Experience of a lifetime: The Hairdresser and The Elephants

I’d like to begin by sharing my life’s dream being fulfilled when I was accepted to join Bring The Elephant Home for their research project at Kariega Game Reserve, Eastern Cape, South Africa. I hope you find this little story about my time there as interesting to read as it was for me to experience. 

I was on my daily beach walk when I found out that I was accepted into the Bring the Elephant Home (BTEH) Research Program. I heard my email notification and thought nothing of it but when I read the email advising me that I was in, I started dancing in circles, punching the air shouting as loud as I could “I got in, I got in!!! ” I can’t be certain, but I think every single person on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland Australia heard me celebrate that moment. 

Those who know me know of my respect and love of elephants and my long-standing desire to experience them in the wild. This research program afforded me the privilege to fulfill those desires without impeding or interfering with the elephants’ lives and well-being, which was the most important thing to me. 

My first day at the research camp was unexpectedly intimidating. As we sat in a circle taking turns to introduce ourselves my anxiety skyrocketed. Sharing that I was ‘just a hairdresser’ felt inadequate amid the likes of Ph.D. environmental researchers, environmental conservation attorneys and wildlife documentary makers.  

To say I was starstruck was an understatement. These stories – their stories – were amazing, enthralling and thrilling to me. All this on top of my own anxieties had me feeling as though I had nothing to offer. In a room of what felt like the Hollywood of the conservation world I began to think “What am I doing here? What do I have to offer? I’m a 61-year-old hairdresser, how do I begin to contribute?”  

I went to bed that evening and couldn’t understand why I was accepted into this wonderful program. I became overwhelmed as these self-deprecating thoughts ran through my mind. In truth, I was literally unable to put a sentence together as I questioned my lack of knowledge and education. Waking the next morning, as the saying goes, “Was the dawn of a new day.” I made the decision to put ‘my big girl pants on’ and get on with the task for which I had come. I told myself that the only thing more stupid than asking ‘stupid questions’ was to not ask. As I sat in elephant school, I took a deep breath and opened up to the group. I acknowledged how I was feeling, and shared that this opportunity would be wasted if I allowed my insecurities to block my learning. Their response is something I’ll never forget. 

The warmth of this beautiful group of people helped me understand that I did, in fact, belong there. They reassured me that we all can contribute in valuable ways to the purpose of BTEH, Kariega Reserve and the research objectives. They made it clear to me that all that is needed is the love of nature and a passion to learn and grow through self-education, regardless of where we come from or what we do in life. Brooke reminded me that my application responses were all marked ‘enthusiastic’ even though many of the tasks involved were things for which I had no direct experience. It turns out that I was accepted because I had conveyed very clearly my passion and love of elephants and that was the most important skill of all.   

One of those aforementioned tasks for BTEH research was collecting elephant dung for sampling to test their cortisol levels and DNA. I smiled to myself as I thought, “now that’s something I can do!” I figured I’ve picked up a lot of horse manure in my time and the only difference in picking up after elephants is that there is going to be a lot more of it. That definitely turned out to be true. 

“Elephant School” continued to deliver many highlights. Spending time learning about the elephants’ every movement and behaviour was fascinating.  Watching Brooke’s animated physical demonstrations of an elephant’s trunk and ear movements were as entertaining as they were informative, and before I knew it, I had relaxed in my new environment which made it easier for me to learn from every amazing person I encountered at the BTEH Research Program. All were not only willing, but excited to share with me every bit of knowledge they possessed.    

Antoinette, who is the founder of BTEH, mirrored my own look of love and delight when she saw the elephants. It was as though, just like me, she had seen them for the first time. Antoinette shared many stories with me that would further reveal her love and passion for the elephants. She truly is a driving force for education surrounding elephants. Her care and compassion extends to the villages and communities that surround these gentle giants as well. Antoinette explained that these villages are trying to survive in the same way the elephants are and the need for shared understanding and education is the way we can facilitate harmonious cohabitation.  

Brooke is Antoinette’s partner in crime along with years of her own dedication to research and conservation. Her eyes would sparkle like a Disney Princess at every sighting of the herds. Listening to Brooke’s life story is truly inspirational. She is a woman who has willingly given her heart and soul for the love of conservation and has dedicated her life to all creatures great and small. Her ethos is that to love animals, especially wild animals, we need to love them in a way that creates ‘their’ natural peace and happiness, not our version of it…that our love and desire to touch and be close to them can cause them stress and anxiety, which destroys their peace. 

Actions like washing and riding elephants goes against their true nature and despite our best intentions breaks their beautiful spirit. In other words “If you love something set it free” 

I’m not sure I have the words to detail all the moments on this trip that felt truly life changing or the people that so clearly displayed and shared the love I feel for the elephants, but I am going to attempt to convey some of the few very special moments and friends I experienced.  

From Brett who dreams of the day all captive elephants are reintegrated into the wild. He explained the feat this would be as elephants need to re-learn how to be elephants so they can be released safely and is dedicating his life to that very task. To Jaco, our guide and driver who drove us up, down and around the bumping road at Kariega Reserve in the hot sun and pouring rain and not once could his deep love and respect for the land and wildlife be dimmed. His knowledge and excitement of every species we encountered was so infectious and just added even more fun to our days. 

And of course the amazing wildlife. Seeing a lion of about 4 years old emerging out of the scrub with his mane sprouting around his shoulders move towards our open vehicle. Whilst he moved slowly showing no fear (can’t say I felt the same) his serene eyes remained locked with mine as he plopped down 10 feet away. Witnessing the brave Rhino, Thandi with one of her four calves at her side. Thandi bears the scars of a brutal attack at the hands of poachers who removed her horn with a machete in 2012. My admiration grew even more for the team at Kariega who I learned gave Thandi her second chance at life through their determination and tireless care of her after that attack. And the moment I met the love of my life, Charlie. It was the morning of our second day of observation. I was reduced to tears after realising I accidentally deleted all my photos of my travels in South Africa prior to joining the camp. I was devastated. But that all changed with Charlie. A huge, majestic bull elephant appeared and all my worries disappeared as I looked into his beautiful eyes, surrounded by long lashes and a low rumble that I felt deep into my soul, I was speechless. The thought of reaching for my camera then didn’t even cross my mind and still I can see this moment so clearly in my mind, imprinted there forever, never to be deleted.  

I will cherish every single experience at Kariega with BTEH. From the picturesque landscape and magnificent wildlife to the joy of spending our days tracking and observing our majestic elephants and the evening sharing our stories and photos, music and a dance or two. 

Thank you to the team at BTEH and Kariega Conservation Center for giving me a life changing experience and turning my dream into a reality. I’ve loved and laughed so much and I’ve learned not just about my beloved elephants, but also about myself and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.  

“We admire elephants in part because they demonstrate what we consider the finest human traits: empathy, self-awareness, and social intelligence. But the way we treat them puts on display the very worst of human behaviour’. – Graydon Carter 



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