AERU - African Elephant Research Unit

AERU - African Elephant Research Unit 🐘 Non-profit research trust 🙏🏼
🌍 Once-in-a-life volunteering experience 💚 The objectives of AERU are the following:

1.

To conduct and facilitate research studies of the elephants based at the Knysna Elephant Park and other captive elephant operations in South Africa.
2. To promote ethical and non-harmful research of captive elephants in South Africa.
3. To guide management of captive elephant operations through science.
4. To provide information relevant to wild elephants to improve their protection and conservation.
5. “Conservation through education”

If they are happy, we are too! 🤩🌧️
04/06/2026

If they are happy, we are too! 🤩🌧️

28/05/2026

Two groups, two families, living on the same territory while respecting each other’s space. Here is yet another lesson that nature offers to human beings.

In our park, we have two families: Sally’s herd and Harry’s herd.

The difference between these two families is that one has been raised by humans, often due to unfortunate circumstances, while the others were born or have grown up in a near-wild environment.

In this video, in the foreground, Thandi was born in the park, while her mother Nandi was welcomed among us, secretly pregnant. In the background is the second family, made up of Tosha (the matriarch), Thembi (her daughter), Namib, Gambo, Mpho, and of course Harry, who have no contact with visitors.

Most of the elephants in Harry’s herd are ultimately destined to be relocated to reserves where they can enjoy complete freedom.

This is what the park has done since its creation: rehabilitate elephants so they can live in (animal) social groups and be released, when possible, into their natural habitat.

We are proud of this cause that is ours, and it will remain a part of us until the very end.

20/05/2026

What’s coming out of their eyes !?👀

Those white “tears” coming from an elephant’s eyes are not tissue or parasites. They’re usually eye discharge, a mix of tears, mucus, and dust that has dried and turned pale.

Why elephant tears look white?

• 🐘 Elephants produce thick tears
• 🌬️ Dust and sand easily stick to the moisture
• ☀️ The fluid dries and lightens in color, forming white or off-white strands

More common causes

• Dry, dusty environments (very common in the wild)
• Wind and debris irritating the eyes
• Normal tear drainage (especially from the inner corner of the eye)

So there’s no need to panic, these secretions are completely normal and even indicate that the animal’s body is functioning as it should.

19/05/2026

Riddle of the day!

Let’s test your memory! Who is this elephant?

The filmed clues should help you a lot 🫣

14/05/2026

We all know Sally’s love for fashion and all kinds of accessories 👑 Branches, little shrubs, or even clumps of dirt.

Today, our matriarch has chosen the clump of dirt look! Very trendy among our Ellies 🐘.

Could this be a tribute to the new installment of « The Devil Wears Prada » 👠recently released?

Who knows? 🤭

Are our elephants doing well since last week’s storm? 🌪️The answer is in the pictures!😉✨And no, in the second picture, S...
12/05/2026

Are our elephants doing well since last week’s storm? 🌪️

The answer is in the pictures!😉✨

And no, in the second picture, Sally is not trying to drown Nandi… she… she’s probably just showing her something underwater….👀😂

Our elephants are thrilled with their new water spots, and they’re definitely letting us know! 💦

📷 Thank you Megan for these beautiful pictures!💚

Address

Garden Route
Plettenberg Bay
KNYSNA,

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00
Thursday 08:00 - 17:00
Friday 08:00 - 17:00

Telephone

+27445327732

Website

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