1
|
Huang RM, Maré C, Guldemond RAR, Pimm SL, van Aarde RJ. Protecting and connecting landscapes stabilizes populations of the Endangered savannah elephant. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadk2896. [PMID: 38181078 PMCID: PMC10776014 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk2896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
The influence of protected areas on the growth of African savannah elephant populations is inadequately known. Across southern Africa, elephant numbers grew at 0.16% annually for the past quarter century. Locally, much depends on metapopulation dynamics-the size and connections of individual populations. Population numbers in large, connected, and strictly protected areas typically increased, were less variable from year to year, and suffered less from poaching. Conversely, populations in buffer areas that are less protected but still connected have more variation in growth from year to year. Buffer areas also differed more in their growth rates, likely due to more threats and dispersal opportunities in the face of such dangers. Isolated populations showed consistently high growth due to a lack of emigration. This suggests that "fortress" conservation generally maintains high growth, while anthropogenic-driven source-sink dynamics within connected conservation clusters drive stability in core areas and variability in buffers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan M. Huang
- Conservation Ecology Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa
| | - Celesté Maré
- Conservation Ecology Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa
| | - Robert A. R. Guldemond
- Conservation Ecology Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa
| | - Stuart L. Pimm
- Conservation Ecology Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Rudi J. van Aarde
- Conservation Ecology Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Foggin CM, Rosen LE, Henton MM, Buys A, Floyd T, Turner AD, Tarbin J, Lloyd AS, Chaitezvi C, Ellis RJ, Roberts HC, Dastjerdi A, Nunez A, van Vliet AHM, Steinbach F. Pasteurella sp. associated with fatal septicaemia in six African elephants. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6398. [PMID: 37880229 PMCID: PMC10600241 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41987-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The sudden mortality of African elephants (Loxodonta africana) in Botswana and Zimbabwe in 2020 provoked considerable public interest and speculation. Poaching and malicious poisoning were excluded early on in the investigation. Other potential causes included environmental intoxication, infectious diseases, and increased habitat stress due to ongoing drought. Here we show evidence of the mortalities in Zimbabwe as fatal septicaemia associated with Bisgaard taxon 45, an unnamed close relative of Pasteurella multocida. We analyse elephant carcasses and environmental samples, and fail to find evidence of cyanobacterial or other intoxication. Post-mortem and histological findings suggest a bacterial septicaemia similar to haemorrhagic septicaemia caused by P. multocida. Biochemical tests and 16S rDNA analysis of six samples and genomic analysis of one sample confirm the presence of Bisgaard taxon 45. The genome sequence contains many of the canonical P. multocida virulence factors associated with a range of human and animal diseases, including the pmHAS gene for hyaluronidase associated with bovine haemorrhagic septicaemia. Our results demonstrate that Bisgaard taxon 45 is associated with a generalised, lethal infection and that African elephants are susceptible to opportunistically pathogenic Pasteurella species. This represents an important conservation concern for elephants in the largest remaining metapopulation of this endangered species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura E Rosen
- Transboundary Epidemiology Analytics, LLC, Alpharetta, GA, USA.
- Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
| | | | - Angela Buys
- Design Biologix, Erasmusrand, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Toby Floyd
- Pathology and Animal Sciences Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency Weybridge, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Andrew D Turner
- Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, The Nothe, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8UB, UK
| | | | | | | | - Richard J Ellis
- Surveillance and Laboratory Services Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency Weybridge, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Helen C Roberts
- Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London, SW1P 3JR, UK
| | - Akbar Dastjerdi
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency Weybridge, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Alejandro Nunez
- Pathology and Animal Sciences Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency Weybridge, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Arnoud H M van Vliet
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7AL, UK
| | - Falko Steinbach
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency Weybridge, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7AL, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Prado NA, Armstrong EE, Brown JL, Goldenberg SZ, Leimgruber P, Pearson VR, Maldonado JE, Campana MG. Genomic resources for Asian (Elephas maximus) and African savannah elephant (Loxodonta africana) conservation and health research. J Hered 2023; 114:529-538. [PMID: 37246890 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esad034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023] Open
Abstract
We provide novel genomic resources to help understand the genomic traits involved in elephant health and to aid conservation efforts. We sequence 11 elephant genomes (5 African savannah, 6 Asian) from North American zoos, including 9 de novo assemblies. We estimate elephant germline mutation rates and reconstruct demographic histories. Finally, we provide an in-solution capture assay to genotype Asian elephants. This assay is suitable for analyzing degraded museum and noninvasive samples, such as feces and hair. The elephant genomic resources we present here should allow for more detailed and uniform studies in the future to aid elephant conservation efforts and disease research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalia A Prado
- Biology Department, College of Arts and Sciences, Adelphi University, Garden City, NY, United States
- Center for Conservation Genomics, Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, DC, United States
- Endocrinology Research Laboratory, Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA, United States
| | - Ellie E Armstrong
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Janine L Brown
- Endocrinology Research Laboratory, Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA, United States
