BPC CEO adopts nine elephants after Dukwi tragedy
Mbongeni Mguni | Thursday October 5, 2017 18:56
Nine elephants died on September 18 after they pushed past electricity poles on their way to a water pond. A 33kV power line sagged and electrocuted the elephants as they passed, killing eight instantly, and a ninth a short while later.
In the wake of the incident, Schwarzfischer, a long time conservationist, has announced his adoption of nine orphan baby elephants at a park run by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya. The CEO adopted the orphan elephants in Kenya, as Botswana does not have nurseries for baby elephants because the country’s world-renowned protection of the species has rendered such programmes unnecessary.
Schwarzfischer told Mmegi that the death of the elephants had come as a shock and a disappointment as the Corporation recognises that the country’s assets also include wildlife, which should be protected.
The CEO’s adoption is in his private capacity as a long-time partner of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. The adoption means Schwarzfischer will help the wildlife trust with the costs of taking care of the baby elephants for about two years, until they can be released to nature.
“The entire incident could have been avoided if the whole cable had fallen to the earth because then it would trip, but unfortunately it was only lowered and did not trigger anything,” he said.
“In general, that incident should not happen and we are working on preventative measures, although it is not easy because tomorrow elephants could bump into another pole, or even a transformer.”
The CEO said the adoption was a gesture of support to the species’ survival in Africa.
“I cannot bring them back to life but I thought it would be a good thing to give nine other elephants that have suffered from human beings, a chance to live,” he said.
“The BPC job is not just about producing power. It is also about dealing with these types of events and you have to try and make the best of the situation.”
Since its establishment, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust has successfully raised over 200 orphaned elephants with as many as 30 in the nursery at any one time. Schwarzfischer has been supporting the trust for the past ten years.