Nandipa is a 23yr old African elephant who was orphaned by the culls in Kruger National Park. She had been living in Abu Camp's captive herd since then. In 2003 Nandipa was released into the Okavango Delta with a collar to enable our researchers to locate her and assess how well she was making the transition back to the wild.

Today was a momentous occasion: Nandipa's collar was removed. She will continue her journey through life together with her sons, but without a satellite GPS collar. Of the seven released elephants that are monitored by Elephants for Africa, she is the first to fully graduate.

All our initial worries were unfounded, she has adapted very successfully. This is demonstrated by the birth of her two sons and the fact that she doesn't venture into areas of human habitation or seek out their company. She has also been a fantastic aunt to the young male – Pula – he is the only captive born elephant that has been released. After careful thought and discussion, we decided that we do not need to continue monitoring her; she has truly returned to the wild.

Uncollaring an elephant is risky. During this process, the elephant must be physically immobilised. This is not only dangerous for Nandipa, but also for her two calves because there are no other herd members to look after them. But the helicopter pilot, who has ample experience of darting elephants, was confident it would be ok and that when Nandipa recovers, the boys will re-join her.

Given that her collar was not working properly, the research team had to keep their eyes peeled for Nandipa. But as the sun was setting in our camp, she and her babies appeared at the lagoon. In the morning we took to the skies in a helicopter – initially Nandipa disappeared but as we circled the lagoon we spotted her in thick bush.

Nandipa is rather savvy about our human ways; a wild elephant would run to the hills at the mere noise of a helicopter, but she stood her ground – ears out, defiant – protecting her calves against this loud intruding bird. I felt incredibly proud of her at that time, although a little anxious because I wanted her to move so that Rob could get a clear shot.

After incredible flying skills from Peter the pilot, she moved out into an open area and Rob managed to successfully dart her. Within five minutes she was lying on her left hand side and Peter landed nearby.

Nandipa's calves had gone into thick bush and we couldn't see them, so we approached her very carefully. Thankfully it was a breezy cool morning so there was no chance of Nandipa overheating. Peter quickly cut off the collar, whilst the rest of us took measurements of her feet, tusks, back length and height.

Within seven minutes of her being down Rob was able to administer the reversal drug. Left alone for a moment, I said an emotional goodbye to Nandipa and wished her well. After three minutes of anxious waiting, the drugs began to take effect; she slowly flapped her ear and then stood up. A little unsteadily she moved towards her boys who had been hiding just around the corner. Once we saw that they were reunited, we left them in peace.

It will be hard for me, and the research team, not to know where she is and whether she is okay, but I hope we will see her from time to time when she visits the area and continues to remind us about the incredible adaptability of elephants.