Species: Elephant

Elephant populations drop by 90% (forest) and 70% (savannah) in 53 years – study

Research has uncovered population density declines of 90% for forest elephants and 70% for savannah elephants across Africa in 53 years

Has Zito the cross-border super tusker been trophy hunted in Tanzania?

Africa Geographic is seeking more information on the possible trophy hunting of another cross-border super tusker in Tanzania

The hybrid elephants of Kibale – new research on how to distinguish types of African elephant

A new study from Kibale has laid the groundwork to distinguish between forest/savannah elephant hybrids and different elephant species

Putting elephants on the map – exploring connectivity in southern Africa

How do elephants move across southern Africa through protected areas and beyond? New research explores the value of habitat connectivity

Iconic Tsavo super tusker Lugard dies

Iconic Tsavo super tusker Lugard, has died of natural causes. Lugard is the second tusker to be found deceased in Tsavo in the past month

Tsavo tusker Dida dies of natural causes

Elephant Dida, tusker and matriarch of Tsavo National Park – possibly Africa’s largest female tusker – has died of natural causes

The tragic human cost of elephant translocations

Human-elephant conflict: Communities near Kasungu face tragic losses following the introduction of new elephant herds to the national park

Pongola’s elephant management crisis: a different perspective

Pongola Game Reserve faces an elephant management crisis. Paul Cryer & Pete Ruinard provide a different perspective on the challenges at hand

Time with super tuskers

Searching for super tuskers? We spotted three of these legendary elephants in one safari trip – here’s how we did it.

More forest elephants in Gabon than previously thought – new research

Good news: there are more forest elephants in Gabon than previously believed – first countrywide elephant population estimate in 30 years

Death of another iconic super tusker – Wide Satao

Super tusker ‘Wide Satoa’ has died of natural causes in Kenya. He was one of the few remaining elephants with tusks that touch the ground

Poaching and tuskless elephants – the scientific confirmation

Ivory poaching selectively drives the evolution of tuskless elephants – new research confirms what many experts have suggested for decades

Bees – a solution to human-elephant conflict

Bees and elephants – their busy, buzzing ways are providing a solution to human-elephant conflict – an innovative conservation solution

Forest elephant – endangered gardeners

Forest elephant numbers are believed to have plummeted 86% in just 31 years yet their role in maintaining forest ecosystems is critical.

Do we have an elephant problem?

The ‘elephant problem’ – ecologists, landowners and tourists are grappling with the elephant problem. But what does this mean?

Elephant range is just a fraction of its potential

Africa’s elephants occupy just 17% of their possible range, their historical areas fragmented by human activity. There is potential for expansion – new research

It’s true – elephants are thriving in Namibia

Counting elephants is not easy. It itakes experience, skill and funding. The good news: elephants are thriving in Namibia.

Forest elephants – vanishing ghosts

Forest elephants have finally been granted species status (something scientists have known for decades). With this has come the appalling IUCN classification of ‘critically endangered’

SEEK and ye shall find – elephant identification

Elephant identification is a difficult task – but a new system based on ear patterns is making the task easier – research by Elephants Alive

The story behind the Namibian elephant auction

Namibian elephant auction: We look at the background, reasons and context of the controversial sale by auction of 170 wild-caught elephants

Forest elephants going hungry as climate change stops trees from fruiting

Forest elephants are losing body condition – most probably due to climate impacts on forest tree fruit production – say researchers

Elephants & cattle – restoring soil nutrient levels

Research shows that elephants can assist farmers by restoring soil nutrient levels when cattle have depleted those nutrients

The importance of adult male elephants

The selective harvesting of old bull elephants damages broader elephant society because of the important role played by the bulls – research

“Living dead” – elephants in Kruger NP are sterilizing palm trees, says research

Elephants feeding on fan palm trees are preventing the palms from reaching full size & reproductive potential in Kruger NP, says new study

Forest elephant populations smaller than previously thought

Africa’s forest elephant populations are smaller than was previously thought, say researchers. This realisation has a significant impact on future priorities and conservation strategies.

