Cape Town - Footage of elephants in Garden Route forests has been captured for the second time this year. And nobody knows how many are living in the forests as seeing them is rare.
Jeannine McManus, a researcher and field manager for the Landmark Foundation, said there could be between one and 30 elephants in the area, but most likely five.
The images, taken on Thursday, were caught on camera traps set up in the area to capture “elusive leopards” – even more rarely seen.
“The forest elephants are shy, therefore little is known about them,” said McManus.
The foundation found the footage when it was alerted that one of the cameras had been tampered with. It is used to people trying to interfere with the equipment, and for that reason would not disclose the location. This time it was the handiwork of an elephant.
“Fortunately, the camera was fine, but its protective box took the brunt of the elephant’s interest.”
The most curious of the creatures seem to be females as the images, as with previous footage in January, shows a female getting up close and personal. McManus said it was not certain if it was the same one in both instances. This time, the elephant was “pretty curious” as it was found that she had investigated three camera stations.
According to McManus, the footage would be used to assist in the conservation of the elephants, which used to migrate through a vast area but are now a small, isolated population. “These animals need an enormously responsible management effort to ensure they survive over time.”
Cape Times