayed by her side day and night, offering her the reassurance, necessary supplements, vital electrolytes, and comfort she so desperately needed to ease the trauma she suffered during the long days without her mother.
After 11 critical days of around-the-clock care, Nanzhila was strong enough to be transported to the Lusaka Elephant Nursery. Having developed trust in her new carers, she willingly walked into the transport crate, ready for her flight to safety. She remained calm throughout the journey, having had a very mild sedation, and took comfort in the familiar voices and touch of those who had been with her since her rescue.
Nanzhila settled quickly into her new stable at the Nursery, displaying full trust in those who had been caring for her and slept soundly that evening, showing that she was relaxed and felt safe in her new environment.
At the Lusaka Elephant Nursery, we have been providing little Nanzhila with the essential nutrition, comfort, and care she requires to recover from the trauma of being found alone and vulnerable on the plains. This involves providing a carefully curated formula to mimic her mother's milk and giving her exercise and access to the other orphans - but not too much, too soon, as she needs to conserve her precious energy for physical repair. Her emotional recovery is also critical, and this is where the role of the Elephant Rescue Rangers is so critical - they provide the loving touch and physical presence to reassure her that she will never be left alone again.
On her first day meeting the orphan herd, Bupe, who has stepped in as the leader of the Nursery Herd, exhibited a keen interest, staying close to Nanzhila, being gentle with her, and ensuring the others did not push or bully her.
Nanzhila is showing more signs of strength and courage with each passing day. It will not be long before she is ready to join her surrogate siblings on their daily bush walks. Her incredible recovery marks the beginning of a 15-year journey and commitment towards giving her a second chance at life back to the wild, where she belongs.
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Choose your adoption
Choose the adoption option that works best for you. Support Nanzhila 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 Nanzhila’s journey. Your support helps give Nanzhila the care, protection and expert support she needs as she 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.
Nanzhila (monthly)
10
Every month
Valid until canceled
Best Value
Nanzhila (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.
