Bridging Tradition and Technology through Comprehensive Elephant Research and Community-based Solutions
Bring The Elephant Home (BTEH) is dedicated to the well-being and survival of African and Asian elephants, fostering socio-ecological resilience in communities seeking human-elephant coexistence and striving for a world where both elephants and people can thrive. Our community-based conservation approach, developed since BTEH’s founding in 2004, emphasises shared decision-making, sustainability, equality, and partnerships. Through our projects, we promote evidence-based solutions that promote human-elephant coexistence and conservation through multi-faceted research.
Who We Are
BTEH’s Founder & Director, Dr. Antoinette van de Water, has over 20 years of experience in elephant management and community-based conservation in areas across Thailand and Southern Africa. Her work encompasses conservation action and data collection on the environmental and social dimensions of human-elephant coexistence. She has facilitated various participatory workshops and implemented and monitored the effectiveness of integrated solutions fostering sustainable coexistence between people and elephants. Antoinette holds a PhD in Biological Science from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and a Master’s from Miami University. Her thesis and dissertation focus on human-elephant coexistence and aligning elephant conservation with societal aspirations. She has authored two books on elephants, published 12 scientific articles, and co-authored South Africa’s National Elephant Heritage Strategy.
BTEH’s Program Manager, Brooke Friswold, is an elephant researcher and Ph.D. candidate researching the use of elephant ethology as a metric to determine the success of management interventions in Thailand and South Africa. Her research aims to achieve greater insight into the benefits of elephant behaviour as a form of wildlife management and policy development as well as advance the field of elephant ethology. She received her MSc from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where she conducted award-winning research on anthropogenic effects on endangered wildlife.
Our Methods
At BTEH, we take a holistic and comprehensive approach to studying elephants and developing conservation strategies. Our work integrates ecological, biological, and social science methodologies to generate well-rounded insights into elephant behaviour, health, and human-elephant interactions. Through this interdisciplinary approach, we aim to design strategies that address the full spectrum of factors influencing elephant survival while promoting sustainable human-wildlife coexistence.
By combining scientific techniques, social dynamics analysis, and community engagement, we ensure our conservation solutions are evidence-based, practical, and inclusive. This integrated approach ranges from advanced technologies—such as GPS tracking and behavioural monitoring apps—to non-invasive ecological research and participatory community initiatives. Below is an overview of the key methods we use:
Elephant Research
- Elephant Identification
Our method of identification involves documenting physical characteristics such as ear shapes, tusk configurations, scars, and other distinguishing marks for individual recognition on the foundation of Bedetti et al. 2020. This manual identification process will allow researchers to track specific elephants over time, facilitating detailed behavioural studies and monitoring of population dynamics. By building a database of individual elephants, we can better understand their movements, social structure, and interactions with their environment. We can also keep updated the elephant identification system as codes and distinguishing features can change over time. - Elephant Tracking
To monitor elephants’ movements, we will use a combination of traditional tracking methods and GPS technology. Traditional tracking involves collaborating with local trackers who have a deep understanding of elephant movement patterns and behaviours, ensuring we can follow elephants even in challenging terrain. GPS collars can be fitted on selected elephants, allowing us to collect real-time location data and map their movements across vast landscapes. This dual approach ensures a comprehensive understanding of their habitat use, migration patterns, and responses to environmental changes, helping to inform conservation strategies. - Elephant Sighting Reports
We propose to leverage cutting-edge mobile apps and data platforms like CyberTracker.org, SMART, and Earth Ranger Mobile for efficient elephant sighting reporting. Local elephant guards, who are often members of the community and have a keen eye for detecting elephant movements, will be trained to use these tools. They will record sightings and submit real-time data using these platforms, which allow for seamless data collection and communication between field teams and the research base. This system helps in documenting elephant movements and potential. - Elephant Behaviour Monitoring
To systematically record elephant behaviour in the field, we utilise the ZooMonitor app, a tool designed for animal behaviour research. This app allows researchers to log specific behaviours in real time, categorising actions such as feeding, social interactions, movements, and resting patterns. By using Zoomonitor, researchers can quickly capture large volumes of behavioural data that can later be analysed for patterns, including time budgets (how elephants allocate time to different activities) and stress responses to proximate stimuli. The app’s capability to store data offline makes it particularly useful for remote environments with limited internet connectivity. - Dung Sampling
We incorporate dung sampling as a non-invasive method to gather important physiological and ecological data on elephants. Collecting and analysing dung samples will provide critical physiological and ecological data to complement the behavioural and movement studies. It also offers a non-invasive way to monitor the well-being of the elephants. Dung sampling will enable us to assess the health, stress, reproductive status, and genetic diversity of the elephant population. This information is essential for making informed management and conservation decisions. By monitoring hormonal and genetic data, we can better understand how environmental pressures and human activities affect the elephants, allowing for more targeted conservation strategies. The different factors tested include:|
– Cortisol Levels: Measuring cortisol (FgCm’s) from dung samples helps monitor the stress levels of elephants in relation to environmental factors, human-elephant interactions, and habitat conditions.