| | - Shifra Z Goldenberg
- Conservation Ecology Center, Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, DC, United States
- Conservation Science and Wildlife Health, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Escondido, CA, United States
| | - Peter Leimgruber
- Conservation Ecology Center, Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Virginia R Pearson
- Glenn Rall Laboratory, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jesús E Maldonado
- Center for Conservation Genomics, Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Michael G Campana
- Center for Conservation Genomics, Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, DC, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Jansen van Vuuren A, Bolcaen J, Engelbrecht M, Burger W, De Kock M, Durante M, Fisher R, Martínez-López W, Miles X, Rahiman F, Tinganelli W, Vandevoorde C. Establishment of Primary Adult Skin Fibroblast Cell Lines from African Savanna Elephants ( Loxodonta africana). Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2353. [PMID: 37508130 PMCID: PMC10376752 DOI: 10.3390/ani13142353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Following population declines of the African savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana) across the African continent, the establishment of primary cell lines of endangered wildlife species is paramount for the preservation of their genetic resources. In addition, it allows molecular and functional studies on the cancer suppression mechanisms of elephants, which have previously been linked to a redundancy of tumor suppressor gene TP53. This methodology describes the establishment of primary elephant dermal fibroblast (EDF) cell lines from skin punch biopsy samples (diameter: ±4 mm) of African savanna elephants (n = 4, 14-35 years). The applied tissue collection technique is minimally invasive and paves the way for future remote biopsy darting. On average, the first explant outgrowth was observed after 15.75 ± 6.30 days. The average doubling time (Td) was 93.02 ± 16.94 h and 52.39 ± 0.46 h at passage 1 and 4, respectively. Metaphase spreads confirmed the diploid number of 56 chromosomes. The successful establishment of EDF cell lines allows for future elephant cell characterization studies and for research on the cancer resistance mechanisms of elephants, which can be harnessed for human cancer prevention and treatment and contributes to the conservation of their genetic material.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amèlia Jansen van Vuuren
- Separated Sector Cyclotron (SSC) Laboratory, Radiation Biophysics Division, National Research Foundation (NRF)-iThemba Laboratories for Accelerator Based Sciences (LABS), Cape Town 7100, South Africa
- Department of Medical Biosciences (MBS), Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape (UWC), Cape Town 7530, South Africa
- Biophysics Department, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Julie Bolcaen
- Separated Sector Cyclotron (SSC) Laboratory, Radiation Biophysics Division, National Research Foundation (NRF)-iThemba Laboratories for Accelerator Based Sciences (LABS), Cape Town 7100, South Africa
| | - Monique Engelbrecht
- Separated Sector Cyclotron (SSC) Laboratory, Radiation Biophysics Division, National Research Foundation (NRF)-iThemba Laboratories for Accelerator Based Sciences (LABS), Cape Town 7100, South Africa
| | - Willem Burger
- Dr Willem Burger Consulting, Mossel Bay 6503, South Africa
| | - Maryna De Kock
- Department of Medical Biosciences (MBS), Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape (UWC), Cape Town 7530, South Africa
| | - Marco Durante
- Biophysics Department, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany
- Institut für Physik Kondensierter Materie, Technische Universität (TU) Darmstadt, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Randall Fisher
- Separated Sector Cyclotron (SSC) Laboratory, Radiation Biophysics Division, National Research Foundation (NRF)-iThemba Laboratories for Accelerator Based Sciences (LABS), Cape Town 7100, South Africa
| | - Wilner Martínez-López
- Genetics Department and Biodosimetry Service, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay
| | - Xanthene Miles
- Separated Sector Cyclotron (SSC) Laboratory, Radiation Biophysics Division, National Research Foundation (NRF)-iThemba Laboratories for Accelerator Based Sciences (LABS), Cape Town 7100, South Africa
| | - Farzana Rahiman
- Department of Medical Biosciences (MBS), Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape (UWC), Cape Town 7530, South Africa
| | - Walter Tinganelli
- Biophysics Department, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Charlot Vandevoorde
- Biophysics Department, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wu Z, Zhang C, Gu X, Duporge I, Hughey LF, Stabach JA, Skidmore AK, Hopcraft JGC, Lee SJ, Atkinson PM, McCauley DJ, Lamprey R, Ngene S, Wang T. Deep learning enables satellite-based monitoring of large populations of terrestrial mammals across heterogeneous landscape. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3072. [PMID: 37244940 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38901-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023] Open
Abstract
New satellite remote sensing and machine learning techniques offer untapped possibilities to monitor global biodiversity with unprecedented speed and precision. These efficiencies promise to reveal novel ecological insights at spatial scales which are germane to the management of populations and entire ecosystems. Here, we present a robust transferable deep learning pipeline to automatically locate and count large herds of migratory ungulates (wildebeest and zebra) in the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem using fine-resolution (38-50 cm) satellite imagery. The results achieve accurate detection of nearly 500,000 individuals across thousands of square kilometers and multiple habitat types, with an overall F1-score of 84.75% (Precision: 87.85%, Recall: 81.86%). This research demonstrates the capability of satellite remote sensing and machine learning techniques to automatically and accurately count very large populations of terrestrial mammals across a highly heterogeneous landscape. We also discuss the potential for satellite-derived species detections to advance basic understanding of animal behavior and ecology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zijing Wu
- Department of Natural Resources, Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Ce Zhang
- Lancaster Environment Center, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster, UK
| | - Xiaowei Gu
- School of Computing, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
| | - Isla Duporge
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- U.S. Army Research Laboratory, Army Research Office, Durham, NC, USA
- The National Academies of Sciences, Washington, D.C., USA
