Research Objectives

• Botswana is home to the largest remaining elephant population in the world. This project will provide information to enable a realistic elephant conservation programme to be implemented in Botswana, ensuring that this population remains for generations to come.
• Address a priority research concern of the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism.
• Investigate the viability of the release of adolescent habituated males into the area.
• Address the long-term issues that face EBS and other captive elephants, as well as the ethical implications of translocation and repopulation programmes throughout Africa.
• Monitor and analyse the behaviour of adolescent males. In particular, the departure and subsequent integration of pubescent males from their natal herd into the complex social structure of adult males, an area of research that has received little attention to date. Information on this important aspect of elephant ecology can only advance our understanding and therefore, the conservation of these majestic animals.
• Monitor and analyse the population dynamics and movements of elephant in and around NG 26 in the Okavango Delta.
• Determine habitat utilisation. All encounters with elephants are logged, recording location, numbers, sex and age and habitat selection. The affects of season, sex and age on habitat utilisation will be analysed.

Pula the youngest male of the EBS herd. Will he join the others??

Due to the nature of the research the use of expensive equipment is unavoidable and therefore running costs are high.

All donations are gratefully received and can be sent to:

elephantresearch@yahoo.co.uk