Elephant Corridor Restoration
The Kisimiri – Lendoiya Wilflige Corridor is geographically located in norther Tanzania, serving as a natural link between two significant protected areas: Arusha National Park to the west and Kilimanjaro National Park to the northeast. It stretches about 26.3 km long and roughly 10 km wide. Specifically, the corridor lies in the area between these parks and extends toward the foothills of Mount Meru, which lies east-southeast of Arusha National Park. It connects Arusha National Park with Kilimanjaro National Park to the northeast. Mount Meru, an important ecological site for elephants and other wildlife, lies to the southwest side of the corridor and acts as a critical destination for animals moving through the corridor providing water, food and refuge.
The corridor’s location thus forms a vital passageway crossing diverse landscapes, woodlands, savannah, and agricultural lands allowing wildlife, including elephants, to migrate seasonally between natural habitats around Mount Meru, Arusha National Park, and Kilimanjaro National Park. However, the corridor is increasingly squeezed by human settlements and farming activities, which makes its conservation extremely important to maintain connectivity between these significant ecological zones.
Why elephants cross the corridor to access Mount Meru?
Key ecological reasons why elephants cross the corridor to access Mount Meru include:
Access to Permanent Water
Mount Meru offers reliable year-round water sources such as streams, springs, and pools. During dry periods in the lowlands and the corridor itself, these waterpoints are critical for elephant’s hydration and survival.
Nutrients – Rich and Diverse Forage
The volcanic soils of Mount Meru sustain lush montane and evergreen forests, herbaceous plants, and trees that are rich in nutrients and minerals essential to elephant diets. The vegetation includes species like Acacia, Grewia, and Bauhinia, which provide varied and highly nutritious forage.
Mineral Supplementation
Mount Meru’s soils and natural salt licks provide vital minerals required for elephant health, including calcium, sodium and potassium. Elephants actively seek out these mineral sources for physiological needs such as bone development, reproduction and maintaining electrolyte balance.
Seasonal Foraging Habitat
The corridor acts as a link allowing elephants to move seasonally from dryer plains and fragmented landscapes to the more stable and resource abundant montane ecosystem of Mount Meru. This seasonal migration ensures they have access to consistent food and water even when the lowland and resources become scarce.
Refuge and Reduced interaction
The forested and rugged terrain of Mount Meru offers safer habitat refuge from settlement and farms areas along the corridor. This refuge is crucial, especially during sensitive periods such as drought or calving seasons.
Cultural Significance for the local communities
The passage of elephants through the corridor also holds deep cultural importance for local Meru and Maasai communities, who regard these animals as sacred symbols of ancestral guardianship, strength, and natural harmony closely tied to the spiritual identity of Mount Meru.