header: African Elephant
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line Loxodonta africana (Blumenbach, 1797)

POPULATION

Over the past decade, African Elephant populations have declined dramatically.2 The decline has occurred predominantly in east, west and central Africa, both within and outside of national parks and sanctuaries. Populations in southern Africa currently appear to be stable or increasing.10

Historically, much information on elephant numbers has been speculative or poorly-quantified, and not a suitable basis from which to determine population trends with precision. Good estimates of elephant population size are difficult to achieve. The majority of surveys are undertaken within the boundaries of protected areas, even though elephants often occur outside of these. Seasonal migrations, and cross border populations add to the difficulty of obtaining accurate results.13 The IUCN/Species Survival Commission (SSC) African Elephant and Rhino Specialist Group (AERSG) suggested that the total African Elephant population numbered around 764,410 animals in 1987.2 It was accepted that this estimate was based in part on poor data. Latest figures from the African Elephant Database (1996) indicate a definite continental total of 286,234, probably a further 101,297, and possibly a further 155,944 from a survey of 19% of the total range.

The African Elephant Database4 represents one of the first attempts to gain a reliable overview of changes in elephant populations at national and regional level.13 In 1992, the database became the responsibility of the restructured IUCN/SSC African Elephant Specialist Group (AESG). The AESG has published population estimates for elephant survey areas and has provided country estimates.(table 1).


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