African Elephant Research Unit

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4.9

Outstanding


23

Reviews


15

Years in business

AERU promotes ethical research and collaborates with researchers from around the world, improving semi-captive elephant welfare through science.

The African Elephant Research Unit (AERU), founded in 2009, is based at the Knysna Elephant Park in South Africa. AERU was established in response to the need for a deeper scientific understanding of elephant behaviour and welfare, particularly for semi-captive elephants. Over the years, AERU has ...

Review Description

The African Elephant Research Unit (AERU), founded in 2009, is based at the Knysna Elephant Park in South Africa. AERU was established in response to the need for a deeper scientific understanding of elephant behaviour and welfare, particularly for semi-captive elephants. Over the years, AERU has evolved into a leader in research-based management practices. Our mission is to bridge the gap between science and elephant welfare, providing actionable insights to enhance elephant well-being globally. 


  • History

AERU was established with a clear objective—to generate scientific knowledge that informs and enhances the welfare management of African elephants living in controlled environments. The research unit was born out of the realization that while conservation efforts in the wild are crucial, elephants in semi-captive environments, like those at the Knysna Elephant Park, also deserve focused research and welfare improvements. In the early days, the research mainly revolved around understanding basic behavioral patterns, but it quickly expanded to include physiological and social research.

Through continuous efforts, AERU has gained recognition for being a pioneer in creating an understanding of the complexities of elephant behavior in these settings. The organization has developed a robust foundation of data that assists in improving management and care for elephants, not only at Knysna Elephant Park but globally through shared insights and collaborations.


  • Mission

Our mission is clear: to provide research-backed, ethical, and scientifically sound insights into elephant behaviour and welfare that can be applied in facilities worldwide. At its core, AERU aims to ensure the optimal physical, psychological, and social well-being of African elephants in semi-captive conditions, ensuring the live healthy and enriched lives. By providing objective data-driven insights, we advocate for improved welfare standards, offering valuable information that provides understanding into everything from daily care practices to long-term management strategies. 


  • Values

AERU’s values center around three primary principles: ethical research, conservation, and education. Ethical research ensures that all studies conducted prioritize the well-being of the elephants, minimizing disruption to their natural behavior while maximizing the data collected to improve their care. Conservation lies at the heart of all our efforts, recognizing the importance of preserving both wild and semi-captive elephant populations. Education serves as a vital tool in our mission, as we work to disseminate our findings to other institutions, students, and the public to foster an informed global community.

AERU believes in transparency, collaboration, and sustainability. We recognize that elephant welfare is not an isolated endeavor, but a shared responsibility between researchers, caretakers, the tourism industry, and the public. This drives our commitment to educate future generations, train handlers, and advocate for policies that prioritize ethical treatment and management of elephants.


  • Goals

AERU’s goals extend beyond just research. In the short term, the organization is focused on further expanding its research into key areas such as social behavior, cognitive abilities, and physical health of elephants in semi-captive settings. This includes continued data collection on elephant activity patterns, interactions with their environment, and responses to human interaction.

Long-term, AERU is working towards building a comprehensive database that will serve as a resource for researchers, institutions, and wildlife managers worldwide. This repository will offer insights into various aspects of elephant management, from dietary needs and medical care to social enrichment and psychological well-being. Additionally, AERU aims to influence policy and management practices across the globe, advocating for standardized elephant care practices that are informed by sound science.

AERU also envisions expanding their volunteer programs, enabling more individuals to participate in non-invasive conservation efforts while learning about elephant behavior and conservation. Through our work, AERU aspires to be at the forefront of global initiatives for the betterment of elephant welfare, bridging the gap between human knowledge and the needs of elephants in managed care.


Contact Person

Jarrett Joubert

Spoken languages: English, French, Afrikaans

African Elephant Research Unit reviews

Rand Darbader rating5.0

2024 at African Elephant Welfare Research

First Time in Volunteering Abroad and First Time in Africa: What a Journey! Traveling to South Africa and Volunteering with the elephants was a life-changing experience that allowed me to connect deeply with nature and understand the importance of wildlife conservation. In one week, I had the ...
Henry Turnbull rating5.0

2024 at African Elephant Welfare Research

Volunteering for just a week at the elephant park was a once in a lifetime experience. Spending time with the elephants was incredible, and the jobs required were varied and enjoyable, while also feeling like substantial contributions. The sense of community in the park is fantastic, and is a ...
Sandra Messerli rating5.0

2024 at African Elephant Welfare Research

Me and my 2 boys and my best friends family volunteered for a week at Aeru.It was such an amazing experience to witness the behaviors of the elephants and spend so much time watching them.The workers at Aeru are very passionate about their work and excited to share their knowledge with us We will ...
Niscala Sanskrit rating5.0

2024 at African Elephant Welfare Research

Very lovely, I made some great friends and had a wonderful time learning about elephants and their behavior. The place was extremely safe and the ladies who organized it were always there for you. Would do it again if i had the opportunity! ...
Samuel Chapman rating5.0

2024 at African Elephant Welfare Research

Met some great people and learned lots about the care of semi-captive elephants. The other volunteers along with the AERU staff were wonderful people and I’ve made some lifelong friends from the experience. The staff were very knowledgeable with the elephants with their care, enrichment and ...
Mar Solà rating5.0

2024 at African Elephant Welfare Research

I stayed at KEP for 1 month, which when I booked it, it seemed like a very long. But it went by so so quickly. This has been such a unique experience. From the very beginning I was involved with the research and all the work in the field. The Aeru and KEP team has been very welcoming and has taught ...

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