Collaring Elephants and Vultures: Generating data on connectivity

Posted on June, 16 2025

In the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA) in Zimbabwe, elephants and vultures are being tracked to better understand their movements and protect their habitats. The World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Zimbabwe, in collaboration with BirdLife Zimbabwe, Connected Conservation, and Wildlife Conservation Action, has led efforts to collar elephants and tag vultures in the Hwange-Sebungwe region. This follow-up initiative aims to provide insights into the initial findings regarding wildlife behavior, ecological connectivity, and the challenges these species face in their environments.

Collars deployed on 16 elephants in March 2024 are generating crucial data on their movement patterns, habitat use, and interactions within protected areas like Hwange National Park and communal lands such as Sengwa Mouth. This brings the total number of monitored elephants to 24. The data reveals that elephants frequently travel between water sources, such as rivers and springs, which are essential for their survival. Additionally, three vultures have been tagged to study their dispersal patterns. “These birds have shown movements across southwestern and central Zimbabwe and into Botswana’s Chobe National Park. Interestingly, their flight paths often overlap with elephant ranges, suggesting ecological links between the two species.” Said Tinaapi Hilary Madiri, Wildlife Manager, WWF Zimbabwe.

One of the major findings is that elephants can indeed move between Binga in Zimbabwe and the margins of Botswana. Tracking data confirms that these movements occur through corridors connecting regions like Sijarira Forest and Fuller Forest in Zimbabwe to Botswana’s Chobe National Park.

Elephants exhibit distinct movement patterns influenced by environmental factors like water availability and human activity. In the Sebungwe region, they move between communal lands and protected areas like Chizarira National Park. In the Hwange-Matetsi Complex, they navigate corridors leading from Sidinda towards Kazuma Forest Reserve. However, these movements are often disrupted by barriers such as human settlements, agricultural activities, and infrastructure development.

WWF is paving the way for sustainable conservation that benefits both its people and its iconic wildlife species.

Tracking elephants and vultures to better understand their movements and protect their habitats.