A continent-wide survey of African elephants has revealed that the population of these animals experienced a drastic loss over the past few years. Researchers have found that the number of elephants decreased by almost 30 percent between 2007 and 2014.
The Great Elephant Census (GEC), which involved 90 scientists from conservation and research institutions, was conducted over a period of three years and aimed to effectively count every savanna elephant in 18 countries in Africa.
The researchers conducted the survey in a meticulous manner to minimize inconsistencies. They used aircraft to conduct surveys over swaths of lands and recorded themselves as they counted and took photos of the elephants they saw. The researchers also combed through the data to ensure that they were not counting elephants twice, which can possibly occur because the animals move.
The results revealed an estimated 352,271 savanna elephants, which represent about 93 percent of savanna elephants in the 18 countries where the study was conducted. In survey areas with historical data, elephant populations dropped by 144,000 in only a span of seven years from 2007 to 2014. The researchers reported that the population of the animal is currently shrinking by 8 percent per year continent-wide, which they attribute primarily to poaching.
"Though 84 percent of elephants occurred in protected areas, many protected areas had carcass ratios that indicated high levels of elephant mortality. Results of the GEC show the necessity of action to end the African elephants' downward trajectory by preventing poaching and protecting habitat," the researchers reported.
Despite efforts by governments and conservation groups, illegal poaching continues to be a threat to elephants. Poachers are killing elephants because of the heavy demand for ivory, which comes from the tusks of the elephants.
The demand for ivory in China in particular helps fuel the trade in smuggled ivory that drives unsustainable killing of elephants in Africa. In 2004, there were only nine factories and 31 authorized retail outlets of ivory in China, but the number has skyrocketed to 37 factories and 145 retail outlets by 2013.
Census principal researcher Michael Chase, who is also the founder of Elephants Without Borders, said that the overall message of the survey is clear. He said that poaching is so intense 50 percent of the remaining elephants in Africa could be lost in 10 years' time.
"For too long now, we've said that we don't have precise, reliable estimates — that they're speculative, they're guess work," Chase said. "We're now armed with the most robust and accurate scientific data in history to give these animals a second chance."
