Research has uncovered population density declines of 90% for forest elephants and 70% for savannah elephants across Africa in 53 years
Species: Elephant
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 …
Understanding elephant movements across international borders
A transboundary elephant connectivity study has been launched in western Zambia with the fitting of satellite tracking collars to wild elephants to investigate their cross-border movements.
Elephant ivory and the Japanese hanko stamp
Hanko stamps are the Japanese version of a signature, used throughout Japan to sign deals and important documents, and are made out of a variety of materials, including elephant ivory.
Kruger elephants: Giants of the Future
This is a citizen science project to assist Kruger National Park scientists to monitor populations of large-tusked elephants in the park
Africa’s Big Tuskers
Africa’s tuskers deserve special mention – these huge elephants are facing the combined pressures of poaching and trophy hunting
The Magnificent Seven – Kruger’s giant elephants
The Magnificent Seven – Kruger National Park’s legendary giant bull elephants of yesteryear – are the stuff of fireside stories
