While in Zim I had the great fortune of seeing two elephant captures. The night before the second, the capture team spent the night in camp. The following morning my PH and I had the incredible privilege to join in and help place the collar on the female. An experience of a lifetime. This is what it's all about and what we all do together- have a successful safari and support conservation in both deed (trophy fees) and action.

Nick La Grange, the pilot was unbelievable to watch, he wore that helicopter and didn't just fly at tree top level, he flew below that at mopane level.

Here he found the family and herded them to an opening as close as he could to the main road where Josh darted them, Matriarch first the rest to follow.





Once on the ground they were monitored with each elephant having someone assigned to keep the snout open. Water was sprayed on their ears and body for temp control.








A female is selected and the collar placed. Again, just an unbelievable experience.






The eles are then lifted on to the transport truck and taken to the rally point:







Here they are slid into the recovery container, reversed and then herded into the travel container, where they will travel to their new home.










Just to see one in person is a once in a lifetime event. To see two is incredible. To be part of it, well, just priceless.

Thanks for sharing

Wow, really cool experience. Thanks for posting

That has got to be one of the most incredible experiences anyone could be in on.
I'm am usually not a jealous man, but I'm a little green with envy of you.