News

Here is what the ERT herd have been up to recently

2025

We are bringing a remarkable chapter of a successful rewilding story to a close

2025 marks the 10th anniversary of our incredible story of the rewilded African elephant on !Khamab Kalahari reserve. We will be celebrating this success story by removing the GPS collars

New project: Understanding elephant well-being in National Parks in South Africa

We begin our study looking at the interactions between tourists and elephants in National parks in an effort to understand the rise in reported incidences of human elephant conflict instances.

2024

ERT presents at the PAWS (Performing Animal Welfare Society) conference in Los Angeles

The conference provided an opportunity to highlight some valuable findings that we have noted over the last 5 years of studying these elephants, reiterating elephants don't thrive in captivity and

Publication: ERT continues to debunk misconceptions regarding elephants in captivity

Publication on our research on the welfare of Rewilded Elephants in South Africa. The study explores how elephants’ behavioural repertoires and frequencies change throughout a reintegration operation in comparison to

Publication: Rewilding-proof of success!

Our study on the movement patterns of two rewilded herds has continued to amaze us. This study underpins the potential of captive elephants to successfully adapt to a free-living

Our first volunteers

ERT’s team is flourishing with remarkable individuals who are instrumental in advancing our research objectives and beyond. Its been a delight having our first field volunteers, Freya and Immy, form

Sibuya Game Reserve Joins our GWRP

Researching a new elephant population in the Eastern Cape gives us the opportunity to continue learning more about the unique behavioural cultures present in each reserve.

Study of epigenetics of African elephants.

With the support of Humane World for Animals, we are collaborating to understand the effect of large impact events on the epigenetics (the study of how the environment and lifestyle

2023

New calves, new beginnings

Since 2021, the Reintegrated herd on !Khamab Kalahari Reserve welcomed one new calf in 2021 and the Wild herd was blessed with two new calves in 2023. These two herds

GPS collared study animals continue to give us insight into elephant movements

Throughout the course of 2022-2023, we have collared seven elephants and continue to monitor them. Movement patterns of elephants on fenced reserves forms an essential part of our long-term research

Harry and Layla got new accessories.

We were privileged enough to replace Harry and Layla’s collars on Mount Camdeboo with the generous support from Humane World for Animals. This was a very important operation as we

ERT and Bring The Elephant Home collaboration

Following the removal of an internal fence line that once separated two elephant populations on Kariega Private Game reserve, we are combining efforts to monitor the consequent movements, behaviour, and

Many hands make lighter work with a new research collaboration

ERT and Wildlife & Ecological Investments (WEI) are collaborating to make a meaningful impact on African elephant conservation!WEI, along with their dedicated research volunteers, interns, and students, are playing a crucial role in our

2022

ERT presents at SAWMA Symposium 2022

In 2022, we attended the annual Southern Africa Wildlife Management conference to present our latest research projects. Tammy Eggeling discussed whether facilitating natural social structures can correct for unnatural and

Scientific publication: Behavioural parameters, indicative of certain behavioural states, are valuable indicators of welfare, as supported by the physiological response of elephants.

At ERT, we believe we’re adding value to the lives and well-being of elephants with our research and the work produced over the last couple of years. Elephants on fenced

Norman walks into a new beginning

In April 2022, we moved adult male, Norman, to Mount Camdeboo, where he went from being isolated and lacking elephant companionship, to joining a herd and Harry in a much

Our Rewilded Population’s Community grows

Translocation of three bulls Seleka, Kaingo and Chulumacha onto !Khamab Kalahari Reserve, to fill in some key age gaps in the bull hierarchy.

2021

Collared Mana and Sharu

Fitted two of our reintegrated adult male bulls, Mana and Sharu, with GPS tracking collars ahead of the introduction of three new wild bulls who would be introduced to help

ERT presents at the SAWMA symposium 2021

In 2021, we attended the annual Southern Africa Wildlife Management conference to present our latest research projects. Tammy Eggeling presented on the most important welfare parameters that can be used

Getting to know our illusive bulls better through collar tracking data

We have collared three bulls residing on !Khamab Kalahari Reserve, with the aid of Humane World for Animals, who sponsored the collars. This data will contribute towards our study focusing

Research grant from Humane World for Animals

ERT received a three-year grant to continue our research on elephants in South Africa. Our research focusses on the welfare of elephants on fenced reserves. Our goal is to continue

2020

Saving a Herd of Elephants

In 2019 we became aware of a reserve that was looking to decrease its elephant population numbers or it would consider culling. We were able to save and translocate a

Khamab Herd Collar Replacement

Tracking collar replacement on our reintegrated herd on !Khamab Kalahari Reserve. Ensures we could continue to monitor their movements with the introduction of another herd of elephants onto the reserve.

2018

Presentation: Developing parameters for the welfare of elephants in response to various management intensities and social structures.

Southern African Wildlife Management Association Symposium 2019 - Tammy Eggeling

Greater Welfare Research Project Began

The first 7 reserves joined our Greater Welfare research project (GWRP). These reserves included Great Fish River Nature Reserve, !Khamab Kalahari Reserve, Shambala Private Game Reserve, Amakhala Game Reserve, Kariega

2016

Second Herd of Previously Captive Elephants Successfully Rewilded.

Ten more captive elephants were given their freedom following another successful reintegration project.

2015

The First Herd of Captive Elephants to be Reintegrated into a Wild System

South Africa's first herd of captive elephants, previously used in elephant back safaris, were reintegrated onto a large extensive wildlife system were they could live their lives out in freedom.

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We have big dreams at ERT to ensure all elephants life the life they deserve and we need you help to achieve it. Supporting us achieve our goals goes beyond financial contribution, it’s about starting the conversation, spreading the word and ceasing support for captive facilities.

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