Elephant related news

The conservation research charity I am doing the exhibition for is, as you all should know by now, Elephants For Africa (EFA). They have recently updated their website and it is well worth a look to find out more about this small but important team. I am proud to be connected to them and the work they do is something I am keen to support. Please, if you have time, take a few minutes to browse their webpages and if you can find a way to support them through purchases of art or merchandise and/or donations you can be sure that the money goes directly to their work.  


For the last two years the study work area of EFA has moved to the Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans National Park. Previously they were in the Okavango Delta for 10 years, and I visited them there a year before they moved. Another elephant conservation charity is now working in that area, Elephants Without Borders (EWB). They continue the release and monitoring of some of the individulas from the captive elephant herd at Abu Camp. One of the adult females, Gikka, and her daughter, Naya, who I got to know briefly during my stay, were the most recent individuals released back to the wild. Gikka was a Kruger N.P. cull orphan from many years back and Naya was born into the Abu Herd (fathered by a wild bull) in 2003. They are now living free together and Gikka has another calf - conceived and born in the wild. Recently EWB posted a sighting from the air of Gikka, Naya and the calf. They are reported to be doing well and I am so glad to see any postings of their progress. 

Gikka was one of my favourite characters of the Abu Herd, partly because of her spirited nature. I am so happy that she and Naya have made a success of their return to the wild. Long may they roam freely and without fear.