Elephant Habitat Research Articles

Viability and management of the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) population in the Endau Rompin landscape, Peninsular Malaysia.

The need for conservation scientists to produce research of greater relevance to practitioners is now increasingly recognized. This study provides an example of scientists working alongside practitioners and policy makers to address a question of immediate relevance to elephant conservation in Malaysia and using the results to inform wildlife management policy and practice including the National Elephant Conservation Action Plan for Peninsular Malaysia. Since ensuring effective conservation of elephants in the Endau Rompin Landscape (ERL) in Peninsular Malaysia is difficult without data on population parameters we (1) conducted a survey to assess the size of the elephant population, (2) used that information to assess the viability of the population under different management scenarios including translocation of elephants out of the ERL (a technique long used in Malaysia to mitigate human–elephant conflict (HEC)), and (3) assessed a number of options for managing the elephant population and HEC in the future. Our dung-count based survey in the ERL produced an estimate of 135 (95% CI [80–225]) elephants in the 2,500 km2 area. The population is thus of national significance, containing possibly the second largest elephant population in Peninsular Malaysia, and with effective management elephant numbers could probably double. We used the data from our survey plus other sources to conduct a population viability analysis to assess relative extinction risk under different management scenarios. Our results demonstrate that the population cannot sustain even very low levels of removal for translocation or anything other than occasional poaching. We describe, therefore, an alternative approach, informed by this analysis, which focuses on in situ management and non-translocation-based methods for preventing or mitigating HEC. The recommended approach includes an increase in law enforcement to protect the elephants and their habitat, maintenance of habitat connectivity between the ERL and other elephant habitat, and a new focus on adaptive management.

Future of Thailand's captive elephants

Removal from natural habitat and commodification as private property compromise elephants’ broader societal value. Although we support Baker & Winkler’s (2020) plea for a new community-based rewilding conservation model focused on mahout culture, we recommend an expanded co-management approach to complement and enhance the regional elephant conservation strategy with additional local community stakeholders and the potential to extend across international borders into suitable elephant habitat. Holistic co-management approaches improve human wellbeing and social cohesion, as well as elephant wellbeing, thereby better securing long-term survival of Asian elephants, environmental justice, and overall sustainability.

Futuristic climate change scenario predicts a shrinking habitat for the African elephant (Loxodonta africana): evidence from Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

The earth is gradually warming from greenhouse gases (GHG) and will likely exceed the 2 °C threshold envisioned by 2050. Species range shifts and extinction are imminent from the temperature increase, especially in human-dominated landscapes. Several regions are projected to become less habitable as a result of heat stress, reduced water availability, and other secondary effects (e.g., diseases). As such, the future of the African Elephant (Loxodonta africana) remains uncertain when pressure exists from habitat loss, poaching, and temperature anomalies. In this study, we tested whether there would be any change in the 2050 potential distribution of the African elephant in the Hwange National park, Zimbabwe. We used Stochastic Gradient Boosting (SGB) with elephant presence as response and distance from the park boundary, temperature seasonality, precipitation of the wettest month, land cover, and annual precipitation as predictor variables. Results showed that predicted elephant habitat will likely shrink by 40% in 2050 from the potential present range of 146.76 km2. Our model on the current potential habitat of elephants was successful (AUC = 0.76) as well as for the projected habitat using RCP 8.5 data (AUC = 0.87). Our findings are amongst the first to show the likely effect of projected climate on the potential distribution of elephants in a savannah ecosystem. Our results are suggest that the current potential habitat of the elephant is sensitive to anthropogenic interferences, but a changing climate will influence elephant distribution in the future.

