Elephant Brothers' Walkabout Across West Africa Brings Collaboration Across Three Countries

A pair of elephants went for a walkabout in West Africa for a month now and paved the way for collaboration of three countries to ensure its safety.

In August, the pair left their long-term residence in Guinea's Ziama Massif. The two elephants then crossed Liberian borders and trekked 200 kilometers across the country. Onlookers could not help but get amazed and astonished.

Walkabout beyond borders

The two elephants have ventured into Côte d'Ivoire unharmed. Given the great distance that the elephants traveled, experts can only speculate where these two pachyderms are headed. Experts believe they could be directed to Grebo-Krahn National Park, which would lead them towards Liberia or the World Heritage Site Tai National Park, the last remaining pristine lowland rainforest in Côte d'Ivoire.

As the brother elephants traversed Liberia, FDA rangers tracked the elephants with the support from the community eco-guards. When the Liberia team realized that the elephants are on its way to Côte d'Ivoire border, Liberian authorities informed the Ivorian authorities, which also deployed rangers on the ground to closely monitor the brother's movements elephants to ensure its safety.

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Transboundary collaboration in wildlife conservation

The elephant pilgrimage illustrates the importance of transboundary collaboration in wildlife conservation, especially where mobile megafauna is involved, Flora and Fauna International said.

The two elephants were closely monitored by the Flora and Fauna International and its local partner, Center Forestier de N'Zérékoré (CFZ). The conservation efforts in watching the elephants in Zaima since 2016 provided an invaluable contribution to Liberian and Ivorian authorities' efforts to protect the species.

The Transboundary Landscape Management Agreement for Zaima-Wologizi-Wonegizi between Liberia and Guinea, and Taï-Grebo-Krahn-Sapo between Liberia and Côte d'Ivoire. The partnership provided a venue for collaborative efforts across various conservation partners to protect the elephants.

Governments of three countries namely, Liberia, Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire and also

Sierra Leone worked together to ensure the safety of elephants migrating across these countries' borders.

The past few days was a test on the collaboration across countries as the brother elephants zigzagged its way through Liberia and Côte d'Ivoire, with rangers from respective countries monitoring them. On October 13, the elephants were spotted crossing Côte d'Ivoire; thus, Ivorian officials watched them.

Daily updates on their location are being provided to have an understanding of their migration pattern.

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Following the historical road

Experts speculate that elephants followed a historical route used by elephants before the broader forest landscape became fragmented. The older elephant may have been on the same road with his mother before poachers killed her in 2016.

As this elephant walk develops, there is an urgent need to ensure the safety of the elephants and other migrating wildlife with the help of communities on the migrating elephant's path.

For this purpose, an emergency committee was established with non-government organizations working for conservation as its members. Among the group members were Flora and Fauna International, Wild Chimpanzee Foundation, Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection, and Elephant Research and Rescue. The group will eventually aid in developing a long-term action plan to safeguard other elephants who may also wander in the Upper Guinean Forest Landscape.

The success of initiatives such as this brother elephant walkabout is attributed to continued collaboration between the three countries' wildlife authorities. So far, the collaboration across three nations is promising and provides promising beginnings to the elephants and other West Africa's wildlife.

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