Gondwana Director, Mark Rutherfoord said their successes with Thandora, the 27-year-old elephant that was transferred to the reserve near Mossel Bay from the Bloemfontein Zoo in March this year, has shown them that it can be done.
"Thandora was healthy and her integration was doing well. All indications are that she died of botulism after digesting something that contained the dreaded bacteria. The team is taking it very badly."
Rutherfoord says this cause of death often occurs amongst giraffes. "It is a stroke of complete misfortune and she has inspired us to release more captive animals into the wild. Now, more than ever."
Yesterday afternoon saw the Gondwana personnel gathering in the veld for a remembrance ceremony and to honour their beloved Thandora who died last week Wednesday.
Thandora roaming free at the Gondwana Game reserve.
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