African elephants are more than just a symbol of wildlife; they are essential to ecosystem balance. As true ecosystem engineers, they help maintain the biodiversity of savannas and forests. However, these giants face an unprecedented crisis. Over the past 50 years, their population has declined by 70%, mainly due to poaching, habitat destruction, and conflicts with human communities.
In Tanzania, home to one of the largest elephant populations on the continent, the situation has been alarming. Between 2009 and 2014, the elephant population plummeted from 109,051 to just 43,521—a devastating 60% loss in just five years. Although recent conservation efforts have helped the population recover to over 60,000 in 2024, the threat remains, especially in areas where protection is weaker.
Wild Spirit Fund: Conservation with Real Impact
At Wild Spirit Fund, we believe that conservation must be driven by science and direct action. That’s why, in November 2025, we will launch a crucial expedition in southeastern Tanzania to place GPS collars on three elephants. This effort is not just a field study; it is a key strategy to ensure the protection of these animals and promote harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife.
Why Are GPS Collars Essential?
Satellite tracking has proven to be a vital tool in elephant conservation. Each GPS collar will allow us to:
✅ Prevent human-elephant conflicts: Real-time data enables communities to anticipate elephants approaching their farmland and take measures to prevent damage, reducing retaliation against these animals.
✅ Combat poaching: Identifying movement patterns helps locate poaching hotspots and allows rapid response to protect elephants at risk.
✅ Improve land-use planning: Understanding migration routes helps design conservation strategies that balance wildlife needs with human development.
✅ Strengthen local capacity: Through the training of rangers, veterinarians, and wildlife managers, we ensure that communities have the necessary tools to protect elephants in the long term.
Be Part of the Solution: Join Our Mission
Each GPS collar and its two-year monitoring cost €20,000. This investment covers everything from veterinary operations and technical equipment to community outreach and education efforts. But we cannot do it alone.
You can make a difference. By supporting this initiative, you will be directly contributing to the protection of elephants and the conservation of their habitat.
Do you want to be part of the solution? Join us and help ensure that elephants continue to roam freely in their natural habitats
Every action counts. You can contribute by sponsoring a collar, spreading the word about our work, or making a donation.
Thank you for supporting conservation and being part of the change. Together, we can secure a future for elephants and Africa’s biodiversity. Special thanks to Carel Verhoef and the Kazi ya Tembo team for their invaluable support in operating in wildlife corridors and buffer zones, assisting in human-elephant conflict management.