Predicting indirect effects of transportation network expansion on Asian elephants: Implications for environmental impact assessments

AbstractThe rapid proliferation of transportation networks (TNs) threatens the viability of species with wide geographic ranges via habitat fragmentation, road kill, and indirect socio‐ecological interactions. Environmental impact assessments of TNs are mostly descriptive and focus on the direct impacts of the linear features of TNs, while the indirect and cumulative impacts are largely neglected. Using spatially explicit data of elephant‐caused damage from 2012 to 2015 in southwest China, we quantified the barrier effects of TNs on Asian elephant populations and predicted future patterns of damage under a TN expansion scenario using maximum entropy algorithms. The TNs acted as a strong barrier for the elephants, even in herds that have inhabited highly fragmented landscapes for years. Overall damage patterns were highly asymmetric around roads, with only 18% of events occurring on the far side of roads (relative to the core home range). Models predicted that TN expansion would reduce elephant habitats, exacerbating herd isolation and human–elephant conflict locally. Thus, we suggest that future environmental impact assessments should integrate mitigation of indirect conflicts.Abstract in Chinese is available with online material.

Spatial modeling of conflict vulnerability of Sumatran elephants (Elephas maximus sumatranus) with humans in Besitang

High human activity around and in the forest is one of the causes of damage to Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) habitat in the forest landscape of Besitang. Deforestation and degradation have caused forest fragmentation so that Sumatran elephant habitat becomes narrow. As a result, Sumatran elephants look for a new space outside their natural habitat such as agricultural land and plantations owned by communities around the forest. The conflict between Sumatran elephants and humans cannot be avoided. The objective of this study was to get information about the vulnerability distribution of Sumatran elephant conflict with humans based on the influenced factors in Besitang. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) method was used to select and weight the factors that are thought to influence the distribution of Sumatran elephant conflict with humans. Overlay analysis of the factors that influence the conflicts distribution between Sumatran elephants and humans was done using Geographic Information System (GIS). The results of the study showed that the vulnerability of human-elephant conflict could be divided into three classes, namely the highly vulnerable areas of conflict which are 43,981.11 ha (26.99%), medium vulnerable areas which are 41,632.74 ha (25.56%) and not vulnerable areas which are 77,291.73 ha (47.45%). The results of the model validation test showed a value of 87.5%.

The Role of Agricultural Land Use Pattern Dynamics on Elephant Habitat Depletion and Human-Elephant Conflict in Sri Lanka

The drastic depletion of elephant habitats in the dry zone of Sri Lanka has led to intense human-elephant conflict (HEC) in a region that is home to one of the celebrated agrarian settlements in Asia. Known as the tank villages, these settlements have a long history of human coexistence with elephants and other wild animals. However, the escalating incidence of human-elephant fatalities and crop losses to farmers indicates that the mode of interaction between the tank village inhabitants and the elephants has transformed from coexistence to conflict. Both population and agricultural land use pattern dynamics have contributed to agricultural expansion and loss of elephant habitat in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. However, our knowledge of how the agricultural land use pattern dynamics has contributed to the drastic depletion of elephant range in the dry zone is limited. This research attempted to gain insight into the role of agricultural land use dynamics on elephant habitat depletion and HEC in Sri Lanka through the study of Kuttikulama, a dry zone tank village. The data were collected through focus group discussions, key informant interviews and a cross sectional survey. The study revealed that agricultural land use patterns in traditional dry zone villages have changed in major ways over the last few decades. Such changes included the transition from a shifting-cultivation mode of farming to a fixed sequential mode of farming, the expansion of the per capita cropping area, and the disappearance of communality in agricultural land use patterns. The changes were found to have significantly contributed to a shift in human–elephant interactions from relatively harmonious ones to contentious ones. The study reveals the potential of traditional and alternative cropping and land use systems to minimize human-elephant conflict in Sri Lanka.

Elephant (Elephas maximus) temporal activity, distribution, and habitat use patterns on the tiger's forgotten trails across the seasonally dry, subtropical, hilly Churia forests of Nepal.

