BACKGROUND TO THE FOREST ELEPHANT TELEMETRY MAPS

The goal of the Forest Elephant GPS Telemetry Program is to promote an understanding of the ranging and seasonal migration patterns of forest elephants (Loxodonta africana cyclotis) in critical conservation areas of central Africa. This information is required if effective conservation plans are to be developed, for this poorly known, yet wide ranging species. This website displays GPS telemetry data collected from forest elephants fitted with GPS collars in some of the most important conservation areas in Africa. The purpose of the site is two-fold:  

1. develop a region-wide database of forest elephant telemetry data and associated geographic data to facilitate analysis at the local and regional level, 

2. disseminate this information to promote interest and understanding of forest elephant ecology and conservation.

The program began in 1998 when Save the Elephants, a Kenyan-based charity, supported Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) field staff to deploy 2 collars in Dzanga-Ndoki National Park in the Central African Republic. Since then the program has expanded into the Republics of Congo and Gabon, with the deployment of 22 GPS collars in 5 national parks. To find out more about the work of WCS in the Congo, click here or contact Steve Blake.

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