Will Elephants Soon Disappear from West African Savannahs?

摘要: Precipitous declines in Africa's native fauna and flora are recognized, but few comprehensive records of these changes have been compiled. Here, we present population trends for African elephants the 6,213,000 km2 Sudano-Sahelian range West Central Africa assessed through analysis aerial ground surveys conducted over past 4 decades. These focused on best protected areas region, therefore represent case scenario northern savanna elephants. A minimum 7,745 currently inhabit entire representing a decline 50% from estimates four decades ago areas. Most historic is now devoid and, therefore, was not surveyed. Of 23 surveyed elephant populations, half estimated to number less than 200 individuals. Historically, most populations numbering individuals region were extirpated within Declines differed by with experiencing much higher (−76%) those (−33%). As result, account 86% total Range wide, two refuge zones retain elephants, one other Africa. separated large distance (∼900 km) high density human land use, suggesting connectivity between regions permanently cut. Within each zone, however, sporadic contacts remain. Retaining such should be priority conservation this region. Specific corridors designed reduce isolation proposed. The strong commitment governments, effective law enforcement control illegal ivory trade involvement local communities private partners all critical securing future inhabiting savannas.