Understanding spatial distribution, habitat use, and temporal activity patterns is important for species conservation planning. This information especially is crucial for mega herbivores like elephants as their ranging patterns encompass a myriad of habitats types. Churia habitat is geological fragile yet important for wildlife in Nepal and India. We used camera trapping and sign surveys covering 536 km2 of Churia and surrounding areas within Chitwan National Park. Across 152 trapping locations, we accumulated 2,097 trap nights in a 60-day survey during the winter season of 2010–11. We used a non-parametric kernel density function to analyze winter activity patterns of elephants detected in camera-traps. Additionally, we walked 643 km over 76 grid cells in two surveys (winter and summer) to estimate elephant distribution and intensity of habitat use using an occupancy framework. Multi-season models allowed us to make seasonal (winter versus summer) inferences regarding changes in habitat use based on covariates influencing use and detection. We photographed 25 mammalian species including elephants with calves with a trapping rate of 2.72 elephant photos events per 100 trap nights. Elephant winter activity pattern was found to be mainly nocturnal, with crepuscular peaks. Covariates such as normalized differential vegetation index and terrain ruggedness positively influenced elephant spatial distribution and habitat use patterns within the Churia habitat. We also found lower elephant habitat use () of Churia in winter 0.51 (0.02) than in summer 0.57 (0.02). Elephants heavily used the eastern portion of Churia in both seasons (67–69%). Overall, Churia habitat, which is often ignored, clearly is used by elephants, with increases in summer use in the west and high use year-round in the east, and thus should no longer be neglected or forgotten in species conservation planning.

Habitat suitability and connectivity inform a co-management policy of protected area network for Asian elephants in China

Enlarging protected area networks (PANs) is critical to ensure the long-term population viability of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus), which are threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation. Strict policies of PAN enlargement that focus on wildlife conservation have failed largely due to difficulties in encouraging stakeholder participation and meeting the elephant habitat requirement. A co-management policy that promotes sustainable resource use, wildlife conservation, and stakeholder participation may have greater feasibility than the strict policies in a developing world. Here, we identified the suitable habitat of elephants using maximum entropy models and examined whether habitat suitability is indirectly associated with local economic development in human-dominated landscapes. We found that (1) the suitable habitat was mainly in areas of forest matrix (50% natural forest cover) with multiple land-use practices rather than relatively intact forest and near communities (mean distance two km) and (2) habitat suitability was negatively associated with local economic development (rP = −0.37, P = 0.04). From the standpoint of elephant habitat and its socio-economic background, our results indicate that co-management will be more effective than the currently strict approaches of enlarging PAN. Additionally, our results provide on-ground information for elephant corridor design in southern China.

Predicting range shifts of Asian elephants under global change

AbstractAimClimate change alters the water cycle, potentially affecting the distribution of species. Using an ensemble of species distribution models (SDMs), we predicted changes in distribution of the Asian elephant in South Asia due to increasing climatic variability under warming climate and human pressures.LocationIndia and Nepal.MethodsWe compiled a comprehensive geodatabase of 115 predictor variables, which included climatic, topographic, human pressures and land use, at a resolution of 1 km2, and an extensive database on current distribution of elephants. For variable selection, we first developed 14 candidate models based on different hypotheses on elephant habitat selection. For each candidate model, a series of 240 individual models were evaluated using several metrics. Using three climatic and one land use change datasets for two greenhouse gas scenarios, ensemble SDMs were used to predict future projections.ResultsNine predictor variables were selected for ensemble SDMs. Elephant distribution is driven predominantly by changes in climatic water balance (>60%), followed by changes in temperature and human‐induced disturbance. The results suggest that around 41.8% of the 256,518 km2 of habitat available at present will be lost by the end of this century due to combined effects of climate change and human pressure. Projected habitat loss will be higher in human‐dominated sites at lower elevations due to intensifying droughts, leading elephants to seek refuge at higher elevations along valleys with greater water availability in the Himalayan Mountains.Main conclusionsChanges in climatic water balance could play a crucial role in driving species distributions in regions with monsoonal climates. In response, species would shift their range upwards along gradients of water availability and seasonal droughts. Conservation and management of elephant populations under global change should include design of movement corridors to enable dispersal of the elephant and other associated species to more conducive environments.

