Earlier this year, devastating flooding along the western boundary of Kruger National Park destroyed elephant movement corridors that had existed for generations, forcing elephants into neighbouring farming communities in search of food.
The unexpected movement has left families facing the loss of crops and livelihoods, while the elephants themselves face an increased risk of injury, conflict and death.
Elephants Alive steps in to reduce conflict
Conservation organisation Elephants Alive has been working to prevent escalating human-elephant conflict by using satellite tracking, rapid-response Elephant Shepherd teams and community partnerships.
The organisation’s work focuses on keeping both local communities and elephants safe by identifying potential conflict before it occurs.
Hot Cares funds new satellite tracking collar
After learning about the crisis from a listener, Hot Cares, the community upliftment initiative of HOT 102.7FM, donated R79 000 to fund a new satellite tracking collar and the veterinary costs associated with fitting it.
The collar provides conservation teams with real-time movement data, giving them early warning when elephants approach farming communities. This allows teams to intervene before crops are damaged, livelihoods are affected or elephants are harmed.
“When we heard about the incredible work Dr Michelle Henley and her team are doing, we were struck by the fact that this isn’t simply about protecting elephants,” says Lloyd Madurai, Managing Director of HOT 102.7FM.
“It’s about protecting families, livelihoods and finding practical, sustainable ways for people and wildlife to coexist. That’s exactly the kind of meaningful, long-term impact Hot Cares exists to support.”
A long-term conservation strategy
Home to more than 30,000 elephants, Kruger National Park has long relied on a balance between wildlife and the communities living beyond its borders.
The recent flooding disrupted that balance, creating what conservationists describe as a “conflict window” as elephants moved into farming areas in search of food.
Rather than responding only after conflict occurs, Elephants Alive has spent the past eight years developing a long-term strategy that combines satellite tracking, rapid-response Elephant Shepherd teams and partnerships with local communities.
The tracking collar forms a vital part of this approach by providing the real-time information needed to prevent conflict before it begins.
“Understanding how elephants move through these landscapes is the critical first step,” explains Dr Michelle Henley, CEO, co-founder and principal researcher at Elephants Alive.
“By providing real-time movement data, the collar allows Elephant Shepherd teams to anticipate where elephants are heading and intervene before crops are damaged or people are placed at risk. It allows us to step in before conflict happens, instead of trying to deal with the consequences afterwards.”
Protecting people and wildlife
Beyond helping prevent immediate conflict, each collared elephant contributes valuable information about how wildlife is adapting to changing environmental conditions.
The data collected also supports future conservation planning and land-use management.
As Kruger National Park celebrates its centenary this year, the initiative highlights how modern conservation extends beyond protected areas and depends on safeguarding both wildlife and the communities living alongside it.
“We can’t tell you how grateful we are,” says Henley.
“This support allows us to take that vital first step towards understanding elephant movements and building lasting coexistence. Thank you to Hot Cares and the HOT 102.7FM listeners for helping us make that possible.”
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