Understanding Elephant Behaviour at Limpopo-Lipadi

Our Research Manager, Botilo, emphasises the importance of studying animal behaviour to enhance conservation efforts at the Reserve. Here are his insights: “Limpopo-Lipadi Reserve spans 20,500 hectares, featuring diverse habitats, with mopane veld covering about 40% of the area. We host approximately 32 elephants, including around 10 bulls and a breeding herd of cows with their calves. Interestingly, there is a noticeable difference in habitat preference and seasonal space use between the bulls and the breeding herd. Bulls tend to avoid cows when they are not in heat. One of our bulls prefers the western and northern parts of the Reserve but avoids the mid-northern Kirkia acuminata forest. In contrast, the breeding herd stays in the southern section, which is characterised by a rocky outcrop and mixed habitats, unlike the more uniform northern areas. There are likely significant factors influencing why the breeding herd is attracted to the south and why the bull avoids these areas. It might even be due to the presence of a dominant bull with the herd. This behaviour underscores the need for dedicated scientific research to identify other contributing factors. Without natural predators or hunting, elephants have free rein in certain areas, which could lead to overgrazing and veld degradation if not managed properly. Limpopo-Lipadi offers an excellent case study for this research. Our ongoing studies aim to understand and mitigate the risks associated with these behavioural patterns.” If you would like to support our conservation efforts, have a look on our website: https://limpopo-lipadi.org/donate/. For discreet information on share sales, contact generalmanager@limpopo-lipadi.org. To book a safari, request our rates via reservations@limpopo-lipadi.org or via WhatsApp: (+267) 76770191.