Video from Amboseli: recovering from the 2009 drought

When the rains came after the 2009 drought in Kenya’s Amboseli National Park, the vegetation grew and the elephant population finally began to recover. However many of the older matriarchs, leaders of the elephant family groups, were lost in the drought.

There are currently about 1300 elephants in Amboseli, but this number is growing all the time because the park is experiencing a baby boom! At the last count, there are 169 newborns since October 12, 2011. The current population is 1300 males and females.

My research is aimed at determining the effects the drought and loss of elder females has had on elephant families, how the families and individuals deal with crisis and change. The current baby boom has brought new life and energy into the elephant families, and I’m optimistic about their future.

I will blog from time to time about my findings and how well the elephants are doing.

--VF