Habitat use by Asian elephants: Context matters

Asian elephants are isolated in fragmented habitat patches in and around Bardia National Park (BNP), Nepal. To describe habitat use patterns and ecogeographical variables (EGVs) that determine an elephant's niche in BNP, we used a General Niche-Environment System Factor Analysis (GNESFA) modeling framework. Novel to our study was the comparison of niche requirements between core (residential) and corridor (travel corridor) areas to elucidate site-specific preferences of Asian elephants in BNP. A total of 13 EGVs (four topographic variables, six land covers, heterogeneity index and two anthropogenic variables) were examined. We implemented a ‘bias file’ approach to address potential sampling bias in the transect survey methods for presence records. Our study illustrated that, regardless of study area, elephants' habitat use was positively influenced by presence of grasslands, mixed forest, and landscape heterogeneity, whereas use was restricted by the topographic variables of slope and elevation. Results also demonstrated different habitat preferences between elephants in the core and corridor, which may be attributed to differences in potential dangers posed in these areas; in the core, elephant habitat preference was mainly associated with food resources such as grassland or mixed forest, whereas in the corridor, where elephants are more likely to encounter human conflict, the anthropogenic factor of distance to human settlements contributed the most in predicting elephant presence. Correlations among significant factors from the three methods (FANTER, ENFA, and MADIFA) demonstrated the consistent and reliable results of these approaches. While these methods complemented each other by providing different points of view, FANTER was especially useful when bimodal niches were analyzed. We suggest a detailed conservation plan for the small populations of elephants in BNP and surrounding areas, while considering the protection of travel routes from human activities in the corridor habitats, and lastly, maintaining grasslands and waterholes in core habitats.

Population characteristics and habitat suitability of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus Linnaeus, 1758) in the Khao Yai National Park, Thailand

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the population and habitat of wild elephants in the Khao Yai National Park, to provide elephant population densities using the line transect method. Habitat suitability was also assessed based on the data obtained from the location of the species during monthly ranger patrol across the park area, with the rate of dung decay used for population calculation. The population structure and age class were studied by direct observation to estimate the population trend. On the basis of 116 systematic transect lines that were 2 km in length and separated by 500-m intervals, a total of 1,209 elephant dung piles were found in more than 213.20 km. The analysis of the combined data showed that the dung density was 531.49 dung piles/km2, with a decay rate of 0.0039 dung piles/day based on 56 dung piles checked every 7 days. The annual data showed that the population density was 0.15 individuals/km2. The population structure comprising calf:juvenile:subadult:adult was 1: 1.09:1.14:2.10; the sex ratio of adult male to adult female elephants was 1:1.10; and the ratio of reproductive ability among adult females, juveniles, and calves was 1.00:0.99:0.90. The combined data also showed that the main environmental factor affecting the presence of the animals was salt lick sites. The pooled data analysis found that the habitat most suitable for the elephants covered an area of 220.59 km2. The habitat suitability, based on the dry season appearance data, covered an area of 258.64 km2, whereas during the wet season, it covered an area of 517.45 km2. As the most suitable habitat for elephants appears around the park boundary, habitat improvements for wild elephants should address the central areas of the national park. A greater emphasis should be placed on creating salt licks, being far from human activity sites.

Perception of Human–Elephant Conflict and Conservation Attitudes of Affected Communities in Myanmar

Myanmar is an ideal location for Asian elephant ( Elephas maximus L.) conservation because it still contains large expanses of elephant habitat. However, increasing human–elephant conflict (HEC) threatens to derail ongoing elephant conservation programs. We conducted 303 interviews in rural communities living near elephants to help inform long-term management strategies to conserve this endangered species. We sought to understand the main challenges that people in these communities face in improving their quality of life, as well as the types and levels of HEC they experience and their attitudes toward elephant conservation. Poverty, not conflict with elephants, was the greatest obstacle reported by our participants. However, HEC was deemed a moderate to major problem, with 38% of farmers indicating they lost half or more of their crops to elephants the previous year. Our results showed that communities living in proximity to and often harmed by elephants were nevertheless supportive of elephant conservation and willing to contribute to conservation efforts. This result offers hope in the quest to maintain elephant populations in Myanmar. We conclude that conservation policies that also address societal challenges such as poverty may be more effective in protecting elephants than policies that address HEC alone.

