Abstract
Summary(1) The scale and pattern of the elephant mortality occurring in Tsavo National Park during the dry years 1970 and 1971 was investigated.(2) Total numbers were estimated from an aerial stratified systematic sample, and a correction made for juvenile carcasses lost through disintegration. The overall total was estimated at c. 5900 although this included a somewhat arbitrary addition for juveniles estimated to have disintegrated during the study period.(3) The aerial census provided the basis for an analysis of the spatial distribution of carcasses.(4) The age distribution of the mortality was determined from the collection of found jaws, after the correction made for collection bias and carcass disintegration. Sex composition was determined from a large sample of known‐age tusks.(5) Age and sex‐specific mortality were calculated, which provided interesting comparisons with the pattern of more normal years. There was good evidence to show: (a) a prolonged phase of high juvenile mortality; (b) raised overall rates; (c) preferential adult female mortality.(6) The spatial distribution of the mortality coincided with: (a) areas of high, recent immigration; (b) areas of low and erratic rainfall; (c) areas of profound vegetation change. Within these areas it was concentrated near permanent water. Its occurrence in time coincided with 2 years of low rainfall and prolonged dry seasons.(7) The report concludes with some possible implications of the mortality for Tsavo National Park.
Published Version
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