| | - Lacey F Hughey
- Conservation Ecology Center, Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA, USA
| | - Jared A Stabach
- Conservation Ecology Center, Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA, USA
| | - Andrew K Skidmore
- Department of Natural Resources, Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - J Grant C Hopcraft
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health, and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Stephen J Lee
- U.S. Army Research Laboratory, Army Research Office, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Peter M Atkinson
- Lancaster Environment Center, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
- Geography and Environmental Science, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Douglas J McCauley
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Richard Lamprey
- Department of Natural Resources, Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Shadrack Ngene
- Wildlife Research and Training Institute, Naivasha, Kenya
| | - Tiejun Wang
- Department of Natural Resources, Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Hughes A, Auliya M, Altherr S, Scheffers B, Janssen J, Nijman V, Shepherd CR, D'Cruze N, Sy E, Edwards DP. Determining the sustainability of legal wildlife trade. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 341:117987. [PMID: 37178541 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Exploitation of wildlife represents one of the greatest threats to species survival according to the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. Whilst detrimental impacts of illegal trade are well recognised, legal trade is often equated to being sustainable despite the lack of evidence or data in the majority of cases. We review the sustainability of wildlife trade, the adequacy of tools, safeguards, and frameworks to understand and regulate trade, and identify gaps in data that undermine our ability to truly understand the sustainability of trade. We provide 183 examples showing unsustainable trade in a broad range of taxonomic groups. In most cases, neither illegal nor legal trade are supported by rigorous evidence of sustainability, with the lack of data on export levels and population monitoring data precluding true assessments of species or population-level impacts. We propose a more precautionary approach to wildlife trade and monitoring that requires those who profit from trade to provide proof of sustainability. We then identify four core areas that must be strengthened to achieve this goal: (1) rigorous data collection and analyses of populations; (2) linking trade quotas to IUCN and international accords; (3) improved databases and compliance of trade; and (4) enhanced understanding of trade bans, market forces, and species substitutions. Enacting these core areas in regulatory frameworks, including CITES, is essential to the continued survival of many threatened species. There are no winners from unsustainable collection and trade: without sustainable management not only will species or populations become extinct, but communities dependent upon these species will lose livelihoods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alice Hughes
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, China.
| | - Mark Auliya
- Department of Herpetology, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Brett Scheffers
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida/IFAS, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Jordi Janssen
- Monitor Conservation Research Society, PO BOX 200, Big Lake Ranch, BC, V0L 1G0, Canada
| | - Vincent Nijman
- Oxford Wildlife Trade Research Group, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK.
| | - Chris R Shepherd
- Monitor Conservation Research Society, PO BOX 200, Big Lake Ranch, BC, V0L 1G0, Canada
| | - Neil D'Cruze
- The Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Tubney, UK; World Animal Protection, 222 Greys Inn Road, London, WC1X 8HB, UK
| | - Emerson Sy
- Philippine Center for Terrestrial & Aquatic Research, Manila, Philippines
| | - David P Edwards
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Biosciences University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Gordon CE, Greve M, Henley M, Bedetti A, Allin P, Svenning JC. Elephant rewilding affects landscape openness and fauna habitat across a 92-year period. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2023; 33:e2810. [PMID: 36694991 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Trophic rewilding aims to promote biodiverse self-sustaining ecosystems through the restoration of ecologically important taxa and the trophic interactions and cascades they propagate. How rewilding effects manifest across broad temporal scales will determine ecosystem states; however, our understanding of post-rewilding dynamics across longer time periods is limited. Here we show that the restoration of a megaherbivore, the African savannah elephant (Loxodonta africana), promotes landscape openness (i.e., various measures of vegetation composition/complexity) and modifies fauna habitat and that these effects continue to manifest up to 92 years after reintroduction. We conducted a space-for-time floristic survey and assessment of 17 habitat attributes (e.g., floristic diversity and cover, ground wood, tree hollows) across five comparable nature reserves in South African savannah, where elephants were reintroduced between 1927 and 2003, finding that elephant reintroduction time was positively correlated with landscape openness and some habitat attributes (e.g., large-sized tree hollows) but negatively associated with others (e.g., large-sized coarse woody debris). We then indexed elephant site occurrence between 2006 and 2018 using telemetry data and found positive associations between site occurrence and woody plant densities. Taken alongside the longer-term space-for-time survey, this suggests that elephants are attracted to dense vegetation in the short term and that this behavior increases landscape openness in the long term. Our results suggest that trophic rewilding with elephants helps promote a semi-open ecosystem structure of high importance for African biodiversity. More generally, our results suggest that megafauna restoration represents a promising tool to curb Earth's recent ecological losses and highlights the importance of considering long-term ecological responses when designing and managing rewilding projects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher E Gordon
- Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World and Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michelle Greve
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Michelle Henley
- Applied Behavioural Ecology and Ecosystem Research Unit, School of Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
- Elephants Alive, Hoedspruit, South Africa
- Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Humanities, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Paul Allin
- Transfrontier Africa, Hoedspruit, South Africa
| | - Jens-Christian Svenning
- Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World and Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Yuh YG, N’Goran KP, Beukou GB, Wendefeuer J, Neba TF, Ndotar AM, NdombaA DL, Ndadet ACJ, Herbinger I, Matthews HD, Turner SE. Recent decline in suitable large mammal habitats within the Dzanga Sangha Protected Areas, Central African Republic. Glob Ecol Conserv 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2023.e02404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
|
9
|
Matsika TA, Masunga GS, Makati A, McCulloch G, Stronza A, Songhurst AC, Adjetey JA, Obopile M. Crop diversity and susceptibility of crop fields to elephant raids in eastern Okavango Panhandle, northern Botswana. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e9910. [PMID: 36960238 PMCID: PMC10030231 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Elephants frequently raid crops within their ranges in Africa and Asia. These raids can greatly impact agricultural productivity and food security for farmers. Therefore, there is a need to explore cost‐effective measures that would reduce the susceptibility of crops and agricultural fields to elephant raiding, and further promote sustainable human–elephant coexistence. Previous studies have examined the susceptibility of crop fields to elephant raids using field characteristics such as field size and proximity to water sources. However, there are limited studies investigating how different crop types, individually and in their combinations, influence crop susceptibility to elephant raiding. This study utilized data collected from crop fields raided by the African savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana) between 2008 and 2018 in the eastern Okavango Panhandle, northern Botswana. Data on crops grown, number of crop‐raiding incidences for each crop, and elephant raiding incidences were recorded for each field assessed. Incidence risks (IR) and field risk value (RV) were computed using an adaptive epidemiological approach. The results showed that elephant raiding incidents varied significantly amongst crop types over space and time (p < .0001). Cereal crops (millet: Eleusine conaracana, maize: Zea mays) incurred a higher number of crop‐raiding incidents compared with leguminous crops (cowpea: Vigna unguiculata; groundnut: Arachis hypogea). Field RVs significantly varied depending on which crop was present in the field. There was a significant negative correlation between the number of crop types and the susceptibility of the field to raiding (r = −0.680, p < .0001). Our results suggest that the susceptibility of the fields to elephant raids could be minimized by selecting crop types and combinations less susceptible to elephant damage, thus enhancing food security for local subsistence farmers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiroyaone A. Matsika
- Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural ResourcesGaboroneBotswana
- Ecoexist TrustMaunBotswana
| | | | | | - Graham McCulloch
- Ecoexist TrustMaunBotswana
- Texas A & M UniversityCollege StationTexasUSA
- University of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Amanda Stronza
- Ecoexist TrustMaunBotswana
- Texas A & M UniversityCollege StationTexasUSA
| | - Anna C. Songhurst
- Ecoexist TrustMaunBotswana
- Texas A & M UniversityCollege StationTexasUSA
- University of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Joseph A. Adjetey
- Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural ResourcesGaboroneBotswana
| | - Motshwari Obopile
- Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural ResourcesGaboroneBotswana
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Buchholtz EK, McDaniels M, McCulloch G, Songhurst A, Stronza A. A mixed‐methods assessment of human‐elephant conflict in the Western Okavango Panhandle, Botswana. PEOPLE AND NATURE 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Erin K. Buchholtz
- The Ecoexist Trust Maun Botswana
- Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Program Texas A&M University Texas College Station USA
- Department of Ecology & Conservation Biology Texas A&M University Texas College Station USA
| | - Megan McDaniels
- Graduate Group in Ecology University of California – Davis California Davis USA
| | - Graham McCulloch
- Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Program Texas A&M University Texas College Station USA
- Department of Ecology & Conservation Biology Texas A&M University Texas College Station USA
- Department of Zoology University of Oxford Oxford UK
| | - Anna Songhurst
- Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Program Texas A&M University Texas College Station USA
- Department of Ecology & Conservation Biology Texas A&M University Texas College Station USA
- Department of Zoology University of Oxford Oxford UK
| | - Amanda Stronza
- The Ecoexist Trust Maun Botswana
- Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Program Texas A&M University Texas College Station USA
- Department of Ecology & Conservation Biology Texas A&M University Texas College Station USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Chan SCY, Chui SYS, Pretorius Y, Karczmarski L. Estimating population parameters of African elephants: a photographic mark-recapture application in a South African protected area. Mamm Biol 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-022-00334-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
|
12
|
Kuiper T, Altwegg R, Beale C, Carroll T, Dublin HT, Hauenstein S, Kshatriya M, Schwarz C, Thouless CR, Royle A, Milner-Gulland EJ. Drivers and facilitators of the illegal killing of elephants across 64 African sites. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20222270. [PMID: 36629103 PMCID: PMC9832558 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.2270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Ivory poaching continues to threaten African elephants. We (1) used criminology theory and literature evidence to generate hypotheses about factors that may drive, facilitate or motivate poaching, (2) identified datasets representing these factors, and (3) tested those factors with strong hypotheses and sufficient data quality for empirical associations with poaching. We advance on previous analyses of correlates of elephant poaching by using additional poaching data and leveraging new datasets for previously untested explanatory variables. Using data on 10 286 illegally killed elephants detected at 64 sites in 30 African countries (2002-2020), we found strong evidence to support the hypotheses that the illegal killing of elephants is associated with poor national governance, low law enforcement capacity, low household wealth and health, and global elephant ivory prices. Forest elephant populations suffered higher rates of illegal killing than savannah elephants. We found only weak evidence that armed conflicts may increase the illegal killing of elephants, and no evidence for effects of site accessibility, vegetation density, elephant population density, precipitation or site area. Results suggest that addressing wider systemic challenges of human development, corruption and consumer demand would help reduce poaching, corroborating broader work highlighting these more ultimate drivers of the global illegal wildlife trade.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Kuiper
