Abu Elephant Research and Release Programme

Randall Moore has never lost sight of his original vision to return elephants that have spent much of their life in captivity back into the African wild.

Release & Research

• Over 4 years, 5 elephants from the Abu Camp herd have been released into the Okavango Delta wilderness area, with the co-operation of the Botswana Department of Wildlife and National Parks
• This has produced a wealth of material for a research project being carried out by Kate Evans of the Mammal Research Unit of the School of Biological Science at the University of Bristol
• Sponsored by Randall Moore, Kate is currently preparing her PhD based on the research, work that will help the Botswana government in its management of the country's 110,000 elephants, the largest remaining elephant population in the world
• All the released elephants have been fitted with collars and are being tracked by satellite enabling the researchers to pin point their exact locations three times a day
• This is supported by on the ground monitoring and observation of their behaviour

The Elephants

• February 2002: Mafunyane, a 14 year old bull easily distinguished by a large V-shaped tear in his right ear. Mafunyane took the longest time to adapt after his release and it was some time before he ventured beyond his home range
• February 2003: Thando(16) and Seba(9). Both are often seen together and have been tracked exploring areas well beyond their home range
• September 2003: Nandipa(15), who always had an uneasy relationship with Cathy, matriarch of the Abu herd, started "hanging out with the boys" but then attached herself to a wild herd. Researchers believe she will have a baby of her own before long
• 2005: Benny, an old bull with a distinctive floppy ear, who had become a firm favourite with many guests because of his rather sad looks and his gentle nature. He appears to have settled well back in the wild, even after spending most of his life in captivity

Seba Camp

• Guests invited to observe the researchers at work
• Close up viewing of the Abu released elephants
• Opens 1st June in Abu Camp private concession
• 5 elevated en suite tents, each with a viewing deck overlooking the lagoon
• Activities: Day and night game drives, walks, mokoring, elephant research