– Testosterone Levels: Tracking testosterone levels is essential for understanding reproductive cycles, dominance behaviours, and the presence of musth (a period of heightened testosterone and aggressive behaviour in males).
– DNA Sampling: Dung also contains valuable genetic material that can be extracted to study the genetic diversity of the population. DNA analysis allows us to assess the genetic health of the elephant population, identify individual elephants, understand familial relationships, and monitor population dynamics over time.
– Feeding Analysis: By analysing plant matter in dung, we can gather data on the elephants’ diet, which offers insights into their feeding habits and habitat use. This helps in understanding the ecological role elephants play in their environment and how seasonal changes or human activities may affect their access to food resources. - Analyzing Herd Structure and Bond Groups via Identification
One of the key components of understanding elephant behaviour and social dynamics is through the detailed analysis of herd structure and bond groups. Using the individual identification system (based on physical characteristics such as tusk shape, ear markings, and scars), we will systematically track and monitor the composition and dynamics of elephant herds. This ongoing analysis of herd structure and bond groups allows us to understand not only the elephants’ immediate social interactions but also the long-term patterns of association, migration, and reproduction. Identifying individuals regularly and monitoring their relationships over time is crucial for capturing the complexity of elephant society. This method allows for the following key insights:
– Herd Composition: By consistently identifying individual elephants, we can document which elephants travel together, forming stable herds or temporary aggregations. Understanding herd composition is vital for determining familial relationships, calf survival rates, and the roles of different individuals within the group.
– Bond Group Dynamics: We will track the relationships of larger group structures by analysing their interactions, we can study the strength of these bonds and how they influence decision-making, movement, and resource use. Observing bond groups over time provides insight into how stable these social structures are and how external pressures (e.g., environmental changes, human interference) might affect them.
Social Science
- Semi-Structured In-Depth Interviews
We conduct interviews using flexible, open-ended questions to explore participants’ experiences, perceptions, and concerns. This approach allows for nuanced insights and enables us to uncover unexpected themes, ensuring a deep understanding of stakeholder perspectives and local realities. - World Café Community Workshops
These workshops provide an informal setting where participants discuss key topics at multiple tables, rotating between them to share ideas and build on previous conversations. This method promotes diverse viewpoints, encourages collaboration, and fosters shared ownership of solutions. - Community Questionnaires
We design customised questionnaires to gather quantitative and qualitative data, capturing community attitudes, preferences, and challenges. These insights provide a data-driven foundation for decision-making and help us measure the impact of conservation interventions over time. - Co-Development of a Theory of Change
Through participatory workshops, we engage stakeholders in co-creating a shared vision for long-term change. This collaborative process aligns expectations, clarifies roles, and ensures that the Theory of Change reflects local knowledge and priorities. This participatory approach enhances the relevance and sustainability of conservation strategies.
