Another SWT De-Snaring Team working together with KWS closer to the area was deployed that morning along the eastern shore of the river to search for the elephant. Whilst on patrol the team came across two sets of human footprints and following one they found a camp that had recently been occupied. As they scouted the area they saw a lone person returning with water from the river, so they quickly laid an ambush and captured him. In the camp they recovered poisoned arrows, axes and food items. The poacher was arrested by the Kenya Wildlife Service.

Two days later the baby elephant had still not been seen and even with an aerial search in the SWT Top Cub nothing was found. The teams began to lose heart that the baby had gone for good. The following day the team on the eastern bank picked up more human footprints and followed them to a new hideout. The gang had obviously left in a hurry as there was a hot fire, large quantities of food and more poison arrows, which were all confiscated.

At 7am, on the morning of the 11th July 2013, the teams were out on patrol again and finally the baby elephant was sighted. Quickly and efficiently the elephant was captured and secured with ropes and straps. They loaded the calf into their vehicle and called into the Trust's Kaluku HQ. The SWT Nairobi Office was immediately informed and an aircraft was soon dispatched from Nairobi's Wilson Airport to collect the orphan who was by this time being transported across the river to the Kaluku airfield. Here he was laid under a tree for shade with a blanket while they waited for the team from Nairobi.

The De-Snaring Team members took it in shifts to look after him and give him water. He suckled their hands and fingers, already understanding that he was in good hands after his lonely ordeal. He appeared relieved to now have comfort and seemed to understand he was being helped. Soon the Cessna Caravan landed with the SWT Nairobi rescue team on board. They quickly set to work in assessing the condition of the orphan and securing him, placing him on a saline trip ready for the hour flight back to Nairobi.

This new eighteen month old male has been named Garzi after the area in which he was found and after the hard efforts of many people he has been given a second chance at life. He will now find his place within the elephant orphan herd at the SWT Nairobi Nursery in Nairobi National Park before he will be returned to Tsavo East National Park from where he belongs.

UPDATE - On 2nd June, 2014, Garzi, alongside orphan elephants Vuria and Ziwa, graduated from the SWT Nairobi Nursery to the Trust's Ithumba Reintegration Unit.