"Equipping elephants with collars is logistically one of the most challenging projects that SAFARI PARK is part of. Elephants are extremely intelligent and cohesive animals and, given their strength, trying to put on a collar is always associated with great risk," says the director of the Dvůr Králové safari park, Přemysl Rabas, who has just returned from Tanzania. "Thanks to the immense professionalism of all the experts involved, the project has been able to develop step by step, even in the challenging conditions of the Mkomazi bush savannah, and to obtain further extremely valuable data that will lead to more effective conservation measures in the region," adds Přemysl Rabas.
In the Mkomazi National Park in Tanzania, Přemysl Rabas and experts from SAFARI PARK, the Research Institute for the Conservation of Gene Pools, Győr Zoo and Mkomazi NP completed the third stage of the project to equip animals with telemetry collars. During this phase, two elephants, both females, were gradually fitted with collars. In the previous stages, 4 elephants from different groups were given telemetry collars. The data that the devices will provide on a regular basis will help conservationists to know the way of life of these majestic animals, prevent conflicts with humans and protect them.

The first stage of the project was to fit collars to three desert lions last October.SAFARI PARK has been developing conservation projects in Mkomazi NP in Tanzania, which is linked to the giant protected areas of Tsavo East and Tsavo West NP in Kenya, for 15 years.As part of these activities, four critically endangered eastern two-horned rhinoceroses have headed to Tanzania from Dvůr Králové to help restore the decimated population there. Animals from SAFARI PARK are now in their third generation in Mkomazi.These are returns with a very important symbolism - Josef Vágner brought rhinos to the Podkrkonoší region 50 years ago from the south of Kenya and Tanzania, so the animals are returning to their ancestral home as Josef Vágner had planned. SAFARI PARK has also supported the vaccination of hyena dogs in the area, which are Africa's rarest carnivores.

As part of these activities, four critically endangered eastern two-horned rhinoceroses headed to Tanzania from Dvůr Králové to help restore the decimated population there. Dvora's animals are now in their third generation in Mkomazi. These are returns with a very important symbolism - Josef Vágner brought rhinos to the Podkrkonoší region 50 years ago from the south of Kenya and Tanzania, so the animals are returning to their ancestral home as Josef Vágner planned. SAFARI PARK has also supported the vaccination of hyena dogs in the area, which are Africa's rarest carnivores.

"Currently, elephants and lions are the main targets of our activities in Mkomazi. These are the so-called umbrella species. By helping them, we are helping the whole ecosystem and all the species that live there. We certainly don't stop with our activities in Mkomazi," concludes SAFARI PARK zoological director Jaroslav Haimy Hyjánek. "At present, the existence of zoos is not defensible if they do not play an important role in saving species and the environment directly in their natural habitats. I am extremely pleased that SAFARI PARK is developing such activities to an increasing extent. Thanks to the support of the people, we are now able to realise the dreams and visions described by Josef Wagner."

Mkomazi National Park covers over 3200 km2 of land on the border between Kenya and Tanzania. It is an exceptionally important wildlife sanctuary, given its proximity to the Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Park complex, but human pressure and increasing wildlife conflicts with local people continue to grow.

In situ projects that help protect wildlife in their natural habitat are supported by everyone who visits the safari park. From every ticket sold, 5 crowns goes to the WILDLIFE account, which is intended to support the safari park's rescue projects in Africa. These can also be supported by sending any donation to 264350610/0300.