HARARE, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Six African savannah elephants have been fitted with GPS-enabled satellite collars in and around Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park, bringing the total number of elephants monitored under an ongoing conservation program to 30, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) said.
In a statement released to Xinhua on Wednesday, IFAW said the collars transmit location data via satellite, enabling conservation teams to track elephant movements, identify areas where human-wildlife conflict may occur, and better understand how elephants use the broader landscape.
The latest collaring exercise, which concluded Tuesday, involved three female and three male elephants. It was led by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority in collaboration with IFAW, with funding from the Dutch Postcode Lottery.
IFAW noted that data collected through the program supports the development of early warning systems, the identification of critical wildlife corridors, and informed long-term land-use planning.
"This work demonstrates how science and technology can strengthen conservation efforts," said Phillip Kuvawoga, IFAW senior director for the landscape conservation program. "Every collar helps us better understand elephant movements and develop practical solutions that reduce conflict and protect this iconic species."
The project contributes to IFAW's Room to Roam initiative, which works across 320,000 square kilometers of connected habitat in Eastern and Southern Africa to secure, restore, and reconnect landscapes for wildlife.
Zimbabwe holds one of Africa's largest elephant populations, with Hwange National Park serving as its key habitat. ■