We received a report of an elephant who had wandered into community land outside a neighbouring wildlife reserve. Helicopter assistance was requested to get the elephant back to safety. That afternoon, the helicopter left base and collected personnel from the reserve to investigate the situation. The elephant was located along the Msunduze river and was found to have escaped from Mkhuze game reserve. The helicopter had to return back to base because of fading light conditions.

The next day, the helicopter took off at first light to relocate the elephand and push it back downstream along the Msunduze to the Mkhuze boundary where he found his own way back into the reserve. The fence was repaired on the exit and entry points.

Mkuze Game Reserve is situated in Northern Zululand, a 40 000 hectare Game Reserve world-renowned for its birding. Mkuze Game Reserve was proclaimed in 1912 and has since remained under the protection of KZN Wildlife. It boasts the Big 4 and 400 plus species of birds. The Mkhuze River runs along the northern and eastern borders.

A total of 5 hours were flown over the 2 days and the operation cost ZAR 60,375 - funded by Wild Wonderful World Flying for Conservation fund.