There is an endangered population of elephants living at the edge of the Sahara Desert near Timbuktu, Mali. They survive in improbable conditions while their home range in the Sahel is suffering from desertification. In the dry season, it’s among the harshest landscapes on the planet. The herd of approximately 300 elephants, the northern-most population in Africa, makes the longest known migration of African land animals. They migrate up to 700 km each year in search of water, at times crossing more than 100 km of dry desert. At the peak of the dry season their survival depends on a few remnant water sources, with growing competition from livestock of settling nomads.

LINC has been working with researchers to document this special population of elephants and share their story. Literature is being developed to educate Malians about their migration route and conservation needs, and magazine articles are being produced for African, European, and US audiences.

Partners: WILD Foundation, Save The Elephants, The Environment and Development Group, government of Mali.