The male elephants of the Makgadikgadi

Dear Conservation Enthusiasts,

We are pleased to share significant progress and exciting developments since our last update in July 2023. We have been busy tracking the 10 collared bull elephants in the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park (MPNP) in Botswana to understand their seasonal movements. During the dry season, our tracking data revealed a consistent and steady movement of collared male elephants in and around MPNP. This behaviour is likely driven by the elephants' need to seek out food and water sources, which become scarcer during this dry period. Our observations during the dry season have allowed us to establish a baseline for their typical movement behaviour during this time. As we approach the onset of the wet season, we are eager to gather data and compare it with our previous findings. Specifically, we intend to assess the movements of collared elephants during the first wet season after collaring and compare them with the patterns observed in the second wet season. This comparative analysis will provide us with valuable insights into how their movement behaviour may change during different phases of the year.

In addition, great progress has been made with the collection of feeding data and gathering valuable dung samples. Understanding the feeding habits of elephants is essential for wildlife conservation and effective habitat management, particularly with regard to the mineral resources available in MPNP. Elephants play a significant role in shaping their ecosystems by influencing vegetation through their feeding habits. This data is critical for identifying their vegetation preferences in both the dry and wet seasons and seeing if this drives their range expansion.

We want to express our deepest gratitude to all the donors from around the world who have supported Elephants for Africa's mission. Your generosity has been instrumental in making this research possible. Thank you from the whole EfA team!