Give way to elephants

The populations of elephants that live in their usual geographical distribution areas know their territory well, to the point that the most traveling individuals tend to always use certain routes or paths to move from one point to another in their territory.

Its precision in the routes becomes so high that we can consider these routes authentic roads for elephants.

When these elephant roads intersect with the roads themselves, those built by humans, conflict situations can arise, since the elephants do not stop using these routes.

The issue has been discussed on several occasions.

One of the most recent studies in this regard is carried out by the team of Tempe Adams, from the organization Elephants Without Borders (EWB), and Marlee Stevens, from Radboud University in the Netherlands.

In this study, they have investigated how different human activities at points along these elephant paths influence how and when elephants use them.

(Photo: Tempe Adams, Elephants Without Borders)

In any case, a good way to deal with the conflict and avoid major problems is to signpost the intersections between a human road and an elephant road, warning vehicle drivers to drive slowly and carefully through these points, and reminding them that elephants have right of way. An example of this is clearly reflected in the photograph. (Font: NCYT by Amazings)