With increasing environmental pressure caused by habitat fragmentation, human encroachment and poaching, some elephant populations, such as those in Babile Elephant Sanctuary in Ethiopia, are very small and therefore vulnerable to diseases and high stress levels. EfA is studying parasites in large, free-roaming elephant populations so that we can understand natural parasite levels and infection patterns, and recognise when small elephant populations are experiencing high parasite loads.

Elephants exist in a range of captive conditions, from zoos to safari parks and semi-natural conditions such as those experienced by the small herd at Elephant Back Safaris. By understanding the social systems of wild elephants, we can advise  zoos, circuses and private owners on the best way to keep their captive elephants, thereby improving their living conditions.

EfA has completed the following study:

• Post-release ecology of captive elephants

These studies are still on-going:

• Internal parasite load of male elephants
• Levels of stress and reproductive hormones in captive elephants

Josephine with Kate and Mphoeng in the field collecting samples

Links

• Research
• Behavioural ecology 
• Human-wildlife conflict
• Scientific Papers & Theses