How an elephant named Tswale has been welcomed into a wild herd after spending decades in captivity

A bull elephant named Tswale has been welcomed back into the wild after spending more than two decades stuck in captivity.  

Tswale’s time in human care began when he and his sister Modjadji were spared from a mass elephant-culling in Limpopo, South Africa, in 2004. 

The siblings were moved to a Tourist Adventure Industry training programme, where they lived under the care of dedicated handler Amos Jivendava. 

But late last year – with his sister no longer around – Tswale was released back into the wilderness following a 23-hour journey from captivity. 

At a protected reserve in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, the mammal is at last free to enjoy the company of fellow elephants – and Mr Jivendava bore witness to his release.  

Images show a sedated Tswale upside down in a web of straps and rigging moments before handlers set him free.

The huge elephant settled back into life in the wild seamlessly, and was found to have been sending low-frequency rumbles to other wild elephants kilometres away within days.

Eventually, he wandered away and made contact with a wild herd.

Rangers later confirmed sightings of Tswale among other elephants, where he now appears fully integrated and set to spend the rest of his life roaming free in his natural habitat. 

‘Tswale has continued to bond with his new family, showing no signs of wanting to leave or to seek any human company’, an update issued by AnimalTalk Africa read. 

Speaking at the time of Tswale’s release, Dereck Milburn of conservation group WeWild Africa said: ‘Tswale is finally where he belongs. 

‘He spent too long being treated as a commodity. His story proves that elephants raised in captivity for human interaction can successfully adapt and thrive in the wild. 

‘We hope this serves as inspiration for other captive elephant owners to do the same.’