Data Analysis
Our comprehensive data analysis services provide deep insights into both elephant behaviour and the human dimensions of conservation. GIS and movement analysis help us map critical habitats and develop strategies to minimise human-elephant conflicts, while statistical analyses of behaviour and herd dynamics allow us to understand how elephants adapt to their environment and social structure. Qualitative analyses of community questionnaires and workshops ensure that local perspectives are integrated into conservation planning, promoting long-term coexistence between elephants and people. Together, these services provide a full spectrum of data-driven insights that inform effective, holistic conservation strategies. These analyses include:
- GIS and Movement Analysis
At BTEH, we offer advanced Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and movement analysis services to track and visualise elephant movement patterns. By integrating GPS data from tracked elephants, we can map their spatial distribution, migration routes, and habitat use over time while also detecting trends such as seasonal migration, home range sizes, and daily travel distances. Our team employs sophisticated GIS tools to analyse how elephants interact with their environment, including identifying critical water sources, migratory corridors, and areas of human-elephant conflict. - Statistical Analyses
Our team is highly skilled in performing complex statistical analyses of behavioural and movement data using R and Python. We can examine behavioural patterns such as activity budgets, and stress levels. By applying statistical models, we can quantify changes and test hypotheses related to environmental pressures, human interactions, and social factors. - Quantitative Analysis of Community Questionnaires
We conduct quantitative analysis on community questionnaires to identify trends, patterns, and correlations in community attitudes and behaviours. These questionnaires capture data on topics such as perceptions of human-elephant conflict, levels of tolerance, and experiences with conservation programs. The insights generated help us tailor interventions to align with community needs and identify areas where additional education or conflict mitigation efforts are required. If the questionnaires include open-ended questions, we complement the quantitative results with qualitative analysis to gain deeper contextual insights. - Qualitative Engagement Analysis: Workshops and Interviews
Our qualitative engagement methods—through participatory workshops and semi-structured interviews—provide in-depth insights into community perspectives and stakeholder needs. We use thematic analysis to identify key challenges, priorities, and opportunities for improving conservation efforts.
– Workshops: In World Café-style workshops, participants engage in collaborative discussions, rotating between tables to build on each other’s ideas. These sessions generate diverse perspectives, promote shared ownership of conservation strategies, and highlight community concerns and innovative solutions.
– Interviews: Semi-structured interviews allow us to explore individual experiences and perceptions in greater depth. This flexible approach accommodates emerging themes and provides nuanced insights into power dynamics, cultural values, and local knowledge.
Our analysis of semi-structured interviews involves thematic and narrative analysis to explore personal experiences, perceptions, and concerns. This method offers deep insights into local knowledge, power dynamics, and stakeholder priorities, allowing us to integrate diverse perspectives into decision-making. The qualitative data from interviews helps ensure that conservation strategies are equitable, inclusive, and context-specific.
What We Offer
- Methodology Creation
We will design a robust and tailored research methodology to ensure accurate, comprehensive data collection and analysis. This includes identifying key research questions, setting data collection parameters, and developing a strategic plan to monitor and document the elephants’ behaviour, movement, and interaction with their environment. - Develop and Implement Research Training Programs for On-the-Ground Staff
We will develop training programs for local staff to ensure they are skilled in collecting and interpreting research data. This promotes capacity-building within the community and ensures that local teams can maintain high research standards. We can then provide comprehensive training for research teams on data collection methods, behavioural observation, and analysis. This could also include training in data analysis to ensure accurate interpretation of the collected data. - Ethogram Development
We specialise in creating detailed ethograms (standardised catalogues of elephant behaviours) that will serve as the foundation for behavioural studies. These ethograms will include specific behaviors to the environment and research questions tol allow researchers to categorise and quantify observations systematically. - Implementation of Research Protocols
We will assist in implementing research protocols designed to ensure data consistency, reliability, and accuracy. This includes training researchers and field teams to adhere to standardised procedures while collecting and processing data, thus minimising bias and errors. - Educational Research Program Development
Develop educational programs aimed at equipping researchers, students, and local communities with the knowledge and tools necessary for conducting effective elephant behaviour studies or increasing their knowledge regarding elephants and conservation challenges. These programs can be tailored to varying levels of expertise, from university students to school children. - Data Analysis, GIS, and Report Writing
We provide expertise in data analysis, including GIS, statistical analyses of behaviour and generating reports that summarise key findings, conservation recommendations, and strategies for ongoing research. - Publication Drafting and Dissemination
