AERU - African Elephant Research Unit

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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”

08/10/2026

A moment out of time, gifted by Thandi. 🐘✨

No matter how many days, weeks, months or years we have spent watching them, for the most meaningful cause of all, the conservation of their species, every moment spent in their presence is simply magical.

Precious moments suspended in time, reminding us why we do all of this. 💚

You too can experience this incredible journey by joining our volunteer programme.🌍

For more information, visit our website or click the link in our bio. ⬆️

02/10/2026

Nandi vs. Zebras 🐘🦓🥊

We all know about Keisha’s ongoing beef with our beloved zebras… 😂

Nandi, on the other hand, has no real problem with them. She just likes to remind them who’s boss when it comes to those tasty pellets on the ground. 👀

Because excuse me… those are HER pellets. 😂

She’s an elephant, after all! Show a little respect, please. 😒🦓

22/09/2026

Thato is a true expert when it comes to using her trunk. 🐘✨

An elephant’s trunk is essentially its most versatile tool.

It’s used for breathing, smelling, touching, picking up food, drinking, communicating, and even showing affection. 🫶🏼

With thousands of muscles packed into this incredible appendage, elephants can use their trunks with remarkable strength and precision. 💪🏼

For Thato, her trunk is like a hand, a nose, a straw, and so much more, all in one! 🩶🐘

05/09/2026

Did you know? 🐘

This video gives us a chance to look at 3 fascinating behaviours you might not know about African elephants!

🔊 1. The rumble
Elephants don’t just trumpet—they rumble too! In fact, rumbles are one of their most commonly used vocalisations. By changing their pitch, frequency and intensity, elephants can communicate different information to one another.

💧 2. A little p*e for the matriarch? 👀
What Thato does at the beginning, and Thandi later in the video, can be interpreted as submissive behaviour. Elephants may present their hindquarters to a dominant individual and sometimes urinate as part of this social signal.
But urination isn’t always about submission—it can also play a role in communication and scent marking.

👀 3. What’s coming out of the side of their heads?!
That fluid comes from the temporal glands, located between the eyes and ears. Temporal gland secretion can occur in different emotional and physiological contexts. Here, it appears to be associated with the heightened excitement of Nandi and Thandi returning to the group after bathing.

In adult males, temporal gland secretion can also be associated with musth, a state linked to elevated testosterone and reproductive activity.

🐘 Did you know these three?

➡️ Tell us in the comments what you’d like to learn about elephants next!

28/08/2026

Sally and Thandi are inseparable. 🫶🏼

For those who know a little about the history of our elephants, Sally, who was the reason the Knysna Elephant Park was created nearly 32 years ago, has never had any babies of her own.
Despite having males in her group on several occasions, while they waited to be reintroduced into a natural environment, Sally never accepted their often-persistent advances. 😘
Her ultimate trick was to simply sit down on her bottom, leaving them with absolutely no chance.😅

However, like any good matriarch, Sally adores baby elephants. 🥹 This has always made the integration of the orphans welcomed into the park much easier.

Thandi, the first elephant calf to be born at the park, had a mother, Nandi, who always took her role very seriously. However, Sally fell head over heels in love with this spirited little baby and decided to care for her as if she were her own.

That is why, even today, we can still observe an undeniable bond between Sally and Thandi.
It often leaves Nandi as the third wheel, as you can see in this video. 😮

Cancel Winter and Bring Your Herd to Meet Ours 🐘☀️Winter blues? Escape to South Africa this December & January and swap ...
24/08/2026

Cancel Winter and Bring Your Herd to Meet Ours 🐘☀️

Winter blues? Escape to South Africa this December & January and swap the cold for sunshine, wildlife and unforgettable elephant encounters.

Planning your adventure with a friend, partner or family member? Groups of 2 or more receive 15% OFF our Volunteer Programme!*

🌍 Discover a new culture
🐘 Spend meaningful time with our herd of rescued elephants
🌿 Get involved in conservation and research
☀️ Enjoy a South African summer while Europe is in winter

🗓️ December & January only.

Gather your herd, leave winter behind, and come meet ours. 🫂

Contact us to find out more and start planning your volunteer programmes.

📧 [email protected]
📞 +27 66 348 3817
💚 www.aeru.co.za

*Terms & conditions apply. Discount available for groups of 2 or more.

19/08/2026

Keisha gives us a remarkable demonstration of the power and majesty of her species. 🐘

As you know, Keisha doesn’t like zebras. 👀🦓
Yet, she chooses to make herself understood in the most peaceful way possible.

With her ears raised, trunk extended, and eyes fixed on them, she makes it perfectly clear to the three young zebras that they are simply too close and that she is not comfortable with their presence.

At no point does she resort to violence.
No sudden movements, no chase, just a calm, silent display of strength and authority.

(She is such a sweet girl 🩶🤩)

15/08/2026

Nandi is taking a break from her breakfast to wish you a wonderful weekend! 😊

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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