Celebrating 18 Years of Dedication: Rachael Murton Honoured with IFAW Animal Action Award
Game Rangers International (GRI) is delighted to celebrate Country Director Rachael Murton, who was recognised at the International Fund for Animal Welfare's (IFAW) Animal Action Awards in London last night, honouring her extraordinary contribution to elephant welfare and conservation.
Rachael has dedicated her career to giving orphaned elephants a second chance at life. What began as a pioneering effort to rescue vulnerable elephant calves in Zambia has grown into an internationally respected programme, helping to shape the way orphaned elephants are rescued, rehabilitated and returned to the wild.
A well-deserved recognition
IFAW's Animal Action Awards celebrate individuals and organisations making an exceptional difference for animals around the world.
Rachael's recognition is a proud moment for the entire GRI team and a fitting tribute to 18 years of determination, compassion and leadership.
Building a future for Zambia's orphaned elephants
Rachael's journey with GRI began in 2008, when the Elephant Orphanage Project was still in its infancy. At the time, Zambia had no dedicated facility capable of providing the specialist, long-term care needed by orphaned elephant calves.
Working alongside Zambia's Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), dedicated teams and conservation partners, Rachael helped establish and develop the country's only elephant orphanage, creating a lifeline for calves orphaned through poaching,
human-wildlife conflict and other threats.
Under her leadership, the project developed into a comprehensive rescue, rehabilitation and release programme, operating across two facilities: the Lusaka Elephant Nursery, where vulnerable calves receive intensive care, and the Kafue Release Facility, where older elephants gradually regain their independence in preparation for life in the wild.
Central to Rachael's approach has always been a belief that successful rehabilitation requires more than keeping an orphaned elephant alive. It means understanding their complex emotional and social
needs, rebuilding family bonds and giving them the skills
and confidence to thrive independently.
From rescue to a new generation in the wild
Over the past 18 years, GRI's Elephant Orphanage Project has responded to 69 orphaned elephants in need, each representing a unique rescue effort and the challenges of protecting Zambia's vulnerable wildlife.
Today, the programme has reached an important milestone: 20 elephants have returned to the wild, with two calves born to a rehabilitated elephant - a powerful demonstration of what long-term, carefully managed rehabilitation can achieve.
Among the most memorable successes is Chamilandu, who was rescued after her mother was killed by poachers. Having become the matriarch of the orphan herd during rehabilitation, she has since returned to the wild, where she now leads a herd of released elephants and has given birth to calves of her own.
Her journey, from a traumatised orphan to a mother raising the next generation in the wild, embodies the very purpose of the programme Rachael helped build.
These achievements have been made possible by the dedication of GRI's elephant rescue teams, researchers, DNPW and long-standing conservation partners, whose commitment extends far beyond the moment of rescue.
Sharing expertise beyond Zambia
Rachael's contribution to elephant welfare extends well beyond GRI.
Drawing on nearly two decades of practical experience, she has also supported the development of other orphaned elephant rescue and rehabilitation initiatives internationally, sharing knowledge, providing guidance and helping others navigate the considerable challenges of caring for these highly intelligent and social animals.
Her experience has contributed to a growing body of knowledge about elephant welfare, rehabilitation and release, helping strengthen approaches to orphan care beyond Zambia's borders.
It is this willingness to share expertise, nurture others and continually improve animal welfare standards that makes Rachael's contribution especially significant.
A new chapter of leadership
In 2025, Rachael was appointed Country Director of Game Rangers International, bringing her extensive field experience, scientific understanding and commitment to animal welfare to the leadership of the wider organisation.
Today, as Country Director, Rachael's leadership extends across GRI's three interconnected pillars of wildlife rescue, nature protection and community outreach, all underpinned by research that guides decision-making and strengthens conservation impact.
With more rehabilitated elephants now living in the wild than remain in GRI's care, the programme has reached a significant turning point. The focus increasingly extends beyond rescue and rehabilitation to securing the future of these elephants in the wild. This means protecting the landscapes they now call home, strengthening ranger-led conservation efforts and working alongside neighbouring communities to reduce human-wildlife conflict and support coexistence. Together, these efforts are essential to ensuring that the elephants given a second chance have the opportunity to live long, independent lives in the wild, and raise future generations of their own.
From the first vulnerable elephant calves to a new generation being born in the wild, Rachael's legacy can be seen in every life saved, every elephant returned to freedom and every person inspired to continue this work.
We extend our warmest congratulations to Rachael and our thanks to IFAW for recognising her remarkable contribution to elephant conservation.
Ahead of the awards, Rachael joined BBC Radio Essex to reflect on her journey into conservation, her experiences caring for orphaned elephants and the work of Game Rangers International in Zambia.
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