Our team will assist or lead in writing and disseminating scientific papers and reports based on the research findings. We’ll help you navigate the publication process to ensure the dissemination of results through reputable journals, conference presentations, and other academic platforms. - Conference Attendance and Research Communication
We can represent your NGO at international conferences, presenting research findings to the global scientific and conservation community, raising awareness for conservation challenges and putting the NGO on a platform of research and contribution to the scientific community. - Connection with University and Veterinary Students
We have strong networks with universities worldwide, offering opportunities for students to engage in fieldwork and research projects. This fosters collaboration and helps bridge academic research with conservation efforts on the ground. - High-End Research and Tourism Excursions
In collaboration with local partners, we offer specialised research and tourism excursions. These trips will provide a unique opportunity for tourists to experience firsthand the beauty of observing wild elephants while learning about their behaviour, conservation needs, and ongoing research efforts. - Presentations for Donors or at Fundraising Events
We will prepare and deliver engaging presentations for donors, stakeholders, or fundraising events. Our presentations will highlight the importance of the research and conservation efforts while demonstrating the impact of donor contributions. - Consultation on Research
We offer continuous consultation throughout the research process, providing expert guidance on research design, data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Our team will ensure that research efforts remain aligned with conservation goals and address the most pressing ecological questions. - Equipment Purchase and Preparation
We can help identify, source, and prepare essential research equipment, including GPS collars, camera traps, drones, and other technologies crucial for monitoring elephant populations. - Establishment of Research Stations
We assist in establishing well-equipped research stations, strategically located in the study region. These stations will serve as operational hubs for data collection, processing, and analysis. - Bring Our Own Research Programs
Our team can introduce pre-established research programs that have been successful in other regions, adapting them to the specific environmental and social context of your population. This helps in kickstarting research projects with proven methodologies. - Elephant Research School (Physiology, Behaviour, Identification, Movement, etc.)
We can deploy our established “Elephant Research School” to provide in-depth education on elephant physiology, behaviour, identification, and movement patterns. This school will offer both theoretical knowledge and practical field experience, open to students, community members, conservationists, and managers. - Assistance with Developing Human-Elephant Coexistence Strategies
We work with local communities and conservation organisations to develop and implement human-elephant coexistence strategies. These strategies will address the conflict between human populations and elephant herds, helping to mitigate the negative impact on both sides. - Community Conservation Initiatives
We design community-based conservation initiatives that promote sustainable land use practices, reduce human-elephant conflicts, and engage local communities in the protection of local elephant populations and create a sense of ownership and responsibility among community members. - Community Questionnaires
We can develop and train enumerators to distribute questionnaires to collect valuable data on community perceptions, attitudes, and experiences with elephants. This information will be crucial in shaping human-elephant coexistence strategies and local challenges facing humans and elephants. - Community Workshops
We offer workshops aimed at educating local communities on elephant behaviour, conservation importance, and conflict mitigation strategies. These workshops are designed to foster collaboration between conservationists and community members. - Inclusion of Conservation Philosophy and Best Practices
We will integrate a strong foundation of conservation philosophy and global best practices into all aspects of the research and fieldwork. This includes promoting ethical wildlife observation, fostering respect for natural habitats, and prioritising long-term sustainability. Our approach will be rooted in ensuring that all stakeholders—researchers, local communities, and tourists—are aligned with the values of conservation, minimising human impact, and maximising the positive outcomes for both elephants and ecosystems. By emphasising these core principles, we aim to create a lasting and ethically responsible research and conservation program.
Options for Funding
These funding options can be used individually or in congruence with one another.
- Services Rendered
Organisations or individuals can donate for consulting, training, and research services rendered by our team. This straightforward approach ensures that the NGO can cover operational costs and continue its mission. - Educational Programs Set Up by the Interested Party
This model allows the organisation to establish and source educational programs or initiatives funded by interested parties, such as volunteers. The programs will cover training, research, and conservation efforts, providing an additional source of revenue while fulfilling research objectives. - Educational Programs Set Up by Our Organization
We can source and manage educational programs that offer valuable research experiences for students and professionals. These programs would be financially sustainable, with participants paying for their involvement. This revenue can then be reinvested into ongoing conservation and research efforts and pay for our services rendered.
CONTACT:
Dr. Antoinette van de Water, Founder & Director: Antoinette@bteh.org.
Brooke Friswold, Program Manager: Brooke@bteh.org.
