Unknown

Dataset Information

0

Devastating decline of forest elephants in central Africa.


ABSTRACT: African forest elephants- taxonomically and functionally unique-are being poached at accelerating rates, but we lack range-wide information on the repercussions. Analysis of the largest survey dataset ever assembled for forest elephants (80 foot-surveys; covering 13,000 km; 91,600 person-days of fieldwork) revealed that population size declined by ca. 62% between 2002-2011, and the taxon lost 30% of its geographical range. The population is now less than 10% of its potential size, occupying less than 25% of its potential range. High human population density, hunting intensity, absence of law enforcement, poor governance, and proximity to expanding infrastructure are the strongest predictors of decline. To save the remaining African forest elephants, illegal poaching for ivory and encroachment into core elephant habitat must be stopped. In addition, the international demand for ivory, which fuels illegal trade, must be dramatically reduced.

SUBMITTER: Maisels F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3587600 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

altmetric image

Publications

Devastating decline of forest elephants in central Africa.

Maisels Fiona F   Strindberg Samantha S   Blake Stephen S   Wittemyer George G   Hart John J   Williamson Elizabeth A EA   Aba'a Rostand R   Abitsi Gaspard G   Ambahe Ruffin D RD   Amsini Fidèl F   Bakabana Parfait C PC   Hicks Thurston Cleveland TC   Bayogo Rosine E RE   Bechem Martha M   Beyers Rene L RL   Bezangoye Anicet N AN   Boundja Patrick P   Bout Nicolas N   Akou Marc Ella ME   Bene Lambert Bene LB   Fosso Bernard B   Greengrass Elizabeth E   Grossmann Falk F   Ikamba-Nkulu Clement C   Ilambu Omari O   Inogwabini Bila-Isia BI   Iyenguet Fortune F   Kiminou Franck F   Kokangoye Max M   Kujirakwinja Deo D   Latour Stephanie S   Liengola Innocent I   Mackaya Quevain Q   Madidi Jacob J   Madzoke Bola B   Makoumbou Calixte C   Malanda Guy-Aimé GA   Malonga Richard R   Mbani Olivier O   Mbendzo Valentin A VA   Ambassa Edgar E   Ekinde Albert A   Mihindou Yves Y   Morgan Bethan J BJ   Motsaba Prosper P   Moukala Gabin G   Mounguengui Anselme A   Mowawa Brice S BS   Ndzai Christian C   Nixon Stuart S   Nkumu Pele P   Nzolani Fabian F   Pintea Lilian L   Plumptre Andrew A   Rainey Hugo H   de Semboli Bruno Bokoto BB   Serckx Adeline A   Stokes Emma E   Turkalo Andrea A   Vanleeuwe Hilde H   Vosper Ashley A   Warren Ymke Y  

PloS one 20130304 3


African forest elephants- taxonomically and functionally unique-are being poached at accelerating rates, but we lack range-wide information on the repercussions. Analysis of the largest survey dataset ever assembled for forest elephants (80 foot-surveys; covering 13,000 km; 91,600 person-days of fieldwork) revealed that population size declined by ca. 62% between 2002-2011, and the taxon lost 30% of its geographical range. The population is now less than 10% of its potential size, occupying less  ...[more]

Similar Datasets

| S-EPMC2262091 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC4028239 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC4637000 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC3020955 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC10947659 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC5012305 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC4246956 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC9456221 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC7556483 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC5904385 | biostudies-literature