Elephant encounter.

Meet Jake a 28 year old African Bull elephant. Jake lives in a huge open "sanctuary" area, having been rescued from almost certain death as a result of severe injuries from man some years ago.

This sanctuary now cares for 16 elephants in an area of bush also supporting a huge variety of wild life such as buffalo, impala, zebra, leopard, cheetah.

There is no government money to support the work of the sanctuary, so it is reliant upon tourists in the main to support the work by visiting and donating to the cause.

Each elephant lives freely amongst other elephants roaming the sanctuary, but are also attached to one member of the staff in particular who has been the main contact for support and rehabilitation. Some of the elephants have been sufficiently worked with to allow their handler to ride them. I was given the opportunity to join in a ride through the bush with Jake, and feel the sheer power as he tore off entire branches of trees for a snack as he walked through the bush.

Even although I was walking like John Wayne for about an hour afterwards, it was a great experience, and a privilege to make a modest contribution to the saving of such a magnificent animal.

Ps..I think my technical issues have been resolved thanks to Warren, a fellow Blipper and all round good egg. I hope it is not stretching the rules of Blipping too much as this was actually taken yesterday, but has taken me hours to resolve the problems I was having. I've been in the bush after all, and can always claim to be operating on Africa Time.