Alfred Kikoti

Elephant Research Scientist
Kilimanjaro Heartland, Tanzania

 

Armed with a radio receiver, some tents, a team of trusty game scouts, and a bullish truck with thick tires, Alfred tracks elephants through the savannahs as part of AWF’s Kilimanjaro Elephant Research & Conservation Project. Not always glamorous – but always adventurous – Alfred’s research is informing conservation strategies by gaining a greater understanding of elephant populations in the West Kilimanjaro of Tanzania.

The project has recruited and trained 24 game scouts from 12 villages to record elephant behavior, human-elephant conflicts, and poaching activities in the region.

With a team of conservationists, Alfred routinely collars elephants that routinely use Kilimanjaro-area habitat with GPS collars. He is now collecting data to develop conservation strategies in the region.

Alfred earned his Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.

Alfred's work has also enabled Kenyan and Tanzanian wildlife officials to begin sharing knowledge and resources to better mitigate conflicts between the region's people and the elephants Kikoti affectionately calls 'my guys.'

Read more about Alfred’s work with elephants.