Refilwe Boikanyo feeds the Magaliesberg elephants
"The saying 'an elephant never forgets' is more than just a figure of speech - it's actually true. Elephants have a great memory and a mental and emotional intelligence that is close to that of humans," trainer Theo Potgieter said as he introduced me to Damara and Nzweve.
They are rescued teenage elephants who now call the Askari Game Lodge in the Magaliesberg home. They were adopted six years ago in Limpopo, when elephants were being culled because of overpopulation.
According to Potgieter, they were aggressive and suspicious of humans when they first arrived. But through the reserve's gentle approach they've formed trusting relationships with their trainers and are now comfortable around humans.
After learning about them, I placed orange slices on their tongues. Then I had to hold slices in my mouth and wait for them to extend their trunks and pull the orange into their mouths. When it was time for them to say thank you, I knelt down and waited for them to place their trunks on my head.
Fourteen-year-old Nzweve gave me a half-hearted kiss, but 15-year-old Damara was more affectionate. She placed her trunk on my head and blew me a kiss that made my hair stand on end.
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