More on effort to help the elephants: New Satellite Collared Elephant, “Bemwa”
We regularly read the new posts at Elephants Without Borders (EWB). We do this for several reasons:
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First, it’s a great cause. EWB’s tracking efforts help us to learn more about many aspects of the elephants. Since the ellies roam well outside of the park borders, these insights are critical to understanding potential conflicts with farmers, towns and man in general.
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The site also provides a peak into the day to day life of folks working in and around the Park area.
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For Chobe Safari, teh EWB site also provides our readers with increased understanding of current conditions within the Park. For example, in this article, we learn more about the current temperature patterns as well as the level of animal activity within the Park, including but more than just the elephants
For all of these reasons we are proud to syndicate their blog articles from time to time at our site. When we contact EWB by e-mail, they are always quick to respond and helpful. If you enjoy this article, we suggest you may also send them an e-mail to learn more about these magnificent elephants. The following article was written by EWB and the text and images are the copyright of EWB.
Written By: Kelly Landen of Elephants Without Borders on June 18, 2010
EWB spent the week of June 13th in the field of Chobe National Park with the intentions of deploying 2 new satellite tracking collars on bull elephants. (to read more about EWB tracking: http://www.elephantswithoutborders.org/tracking.php) EWB were successful at deploying only one. EWB had decided it best to dart from the ground rather than using a helicopter, considering the high density of wildlife, elephants and tourists in the area. Also, now that the cold, dry winter is in full swing, the vegetation is already becoming sparse, allowing us easy access through the brush.
Larger Bulls are rare along the Chobe
EWB had decided to focus on large bulls, as they are becoming a rarity seen in the Chobe waterfront area. Young bulls and breeding herds are plentiful, but we would like to learn more about the random, larger bulls that occasionally come here.
EWB spent several days driving the park, searching from the sandy roads to locate a possible subject. It is fairly cold with temperatures ranging between 4ºC (39ºF) in the morns to 24ºC (75ºF) mid-day, and winds blowing upwards of 25km/hour throughout the day. Neither condition is conducive to elephants liking or need to utilize the river frequently. On some days, elephant numbers were limited and the large bulls were nowhere to be seen.
However, EWB were happy to see large numbers of many other species. The impala are at the end of their rutting season. Their displays, grunts and courting behaviors are quite entertaining. Buffalo have returned and the herds are spread throughout the waterfront drives. With buffalo, follow the lions and one particular pride lay satisfied over their evening’s meal.
Sable herds are more and more common
The zebra are completing their yearly round seasonal journeys and are beginning to appear at the Ngoma side of the park, waiting for the floodwater to subside to reveal kilometers of grazing pastures. Kudu are plentiful, as well as, surprisingly large herds of sable are now a regular sight. To everyone’s surprise giraffe seem to have had a sudden population “explosion” and “journeys” of giraffe with many young, were everywhere feeding on woolly-caper bushes. (to view more EWB photos, see: http://www.elephantswithoutborders.org/photo_gallery.php)
One afternoon, Kelly Landen stumbled across an elephant breeding herd 60 strong, accompanied by a bachelor herd of 12 and two beautiful, substantially large bulls. As luck has it, this sighting was on a spotting drive by herself and was not prepared to collar without the team assembled. The next day, EWB circled the same area relentlessly but they did not reappear.
Mike explains the collar, while Sammy demonstrates
However, one morning EWB came across a healthy, lone, size-able bull. It was decided that he would be one of our newest elephant ambassadors. The collaring exercise went very smoothly. The immobilization drugs took effect quite quickly. The team moved in, attached the collar, took his measurements and attained blood samples. When the antidote was given, he stood up and immediately wandered off through the shrub, donning his new tracking collar. His name is Bemwa, named by our sponsors from the Swiss BMW Dealership Association, approximately 30 yrs of age, stands just over 3meters high at the shoulder and he bares modest, yet symmetrical tusks. (Note BeMWa has BMW in the name … cute huh???)
We are particularly excited about Bemwa’s collar. It is a new type of satellite collar created by Africa Wildlife Tracking in Pretoria, South Africa.
Larry administering the anti-dote to Bemwa
The battery life is supposed to last much longer than the previous models we’ve used, allowing us to download data location points every half hour throughout a five year span before having to retrieve the unit. (EWB colleagues: http://www.elephantswithoutborders.org/colleagues.php)
EWB would like to Thank all the BMW representatives that journeyed to Botswana. It was a pleasure meeting you and hope you enjoyed your trip here. EWB sincerely appreciate your support and are eager to share Bemwa’s journeys with you!
If you would like to support our projects, please log on to http://www.elephantswithoutborders.org/donate.php…
Elephants Without Borders, the elephants, wildlife, and local communities Thank you!
Zebra have returned to the Chobe riverfront