Hyenas eat baby elephant while its mother watches helplessly – both elephants were stuck in mud

Hyenas eat baby elephant while its mother watches helplessly – both elephants were stuck in mud. WARNING: Some may find the images distressing.

Elephant body language 101 – a guide for beginners

Elephant body language is a complex topic, yet there are a few simple clues and signals that explain elephant emotions and intentions

Elephants and trees

Does removing elephants save trees? This fascinating report delves into this important conservation issue.

Bull elephants mate more as they get older – research

Older male elephants are more determined to track down and mate with females than young elephants, says research.

Life with elephants

Botswana elephant debate: We speak to the MOST important people in this equation – those living with elephants

Do elephants affect vulture nesting success? Ongoing research

Researchers highlight the complex relationship between elephant impact and vulture nest survival in the Greater Kruger National Park.

Study: Elephant poaching rates in decline, but iconic species remains under threat

Latest study reveals elephant poaching rates in Africa have started to decline, but levels of poverty, corruption and ivory demand still threaten the iconic species.

Large-tusked elephants are in decline, need to be protected from trophy hunting and poaching, says researcher

The need to protect large-tusked and potentially large-tusked elephants from poaching and excessive selective hunting pressure is more apparent than ever as the progressive decrease in average tusk size over the past three decades is potentially leading to over exploitation of older bulls.

Elephants are sentient and conservation strategy should adapt, says researcher

We struggle as humans to understand our own actions. How can we begin to understand and provide possible interpretations for the actions of other species such as elephants?

Bull elephants – their importance as individuals in elephant societies

It has long been recognised that older female elephants are pivotal to elephant ecology and herd survival, but what of older males?

Why identifying individual elephants is important, and the pivotal roles matriarchs and older bulls play

Understanding the importance of identifying elephants and the pivotal roles matriarchs and older bulls play.

African, Asian & forest elephants – what’s the difference?

Did you know that there are three species of elephants? We take a look at the differences between the African, Asian and forest elephant.

Video: How cracks in an elephant’s skin keep it cool

An in-depth study of the African elephant’s wrinkly skin has revealed how its intricate design helps to keep the animal cool, protect them from parasites and prevent dehydration in their dry habitat.

Elephants migrate despite boundaries and borders

A new study from the Conservation Ecology Research Unit (CERU) at the University of Pretoria (UP) set out to unravel migration in the world’s largest terrestrial mammal: the savanna elephant.

17 Elephant facts you need to know

The African elephant (Loxodonta africana) is the largest land mammal in the world and one of nature’s great ecosystem engineers, being a major contributor to maintaining the balance between wooded and grass ecosystems. Here are 17 fascinating facts that you need to know.

Can elephants run, or do they just walk faster?

A fascinating study has revealed that although elephants can move at considerable pace, there is a question as to whether they can run.

Opinion: Elephants damage only 1% of Hwange’s vegetation

One of the main motivations for killing elephants in Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe is the argument that they destroy the plants and this is accepted by many as a problem. Let’s discuss whether this argument is not just an excuse for proponents of culling to get more ivory for the ivory trade, or to justify higher quotas for nearby hunting areas.

Bees protect large trees from elephant impact

A study has found that hanging beehives containing African honeybees from the branches of marula trees protects these trees against elephant impact because the elephants avoid those trees.

Decoding Kruger’s ‘Elephant Management Plan’

The Kruger National Park is vast, at about 2 million hectares, and requires a thorough management strategy in order to ensure long term sustainability. Part of that strategy, The Elephant Management Plan – compiled by Kruger management and Scientific Service – is currently in force, and covers the period 2013 to 2022.

Water for Elephants

There is a crisis of elephantine proportions playing out in the dry sandy Kalahari woodlands of eastern Botswana, and a determined family of caring people is caught in the middle of the drama. A friend and I spent a few days with them in September this year and came away determined to help. I hope that …

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