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Partners for Wildlife
Tarangire Elephant Project
The Tarangire Elephant Project is working to save:
African Savanna Elephant (Loxodonta africana)
The African elephant is the largest living land-dwelling animal. The Tarangire National Park elephant population numbers approximately 2,500. It is the largest population in northern Tanzania, and is currently expanding at a rapid rate of around 6% per year. International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listing is Near Threatened.
Common or Plains Zebra (Equus quagga) & Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus)
Both the zebra and wildebeest have the IUCN listing Least Concern. However, populations in and around Tarangire have experienced large declines of 60% and 90%, respectively, in the past 10 years due to over-hunting.
Habitat
Savanna short-grass plains form the calving grounds for the large ungulates in the Tarangire ecosystem. The area is approximately 800 sq. km (308 sq. miles) of deciduous woodland (40%) and open grassland (60%) outside of the Tarangire National Park boundaries. There are five villages in the area, with approximately 20% of the habitat under cultivation. None of the land has formal protection.
Critical threats to wildlife:
- Loss of habitat due to agricultural expansion
- Poaching
Tarangire Elephant Project Director Dr. Charles Foley.
A group of elephants in Tarangire where waterholes are vital elements of survival.
African elephant families are organized around a matriarchal structure.