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Researchers in the Addo Elephant National Park are investigating the presence and levels of various hormones in elephant dung to create a more detailed picture of how the Addo elephant population functions.

Collecting faecal samples from known individuals is one of the most powerful tools available in wildlife research because of its enormous utility and non-invasive nature. A faecal sample can provide information on the sex, DNA, reproductive status, stress levels, diet and general health condition of an individual. Some of the topics on which researchers focus are the onset of sexual maturity, occurrence of ovulation and pregnancy, fetal abortion, duration of post parturition/lactational anoestrus and the affect of dominance on reproductive cycles.

Questions such as whether dominance of an elephant cow affects her oestrus periods and the length of time between successive calves and whether rainfall patterns influence conception and birthing intervals will be asked.

Using newly developed technology, researchers from the Smithsonian National Zoological Park in the USA can now analyse fresh dung samples in field. Previously, techniques were not field-friendly because they required specialized equipment and complicated sample processing procedures. Samples had to be exported from the field to a laboratory in the USA, which was expensive, time consuming and logistically difficult.

The new technology was developed by modifying an enzymimmunoassay (EIA) technique to create a rapid field kit that analyzes hormones in fresh faecal samples onsite.

The dung analysis will also be extended to investigate similar issues in the Park’s black rhino population. The collection of information from the dung of this often elusive animal will significantly aid monitoring of the health and reproductive status of what is a critically endangered species.

Funded by the National Science Foundation in the USA, researchers from Georgia South University attempt to analyse the exact chemical composition of musth and oestrus pheromones found in urine. Once these chemical compounds have been identified, they could be reproduced for use in conflict situations.

In areas where elephants and humans live alongside each other, there are often clashes when elephants raid crops and water sources. A chemical compound could then be used in conjunction with mechanical barriers to discourage elephants from moving into human settlements.

Another focus of this research, which commenced in 2003, is the sexual dimorphism that is present in juvenile elephants. From as young an age as two years, male and female elephants begin to exhibit different types of behaviour, practising for their adult roles. Males begin to engage in mock-fighting and independent behaviour while females tend to engage in mothering roles and focus on cementing family bonds.

There are currently over 450 elephants in the Addo Elephant National Park.

Issued by: South African National Parks

Enquiries: Megan Bradfield

Communications Manager

Frontier Region: Addo Elephant * Camdeboo * Karoo* Mountain Zebra National Parks

Tel: (042) 233-8609 or 083 6508649