#elephantswithoutborders

@tomhardy Instagram

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https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(19)30675-X

Elephants without Borders is a conservation group advocating for the safe migration of African Elephants (Loxodonta africana) through the war and poverty torn area of Botswana and it’s surrounding lands. These elephants spend the majority of the dry season traveling thousands of kilometers to find water sources. With the success of the previous conservation of this species, populations have started to boom, leaving large congregations of elephants locked in place by warring countries that surround Botswana, and man made barriers.

In history, before man began to establish themselves in these lands, the herds were able to roam with no blockades, but in more recent history, this is no longer the case. With the creation of farms, towns, and war, many of the passages these now blocked. With this blockage comes increased stress in the herds, since their natural instincts to follow hundred year old passages are now impossible to follow. With the increased numbers of elephants locked in one place, foraging has become more difficult, and the impact these animals are having on the land is being noticed by not only the locals, but the government. With the negative impact that the elephants are having on the land, drastic solutions, such as culling, have been suggested in order to lessen their impact. 

One of massive issues that these elephants have to overcome are the obstacles that humans have set out for them. Including towns they must travel through, and fences they must pass over. Adult African Elephants are often able to concur these fences with ease, but their young are not as successful, stopping the herd in it’s tracks and causing them to look for another way to continue on their migration paths. Elephants without Borders looks for a way to relieve the stress, and find safe passage ways for the elephants through these man made barriers. Much of the research that EWB is conducting is trying to find the ancient migration paths that these elephant herds use to move from one water source to another. They do this by placing tracking collars on various elephants, of both sexes, and many ages, in order to gain an accurate image of how they travel.

This this research the men and women of Elephants Without Borders are working diligently to find a way for these magnificent animals to travel safely throughout their homeland, without interfering with the daily life of the people who share the same homeland. They spend much of their time educating the people of Botswana and surrounding lands to explain to them the habits these elephants partake in, and attempt to find solutions to help elephants and humans live in harmony. The main goal of EWB is to have the public support and understand the purpose of corridors, which allows the elephants safe passage through the areas that cause much of their turmoil. 

If you are interested in supporting Elephants Without Borders, donations can be made on their website: http://www.elephantswithoutborders.org/donate.php

If you are interested in getting involved with EWB, inquires about volunteering can be sent to: [email protected].

If you are interested in learning more about Elephants Without Borders, the BBC documentary has excellent explanations and coverage on all research being done. 

If you are interested in supporting Elephants Without Borders, donations can be made on their website: http://www.elephantswithoutborders.org/donate.php

If you are interested in getting involved with EWB, inquires about volunteering can be sent to: [email protected].