AN animal sciences graduate is realising her dream of helping elephants in Africa.

Bex Saunders from Lydney jetted out to Malawi last August after fundraising to join a wildlife conservation programme, which included wearing an elephant onesie for more than a month to highlight her appeal.

She told the Review: “I’ve been having an amazing time and have helped out with the total animal count this year.

“I help with uploading data from the Scouts patrols and have also taken on a project looking at surveying the different habitat types within the reserve, from researching the method to carrying out the surveys and then analysing the data found.

“There is so much potential here to research and collect important information to conserve these forests and the animals within them, so it’s all very exciting.”

She has trekked through the African bush looking for elephants to photograph to help with Identifying families and individuals, including one walk of more than 13km.

“This was a tough walk up and down mountains in the heat, but it was so worth it,” she said.

But she has also seen elephants right outside her bush office, filming one which can be seen on her Facebook page scratching itself on a tree just yards away.

She posted with heart symbols: “The view outside our office this afternoon! How incredible is this!”

Bex has also helped sorting the Excel document with the previous research on ready for the new count data and also took part in one of the transects, the creation of a path along which to record species activity.

“I have fallen in love with it and am so happy to be here doing what I can to help.

‘‘I am helping to conserve animals in Africa, which is my dream,” she said.

Former Wyedean School pupil Bex, who has a BSc (Hons) degree in Animal Science and a Masters in Research Anthrozoology from Hartpury University, saved every penny from doing several different jobs, including at Freedom Leisure in Lydney and Newent as a duty supervisor, lifeguard and swimming teacher, lifeguarding at Bathurst Pool, and work in Hereford.

She even committed to wearing an elephant onesie for more than a month outside work to highlight her appeal, including at a screening of The Lion King thanks to a free ticket.

She said last summer: “I’ve even resorted to carrying a spray water bottle around with me to try and keep cool.

“People have been so supportive of me.

‘‘Anyone who knows me knows how hard I have worked for this, what with my degree and my masters and with my volunteering.

‘‘And anyone who has spoken to me can see what a good cause it is for.

“With my education I could help with the data analysis of the research they already have in Malawi and hopefully set up other research projects designed to protect the wildlife there and work with local people to reduce human-wildlife conflict.”

As part of her Masters, Bex did a dissertation on wild boar in the Forest of Dean and residents’ opinions and experiences of them.

She then spent six months in South Africa learning about running a reserve, anti-poaching techniques, including in relation to the white rhino, and key research methods for protecting the environment.

“I am the luckiest girl to be given this opportunity to help others.

‘‘All of my life I have wanted to work with people and animals in Africa where I feel I can make a real difference,” she said before heading to Malawi.

For more information, see Bex’s Facebook page for up to the minute posts on her activites.

Anyone who wants to support her work can do so by donating to Wildlife Action Group Malawi at www.wag-malawi.org