Emotions ran high at Gondwana Game Reserve outside Mossel Bay on Monday where Thandora the elephant was finally released into the reserve.
She spent 23 years in captivity at the Bloemfontein Zoo, but after her partner died was relocated to the Garden Route last month to begin life anew.
Thandora spent several weeks in a specially-built boma to get her used to her new surroundings and also for her to learn to feed herself.
Gondwana owner, Mark Rutherford, says Thandora took some time to leave the boma once the gates had been opened.
"It is interesting how within 6 weeks she felt so confident and felt the security of the boma. It took a little bit of time she went backwards and forwards, in and out, and then she slowly started moving away following the vehicle she has been associated with.
She moved about 1km away from the boma and started feeding. She was very relaxed and showed natural behaviour" he said.