Analysis of land use change and its relation to land potential and elephant habitat at Besitang Watershed, North Sumatra, Indonesia

Kuswanda W, Sunandar AD. 2019. Analysis of land use change and its relation to land potential and elephant habitat at Besitang Watershed, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20: 350-358. Land use change from forest into plantation at a watershed could be detrimental both for humans and wildlife. This study was aimed to analyze land use change and its impact on the habitat potential of Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus Temminck, 1857) in the upstream of Besitang Watershed located at Gunung Leuser National Park (GLNP), North Sumatra, Indonesia. The study was conducted from April to November 2015. Data collection was made through land cover map analysis, ground check and vegetation analysis using strip transect method. Land use change was analyzed using ArcView 3.2 software, species diversity was calculated using Shannon-Weiner formula and community evenness indices. Based on map delineation, total extent of Besitang Watershed is about 95,428 hectares. The analysis results showed that, in the past 25 years, about 15,989 hectares of land was changed from forests and farms to monoculture plantations. These changes have caused conflicts and threatened elephant population. As many as 168 species of plants were identified during vegetation analysis in the three study locations, namely Bukit Mas primary forest (88 species), Sekundur mixed secondary forest (91 species) and Halaban secondary forest (68 species). Average Importance Value Index (IVI) was below 40% which indicates that there are no dominant plant species. Tree density was between 360 and 497,5 individual/ha, sapling density was between 2,640 and 4,680 individual/ha, and density of seedling and understory plants was between 27,750 and 38,500 individual/ha. Species diversity index for each plant growth stage was relatively high (H’>3) and the similarity of plant species across locations was generally low (IS = <50%). Analysis of the correlation between land cover differences and habitat features showed statistically significant effects on species density and frequency. The highest effect of land cover change is on species density with the correlation reaching 94.5%. Forests in GLNP will be able to regenerate naturally to reach a stable state if there is no more land clearing to raise plantations.

Evaluation of Human—Elephants (Elephas maximus sumatranus) Conflict in Aceh Province, Indonesia

The occurrence of human-elephant conflict varies and extends in the elephant’s home ranges. In general, the conflict is generated by the damage of agricultural crops. The purpose of this study is to evaluate conflict from the wild elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) in Aceh Province. This study was conducted in five sub-dictricts (Cot Girek, Mane, Meureudu, Sampoiniet and Pante Ceureumen) with documented human-elephant conflicts byusing interview and questionnaires methods. The data were obtained from the communities directly affected by elephant crop raiding, as well as indigenous leaders and local government officials. The data collected includes causes of human-elephant conflict and typology of human-elephant conflict in Aceh Province. The data are analyzed in descriptions to give a specific picture of the cause of human-elephant conflict and its typology in Aceh. The results showed that expansion of agricultural land, plantations, settlements and forestry industries directly affect the reduction of elephant habitat, which may cause human-elephant conflict. The typology of human-elephant conflicts are; damaging plants/vegetation, damaging cottages and community houses, attacking human and/or elephants killed by humans. The study gives a special illustration of human-elephant conflicts which may facilitate the effort and participation of the community to mitigate future conflicts in Aceh.

