Elephants Alive

02/06/2026

🐘💚 What does it mean to be Elephant Aware?

As people and elephants increasingly share the same landscapes, understanding how to live safely and respectfully alongside these magnificent animals has never been more important.

This engaging animation from the Be Elephant Aware campaign (
Amboseli Trust for Elephants)highlights practical ways communities, visitors, and conservationists can promote peaceful coexistence between humans and elephants. By learning elephant behaviour and making informed decisions, we can reduce conflict and help secure a future where both people and elephants thrive together.

🎥 Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebX0Z3Cr68o

Every elephant counts. Every informed action matters.

The Be Elephant Aware campaign is an initiative dedicated to promoting safe and informed coexistence between people and elephants. Through education and outr...

24/05/2026

Our students spotlight today is Nina! Let’s see what she’s been up to

“Hello! My name is Nina, and I am an MSc Forest and Nature Conservation student at Wageningen University & Research (WUR) in the Netherlands. I have been given the wonderful opportunity to conduct my thesis with Elephants Alive!, where I study a key aspect of the vital role elephants play in dispersing seeds of large fruiting trees.

I am working alongside my fellow student, Marije, and together we head into the field accompanied by Ronny. His ability to identify individual elephants is remarkable, and his knowledge about them is truly impressive. Equally important for our research, he has extensive expertise in—perhaps less glamorous but essential—elephant dung! With his guidance, we collect fresh samples and quite literally get our hands dirty as we examine which seeds are present.

Through this work, we aim to gain a better understanding of the seeds that elephants disperse in the wild. We are also studying how long it takes for fruits to pass through an elephant’s digestive system. By combining this information with data on how far elephants travel each day, we can estimate the distances over which these seeds are dispersed.

I feel very grateful to be supported by such a dedicated and warm team, it truly feels like we are part of it. I continue to be inspired by the diversity of their projects and the passion with which they carry them out.”

🐘💩

20/05/2026

It’s World Bee Day! 🐘🐝🐝🐝

Did you know elephants naturally avoid bees?

Research by Ndlovu et al. (2023) shows that beehive fences can help reduce human-elephant conflict by protecting crops in a safe, nature-based way.

When maintained well, these fences not only keep elephants away from farmland, but also support local livelihoods through honey production. 🍯

Working with nature, not against it, creates stronger pathways for coexistence. 💚

20/05/2026

🚨 UPDATE: THANK YOU FOR THE INCREDIBLE SUPPORT 🚨

Thanks to the incredible support of Rettet das Nashorn, we have successfully secured funding for the helicopter costs needed for this urgent elephant operation. We are deeply grateful for their generosity and rapid support in helping protect these elephants and support local communities. 🐘💚

After careful consideration, we have decided that the most sustainable long-term solution is to collar one of the bulls. This will allow us to continue monitoring the elephants’ movements and respond proactively to reduce future human-elephant conflict in the area.

We are now urgently fundraising for the collaring operation costs, including veterinary support and a satellite tracking collar. The collar alone costs R66,000 (approximately USD $3,600).

A huge thank you as well to Transfrontier Africa for sharing this appeal across their network and helping us reach more supporters.

Every contribution helps us move one step closer to a long-term coexistence solution for both elephants and people.

Donate here: https://elephantsalive.org/donate/

19/05/2026

🚨 URGENT FUNDING NEEDED 🚨

We urgently need your help to safely move these two elephants back into Kruger National Park. They are currently crop-raiding in farming areas outside the park, creating increasing conflict with local communities and placing the elephants at serious risk.

The dense bush surrounding the farms makes this operation extremely challenging. A helicopter is the only safe and effective way to locate and move the elephants back to safety.

We urgently need to raise R25,000 to cover helicopter and relocation costs.

These elephants have already caused significant crop damage, which we will share more about in our next post. Acting quickly is critical to prevent further conflict and protect both people and elephants.

Please help us make this urgent relocation possible.

Every donation makes a difference. 🐘💚

Donate here: https://elephantsalive.org/donate/

11/05/2026

Elephants move in response to rainfall and changing vegetation. 🌿🐘

Research using GPS tracking and satellite data (e.g. Marshal et al., 2010) shows that their movements closely follow patterns of greenness across the landscape.

Understanding this helps us protect the space elephants need to survive.

Support their future:
👉 elephantsalive.org/donate

10/05/2026

🐘 Safe beside mom, exactly where they’re meant to be 🤍

An elephant calf may grow up to be one of the largest animals on Earth, but in the beginning, all they really need is mom, her guidance, protection, and unconditional love.

From teaching their calves where to find water to protecting them from danger, elephant mothers play an extraordinary role in shaping the next generation. Their bond is powerful, tender, and lifelong.

Today we celebrate the incredible mothers of the wild who lead with patience, strength, and love. 🌿✨

ProtectElephants NatureConnection

08/05/2026

Today we celebrate the 100th birthday of one of the world’s greatest voices for our planet, Sir David Attenborough 🌍🐘

For decades, Sir David has inspired generations to look closer, care deeper, and act more boldly for the natural world. His storytelling has brought the beauty, intelligence, and fragility of wildlife into homes across the globe, reminding us that every species matters, and every ecosystem is connected.

At Elephants Alive, we are especially grateful for the awareness he has raised about the importance of protecting biodiversity and living in coexistence with wildlife. His lifelong dedication continues to inspire our work with elephants, communities, and conservation across southern Africa.

Happy 100th Birthday Sir David, thank you for helping the world fall in love with nature. 💚

12/08/2025

🌍🐘 On this , we take a moment to honour and celebrate the incredible individuals dedicated to protecting our beloved elephants.

To our amazing CEO, Michelle Henley, thank you for your unwavering leadership and dedication to these majestic creatures. We honour you and everything you do to ensure their survival. ❤️

A heartfelt thank you to everyone at Elephants Alive—your tireless efforts and commitment to elephant conservation are invaluable. You play the most critical part in keeping elephants alive. 🙏

We also want to honour the brave shepherds and rangers who fight daily to protect elephants in the wild. Your dedication does not go unnoticed. 🌿

To our supporters, thank you for your continuous support and belief in the work we do. Together, we can create a future where humans and elephants coexist peacefully. 🌟

And a huge shoutout to Catherine Constantinides and Change Agents South Africa for amplifying our message and standing with us in this important mission. 🌍💚