Conservation scientists are calling for urgent action to save elephants, as 62% of Africa’s wild elephants have been lost in the past decade.
The study, “The devastating decline of wild elephants in Central Africa” was based on the largest Central African elephant record on record, according to a report released yesterday by the Association. wildlife survival (WCS).
A decline has been noted in the habitats of wild elephants in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon and Republic of Congo.
Rostand Aba’a of the Gabon National Parks Authority and WWF Gabon co-authors Marc Ella Akou said they have been investigating the Gabonese forest for more than a decade and seeing more and more carcasses elephants. .
Earlier this month, the Gabonese government announced the loss of nearly 11,000 wild elephants in Minkébé National Park between 2004 and 2012, which is home to the largest number of wild elephants in Africa.
Recent surveys conducted by the Democratic Republic of the Congo show a sharp drop in the number of elephants in the Okapi Animal Reserve, considered the last elephant fortress in the region.
According to Dr. George Wittemyer of the Elephant Relief Foundation and Colorado State University, the study provides compelling evidence for the decline of one of the most intelligent intelligent animals on the planet. The world must wake up to stop destroying this animal just to satisfy its consumption.
Dr. Samantha Strindberg, of WCS, one of the lead authors, said the analysis reaffirms what conservationists still fear – that the trend to die out quickly could be in the next decade of wild elephants. .
The study also found that nearly a third of the land inhabited by wild African elephants, where they could have lived 10 years ago, has become too dangerous for elephants. “Historically, elephants once inhabited the forest over an area of over 2 million square kilometers, which is now down to a quarter,” said author John Hart of the Lukuru Foundation.
“Although the forest is still there, no elephant has appeared, which shows that this is not a problem of habitat degradation, almost entirely caused by hunting,” added Mr. John Hart.
The results show that elephants are increasingly disappearing in well-populated areas, with constructions such as roads, high levels of hunting and poor governance as evidenced by corruption and lack of law enforcement.
Conservation circles believe swift and effective action on multiple levels is imperative to save the elephant.
Dr Fiona Maisels from WCS said: “Saving elephants requires global synergies where they are, along the ivory smuggling route, among consumers in Eastern countries. We are no longer there. . plenty of time before the elephants leave. “
According to Dr Stephen Blak of the Max Planck Institute, wild elephants need two things: a space to live and to protect themselves.
“Unprotected roads, often involving logging or other natural resources, are increasingly entering the natural area and leading to the death of elephants. Large areas without roads are needed. is maintained and the road needs wildlife protection planning if it is to be alive, ”said Stephen Blak.
Many conservation experts believe countries need to improve the management of the import and sale of wildlife products in countries that illegally receive and tranship ivory, especially in Asia.
Africa’s largest wild elephant study involved more than 60 scientists from 2002 to 2011; This is a major effort by conservation staff with 91,600 working days to investigate elephants in 5 countries: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon and Republic of Congo, traveling over 13,000 kilometers over 11 000 samples for analysis.
The results of the above study come when 178 countries meet in Bangkok, Thailand, to discuss wildlife trade issues, including illegal hunting and ivory smuggling.
