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EHRA’S WILDLIFE CONSERVATION PROJECTS
Elephant-Human Relations Aid (EHRA) cultivates an extensive approach to desert elephant conservation in Namibia, Africa. We apply practical solutions to conflict-affected areas through several initiatives such as; waterpoint conservation on local farms, vehicle-based patrols to track and monitor the elephants, and community development and upliftment to help promote a positive relationship between elephants and humans in Namibia. Our PEACE (People Elephants Amicably Co-Existing) Project, funded by EHRA, is an educational programme which empowers local community members through elephant-focused workshops that help them live better together with elephants.
Namibia’s desert elephants, Loxodonta Africana, are one of only two populations worldwide that have adapted to live in a desert environment. Elephants were absent from the southern Kunene region in Namibia, Africa for over 30 years as they fled due to the increase in elephant poaching and the ongoing Namibian War of Independence. Desert elephants returned into the region in the late 1990s and the competition for land and water resulted in conflict situations between the desert elephants and the communities living alongside them. EHRA offers a variety of projects to promote the conservation of Namibia’s free-roaming desert elephants and upliftment of the local community.
EXPLORE OUR WORK
WILDLIFE VOLUNTEER PROJECT
Our hands-on Elephant Wildlife Volunteer Project directly supports local communities by protecting fragile water infrastructures from damage through the construction of walls; which allow the elephants to drink water, but prevent access to windmills, tanks or pumps. This project requires a two weeks’ commitment and volunteers experience real conservation in action.
FAMILY VOLUNTEER PROJECT
Elephant-Human Relations Aid (EHRA) launched it’s Family Wildlife Volunteer Project in 2013, which is a child-friendly variation of our popular Wildlife Volunteer Project and includes age-appropriate activities. The experience involves a building project at a local school, and tracking, monitoring and identifying the different elephant herds, while camping out in the Namib desert.
FUNDRAISING TREK
Put on your hiking boots and enjoy a spectacular 140km trek through Damaraland’s most beautiful scenery whilst raising funds for EHRA’s education initiative – the PEACE Project. You can make a real difference by helping EHRA secure a future where Namibia’s elephants can live in harmony with local communities. Our next trek is 11th - 17th September 2021.
SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS
School, college and university student groups are welcome to participate in a two-week field expedition; splitting their time between renovating and spending time with the pupils of a local school, and an educational and exciting trek through the Namib desert in search of desert elephants. This exciting project is one of the best experiences for students who wish to make a difference.
OUR ELEPHANT-EDUCATION INITIATIVES
INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME
EHRA welcomes Namibian University internship applications from UNAM and NUST students. Students looking to gain an in-depth experience of Namibian desert elephant conservation and eco-tourism spend time in the field and complete practical requirements for their studies. Students work alongside the EHRA team and have the chance to experience practical conservation.
PEACE PROJECT
Education is an important tool in securing the future of our free-roaming desert elephants in Namibia. Our PEACE Project is an elephant education programme provided to communities free of charge, and your donation can support this project which continues to train and empower Namibians to live alongside elephants whilst keeping their family and livestock safe.
GAME GUARD TRAINING
Elephant-Human Relations Aid (EHRA) conducts elephant training courses to provide the Conservancy Game Guards and Ministry of Environment & Tourism (MET) officers with skills that are essential for the job, thereby improving their knowledge about elephants and conflict management so they can competently advise community members to reduce conflicts and fear.
TOUR GUIDE TRAINING
Tourism in Namibia is continuously growing, with interest in desert elephants higher than ever. Through our PEACE Project, we are able to train tour guides and tourism employees to be responsible and aware of the long-term effects their actions can have on elephants and the environment as a whole. We aim to create a network of guides who value the well-being of the animals and the environment.
