ZIMBABWE CONSERVATION TASK FORCE--THE FATHER OF MANA RISES AGAIN

OLIVER
Those of you who frequent Mana Pools may be familiar with Oliver, a large friendly bull elephant, known by the locals as the "Father of Mana". Oliver is to Mana Pools what Tusker was to Kariba - loved by everyone who has had the privilege of making his acquaintance.
A few weeks ago, we received a phone call from a distraught Yvonne Edwards of Chinoyi who had just returned from Mana Pools. She noticed a large, open, superating gash, about a foot long, in Oliver's front leg which was swollen to almost twice its normal size. He was obviously in pain because he was not able to put any weight on the injured leg and he was having difficulty foraging for food.
TRYING TO FORAGE ON 3 LEGS
THE WOUND

Thanks to those of you who assisted us with funds to purchase the tranquilizer, M99, it was possible to help Oliver.

Dr Chris Foggin went to Mana to assess the severity of Oliver's wound and initially decided against darting him because he was afraid that once the great elephant went down, he would not be able to get up again due to the pain in his leg. However, after further consideration, he decided that something would have to be done so he returned to Mana by air with Norman Monks of National Parks Mana Pools but they had to abort the attempt because of a severe storm.

DR FOGGIN, NORMAN AND GREG PREPARING THE DRUG.
Dr Foggin, his son Greg and Norman Monks went in again by road on the 15th November and managed to dart Oliver with M99. Once the tranquilizer started taking effect, the rescue team pushed against his body to try and make him go down in a sitting position, to ensure that he would be able to get up again.

DR FOGGIN WAITING FOR OLIVER TO GO DOWN