EHRA celebrates 20 years of elephant conservation

After two decades and nearly 3 000 volunteers, the Elephant-Human Relations Aid (EHRA) has protected 239 water points, benefitting roughly 10 000 people.Since its start in 2003, EHRA has made significant strides towards human-elephant co-existence in the northern Erongo and southern Kunene regions of Namibia.In a statement, the organisation said its small team develops and implements holistic solutions for human-elephant conflicts to ensure the safety of rural communities and the long-term survival of Namibia’s free-roaming elephants.“Celebrating 20 years of elephant conservation, EHRA’s team looks back with pride at the growth they have achieved.”SupportAccording to EHRA, it supports communities and monitors elephants across an area of over 12 000 square kilometres.“Recognising the need for a holistic approach, the NGO has organically grown and developed projects to address the many challenges of living with elephants,” it said.EHRA has secured funding for 42 solar pumps to replace diesel pumps, with 22 already installed.Additionally, 10 elephant dams have been built to reduce the risk of encountering elephants in villages at night, and 279 solar lights have been installed to protect homesteads from curious elephants.To alleviate widespread fear of elephants, EHRA has educated more than 5 500 people through their PEACE Project and employed five community elephant guards.The guards respond to conflicts, help repair elephant-caused damages, conduct elephant safety courses, and guard homesteads at night when elephants are nearby.Monitoring EHRA has also fitted satellite collars on nine elephants and implemented an early elephant warning system through the EarthRanger platform.The collar data contributes to long-term monitoring of elephant migration routes and assists commercial farmers with solutions for prevailing human-elephant conflicts on their farms.“Our journey over the past two decades has been filled with challenges, but also incredible progress and hope,” said Rachel Harris, managing director of EHRA.“We are grateful for our passionate supporters, volunteers and partners who have dedicated their time and resources to make a positive impact on both people and elephants,” she said.“Words like resilience, determination and commitment come to mind. I am convinced that there is a way for people and elephants to live together. We are not there yet, but our methods work, and we can be proud of the impact we have made over the last 20 years,” said Harris.

EHRA celebrates 20 years of elephant conservation

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-03

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EHRA celebrates 20 years of elephant conservation

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-03

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