The latest grant of R900 000, to be paid in three equal annual instalments, brings the total amount donated to R4.25m. The project explores issues affecting the conservation, protection and management of African elephants in their natural habitat.

Based at the university’s School for Biological and Conservation Sciences, the AERP works with government conservation agencies and private game reserves in generating “elephant management plans” based on data collected through scientific research projects. To date the project has been active in reserves such as the Pilanesberg National Park, the Pongola Game Reserve, the Makalali Private Game Reserve, the Kruger National Park and the Pinda Private Game Reserve.