Elephants that have been returned to the wild after periods of captivity demonstrate significant adaptability, according to new research from South Africa. The study, conducted by the Elephant Reintegration Trust, examined the behavioural and physiological responses of 11 formerly captive elephants reintroduced to four different wildlife reserves, revealing that these animals generally adjust well to their natural environments.

Over a five-year period, researchers conducted annual observations of each elephant for three weeks at a time. The team focused on identifying signs of stress or discomfort, such as confrontational behaviours or increased self-directed touching, which could indicate lingering effects from captivity. In addition to behavioural assessments, faecal samples were collected to measure metabolic stress levels.

Results indicated that the behaviour of rewilded elephants closely resembled that of wild elephants living in the same areas. Although the female elephants in the group exhibited somewhat elevated stress markers compared to their wild counterparts, these levels remained within the normal range observed in free-ranging elephants. Researchers attributed this difference to a combination of factors, including prior captive experience, social dynamics, environmental conditions, and the influence of tourism or management interventions.

The study also highlighted considerable variation in individual behaviours among the rewilded elephants, suggesting that personality traits may influence how each animal adapts to reintegration into the wild. Researchers noted that these unique coping strategies might help explain the successful adjustment seen across the group.

Covering over half of South Africa’s rewilded elephant population, the 11 elephants in this research provide a substantial sample for understanding post-captivity adaptation. The findings, published in the journal Plos One, contribute to a limited but growing body of knowledge on the outcomes of elephant rewilding efforts in southern Africa, indicating that even animals held in captivity for extended periods can effectively reintegrate into wild habitats.