- Centre for Statistics in Ecology, Environment and Conservation, Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7700, South Africa,Interdisciplinary Centre for Conservation Science, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, 11a Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3SZ, UK
| | - Res Altwegg
- Centre for Statistics in Ecology, Environment and Conservation, Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7700, South Africa
| | - Colin Beale
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK
| | - Thea Carroll
- UN programme for Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Holly T. Dublin
- Technical Advisory Group to the programme for Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Severin Hauenstein
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK,Department of Biometry and Environmental System Analysis, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Mrigesh Kshatriya
- UN programme for Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Carl Schwarz
- StatMathComp Consulting, Port Moody, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Andrew Royle
- U.S. Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center, MD, USA
| | - E. J. Milner-Gulland
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Conservation Science, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, 11a Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3SZ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Using camera trap bycatch data to assess habitat use and the influence of human activity on African elephants (Loxodonta africana) in Kasungu National Park, Malawi. Mamm Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-022-00330-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AbstractAfrican elephants (Loxodonta africana) are increasingly exposed to high levels of human disturbance and are threatened by poaching and human–elephant conflict. As anthropogenic pressures continue to increase, both inside and outside protected areas, understanding elephant behavioural responses to human activity is required for future conservation management. Here, we use bycatch data from camera trap surveys to provide inferences on elephant habitat use and temporal activity in Kasungu National Park (KNP), Malawi. The KNP elephant population has declined by ~ 95% since the late 1970s, primarily because of intensive poaching, and information on elephant ecology and behaviour can assist in the species’ recovery. Using occupancy modelling, we show that proximity to water is the primary driver of elephant habitat use in KNP, with sites closer to water having a positive effect on elephant site use. Our occupancy results suggest that elephants do not avoid sites of higher human activity, while results from temporal activity models show that elephants avoid peak times of human activity and exhibit primarily nocturnal behaviour when using the KNP road network. As key park infrastructure is located near permanent water sources, elephant spatiotemporal behaviour may represent a trade-off between resource utilisation and anthropogenic-risk factors, with temporal partitioning used to reduce encounter rates. Increased law enforcement activity around permanent water sources could help to protect the KNP elephant population during the dry season. Our findings highlight that camera trap bycatch data can be a useful tool for the conservation management of threatened species beyond the initial scope of research.
Collapse
|
14
|
Ndlovu M, Madiri T, Madhlamoto D, Tadyanehondo K, Vambe A, Mungoni E. Age-sex structure of drought-driven African elephant (Loxodonta africana) mortality in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. SCIENTIFIC AFRICAN 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sciaf.2022.e01459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
|
15
|
Jones MM, Fletcher R, Kruger L, Monadjem A, Simelane P, McCleery R. Drought limits large trees in African savannas with or without elephants. AUSTRAL ECOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.13244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maggie M. Jones
- School of Natural Resources and Ecology University of Florida Gainesville Florida USA
| | - Robert Fletcher
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation University of Florida Gainesville Florida USA
| | | | - Ara Monadjem
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Eswatini Kwaluseni Eswatini
- Department of Zoology & Entomology, Mammal Research Institute University of Pretoria Pretoria South Africa
| | - Phumlile Simelane
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Eswatini Kwaluseni Eswatini
| | - Robert McCleery
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation University of Florida Gainesville Florida USA
- Department of Zoology & Entomology, Mammal Research Institute University of Pretoria Pretoria South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Huang RM, van Aarde RJ, Pimm SL, Chase MJ, Leggett K. Mapping potential connections between Southern Africa's elephant populations. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0275791. [PMID: 36219597 PMCID: PMC9553058 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Southern Africa spans nearly 7 million km2 and contains approximately 80% of the world’s savannah elephants (Loxodonta africana) mostly living in isolated protected areas. Here we ask what are the prospects for improving the connections between these populations? We combine 1.2 million telemetry observations from 254 elephants with spatial data on environmental factors and human land use across eight southern African countries. Telemetry data show what natural features limit elephant movement and what human factors, including fencing, further prevent or restrict dispersal. The resulting intersection of geospatial data and elephant presences provides a map of suitable landscapes that are environmentally appropriate for elephants and where humans allow elephants to occupy. We explore the environmental and anthropogenic constraints in detail using five case studies. Lastly, we review all the major potential connections that may remain to connect a fragmented elephant metapopulation and document connections that are no longer feasible.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan M. Huang
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail: (RMH); (RJA)
