Five elephant calves were taken from the Hwange National Park in western Zimbabwe to cages near the resort town of Victoria Falls, the independent Zimbabwe National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said last week.

John Chikomo, an inspector for the society is forming an investigation for the the capturing. The animals were darted from the air and separated from family groups in the wild, causing extreme trauma to both the adult elephants and the young.

Cow elephants are known for fiercely protecting their young. Only young elephants can be tamed enough for tourism projects including elephant riding adventure safaris. These calves are vulnerable and weak and are not physically ready for this intense exploitation, the capturers  go for the orphaned calves as they do not have to face the vicious parents. Animal Protection groups are having to reach these young calves before they become too badly affected and may never be able to face the wild again.