We are heartbroken to share the devastating news that Quin, the beloved elephant in Freda’s herd who we tracked with a GPS collar, was recently found deceased.
Quin in the forest
When our elephant rangers found Quin’s lifeless body, they were devastated. Quin was not just another data point; she was part of a family they had watched, protected, and celebrated for years—thanks to your support. Their grief was compounded by the findings from a field investigation, which suggested poisoning as the likely cause of death. Traces of phosphorus and chlorine compounds—commonly used in harmful substances—were discovered nearby. This happened in an area where there are a lot of people and where more and more natural land is being turned into farms or developments.
Quin’s last known range covered nearly 300 square kilometres, much of it outside protected areas. Her death is a painful reminder of the serious dangers elephants face when they venture near human-modified landscapes.
Since losing Quin, our team has continued to monitor the herd including Freda through direct tracking and field observations. But without a GPS collar, it’s harder—and more urgent than ever—to keep them safe.
Elephants in Quin and Freda's herd
We want to thank you, our adopters, for standing with us. Your commitment to elephant conservation gives us the strength to keep going—even in moments of heartbreak like this. Together, we must continue pushing for stronger habitat protection, effective conflict mitigation, and stricter regulation of dangerous substances to ensure no more elephants suffer the same fate as Quin.
This program is a collaboration with our FZS partners, and the Ministry of Forestry.