After a tenacious pursuit of wilderness exploration, filmmaker Ryan Davy has captured images of Knysna Forests’ lone and elusive surviving elephant cow. Fondly known as Oupoot, the Matriarch or Strangefoot, this enigmatic creature had long remained a ghostly figure in the forest, often reduced to mere rumours or grainy surveillance footage.
In conversation with the Daily Maverick, Davy divulged that his passion for nature and adventure, especially in understanding animal behaviour, has guided his lifelong career as a wildlife filmmaker. His recent endeavour, a social media series titled Mysterious Creatures, led him to the fascinating world of elephants, and in his research, he stumbled upon the mysterious solitary elephant living in the heart of the Knysna-Amatole forest complex.
‘As a boy, I would vanish into the mountains with my horse in search of a way I could somehow help the planet. This allowed me to find myself and become skilled at being isolated and pushing myself beyond a conventional life. Since then, I have always been on the move in search of purpose and fulfilment,’ Davy told the Daily Maverick.
Also read: Two Oceans Aquarium unveils crochet coral reef installation
Intrigued by the idea of a lone elephant roaming the forest, Davy embarked on a mission with two significant goals. Firstly, he aimed to raise awareness about the urgent need for a herd of elephants in the Knysna forest. Elephants play a crucial role in the ecosystem by clearing thick vegetation, allowing light to reach the forest floor, and nurturing new life. Without them, the ecosystem stifles the plight that currently afflicts the Knysna Forests.
Davy had two incentives to find the Knysna elephant. The first was that, if she were still alive, he wanted to campaign that the forest was in need of a herd of elephants.
‘As many may know, an elephant’s primary role in the ecosystem is to clear the thick brush to open the canopy so that light can enter and allow new life to develop. If this element is missing, the ecosystem suffocates itself—that is exactly what is happening in the Knysna forest.’
Cape {town} Etc discount: Experience luxury along the Garden Route with this two-night Knysna Getaway. Get it here.
Secondly, Davy desired to alleviate the loneliness of this solitary female elephant. Having experienced the social intelligence and dependency of elephants in various parts of the world, he found it heartbreaking that this Knysna elephant had to rely solely on herself for survival. Convinced that this was not natural for her, he resolved to ensure she found family and companionship.
Contrary to rumours of her roaming with a small group, Davy discovered the truth after a gruelling 12-week search. Covering 15 to 20 kilometres daily, sometimes even during haunting full moon nights, he tracked her movements across different seasons, surviving on pre-made peanut butter and jam sandwiches to maintain stealth during tracking.
‘Every time I returned to track her, it was in a different season. I wanted to know her movements based on the weather and temperature. I would search in November and January, then March and finally in June. Each time I visited, I stayed for three weeks; this is all the free time I had, and my savings only allowed that much time,’ Davy said.
Finally, the moment came when Davy encountered the majestic elephant face-to-face. Overwhelmed with emotion and exhilaration, he marvelled at her magnificence during the brief encounter. Still, he refrained from causing any panic, understanding the potential risks she might face in her escape.
‘It was one of the most beautiful moments I have ever experienced in all my days as a living, breathing, feeling being in this human form. She was magnificent.’
Davy explained that the brief encounter with the solitary creature left him with a bittersweet flood of emotions. He was reportedly overcome with a sense of despair as he contemplated the idea of leaving the solitary elephant alone amid the dense vegetation.
Understanding the potential repercussions, he made the difficult decision to allow her to slip away silently. His priority was to prevent any panic that might arise from her encountering a human presence, thus avoiding any potential harm she might inflict upon herself while fleeing into the thickets.
Davy is now more convinced than ever that introducing a herd of elephants into the Knysna Forests is crucial for the ecosystem’s restoration. He envisions a harmonious coexistence between humans and elephants, highlighting success stories like the reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone National Park. Such an introduction would help control the overgrowth of invasive species and bring balance back to this natural paradise.
Despite his achievement, Davy faced some objections from SANParks for his tracking methods. Nevertheless, they confirmed that his pictures indeed captured the elusive Knysna elephant. SANParks prefer non-invasive tracking methods, relying on remote cameras to monitor the elephant’s movements.
Explore Cape Town and its surroundings with these incredible deals on cars for under 100k. Find car listings here.
‘Due to her highly evasive nature and the development of new camera-trapping technology, which makes continuous, non-intrusive monitoring possible, SANParks has stopped intrusive-tracking approaches and leaves the elephant undisturbed while receiving good-quality footage of the elephant. We are, however, open to discussions with Mr Davy if he so wishes,’ Acting Head of Communications at SANParks Ray Thakhuli told the Daily Maverick.
Despite this difference in approach, Davy and a group of environmentalists remain hopeful for a fruitful dialogue with SANParks and other national parks boards to address the need for a herd in the Knysna Forests and ensure a brighter future for this remarkable, solitary elephant.
Also read:
Picture: Ryan Sean Davy
