ERP intervenes to safeguard under-threat elephants in South Africa’s Northwest Province.

The Group’s affiliated nonprofit, Elephants, Rhinos & People (ERP), is devoted to the conservation of megafauna in Southern Africa, specifically focusing on elephants and rhinos, and leveraging a strategy based on local poverty alleviation.

Situated in the Northwest Province of South Africa, Rietfontein farm is meant to serve as a sanctuary for elephants and other wildlife. Restored to the Bahurutshe Boo Sebogodi rural community through the government’s land restitution program, the farm represents a delicate coexistence between human habitation and wildlife conservation and accordingly, heightened human-elephant conflict.

Responding to the community's request for assistance, ERP worked swiftly with local stakeholders, the private sector and government entities to intervene and protect the endangered elephants at Rietfontein farm, after a recent flare-up in this conflict led to a threat to euthanize the elephants.

To try to keep the herd safe, the matriarch was fitted with a tracking collar, enabling real-time monitoring of the herd's movements. Security personnel were introduced to safeguard the elephants around the clock, pending identification of more lasting, practical measures to allow the elephants to remain in situ, in relative safety for the foreseeable future.

ERP is now working with the community and government to establish a more secure sanctuary that preserves the natural habitat of the elephants while also promoting commercial opportunities for the local community, fostering economic growth.