Updates from the Desert Elephants

Posted by Sam Hopkins on 3rd Oct 2014

Here at The Great Projects, we love to receive regular video and photo updates from the projects which we work with. This week we have been fortunate enough to receive some amazing photos and a video from one of our most popular projects - the 'Desert Elephants in Namibia' project in Swakopmund, Namibia.

This project is fantastic as it allows volunteers to get up close and personal with Namibia's stunning desert elephants in the Kalahari desert and help with vital project work to try and counteract the problems that arise between elephants and local communities. What's more, the regular patrolling of desert elephant herds throughout the week is vital for their conservation, as tracking helps to not only assess elephant numbers in the area but also helps to monitor the health of their populations on a larger scale.

Have a read of this latest review from Swedish volunteer Leyla, who joined the 'Desert Elephants in Namibia' project earlier this month:

"The best patrol ever - and I am not exaggerating! The day started started off good, and we saw four males elephants – Cheeky, B ennie, Voortrekker and Kambonde, after which we saw all of the herds in the Ugab G6, Mamma Africa and Ugab Small. It felt like the elephants where everywhere and we got so close to them all! There were lots of cute baby elephants, the youngest of which was called Joy – who was only born in June this year. She was very cute with her little trunk - but she doesn't really know how to use it! We also were able to witness a fight between two bull tuckers which was absolutely unforgettable! However, the most impressive moment was when facilitator Mathias made a soft rumbling noise (the same noise elephants do) and the elephants answered him - it was absolutely incredible! I am only staying here for two weeks, and even though time has flown by, it feels like I've been here for a really long time. I have experienced so much and it is really easy to feel at home with all the other volunteers. I am currently sitting in the orange light of a beautiful sunset and a fire is burning behind me. I think this might be the most beautiful place on earth: time for dinner and good nights sleep under the stars!"

Wow - it sounds absolutely incredible! Have a look at the most recent video of a few of these elephants below.

Can you imagine a world without these fantastic creatures? Sadly, it looks like if we can't counteract the issues facing these magnificent animals today, that may be a reality. Elephants worldwide are in major trouble, with avid poaching at its root cause. Ivory-seeking poachers have killed 100,000 African elephants in just three years, according to a new study in National Geographic. During 2011 alone, roughly one of every twelve African elephants was killed by a poacher.

This is absolutely horrific and shocking and it only helps to prove that projects like this one are essential in keeping tabs on wider elephant conservation. If you would like to get involved and volunteer with elephants on this project to help towards wider elephant conservation, then please don't hesitate to 'Enquire or Book Now' via our website. We hope to hear from you soon! Have a great weekend everyone - TGP Team.

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