ElephantVoices


ElephantVoices is a non-profit organization that studies and promotes the conservation of elephants. It was founded in 2002 by Dr. Joyce Poole and Petter Granli, who are both experts on elephant behavior and communication. ElephantVoices is based in Norway, but operates projects in several African countries, such as Kenya, Mali, and Mozambique.

ElephantVoices conducts research on elephant communication, cognition, and sociality, using various methods such as acoustic analysis, field observations, and experiments. Some of the topics that ElephantVoices has investigated include:

  • The vocal repertoire and meanings of elephant sounds
  • The social structure and relationships of elephant families
  • The emotional and cognitive abilities of elephants
  • The effects of human activities and threats on elephant behavior and well-being

ElephantVoices also engages in education and advocacy for elephant conservation, by:

  • Developing online databases and resources on elephant sounds and behavior
  • Collaborating with local communities and stakeholders to reduce human-elephant conflict
  • Supporting anti-poaching and anti-trafficking efforts
  • Raising awareness and influencing policies on elephant issues

One of the current projects of ElephantVoices is the Mara Elephant Project, which is a citizen science initiative that aims to monitor and protect the elephants in the Maasai Mara ecosystem in Kenya. The project involves collecting and sharing data on elephant movements, identities, social networks, and threats, using GPS collars, aerial surveys, camera traps, and mobile apps.

See also