Help Save The Elephants' Home

We’re excited to provide an update on our "Help Save The Elephants' Home" project.

The land rehabilitation efforts have been progressing well, especially after the rains in December and January. The areas we've been working on have seen a wonderful resurgence of grass and new growth, particularly in previously eroded sites where our project are focused.

Berms and Hollows

Our berm and hollow project has been a great success. We have now begun work on another large reserve area with very little grass cover. This section, nearly 100 square metres, is being prepared in the same way as the block. After the rains, this approach has proven to be highly effective in transforming barren land into lush greenery. The wild grass seeds we planted, combined with elephant dung compost, have created significant growth. As a result, the soil is beginning to stabilise, and new biomass is forming, further encouraging the area’s development.

Geojute Application

We introduced Geojute material to help stabilise a steep slope behind one of the dams we rebuilt. We’re pleased to report that the application has been very successful—plants and grasses have already sprouted between the material, as intended. This not only supports further growth but also adds stability to the slope, preventing erosion from rainfall. This, in turn, will extend the life of the dam, which is crucial for the animals on the reserve.

Brushpacking

Brushpacking continues to play an important role in our projects. We use this technique in two ways: First, we pack branches and small trees around our new plants to protect them from grazing herbivores. Second, we carefully select certain trees for removal. Some trees, if left unchecked, can inhibit the growth of grasses and other plants. By removing these trees, we promote the growth of vegetation and open up areas for herbivores to graze, restoring natural access to previously blocked areas.

Overall, these efforts are contributing to the long-term health of the reserve and its ecosystem, ensuring the land can better support the elephants and other wildlife.

Thank you again for all your support.

Yours in Conservation,

Adine and The HERD Team