New Study Reveals Dramatic Decline in Africa’s Elephants
A comprehensive new study analysing 50 years of data has revealed dramatic declines in Africa’s elephant populations. Researchers compiled data from 1,325 surveys, showing that savanna elephant numbers fell by 70% and forest elephants by over 90% between 1964 and 2016. While some elephant populations in southern Africa, particularly in Botswana and Zimbabwe, have remained stable or increased, other regions, such as northern sub-Saharan Africa and parts of East and Central Africa, have suffered severe losses due to poaching and habitat destruction.
The study underscores the urgency of reversing these declines, calling for stronger public-private partnerships in protected area management, local community involvement in conservation, and intensified efforts to combat ivory poaching. Successful conservation strategies have included sustainable tourism expansion, land-use planning that accommodates elephants, and improved law enforcement against illegal wildlife trade. With Africa’s human population set to more than double in the next 50 years, experts stress the need for immediate action to safeguard remaining elephant populations and restore lost habitats.
Source: Daily News