In northwest Namibia lives one of only two populations of desert-adapted elephants in the world.
In northwest Namibia lives one of only two populations of desert-adapted elephants in the world.
Jo Munnik
These elephants regularly come into conflict with humans, often over food or water.
These elephants regularly come into conflict with humans, often over food or water.
Jason Boswell
In these arid landscapes, elephants travel huge distances to find water points.
In these arid landscapes, elephants travel huge distances to find water points.
Jason Boswell
Between 1970 and 1980, desert elephants disappeared completely from the Ugab River area, but in the late 1990s they began to return.
Between 1970 and 1980, desert elephants disappeared completely from the Ugab River area, but in the late 1990s they began to return.
Jo Munnik
Herman Kasaona is a coordinator with PEACE (People Elephants Amicably Co-Existing) Project, which monitors elephant movements and ensures that communities and elephants have separate water points.
Herman Kasaona is a coordinator with PEACE (People Elephants Amicably Co-Existing) Project, which monitors elephant movements and ensures that communities and elephants have separate water points.
Jason Boswell
Taiwin Garoeb is a PEACE elephant guardian. "When I started to run the PEACE project, I learned that elephants are very unique," he said.
Taiwin Garoeb is a PEACE elephant guardian. "When I started to run the PEACE project, I learned that elephants are very unique," he said.
Jason Boswell
Pictured, Kasaona teaching Taiwin Garoeb how to track elephants.
Pictured, Kasaona teaching Taiwin Garoeb how to track elephants.
Jo Munnik
Sometimes, the elephants venture into the community, usually looking for a vegetable garden. This woman carries chilies, which are used to deter elephants.
Sometimes, the elephants venture into the community, usually looking for a vegetable garden. This woman carries chilies, which are used to deter elephants.
Jo Munnik
A thick black paste is made from chilies mixed with old engine oil, and used to cover fences. "(Elephants) don't like the smell," said Garoeb. "They can smell it from 50 meters, so they won't come near the vegetable garden anymore."
A thick black paste is made from chilies mixed with old engine oil, and used to cover fences. "(Elephants) don't like the smell," said Garoeb. "They can smell it from 50 meters, so they won't come near the vegetable garden anymore."
Jo Munnik
PEACE also holds education sessions with the local community, to help them better understand the value of elephants.
PEACE also holds education sessions with the local community, to help them better understand the value of elephants.
Jo Munnik