The Kruger Park Times recently reported on an elephant collaring safari carried out in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. The collaring was part of a longterm elephant tracking project being run by Michelle and Steve Henley.
Their research is supported by Save the Elephants, both financially and logistically, but is largely dependent on donations and sponsorship. Save the Elephants' mission "is to secure a future for elephants and to sustain the beauty and ecological integrity of the places they live; to promote man's delight in their intelligence and the diversity of their world, and to develop a tolerant relationship between the two species."
So far, the Henleys have fitted GPS tracking collars on eight elephants, but plan to have 30 elephants collared by 2007. One of their goals is to monitor elephant movements between Kruger and the Limpopo National Park as the fences come down. They are in need of funds to manufacture more satellite or cellphone collars.
Anyone wishing to make a donation can contact the Henleys on 015 793 0369 or email michelephant@worldonline.co.za. They will acknowledge contributions in both popular and scientific publications.
Dr Michelle Henley was smiling in delight at being reunited with the first elephant collared in her ambitious project to learn more about el...