TO support its ongoing scientific research, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park authority recently collared six of its 100 elephants in the uMkhuze Game Reserve.
Five females and one bull received their new necklaces earlier this month.
The telemetry collars allow regular monitoring of these animals within the wetland park, which in turn aids in the conservation of the species.
‘The elephants receiving collars are known individuals, chosen because of either their status as matriarch of a herd, or in this case, a specific lone bull who favours the Mantuma Camp area,’ said uMkhuze Conservation Manager, Eduard Goosen.
A further 100 elephants live in the Western Shores area of Lake St Lucia, occasionally traversing the lake to visit the Eastern Shores section.
Some of these individuals will also be collared in the near future.
Costs associated with the purchasing and fitting of the collars, including the required veterinary services, are funded by the iSimangaliso’s Rare and Endangered Species fund, with money raised through a variety of events organised or permitted by the iSimangaliso authority.
‘We are very grateful to all of our past participants in events and fund-raising initiatives that have helped to grow this fund so we are able to support the work undertaken by our conservation partner, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, in iSimangaliso,’ said iSimangaliso Executive Manager of Biodiversity and Conservation, Sizo Sibiya.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 072 069 4169
Instagram – zululand_observer
