Elephants

African elephants are confronted with habitat loss and degradation and increasing levels of human – elephant conflict. Management authorities in sub-Saharan Africa are increasingly turning to translocation as a means to meet such challenges. This trend has to take into account changing political and welfare considerations for elephants, and managers need to understand the justification for translocation as well as the technical challenges.

The African elephant is the largest living land mammal, and their potential impact on their habitats raises important management issues both for protected areas and unprotected land. This Status Report, derived from data contained in the African Elephant Database, is rich in data and information on numbers, distribution and current issues, and provides continent-wide information that is vital for conservation.

The African elephant is the largest living land mammal. It once inhabited most of the continent, from the Mediterranean coast down to its south tip. This picture of elephant range today is one of scattered, fragmented populations south of the Sahara Desert. Estimates suggested that elephant populations had more than halved in several areas between 1981-87.

This Action Plan considers elephant populations across Asia on the basis of size and provides recommendations to enhance their long-term survival. It also considers the management of elephants in captivity.

Given that the basis for improved management of elephants throughout Asia must be sound systematic scientific research, the Action Plan recommends a number of research projects that need to be carried out in the field.