EleFact Friday: A Migration Situation

Female Asian elephant Guillermina stands facing left while standing on a dirt pathway between green spaces. There is a tree growing in the photo's center and a ray of sunlight streaming down just to the left of it.

Happy EleFact Friday. As seasons change, elephants in the wild often make their way across varying habitats and environments in search of better resources such as water or food. Today, we want to examine some of these migratory patterns.

Both Asian and African elephants migrate annually and seem to follow the same or similar routes each time. Depending on the environmental conditions, the distances in journeys between different herds can vary. During a prolonged dry season for African elephants, distances were recorded to exceed over 100 kilometers (62 miles). African elephants typically migrate at the beginning of the dry season, between June and November. In search of water and other hospitable locations, they will trek through high temperatures to find rivers and other water sources. As the rainy season arrives, between October to December and March to June, herds will return back to their native regions to be greeted by fresh, green vegetation that the rains helped regenerate in their absence.

Migrations can occur in different ways amongst herds. In some cases, individual family groups may separate themselves from the larger herd, which can be in response to limited food supplies during a dry season migration. If food sources are scarce, it may be more efficient to travel as individual families rather than a large herd. If this migratory method is practiced, the group is usually led by a dominant female in the front and another in the back to guard the rear. The younger members of the herd travel between the two for protection and supervision.

These migratory patterns are necessary for wild elephants to succeed and thrive with the changing seasons. These innate behaviors display the intelligence and proactive natures that elephants have over themselves and their herds.

Photo of Guillermina standing amid green grass with a ray of sunlight streaming down

Comments(8)

JoAnn Merriman-Eaton says
December 12, 2025 at 2:46 pm

Beautiful Guille, and beautiful surroundings that scream.. “This elephant is free”. No longer behind stone walls, a captive elephant. The migratory practices and the intelligence of the sentient elephant are incredible.
Thank you for sharing. 🐘❤️
Joey says
December 12, 2025 at 3:09 pm

I just love seeing the elephants in the middle of all that greenery, in the sunshine, just enjoying their lives. They are so happy in their new lush green environment. I am so glad our eyes are being opened to their plight in captivity, and collectively we are changing their environment to give them a much better life. They are such magnificent beings, they deserve the best life can give to them. Thank you for making their lives so much better than they were for so many years while they were in captivity in one form or another. I just love them so much.
Joy Corley says
December 12, 2025 at 5:50 pm

Absolutely fascinating! They are such incredibly smart and emotionally aware animals who have survived for millennia due to these characteristics. I just love them all! Thank you for the work you do on their behalf and for providing them with safe sanctuary.
Barbara L Smith says
December 13, 2025 at 12:42 pm

A beautiful elephant standing in paradise, her home. Kenya is free.❤️
Anita shull says
December 13, 2025 at 3:29 pm

Knowing others are aware and actively helping our largest living mammal is of comfort and seein them able to enjoy life with freedom and seeing them bringing new life into the world also knowing freedom is the most rewarding and confirming feeling there is! THANK YOU❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🐧🐧🐧🐧💪🏻
Phil Ross says
December 13, 2025 at 4:39 pm

Thanks for all you do.
Teresa Rangel says
December 14, 2025 at 12:20 am

I love elephants so much. I love that they can be free to roam and are a protected. So much better then being in a circus or a zoo or worse chained to one spot unable to move around. They are intelligent and beautiful creatures.
Carey says
December 17, 2025 at 10:00 am

A lovely photo of Guille, wonderful

How To Help

Adopt an Elephant

Donate Today

GSE Merchandise

Elephant Wishlists

Blog