5 Years of Elephant Research: Reflecting on Our Work at Kariega Game Reserve
For the past five years, Bring The Elephant Home (BTEH) worked alongside dedicated researchers, international volunteers, and local partners at Kariega Game Reserve in South Africa. As this field research chapter comes to a close, we are proud to look back on the impactful scientific milestones achieved together.
Our non-invasive study focused on elephant welfare, range expansion, and habitat management. Key outcomes published across three major studies show that:
- Removing internal fences significantly lowered stress levels, restored natural social dynamics, and improved ecosystem integrity without damaging vegetation.
- Expanding reserve space reduced resource competition and directly enhanced individual and herd well-being.
- Telemetry collar design improvements were developed to prevent physical risks in dense shrub terrain, setting new safety guidelines for the wildlife management sector.
A heartfelt thank you to all the volunteers, field teams, and partners who made this vital work possible. While this chapter has closed, these insights will continue to shape global elephant conservation for years to come.
Read the full report, publication details, and partner acknowledgments here!

