We saw two sets of elephant footprints today one medium one small and dollops of poo to match in the riverbed near the house - “very pleasing” as D put it. Small steps to recovery we hope. Then Dominik took Laurie to further explore the footprints and where the animals are hiding out. They found a small hole they had dug in the sandy dry river bed to get ground water and Dominik gave Laurie elephant water to drink!
On a fishing expedition with Naquata, our long standing guard and elder, we found huge pits in the now dry mud around the lake. A group of small elephants had come to wallow and drink. Laurie marched in their foot prints bare foot like a tiny elephant.
There is no doubt we have two small young family groups back in the heart of Mareja. This is enough to provide shards of hope after the poaching siege of the last 5 years. We must galvanise ourselves and find our spirit again. With the right ranger team in place I feel sure we could be a sanctuary once more for the national park. There is one truth...nature is resourceful and resilient if you have seeds to plant and nurture.
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