Elephant Movement Data Provides Insights Into Conservation Challenges and Successes in the Ruaha-Rungwa Landscape.

ABSTRACT: The African savannah elephant (Loxodonta africana) is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. The Ruaha-Rungwa ecosystem supports Tanzania's largest elephant population and remains a critical yet understudied stronghold for elephant conservation in East Africa. Effective conservation in this ecosystem requires understanding elephant movements across large landscapes and varying levels of disturbance. This study addressed the gap by utilizing GPS-satellite tracking of 28 elephants over a 4-year period in Tanzania's Ruaha-Rungwa ecosystem. It examined their home ranges and movement patterns inside and outside protected areas and identified key elephant hotspots. The findings aim to improve conservation strategies and mitigate human-elephant conflicts through better habitat manageme

SUBMITTER: Juma R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12484299 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature