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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 15, 2026

Wheel Running and Environmental Complexity as a Therapeutic Intervention in an Animal Model of FASD

Wheel Running and Environmental Complexity as a Therapeutic Intervention in an Animal Model of FASD

Published on: February 2, 2017

Fence Removal Enhances Elephant Movement and Promotes Behavioural, Physiological and Ecological Functioning.

Brooke Friswold^1,2, Antoinette van de Water^1,2,3, Brett Mitchell⁴

¹Conservation Ecology Program King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi Bangkok Thailand.

Ecology and Evolution

|May 14, 2026

Summary

Removing fences in South African reserves improved African savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana) movement and reduced stress. This management approach promoted natural behaviors and redistributed ecological pressure without harming vegetation.

Keywords:

African elephant behavioural ecology elephant well‐being landscape connectivity stress‐related biomarkers wildlife management

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Last Updated: May 15, 2026

Wheel Running and Environmental Complexity as a Therapeutic Intervention in an Animal Model of FASD

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Published on: September 30, 2019

Area of Science:

Wildlife Conservation
Ecology
Animal Behavior

Background:

Fenced reserves are common for managing African savanna elephants (Loxodonta africana) in South Africa.
Limited understanding exists on how fencing impacts elephant wellbeing, movement, and ecosystems.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the effects of internal fence removal on elephant behavior, stress levels, movement patterns, and vegetation dynamics.
To test the hypothesis that fence removal enhances elephant flexibility, reduces stress, and redistributes browsing pressure.

Main Methods:

Integrated GPS collar data, behavioral observations, fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) analysis, and NDVI-based vegetation assessments.
Compared data collected before and after the removal of two internal fences in a private reserve.

Main Results:

Fence removal increased elephant home-range size, seasonal mobility, and spatial overlap between herds.
Observed short-term behavioral disturbances followed by stabilization, reduced aggression, and increased affiliative behaviors.
fGCM concentrations significantly declined post-fence removal, indicating reduced physiological stress.
Vegetation dynamics remained comparable, suggesting redistributed browsing pressure without significant loss.

Conclusions:

Fence removal facilitates more natural elephant movement, behavior, and physiological regulation.
This management strategy can alleviate spatial constraints and redistribute ecological pressure effectively.
Fence removal offers a viable approach for elephant population management and landscape-level conservation.