| | - Rudi J. van Aarde
- Conservation Ecology Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa
- * E-mail: (RMH); (RJA)
| | - Stuart L. Pimm
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Conservation Ecology Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa
| | | | - Keith Leggett
- Fowlers Gap Arid Zone Research Station, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Fowlers Gap, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Thant ZM, May R, Røskaft E. Human–elephant coexistence challenges in Myanmar: An analysis of fatal elephant attacks on humans and elephant mortality. J Nat Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2022.126260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
|
18
|
Mukeka JM, Ogutu JO, Kanga E, Piepho HP, Røskaft E. Long-term trends in elephant mortality and their causes in Kenya. FRONTIERS IN CONSERVATION SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fcosc.2022.975682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
High mortality poses a serious threat to sustainable conservation of the African elephant (Loxodonta africana). Using detected carcass data collected by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) during 1992-2017, we analyze temporal and spatial variation in elephant mortality in Kenya. We investigate the major mortality causes and means used to kill elephants, carcass category, tusk recovery status, variation in mortality with elephant age and sex classes, differences between inside and outside protected areas (PAs), the Proportion of Illegally Killed Elephants (PIKE) and the overall mortality rate (MR — the number of dead/number of live elephants in a given year). In total 9,182 elephant deaths were recorded during the 26 years. Elephant mortality increased over time and was attributed primarily to natural (33.1%) and human-related causes, particularly ivory poaching (31.5%) and human-elephant conflicts (19.9%). Elephant mortality varied across Kenya’s 47 counties in correspondence with variation in elephant population size and was the highest in the leading elephant range counties of Taita Taveta, Laikipia, Samburu and Meru. Mortality was higher for males and adults and outside the protected areas. Most elephant carcasses had tusks (75.1%) but a few did not (12.5%). Yearly PIKE values peaked in 2012, the year with the highest poaching levels in Kenya during 1992-2017. MR increased throughout 1992-2017. Temporal variation in elephant mortality probability was significantly influenced by human and livestock population densities, average annual maximum temperature and total annual rainfall and the strength of these influences varied across the seven leading elephant range counties of Kenya. Natural processes are increasingly contributing to elephant mortality likely due to climate change and the associated food and water stress, exacerbated by contracting range. Enhancing anti-poaching and strategies for mitigating climate change impacts and human-elephant conflict and reducing range contraction while sustaining habitat connectivity can help reduce mortality and promote elephant conservation. Strengthening enforcement of international wildlife laws can further reduce illegal trade in tusks and killing of elephants.
Collapse
|
19
|
Vogel SM, Songhurst AC, McCulloch G, Stronza A. Understanding farmers' reasons behind mitigation decisions is key in supporting their coexistence with wildlife. PEOPLE AND NATURE 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Marieke Vogel
- Department of Zoology University of Oxford Oxford UK
- Department of Biology, Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE) Aarhus University Aarhus C Denmark
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Open Universiteit Heerlen The Netherlands
| | - Anna Catherine Songhurst
- Department of Zoology University of Oxford Oxford UK
- Ecoexist Trust Maun Botswana
- Applied Biodiversity Science Program, Texas A&M College Station Texas USA
| | - Graham McCulloch
- Department of Zoology University of Oxford Oxford UK
- Ecoexist Trust Maun Botswana
- Applied Biodiversity Science Program, Texas A&M College Station Texas USA
| | - Amanda Stronza
- Ecoexist Trust Maun Botswana
- Applied Biodiversity Science Program, Texas A&M College Station Texas USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Valášek V, Pachnerová Brabcová K, Kufnerová J, Molnár M, Světlík I. REFINING RADIOCARBON DATING OF IVORY. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2022; 198:675-680. [PMID: 36005974 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncac118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Elephants are on the verge of extinction due to extensive poaching to obtain ivory and illegal income. According to international law, the trade in ivory of African elephants is outlawed, with a few exceptions, as for example in European Union for antique ivory obtained before 1947. There is basically only one physical method for determining the age of ivory and that is radiocarbon dating. The method uses artificially temporarily enhanced 14C content in the atmosphere to date relevant samples with high resolution. Since this advantage is slowly fading, the question arises of how to fill in the loss of the resolution. One possibility is exploiting the chronology of ivory. This work studies a whole elephant tusk and uses radiocarbon dating of samples obtained longitudinally and transversely from along the tusk to analyse the growth rate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vojtěch Valášek
- Department of Radiation Dosimetry, Nuclear Physics Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Na Truhlářce 39/64, 180 00 Praha 8, Czech Republic
- Institute for Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science Charles University Prague, Benátská 2, 128 01 Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Kateřina Pachnerová Brabcová
- Department of Radiation Dosimetry, Nuclear Physics Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Na Truhlářce 39/64, 180 00 Praha 8, Czech Republic
| | - Jitka Kufnerová
- Department of Radiation Dosimetry, Nuclear Physics Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Na Truhlářce 39/64, 180 00 Praha 8, Czech Republic
- Institute for Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science Charles University Prague, Benátská 2, 128 01 Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Mihály Molnár
- INTERACT Laboratory, Institute for Nuclear Research, Bem tér 18/C, 4026 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Ivo Světlík
- Department of Radiation Dosimetry, Nuclear Physics Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Na Truhlářce 39/64, 180 00 Praha 8, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Guldemond RAR, Louw CJ, Maré C, Nørgaard C, van Aarde RJ. Demographic responses of an insular elephant population to removal as a management intervention. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.12741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Robert A. R. Guldemond
