Unveiling the Wonders of African Elephants
African elephants, the world's largest land animals, are at the top of the bucket list for most people visiting Africa, right up there with lions, zebras and giraffes. But why is it that we are so fascinated by these icons of the savannahs and forests? Their sheer size is awe-inspiring when you see them in the wild, but beyond their physical grandeur, they possess a whole range of fascinating traits and behaviours that never cease to inspire wonder.
A Trunk of Many Talents: An elephant's trunk is a remarkable appendage, a fusion of the nose and upper lip. It contains around 150,000 muscle units and is capable of incredible feats, from uprooting trees to picking up a single blade of grass. They use it to drink, bathe, communicate, and even as a snorkel when swimming! One of the best places to see elephants bathing and swimming is in the wetlands of the magnificent Okavango Delta and the Chobe National Park in Botswana. If you're lucky you might also see them swimming in the vast lakes of Akagera National Park, Rwanda.
Communication Through Vibrations: Elephants communicate not only through vocalizations like trumpeting but also through seismic signals. They can generate low-frequency rumbles that travel through the ground, which they detect through their feet. This allows them to communicate over long distances, coordinating movements and warning of danger. Learn more about elephant communication at Elephant Voices.
Emotional Intelligence: Elephants are highly social and intelligent animals, exhibiting a wide range of emotions. They are known to mourn their dead, often returning to the site where a family member died and touching the bones. They also show empathy, compassion, and strong family bonds.
Cancer Resistance: Elephants have a remarkably low rate of cancer compared to humans, despite their large size and long lifespans. This is due to their high number of copies of the tumor suppressor gene, TP53, which helps them fight off cancer cells. Scientists at the University of Oxford have found that elephants have 20 copies of this gene, compared to the single copy found in humans.
Keystone Species: Elephants play a crucial role in their ecosystems. Their feeding habits help to shape the landscape, creating habitats for other animals. They disperse seeds, ensuring the growth of various plant species, and their digging for water creates sources for other animals to use.
Longest Gestation Period: Elephants have the longest gestation period of any mammal, lasting about 22 months. This lengthy pregnancy results in a relatively slow reproductive rate, making elephant populations particularly vulnerable.
Threats to the Population
African elephants face numerous threats, primarily from poaching for ivory for the illegal ivory trade, habitat loss and human-elephant conflict. Southern Africa is the stronghold for African elephants, holding three-quarter's of Africa's savannah elephants. Botswana is home to the largest numbers, with 130,000 of Africa's population. Elephants remain highly threatened in west and central Africa, particularly the critically endangered forest elephant, a separate species to the more commonly seen savannah elephant. African elephant numbers have plummeted from 1.2 million in the 1970s to less than 500,000 alive today. Around nine out of every 10 African forest elephants have disappeared since the 1960s.
Numerous organizations and governments are working tirelessly to protect African elephants with measures ranging from anti-poaching and habitat protection to community engagement to reduce human-elephant conflict and measures to reduce the illegal trade in ivory. You can get involved by supporting an organisation such as African Parks, Elephants for Africa, Elephant Voices, Save the Elephants, Elephants without Borders or drop me a line if you'd like to donate to the Akagera Elephant Project in Rwanda. You can also go on a safari that directly supports the conservation of elephants. Talk to us about your options for an elephant-focused safari in Africa.
African elephants are not only awe-inspiring creatures but also vital components of their ecosystems. While the challenges they face are significant, ongoing conservation efforts have made some progress and offer hope for their future. It is crucial that we continue to work together to protect these gentle giants and ensure they continue to roam the African landscapes for generations to come.
Akagera Elephant Project, Rwanda
In 2018, when we started the Akagera Elephant Project in Akagera National Park, Rwanda, very little was known about the individuals and family groups in Rwanda. Over several years, and even during the Covid pandemic, we continued to collect photographs to identify individual elephants in Akagera National Park, slowly but surely unveiling more and more information about who was who in the elephant population of Akagera. In a great example of what it takes to get things done in remote parts of Africa, the project involved lots of partners collaborating, including the Akagera Management Company which runs Akagera National Park, the Akagera Community Guides Co-operative, the University of Rwanda and our wonderful guests from Matson & Ridley Safaris who both funded and supported elephant field work during several of my elephant research expeditions.
The project has taken a new and exciting direction since last year with the appointment of Rwandan Bachelor of Science graduate, Emerance Tuyipfukamire, who has taken over the local running of the Akagera Elephant Project with support from one of our generous project donors. Emerance is also employed as part of the Akagera National Park Research team and co-ordinates with local guides to ensure they continue to play an important role in the project. The local guides join Emerance to participate in the elephant field work and collection of information on the elephants in the park so that they continue to learn about elephants and the importance of understanding their behaviours and ecology. Emerance has identified more elephants in the park over the past year and is building the elephant photographic database for park management, with over half of the elephants in Akagera now fully identified. She will continue this important work to monitor the elephants of Akagera over the next three years, in which time we hope to learn lots more about the population.
Where to go in Africa to see elephants
If you love elephants as much as we do, you've come to the right place for an elephant-focused safari! We have a deep understanding and respect for elephants, having worked towards their conservation for two decades. Whether it's the desert-dwelling landscapes in the vast sandy landscapes of Namibia, the rich wetlands of Botswana's Okavango Delta, the mountains and lakes of Rwanda or anywhere else that elephants live in the wilds of Africa, we would love to take you on a safari that supports the conservation of Africa's elephants. By choosing an ethical safari booked with us, conscious travelers can contribute to the long-term preservation of Africa's wildlife and natural heritage while enjoying a life-changing African safari.
Our safaris in Botswana support the Natural Selection Foundation's elephant projects, including the Elephant Express. The Elephant Express Project promotes human-wildlife coexistence in Botswana's wildlife-rich regions where conflict between elephants and local people is problematic. The project provides safe transportation for school children and clinic patients through areas frequented by elephants, reducing the risk of dangerous encounters and fostering harmony between local communities and wildlife.
"What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make."
Jane Goodall