Walking with elephants

Another week gone by, and the countdown to leaving sunny but cold, oh so cold SA, about to get underway. In the meantime, we took in the Elephant Sanctuary at Hartbeespoort Dam. One takes for granted how truly magnificent these creatures are, but as majestic as they are, there's something rather pitiful when we see them in enclosures. The Hartbeespoort sanctuary is one of three Elephant Sanctuaries countrywide, with one in Hazyview (Near the Kruger National Park) and another in Plettenberg Bay (along the Garden Route).
The programme is for all ages - I found the talk a tad too long but the rest of the afternoon was spent in close proximity with the animals - all five of which have been 'rescued' from various circumstances; circus trainers, villagers and overcrowding in private and national game reserves - the latter dealing with overcrowding through culling.
There was the feeding, after which was a monitored close interaction as the animals went through a series of learnt motions taught by the handlers and then the walks and rides.
The kids were thrilled - it was my son's first time seeing a live elephant and my daughter's first outside the confines of zoo fences. It's a great experience if your interaction with elephants has been limited to zoos and nature TV shows.

The Elephant Sanctuary
Hartbeespoort Dam

More pictures here.

The feeding...

...and walking