In honor of world elephant day on August 12, we highlight recent Mongabay stories that celebrate elephant conservation efforts. Protecting elephants ‘trapped’ in Bangladesh Bangladesh has a resident population of about 270 Indian elephants (Elephas maximus indicus), considered critically endangered within the country. But it also hosts some “nonresident” herds in the northeast that migrated from neighboring India’s Meghalaya state. Elephants have crisscrossed the border for generations, but starting in 2019 their traditional corridor was sealed shut as India closed off the border with a series of fences. Without enough food to sustain them, the elephants trapped in Bangladesh turned to human farms and orchards, creating deadly conflict. Following Mongabay’s investigation of these elephants in March 2025, Bangladesh announced it was planning to establish a new protected area in the region. Mohammed Mostafa Feeroz, a local zoology professor, calls this “a good initiative,” but warns that it will be tricky since the area is heavily settled with people and agriculture. Ultimately, he told Mongabay, the elephant corridor needs to be reopened as a long-term solution for the trapped elephants. Finding solutions to human-elephant conflict Elephants are voracious eaters and often run into conflict with farmers, so communities and wildlife authorities have explored various ways to keep the peace. In Uganda, wildlife authorities have put up nearly 23 kilometers (14 miles) of electric fencing near Queen Elizabeth National Park. Powered by solar panels, it delivers a zap meant to keep elephants at bay. There’s also a barrier of “porcupine” wire that…This article was originally published on Mongabay

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