Study of Characteristics of The Conflict Between The Sumatera Elephant (Elephas maximus Sumatranus) with Communities around Tesso Nilo National Park, Riau

Human-elephant conflict is one of main issues in wildlife conservation. The trigger of human-elephant conflict is forest convertion in Tesso Nilo National Park. A study about characteristic of human elephant conflict has been conducted from March until April 2016 in some area of the park including Lubuk Kembang Bunga and Air Hitam villages, Riau Province, Indonesia. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of dispute area have been and land use in the park. A survey and interview have been conducted to 30 local inhibitans. Lubuk Kembang Bunga and Air hitam villageswere located near by the elephant forest habitat (0-10 km) with elevation 0f 200-100 m above the sea level. The area mostly flat and close to rivers. The elephant attack palm oil and rubber plantation. Historical change of land use at Tesso Nilo National Park from 2004 to 2016 has proved to damaged the elephant habitat, while the elephants come to the plantation where they had ranged in the past time.

POTENSI VEGETASI DAN DAYA DUKUNG UNTUK HABITAT GAJAH SUMATERA (Elephas maximus sumatranus) DI AREAL PERKEBUNAN SAWIT DAN HUTAN PRODUKSI KECAMATAN SUNGAI MENANG, KABUPATEN OGAN KOMERING ILIR

Forest land converted into palm oil plantations have caused habitat fragmentation of elephant and land degradation. These lead to land use conflict between human and elephant. The conflict often caused the elephant killed and destructed agricultural land. The study was aimed to estimate potential use and carrying capacity of elephant habitat. Data collection of undergrowth vegetation were analyzed using twelve square plots of 1 x 1m, the distance between the plot of 50 m, tree vegetation of seedlings size 1 x 1 m, saplings 5 x 5 m, and trees 20 x 20 m, the distance between the plot of 200 m and of 1000 m lenght. Vegetation used as elephants feed were observed using purposive sampling and systematically procedure. The analysis showed that biomass of plants producing elephant fodder in Tambang Besi were of Cyperus rotundus (3600.26 kg/ha), Cynodon dactylon (346.74 kg/ha), Melaleuca leucadendron (255.21 kg/ha), and Melastoma malabatricum (156.40 kg/ha). While, the highest biomass in Tebing Penigasan plot is Cyperus rotundus (3575 kg/ha), and in Barak Gajah Plot is Isachne globusa (4013.33 kg/ha). The carrying capacity of elephants habitat of Tambang Besi, Tebing Penigasan, and Barak Gajah plots are 0.78, 0.29, and 0.41 individual/ha/day, respectively.

Forest elephant movement and habitat use in a tropical forest-grassland mosaic in Gabon.

Poaching of forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis) for ivory has decimated their populations in Central Africa. Studying elephant movement can provide insight into habitat and resource use to reveal where, when, and why they move and guide conservation efforts. We fitted 17 forest elephants with global positioning system (GPS) collars in 2015 and 2016 in the tropical forest-grassland mosaic of the Wonga Wongué Presidential Reserve (WW), Gabon. Using the location data, we quantified movement distances, home ranges, and habitat use to examine the environmental drivers of elephant movements and predict where elephants occur spatially and temporally. Forest elephants, on average, traveled 2,840 km annually and had home ranges of 713 km2, with males covering significantly larger home ranges than females. Forest elephants demonstrated both daily and seasonal movement patterns. Daily, they moved between forest and grassland at dawn and dusk. Seasonally, they spent proportionally more time in grassland than forest during the short-wet season when grasses recruit. Forest elephants also traveled faster during the short-wet season when fruit availability was greatest, likely reflecting long, direct movements to preferred fruiting tree species. Forest elephants tended to select areas with high tree and shrub density that afford cover and browse. When villages occurred in their home ranges elephants spent a disproportionate amount of time near them, particularly in the dry season, probably for access to agricultural crops and preferred habitat. Given the importance of the grassland habitat for elephants, maintenance of the forest-grassland matrix is a conservation priority in WW. Law enforcement, outreach, and education should focus on areas of potential human-elephant conflict near villages along the borders of the reserve. GPS-tracking should be extended into multi-use areas in the peripheries of protected areas to evaluate the effects of human disturbance on elephant movements and to maintain connectivity among elephant populations in Gabon.

Human-elephant conflict in western Thailand: Socio-economic drivers and potential mitigation strategies.

