Tswale the bull elephant, hoisted gently upside down, makes contact with wild herd in South Africa

Wanjiku Kamau

Conservation correspondent · 1d ago

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After decades in captivity, Tswale was sedated, lifted by crane, and relocated to a protected reserve. Within 48 hours, he made contact with wild elephants for the first time in his life.

The Aspinall Foundation led the operation. The upside-down hoist looks dramatic but is actually the safest position for sedated elephants. Tswale is now exploring 65,000 acres of natural habitat.