Poaching and human encroachment reverse recovery of African savannah elephants in south-east Angola despite 14 years of peace

摘要: With populations of African savannah elephants (Loxodonta africana) declining across the continent, assessing status individual elephant is important for conservation. Angola’s population represents a key linkage between larger Namibia and Botswana. Elephants in Angola were decimated during 1975–2002 Angolan civil war, but 2005 survey showed that recolonizing former habitats. Between 2015, no research was permitted on Angola, elsewhere Africa many experienced poaching crisis. In we able to resume Angola. We used aerial surveys satellite monitoring collared determine current learn how human may be affecting habitat usage. The revealed 3,395 ± SE 797 elephants, had declined 21% from estimate. high number carcasses observed suggests have increased after rapidly as 2015. Satellite-collared avoided areas <6 km indicators preferred nearer humans at scales 6–40 km, suggesting displacing habitats near rivers. Taken together, these results suggest experiencing intense losing settlements. Without action conserve their populations, face an uncertain future.