- Conservation Ecology Research Unit, Department of Zoology & Entomology University of Pretoria Hatfield South Africa
| | - Cornelius J. Louw
- Conservation Ecology Research Unit, Department of Zoology & Entomology University of Pretoria Hatfield South Africa
| | - Celesté Maré
- Conservation Ecology Research Unit, Department of Zoology & Entomology University of Pretoria Hatfield South Africa
| | - Camilla Nørgaard
- Conservation Ecology Research Unit, Department of Zoology & Entomology University of Pretoria Hatfield South Africa
| | - Rudi J. van Aarde
- Conservation Ecology Research Unit, Department of Zoology & Entomology University of Pretoria Hatfield South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Montero Botey M, Soliño M, Perea R, Martínez-Jauregui M. Let Us Give Voice to Local Farmers: Preferences for Farm-Based Strategies to Enhance Human–Elephant Coexistence in Africa. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12141867. [PMID: 35883411 PMCID: PMC9311559 DOI: 10.3390/ani12141867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Local communities living on the edge of protected areas often experience negative impacts on their livelihoods due to wildlife. These situations threaten support for long-term conservation of wildlife and wild habitats so a key for conservation sustainability should be based on implementing socially accepted and economically sustainable mitigation practices. For successful design and implementation of mitigation strategies, it is vital to engage local communities and understand their preferences and previous experiences. In this study, we present a choice experiment as a tool to analyze local farmer preferences for the most common farm-based solutions to reduce African elephant crop damage. Results show that there are significant differences among responses triggered by farmers’ previous experience with elephants and socioeconomic situation, with a marked spatial distribution among respondents. This methodology, based on a choice modeling approach considering the differential availability of resources and previous experience with elephants or other wildlife, is highly applicable, with small changes in other areas where wildlife competes with local communities for resources. This approach also represents a suitable instrument for identifying stakeholders’ preferences in each specific context. Abstract Local communities surrounding wildlife corridors and natural reserves often face challenges related to human–wildlife coexistence. To mitigate the challenges and ensure the long-term conservation of wildlife, it is important to engage local communities in the design of conservation strategies. By conducting 480 face-to-face interviews in 30 villages along and adjacent to the Selous-Niassa Wildlife Corridor (Tanzania), we quantified farmers’ preferences for farm-based measures to mitigate African elephant damage using choice experiments. Results show that farmers considered no action the least preferred option, revealing that they are open to trying different measures. The most preferred management strategy matched with the preferences of wildlife rangers in the area, suggesting low concern about the potential conflicts between stakeholders. However, a latent class model suggests that there are significant differences among responses triggered by farmers’ previous experience with elephants, the intensity of the elephant damage, and the socioeconomic situation of the farmer. Results show a marked spatial distribution among respondents, highlighting the benefits of zone management as conflicts were found to be highly context dependent. Understanding the human dimension of conservation is essential for the successful planification and implementation of conservation strategies. Therefore, the development and broad utilization of methodologies to gather specific context information should be encouraged.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- María Montero Botey
- Departamento de Sistemas y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Avda. Moreras s/n E, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-910671701
| | - Mario Soliño
- Institute of Marine Research—CSIC, C/ Eduardo Cabello 6, 36208 Vigo, Spain;
- Complutense Institute for International Studies (ICEI), Finca Mas Ferré, Edif. A. Campus de Somosaguas, 28223 Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain
| | - Ramón Perea
- Departamento de Sistemas y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Avda. Moreras s/n E, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - María Martínez-Jauregui
- Forest Research Centre (INIA-CSIC), Ctra. de La Coruña km. 7.5, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
- Sustainable Forest Management Research Institute, University of Valladolid and INIA, Avda. de Madrid 57, 34004 Palencia, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Gross EM, Pereira JG, Shaba T, Bilério S, Kumchedwa B, Lienenlüke S. Exploring Routes to Coexistence: Developing and Testing a Human–Elephant Conflict-Management Framework for African Elephant-Range Countries. DIVERSITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/d14070525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Creating a future for elephants and people is a highly complex and dynamic challenge, involving social, behavioral, and ecological dimensions as well as multiple actors with various interests. To foster learning from human–elephant conflict (HEC) management projects and share best practices, a study was conducted to review the management of conflicts between elephants and humans in 12 African countries by qualitative expert interviews. Based on this information, a HEC management framework was developed in a two-tiered process. In the first phase, the theory of the framework was developed. In a second phase, the theoretical framework was validated and adjusted through stakeholder participation in two southern African projects (in Mozambique and Malawi). This holistic approach considers environmental as well as social, political, cultural, and economic factors directly or indirectly affecting interactions between people and wildlife. The framework integrates six interlinked strategies to guide managers and conservation practitioners to address HWC drivers and mitigate their impact. A legal environment and spatial planning form the basis of the framework. Social strategies, including meaningful stakeholder engagement and design of appropriate institutional structures and processes are considered the heart of the framework. Technical and financial strategies represent its arms and hands. At the top, monitoring steers all processes, provides feedback for adjustment, and informs decisions. The integration and coordination of these six strategies has great potential as a guiding route to human–wildlife coexistence in Africa and elsewhere.
