Id like to start by saying the name of the park is Knysna ....

And those of you who know me know I love me a silent letter..

And the K is silent .... its pronounced 

Nies-nah

So of course Ive been pronouncing it wrong this whole time 

(Em - I know you're shocked by this LOL)

Day 1 ...

Today was mostly a training / getting to know the area / learning the work stations ....

but most importantly ..

MEETING THE ELEPHANTS !!!

So there are 10 Ellies here at the moment 

Sally, the oldest is 28years old and Tanto is the youngest at 9years old.

We have to learn to identify all of them.. which I'll tell you right now is going to be impossible.

We will be in the field with them on and off throughout the day 

recording data which will be used to help ensure that they are as happy and comfortable as possible in the park.... and with the tourists.

Ive signed a confidentially agreement about the research so theres nothing more Im

really allowed to say about that.

Today we got to play tourist to see what the tourists see and experience and to be hands on with the Ellies ....

And now Ill shut up and show you some of them !!!!!

SO..... The tourist "tractor" brings said tourists into the fields and all the Ellies come over because they know they are about to get "enrichments" (aka Cut up fruit and veggies)

There are always guides around to make sure everyone is safe (esp the Ellies)

Then the Ellies disperse and the tourists break up into groups (each with their own guide)

and they get to go up to them and pet them and take pics etc.

The Skin of an elephant is rough and hard and has tiny hairs sporadically imbedded in it .. it almost feels like if you were to rub a cactus ... minus the sharp points ..

And their tails have this long thick wiry ... almost plastic textured hair on it ...which they use to swat flies and handle itches and Im sure other things that I don't know about yet.

Walking among them is life changing and I just don't even have words for the 

feelings I had being there with them.

Aside from working with them there are other tasks that we have to ...

which Ill talk more about later on when Im more familiar with them...

HOWEVER TO MY SURPRISE THERE IS A CRAFT SHOP

where we HAVE TO WORK and I'm like OVER THE MOON ABOUT IT!!

The items get sold in the gift shop and the money goes to help 

AERU (African Elephant Research Unit)

This is my first Rubber Ellie ....

Well thats it for now....

Im exhausted ...

Tomorrow Ill try and take some pics of where I'm staying and

give a little more info about what I'm doing !!

xoxoxoxoxo