ERT presents at the PAWS (Performing Animal Welfare Society) conference in Los Angeles
The conference provided an opportunity to highlight some valuable findings that we have noted over the last 5 years of studying these elephants, reiterating elephants don’t thrive in captivity and that they can adapt to a novel environment.
Bianca Purdon
Thank you for the donation of DSLR cameras to assist with our Elephant ID photos.
Publication: ERT continues to debunk misconceptions regarding elephants in captivity
Publication on our research on the welfare of Rewilded Elephants in South Africa. The study explores how elephants’ behavioural repertoires and frequencies change throughout a reintegration operation in comparison to when they have been roaming free for more than three years. Key findings include: Photo credit: Clive Curtis
Publication: Rewilding-proof of success!
Our study on the movement patterns of two rewilded herds has continued to amaze us. This study underpins the potential of captive elephants to successfully adapt to a free-living environment, emphasizing the promising implications of reintegration initiatives. A huge thank you to Humane World for Animals for funding the Open Access fee to have […]
Our first volunteers
ERT’s team is flourishing with remarkable individuals who are instrumental in advancing our research objectives and beyond. Its been a delight having our first field volunteers, Freya and Immy, form a part of the team. Freya Bellew and Imogen Vieten, filled with passion and skill, travelled from the UK to lend their support as volunteers […]
Sibuya Game Reserve Joins our GWRP
Researching a new elephant population in the Eastern Cape gives us the opportunity to continue learning more about the unique behavioural cultures present in each reserve.
Study of epigenetics of African elephants.
With the support of Humane World for Animals, we are collaborating to understand the effect of large impact events on the epigenetics (the study of how the environment and lifestyle can affect the way our genes work) of African elephants.
New calves, new beginnings
Since 2021, the Reintegrated herd on !Khamab Kalahari Reserve welcomed one new calf in 2021 and the Wild herd was blessed with two new calves in 2023. These two herds have joined to form a beautiful new herd and continue to explore new locations on the reserve.
GPS collared study animals continue to give us insight into elephant movements
Throughout the course of 2022-2023, we have collared seven elephants and continue to monitor them. Movement patterns of elephants on fenced reserves forms an essential part of our long-term research projects. This insight will help us understand reserve utilization patterns, home range sizes, seasonal changes in movement, the effect of the diurnal cycle, the impact […]
Harry and Layla got new accessories.
We were privileged enough to replace Harry and Layla’s collars on Mount Camdeboo with the generous support from Humane World for Animals. This was a very important operation as we study the movement patterns of a small herd of elephants in the Karoo region. This knowledge will help us understand their impact on the vegetation […]