A bull elephant was tranquillised in Kruger National Park, South Africa, so it could be collared for conservation purposes on November 25.

The filmer of the video, Edrich Schafer, commented: "The goal of the operation was to remove the old collar from the elephant’s neck and replace it with a new one, as the large bull elephant was darted with a morphine derivative from a helicopter.

"It was not long before the bull elephant fell over. While the old collar was replaced with a new one, there were also blood samples, measurements and other important data collected.

"Everything had to happen fairly quickly as the elephant bull was only unconscious for about half an hour before an antidote to the tranquilizer was administered.

"I moved a long way back and started to film the elephant bull that just received his antidote.

It was amazing to watch how such a massive creature, that was lying helpless on the ground a few minutes ago, all of a sudden rising back onto his feet without much effort."

I had the rare privilege of attending a recent elephant recollaring operation in the Kruger National Park, South Africa. The goal of this operation was to remove the old collar from the elephant’s neck and replace it with a new one. The large bull elephant was darted with a morphine derivative from a helicopter. It was not long before the bull elephant fell over. The whole operation team rushed in to start with what needed to be done.
While the old collar was replaced with a new one, there were also blood samples, measurements and other important data collected. Although a collar around an elephant’s neck in the wild does not look or feel right to most of us, it serves a critically important role in keeping track of elephant numbers, understanding social circles, migration patterns and habitat interaction. All crucial to the survival of the species.

Everything had to happen fairly quickly as the elephant bull was only unconscious for about half an hour before an antidote to the tranquilizer was administered. Everyone made sure they retreated to a safe distance. I moved a long way back and started to film the elephant bull that just received his antidote. It was amazing to watch how such a massive creature, that was lying helpless on the ground a few minutes ago, all of a sudden rising back onto his feet without much effort. Once back on his feet, the elephant bull stood in one place for a few seconds and casually walked into the bush looking for food.