We bring you an update on the movements of Charlize, a collared female elephant, roaming the Associated Private Nature Reserves (APNR) near Hoedspruit. She was collared in Balule Private Nature Reserve on the April 23, 2012.
Charlize was collared just east of the railway line that runs through Balule Private Nature Reserve towards the Phalaborwa mines. During the first seven days after being collared, she stayed consistent as she travelled north crossing the Balule-Klaserie border back and forth along the way.
The following month and a half she consistently stayed north of where she was collared, moving back and forth between the railway line in Balule Private Nature Reserve and the Klaserie River.
On May 22 we found Charlize and her herd in the Klaserie River, and were able to record the demographics of the herd.
We estimate Charlize to be about 20-35 years old. She has a male calf about three years old. She was seen with a herd of 38 individuals, comprising 13 mature females, seven young females, 12 immature males and five calves.
To help you understand the images in the first photo; Charlize's movements are represented by the pink tracks. Her starting point is marked with a diamond and her last point with the elephant symbol.
Thank you to Chris Pearson and his group,WildCon Safari's and Events, for funding the collar and operation.
Dr Michelle Henley was smiling in delight at being reunited with the first elephant collared in her ambitious project to learn more about el...