1. Suni had become a member of a herd
of orphaned elephants and was like an
adopted child to her keepers.
“We are incredibly grateful for all
the support we received from Sun
International Zambia, from her rescue
to the financial support for her ongoing
care,” said Rachael Morton, Project
Manager of the Elephant Orphanage
Project.
“Suni will always hold a special place
in our hearts,” said Lute Kazembe,
Communications Manager at Sun
International Zambia. w
that if we could support her to walk
without damage or pain, over time
sensation would return to the limb
enabling her to place her foot correctly.
“Nearly three years after surgery we saw
no significant improvement in her ability to
use her foot. The lack of sensation resulted
in Suni sustaining injuries to her limb that
she could not feel. As she grew heavier
(she weighed 630kg) these injuries became
more difficult and dangerous to manage.”
The charity said the decision to put Suni to
sleep had been the most difficult they had
ever faced in Zambia.
L
ittle Suni was named after
Sun International, who contributed
financially to her upkeep. She was
looked after at the David Shepherd Wildlife
Foundation (DSWF) since she was found
by the roadside, dragging herself along on
her front two legs.
An axe attack to her spine had rendered
her paralysed in the back half of her body.
She had also lost her mother and the rest
of her herd in the attack.
Sally Case, Chief Executive at DSWF, said:
“She required intense medical support
every day of her life. Our intention was
Suni shines no more
Our people in Zambia received the heart-breaking news that the infant
elephant left disabled by poachers in April 2012 on the doorstep of the
Royal Livingstone, had to be euthanised.
Game Rangers International established
the Suni Memorial Fund to support the
ongoing protection of Zambia’s elephants.
Visit www.justgiving.com/Suni-memorial-
fund to contribute.
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80 | SUMMER 2015
SUNI THE
ELEPHANT
(1) Suni as a baby, trying to
walk with a specially designed
boot, and (2) with Kelvin
Chanda, Head Elephant Keeper
at the elephant nursery.