Before sunrise, the bush around the Kafue Release Facility was alive with purpose. Radios crackled and engines rumbled to life, as the GRI team in cooperation with African Parks and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) prepared for one of the most important operations of the year — the collaring of five orphaned elephants at different stages of their journey back to the wild.

For rangers, accommodation is more than just about shelter from the elements; it represents a quiet, safe space to seek the mental clarity and physical strength needed to carry out some of the most difficult and dangerous tasks. Without well-rested and well-supported rangers, the fight against poaching, habitat destruction, and illegal wildlife trade becomes harder, slower, and more perilous. 

Nanzhila was first spotted on a quiet Sunday evening in the Nanzhila Plains. The sight of a lone calf sparked immediate concern.