ERT and Bring The Elephant Home collaboration
Following the removal of an internal fence line that once separated two elephant populations on Kariega Private Game reserve, we are combining efforts to monitor the consequent movements, behaviour, and stress levels of the elephant population during this period of range expansion for these groups. This study forms part of a PhD project and the […]
Many hands make lighter work with a new research collaboration
ERT and Wildlife & Ecological Investments (WEI) are collaborating to make a meaningful impact on African elephant conservation!WEI, along with their dedicated research volunteers, interns, and students, are playing a crucial role in our Greater Welfare Research project. Currently stationed at Gondwana Game Reserve, they are diligently collecting behavioural data and dung samples for stress-level analysis.This collaboration allows us to […]
ERT presents at SAWMA Symposium 2022
In 2022, we attended the annual Southern Africa Wildlife Management conference to present our latest research projects. Tammy Eggeling discussed whether facilitating natural social structures can correct for unnatural and unwanted behaviour in bull elephants. The project was a case study of Pilanesberg National Park 20 years after the introduction of an initial incomplete population. […]
Scientific publication: Behavioural parameters, indicative of certain behavioural states, are valuable indicators of welfare, as supported by the physiological response of elephants.
At ERT, we believe we’re adding value to the lives and well-being of elephants with our research and the work produced over the last couple of years. Elephants on fenced reserves are exposed to various management interventions, potentially impacting their well-being. We studied wild elephant populations on eight fenced reserves across South Africa. Our data […]
Norman walks into a new beginning
In April 2022, we moved adult male, Norman, to Mount Camdeboo, where he went from being isolated and lacking elephant companionship, to joining a herd and Harry in a much larger habitat.
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve joined our GWRP
With its unique location in the little Karoo of the Western Cape, the elephants in this fringe habitat require unique management considerations. Partnering with Sanbona is providing invaluable insight into the biology and behaviour of the elephants in this system.
Collared Mana and Sharu
Fitted two of our reintegrated adult male bulls, Mana and Sharu, with GPS tracking collars ahead of the introduction of three new wild bulls who would be introduced to help correct the bull age structure on !Khamab Kalahari Reserve.
ERT presents at the SAWMA symposium 2021
In 2021, we attended the annual Southern Africa Wildlife Management conference to present our latest research projects. Tammy Eggeling presented on the most important welfare parameters that can be used to assess the welfare of elephants as they transition from a captive environment to a wild system. Tenisha Roos presented on developing welfare parameters for […]
Getting to know our illusive bulls better through collar tracking data
We have collared three bulls residing on !Khamab Kalahari Reserve, with the aid of Humane World for Animals, who sponsored the collars. This data will contribute towards our study focusing on the effect of a complete social structure on the bull associations, as well as the interactions between the bulls and the herds. We […]
Research grant from Humane World for Animals
ERT received a three-year grant to continue our research on elephants in South Africa. Our research focusses on the welfare of elephants on fenced reserves. Our goal is to continue helping to mitigate management challenges through better understanding the impacts of environmental factors (including population structures), tourism and various management interventions. The monitoring of reintegrated herds will also […]