Amboseli Trust for Elephants

The Amboseli Elephant Research Project is the longest study of wild elephants in the world. We work to understand the lives and ensure the future of 1,500 elephants in the Amboseli ecosystem fed by the waters of Kilimanjaro.

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Back to the Elephants

Fri, 2013-05-17 13:40 by cmoss

The judicial process is on-going in the case brought against Soila Sayialel and Robert Ntawuasa. We cannot comment any further while this process unfolds, and nor will we be speaking to the press. We have been assured by KWS that they regard the Amboseli Trust for Elephants as a highly valued partner and that there is no question that we will be permitted to continue our work in the ecosystem. With this welcome reassurance, we will return our attention to what we are here for: a harmonious and secure future for Amboseli’s people, wildlife and elephants. CM

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Distressing Times

Mon, 2013-05-13 10:45 by cmoss

We are very sorry to report that ATE is facing some of our most challenging times ever. Our Deputy Director Soila Sayialel and Technical Support Assistant Robert Sayialel were arrested and charged with ivory smuggling. We have no belief in these allegations and we are confident an investigation will exonerate them of all charges. We will not comment further on the facts of the case until we have had chance to consult with our lawyers, but we ask everyone to remember that we have fought for and dedicated our lives to elephants for decades. We do not intend to stop now.

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Fourth Anniversary of Echo's Death

Fri, 2013-05-03 06:51 by cmoss
Echo and Ely in 1994

Today, May 3, 2013 is the fourth anniversary of Echo’s death. She was probably the best-known wild elephant in the world, but for us in Amboseli she was almost a daily presence, frequently feeding and resting with her family in and around our research camp. We still miss Echo, but we are very happy to report that her family is thriving.

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An Apology to Elephants

Sat, 2013-04-20 08:04 by cmoss
An Apology to Elephants

A very powerful film on elephants will be shown on Earth Day, April 22, 7:00-7:45 ET/PT, exclusively on HBO. Narrated and executive produced by Lily Tomlin and directed by Emmy® winner Amy Schatz, both Cynthia Moss and Joyce Poole are in the film.

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The History of the UA Family

Thu, 2013-04-18 16:05 by cmoss · Forum/category:
Ursula in October 1973

I first met the UA family on October 1973. I was still only working part-time in Amboseli at the time, and for a year I had been stealing time away from other work in Nairobi to drive down to the Park and begin to get to know the elephants. The first time I saw the family, I was struck by a big, beautiful matriarch who was in a large group of almost 100 elephants. They were at the edge of Ol Tukai Orok, the palm woodlands where I would eventually establish the elephant research camp. I took photos of this female and others. I estimated the big female to be about 40 years old.

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Elephants and CITES: the Facts 2013

Fri, 2013-02-22 12:00 by hcroze · Forum/category:

Here are seven Fact Sheets produced by ATE for the Kenya Elephant Forum to be used as scientific background in the campaign to sway minds and hearts at the forthcoming CoP16 meeting of CITES in Bangkok, 3-14 March 2013.

THE FULL PDF FILES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE

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The History of the T Families

Fri, 2013-02-15 09:56 by cmoss · Forum/category:
The TD family with Tallulah in the lead

I first met the “T” families on September 9, 1973. I found them in one of the woodland areas of Amboseli called Ol Tukai Orok, which means “place of the dark palms” in Maa, the language of the local Maasai people. At that time I was studying the elephants only on a part-time basis. Two years later I was to set up a permanent camp in these very woodlands. On this day I was trying to photograph as many elephants as possible to build up a recognition file.

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Legal Ivory Trade?

Fri, 2013-02-08 11:23 by cmoss

In this important article we argue against a legal ivory trade, which, unfortunately, some mis-guided and naive economists think is possible and recommended.
http://www.theecologist.org/News/news_analysis/1800368/elephants_are_not...

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Article on Poaching by Winnie Kiiru

Mon, 2013-01-14 13:28 by cmoss

Winnie Kiiru, who was supported for her Ph.D. research in Amboseli by ATE, has written the following in "The Star" newspaper in Kenya:

Kenya: It Is Time to Act On Elephant Poaching
By Winnie Kiiru, The Star
11 January 2013

Poaching of both rhino and elephant has reached alarming levels in Kenya. The recent killing of a family of 12 elephants in Tsavo East National Park by a gang of poachers has raised the level of alarm both nationally and internationally.