Giving Day for Elephants 2026

How IFAW and supporters are helping

Another powerful tool in our conservation work is satellite collaring. By fitting elephants with GPS-enabled collars, we can track their movements in real time and gather vital data that informs conservation planning.

We've recently collared 24 elephants in Zimbabwe Given herd dynamics, these collars provide insight into the movements of as many as 300 wild elephants in total. In Zambia, we also fitted collars on a group of rehabilitated elephants following their release, allowing us to monitor their integration into wild herds and reduce the risk of conflict.

This science-led approach enables us to respond quickly, support communities, and ensure elephants remain safe as they roam.

Why elephant conservation matters?

Elephants are known as 'ecosystem engineers ' because of the extraordinary role they play in shaping their environments, including plants and animals.

When elephants dig for water, they create access points that other animals rely on. As they move through dense vegetation, they open pathways that smaller species use to reach food and shelter. Through their herbivorous diets and long migrations, they disperse seeds across vast distances, helping forests regenerate.

Healthy forests are essential carbon sinks and produce significant amounts of the oxygen we breathe. Elephants also store carbon in their bodies, contributing to climate regulation even after their lifetimes.

Protecting elephants is not only about saving a species. It is about safeguarding biodiversity, stabilising the climate, and supporting the communities who share these landscapes.