A new study published in the Journal of Animal Ecology reveals that African elephants not only travel more than 50 kilometers daily in search of food and water, but they also have an extraordinary capacity to optimize their energy consumption while moving. This was achieved thanks to the use of internal GPS in the elephants.
Researchers from the University of Oxford, the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), and the Friedrich-Schiller University of Jena analyzed GPS tracking data of 157 African elephants between 1998 and 2020 in northern Kenya. The results indicate that these terrestrial giants strategically select their routes, avoiding rugged terrains and choosing areas with abundant vegetation.
## A Matter of Energy
Due to their large size, elephants must consume huge amounts of vegetation daily. However, moving represents a considerable physical effort. Therefore, the study shows that elephants choose their paths based on energy efficiency.
The data revealed that:
– 94% avoid steep terrains, opting for more accessible routes.
– 93% prefer areas with high vegetation productivity, optimizing food search.
– 74% avoid difficult areas when moving slowly, a percentage that increases to 87% at intermediate speeds and 93% at fast speeds.
Additionally, some individuals stay close to water sources, while others cover long distances, indicating diverse strategies within the species.
## Energy Landscapes and Conservation
To understand these decisions, researchers used EnerScape, a computational model that estimates the energy cost of movement based on the elephant’s body mass and terrain inclination. By integrating this data with satellite images of vegetation and water availability, they managed to build an “energy map” that explains how elephants choose their path.
The study has key implications for conservation. Emilio Berti from the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research highlighted that these findings will help design more effective migratory corridors and protected areas, minimizing conflicts with humans and ensuring access to essential resources.
Furthermore, the results could help predict how elephants will respond to climate change, a crucial factor that impacts food and water availability.
According to Professor Fritz Vollrath from the University of Oxford, elephants’ behavior is comparable to birds that use thermal currents to reduce flight effort: “This study demonstrates that elephants, like other species, seek to save energy whenever possible.”
## Pupy, the Last Elephant from the Former Buenos Aires Zoo, Closer to Moving
Pupy, the last elephant from the former Buenos Aires Zoo, is training to move to Brazil. While there is no set date, the departure day is getting closer.
She is being prepared without haste, entering the large iron crate prepared exclusively for her to travel comfortably. The elephant seems to be comfortable inside the enclosure.
Pupy’s training aims to prepare her to reach the Elephant Sanctuary of Brazil (SEB) in the state of Mato Grosso, where she will start a new life with animals of her species.
Source: El Ciudadano Web.
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