AFRICA is home to about 410,000 savannah elephants (Loxodonta africana), most of them living in southern Africa. Over 290,000 elephants (70%) are spread across 103 protected areas which vary in size, connectivity and protection. In a recent research paper, we explored how elephant populations across southern Africa performed under different conservation approaches. This work formed part of the Conservation Ecology Research Unit at the University of Pretoria, where we focus on science-based, cost-effective approaches to elephant management. CELESTÉ MARÉ, PhD candidate, Aarhus University ROBERT A.R. GULDEMOND, Researcher, Conservation Ecology Research Unit, University of Pretoria Our study was the most comprehensive…