The plight of the elephants that burnt during recent fires in the Pilanesberg Game Reserve was taken to heart by students of Ridgeway College.

The Form 2 students of the college, at their own initiative, raised R780 in one week and contributed it towards the Elephant Rescue Fund.

One of the teachers, Ms McLeod, showed the Form 2’s during a Biology lesson a documentary on the elephants that were burnt in the Pilansberg Game Reserve.

“We saw them struggling and how they had burnt and we felt sorry for them,” says Benjamin Erasmus, the leader of the group. Right after the documentary some of the Form 2s decided to raise money to help them.

“We wanted to raise money so that we can help, because we’ve heard every bit counts,” says Benjamin.

They went to town but only managed to get about R150.

“We got more money from the school students than from town,” Maxene Daly said. They got over R600 from pupils, teachers and parents.

“We wanted to show that Ridgeway College cares and we are very glad that we made a difference,” the group say. They have asked the game reserve to update them on the progress of the elephants.

Between 15 and 20 young elephants, ranging in age from one to eight years old, were severely burnt in September in fires in the Pilanesburg Game Reserve. Several of the elephants had to be destroyed, as they were too badly burnt. Those that could be saved have been taken to holdings pens at Wildlife Assignments near Hammanskraal. On Monday, the information that Bejamin had was that only nine elephants were left.

The elephants are kept in bomas where they receive treatment. They need fodder like lucerne, teff and buffalo grass. They also consume fruit and vegetables such as carrots, sweets potatoes, apples, oranges, bananas, potatoes, pumpkins, butternuts, and pineapples. Medicines are needed for the burnt elephants, including antibiotics, oral stress packs with electrolytes and sprayable eye ointment for the treatment of their burnt eyes. The Rescue Fund will also help with these needs.

Last week, it was reported that the elephants that survived the blaze would soon return home. A panel of veterinarian surgeons are to compile a clinical report on when the animals can be relocated.