So, who's Oupoot?

Oupoot (which loosely means "Oldfoot") is basically a forest legend. She's believed to be the last elephant still roaming the Knysna forest, and people have been wondering for years if she's even still alive. Some thought she might be long gone, while others held out hope.

Well, guess what? She's very much alive and she just made a surprise appearance.

When and where was she seen?

On 17 July, a farmer near Karatara was going about his day when he spotted a massive elephant just chilling in the forest. He managed to grab a few pics and videos, and when SANParks saw them, they confirmed it: it's her.

This is the first time someone's seen her with their own eyes since 2019. Before this, she only popped up on camera traps deep in the forest.

Is she okay though?

Yes, she's doing just fine. In fact, SANParks says her stress levels are low, based on dung samples (gross, but also kind of cool). She seems happy, healthy, and doing her own thing, especially in places where people don't bother her.

Why this sighting is such a big deal

Oupoot is the last of her kind in that forest. A long time ago, hundreds of elephants used to live in Knysna, but over the years, hunting and human activity wiped out the population. Now, she's the only one left.

Seeing her alive is a reminder that nature is still hanging on, even when the odds aren't great. And for a lot of people, it's also super emotional. She's not just an elephant, she's a symbol of survival.

What's next for her?

SANParks is thinking about what to do next. They're looking into whether it might be possible to bring in other elephants as companions. But they're being very careful and won't rush into anything.

In the meantime, they're asking everyone not to share her exact location. She needs peace and space to keep thriving.

Oupoot's comeback is one of those rare stories that fills you with hope. She's still out there, walking through the forest like the queen she is.

Let's do everything we can to keep her safe. And who knows, maybe one day, she won't be the last elephant in Knysna anymore.