Understanding human-wildlife conflict is an important first step in the conservation of highly endangered species that can have adverse effects on human communities, such as elephants. To gain insights into variables that shape attitudes toward elephant conservation in Asia, we surveyed 410 households and 46 plantation owners in seven villages around the Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary in western Thailand, an area of high human-elephant conflict. We sought to evaluate how past experiences with elephants (positive or negative), as well as socio-economic variables (age, income level, gender, and employment type) affect attitudes toward elephant conservation and coexistence in this area. In addition, we quantified deterrence methods currently used and identify potential mitigation strategies supported by community members. In general, less supportive attitudes toward elephant conservation and coexistence were held by individuals older than 35 years of age, those who had previously had experienced negative interactions with elephants, those with lower incomes, and those working in the agricultural sector. Conversely, those who had received benefits from living near elephants (e.g., supplemental income or feelings of pride from hosting volunteers or participating in conservation work) had more supportive views of elephant coexistence. Plantation owners reported using a variety of deterrence methods with varying success, with firecrackers being the most commonly utilized method. Community members identified several potentially beneficial mitigation strategies including forest restorations and patrol teams, adding water sources to wild elephant habitat, and education of local school and community groups. Overall, our results highlight the value of community members receiving benefits from living near elephants and suggest that special incentives may be needed for demographic groups disproportionately affected by elephants (e.g. those at lower income levels, those working in agriculture). A combination of these and other approaches will be required if human-elephant coexistence in western Thailand is to be realized.

English

Oti-Keran-Mandouri (OKM) is part of the elephant historical range and one of the priority corridors proposed for elephant conservation in West Africa. However, its potentialities to be a functional corridor are yet to be evaluated in a context of increasing anthropogenic pressure. This study aims at assessing habitat biophysical patterns and fragmentation level. A multicriteria evaluation using fuzzy logic was performed to model elephant habitat suitability and vegetation sampling conducted in 123 plots to describe the habitat. In each plot, the physical parameters of woody plants species were recorded. Biodiversity indices, dendrometric parameters, and diameter structure were computed for each habitat type and compared using Jaccard Index and Kruskal-Wallis test. Habitat fragmentation was assessed using the hypsometric method. Apart from a core area located in the south-east, the remnant good habitat is in small patches. Four habitats were distinguished based on their level of degradation. There is a steady increase in habitat diversity from degraded habitat (Habitat 1) to primary habitat (Habitat 4) with the Shannon index increasing from 0.83 to 1.43 bit. In all the habitats, trees are evenly distributed with an evenness higher than 0.7. Dendrometric parameters are significantly different from one habitat to another (P-value < 0.05) apart from the mean diameter and the average regeneration rate. The suitable habitat for elephant constitutes only 31.5% of the area of OKM. The overall habitat fragmentation is 84.74%. Regeneration rates make an eventual restoration possible but further assessment of the socio-ecological system is needed. Key words: Elephant, habitat suitability, habitat, fragmentation, conservation.

The status of African elephant Loxodonta africana populations in South Africa

AbstractWith an increase in poaching of elephants Loxodonta africana across Africa, it is vital to know exactly how many elephants remain and where they occur, to ensure that protection and management are planned appropriately. From a nationwide survey we provide current population and distribution data for elephants in South Africa. We consider the viability of elephant populations in the country, as well as some of the management techniques implemented and how effective these are in controlling elephant numbers. According to our surveys there were 28,168 elephants in South Africa as of December 2015, with 78% of these occurring in Kruger National Park and reserves bordering and open to the Park. Of the country's 78 discrete reserves that host elephants, 77% have populations of < 100 elephants, which could mean they are not genetically viable. We discuss our findings in terms of the conservation value of South Africa's elephant reserves, and the animal welfare implications. We recommend that the fragmentation of elephant habitat in the country be addressed through a national elephant management strategy that promotes wildlife corridors between existing, neighbouring elephant reserves.