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African Wildlife Conservation

© Kenneth Friedman

Like most large wildlife species, elephants have a difficult time living alongside people. First off, poachers want their tusks for the ivory. Then, they're big. They're hungry. They can be mean depending on the season. They need a large territory. If they step on you you're gonna be a lot shorter; maybe wider. They may look formidable in zoos and circuses, but they're even more formidable in your village. As with most large species, it isn't easy fitting in.

One of the wildlife organizations working on elephant conservation projects is the Tusk Trust, an English nongovernment organization formed in 1990 to raise funds for conservation projects that include elephants and other African species including the African Wild Dog, Cheetah, Chimpanzee, Mountain Gorilla, and Rhinoceros.

One of its projects is to enhance the Marakele National Park in the Northern Province of South Africa. The Park's Board wants to add another 33,357 hectares to the park, which will make it large enough to take some of the pressure off of Kruger National Park, which is overcrowded and "currently the only national park accommodating the 'Big Five' (lion, leopard, rhino,buffalo and elephant)."

"By increasing the size of Marakele National Park, it will ensure a better balance between poorer mountainous habitats and more productive lowland savanna habitats. The gradual re-introduction of wildlife into Marakele will create a large viable ecosystem. Similarly, increasing the savanna 'sweetveld' area of the park will enhance the park's carrying capacity and game viewing potential, as well as its economic viability."

By the way, this site has one of the coolest graphic effects I've ever seen on the Web. Go and click on the Kenya project map for the Lewa Sanctuary link (the uppermost flag - don't worry, you'll see it when you get there) and watch what happens. I did it a few times just to watch it.

Anyway, the trust is trying to support behavioral research on elephant communication in Amboseli National Park, Kenya. The study covers 800 elephants and Dr Karen McComb of Sussex University, England, is building a library of elephant calls and is analyzing them to understand what they each mean. Results of the research already are being used by wildlife managers.

The trust also works to support the LEWA Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya, "one of Africa's largest non state owned wildlife reserves. Lewa is known for breeding both Black and White Rhinos, and for its large population of the rare Grevy's Zebra and Reticulated Giraffe." The conservancy also works to reduce conflicts between people and wildlife. Thirty percent of the budget comes from tourism and grazing rights, but the rest comes from contributions from groups like the Tusk Trust.

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