Researchers document huge drop in African elephants in a half century

Researchers document huge drop in African elephants in a half century

Sub : Env

Sec : Species in news

Context:

• African elephants, Earth’s largest land mammals, are known for their remarkable intelligence and complex social behavior. However, they are under severe threat, as highlighted in a comprehensive new study that tracks the status of both species — the savanna elephant and the forest elephant — across the African continent.

Key Findings of the Study:

1. Population Decline:
   • The study, conducted at 475 sites across 37 countries between 1964 and 2016, showed drastic declines in elephant populations.
   • Savanna elephants experienced an average population decrease of about 70% at surveyed sites.
   • Forest elephants faced an even steeper decline, with populations dropping by 90% on average at surveyed sites.
   • Overall, there was a 77% population decline across all sites for both species combined.
2. Main Threats:
   • Poaching: Illegal killing of elephants for their tusks, driven largely by ivory demand in China and other parts of Asia, is a major factor behind the decline.
   • Habitat Loss: Agricultural expansion and human encroachment have significantly reduced elephants’ natural habitats, particularly affecting the forest elephant.
3. Regional Differences:
   • Northern and eastern Africa, including countries like Mali, Chad, and Nigeria, have seen severe population losses, with some areas experiencing complete local extinctions (extirpation).
   • In contrast, southern Africa showed positive trends, with elephant populations increasing at 42% of the surveyed sites, particularly in Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. Effective conservation measures, including active management by governments and conservation groups, have been key to this success.

Conservation Efforts and Challenges:

• Despite the grim statistics, there are success stories. In parts of southern Africa, strong conservation policies have led to population growth, demonstrating that targeted management can make a significant difference.
• However, many low-density populations continue to face intense pressures, and recovery is unlikely for many lost populations due to ongoing threats.
• The lack of a consistent methodology across various population surveys made it impossible to provide a precise, continent-wide population count. The most recent estimate from conservationists places the combined population of both African elephant species between 415,000 and 540,000 as of 2016.

Ecological Importance of Elephants

• Elephants are not only highly intelligent and sentient but also play a crucial role in African ecosystems:
  • They help maintain the balance between forests and grasslands, influencing the landscape.
  • Elephants are key seed dispersers, aiding in plant reproduction and biodiversity.
  • Many other species depend on elephants for their survival, making them a keystone species in their habitats.

Comparison with Asian Elephants: