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Devastating Decline of Forest Elephants in Central Africa

Author

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

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Fiona Maisels & Samantha Strindberg & Stephen Blake & George Wittemyer & John Hart & Elizabeth A Williamson & Rostand Aba’a & Gaspard Abitsi & Ruffin D Ambahe & Fidèl Amsini & Parfait C Bakabana & Thu, 2013. "Devastating Decline of Forest Elephants in Central Africa," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(3), pages 1-13, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0059469
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0059469
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    Cited by:

    1. Juma Christine Atieno & Mutavi Irene Nzisa & Obuoyo Joyce & Omanyo Abraham, 2023. "Conservation of Terrestrial Flora and Fauna in Rachuonyo South, Kenya: A Focus on Effects of Hunting and Gathering," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 7(8), pages 214-248, August.
    2. Fiona M Underwood & Robert W Burn & Tom Milliken, 2013. "Dissecting the Illegal Ivory Trade: An Analysis of Ivory Seizures Data," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(10), pages 1-12, October.
    3. Brandt, Jodi S. & Nolte, Christoph & Agrawal, Arun, 2018. "Deforestation and timber production in Congo after implementation of sustainable management policy: A response to Karsenty et al. (2017)," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 375-378.
    4. Brennan, Andrew John & Kalsi, Jaslin Kaur, 2015. "Elephant poaching & ivory trafficking problems in Sub-Saharan Africa: An application of O'Hara's principles of political economy," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 312-337.
    5. repec:arp:sjbsum:2021:p:94-106 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. Jean-Louis Kouakou & Sery Gonedelé Bi & Eloi Anderson Bitty & Célestin Kouakou & Alphonse Kouassi Yao & Kouadio Bénoîtype Kassé & Soulemane Ouattara, 2020. "Ivory Coast without ivory: Massive extinction of African forest elephants in Côte d’Ivoire," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(10), pages 1-14, October.
    7. Neil, Emily & Madsen, Jens Koed & Carrella, Ernesto & Payette, Nicolas & Bailey, Richard, 2020. "Agent-based modelling as a tool for elephant poaching mitigation," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 427(C).
    8. Harvey, Ross & Alden, Chris & Wu, Yu-Shan, 2017. "Speculating a Fire Sale: Options for Chinese Authorities in Implementing a Domestic Ivory Trade Ban," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 22-31.

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