Collapse
|
24
|
Rammala B, Zhou N. Looking into the world's largest elephant population in search of ligninolytic microorganisms for biorefineries: a mini-review. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS 2022; 15:64. [PMID: 35689287 PMCID: PMC9188235 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-022-02159-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Gastrointestinal tracts (GIT) of herbivores are lignin-rich environments with the potential to find ligninolytic microorganisms. The occurrence of the microorganisms in herbivore GIT is a well-documented mutualistic relationship where the former benefits from the provision of nutrients and the latter benefits from the microorganism-assisted digestion of their recalcitrant lignin diets. Elephants are one of the largest herbivores that rely on the microbial anaerobic fermentation of their bulky recalcitrant low-quality forage lignocellulosic diet given their inability to break down major components of plant cells. Tapping the potential of these mutualistic associations in the biggest population of elephants in the whole world found in Botswana is attractive in the valorisation of the bulky recalcitrant lignin waste stream generated from the pulp and paper, biofuel, and agro-industries. Despite the massive potential as a feedstock for industrial fermentations, few microorganisms have been commercialised. This review focuses on the potential of microbiota from the gastrointestinal tract and excreta of the worlds' largest population of elephants of Botswana as a potential source of extremophilic ligninolytic microorganisms. The review further discusses the recalcitrance of lignin, achievements, limitations, and challenges with its biological depolymerisation. Methods of isolation of microorganisms from elephant dung and their improvement as industrial strains are further highlighted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bame Rammala
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Private Bag 16, Palapye, Botswana.
| | - Nerve Zhou
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Private Bag 16, Palapye, Botswana.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Degbelo FG, Djagoun CAMS, Toyi SSM, Padonou EA, Kouton M, Gichohi N, Muruthi P, Sinsin B. What shapes the mammal species poaching in protected areas: biophysical or anthropogenic factors? A case study in Pendjari Biosphere Reserve. NATURE CONSERVATION 2022. [DOI: 10.3897/natureconservation.48.68243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Understanding what shapes the mammal species poaching in protected areas is critical to developing targeted management strategies for reducing poaching. We collected the data for poaching incidents on the GPS coordinates from 2011 to 2017 to map poaching incidents in the Pendjari Biosphere Reserve. Poaching incidents were then related to environmental and anthropogenic variables using regression analyses. The study shows that poaching is more concentrated along the main river in the Pendjari National Park. Only nearest distance to the main river significantly predicted the location of high poaching incidents. These results could be used as the starting point by the park managers when planning the anti-poaching activities.
Collapse
|
26
|
Morrison J, Omengo F, Jones M, Symeonakis E, Walker SL, Cain B. Estimating elephant density using motion‐sensitive cameras: challenges, opportunities, and parameters for consideration. J Wildl Manage 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Morrison
- Department of Natural Sciences Manchester Metropolitan, University, Chester Street Manchester M1 5GD United Kingdom
| | - Fred Omengo
- Kenya Wildlife Service P.O. Box 40241‐00100 Nairobi Kenya
| | - Martin Jones
- Department of Natural Sciences Manchester Metropolitan, University, Chester Street Manchester M1 5GD United Kingdom
| | - Elias Symeonakis
- Department of Natural Sciences Manchester Metropolitan, University, Chester Street Manchester M1 5GD United Kingdom
| | - Susan L. Walker
- Chester Zoo, Cedar House Caughall Road, Upton by Chester Chester CH2 1LH United Kingdom
| | - Bradley Cain
- Department of Natural Sciences Manchester Metropolitan, University, Chester Street Manchester M1 5GD United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Hauenstein S, Jassoy N, Mupepele A, Carroll T, Kshatriya M, Beale CM, Dormann CF. A systematic map of demographic data from elephant populations throughout Africa: implications for poaching and population analyses. Mamm Rev 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Severin Hauenstein
- Department of Biometry and Environmental System Analysis University of Freiburg 79106FreiburgGermany
- Department of Biology University of York YorkYO10 5DDUK
| | - Noémi Jassoy
- Department of Biometry and Environmental System Analysis University of Freiburg 79106FreiburgGermany
| | - Anne‐Christine Mupepele
- Department of Biometry and Environmental System Analysis University of Freiburg 79106FreiburgGermany
- Department of Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology University of Freiburg Freiburg79106Germany
| | - Thea Carroll
- CITES Secretariat – MIKE Programme United Nations Environment Programme 30552‐00100NairobiKenya
| | - Mrigesh Kshatriya
- CITES Secretariat – MIKE Programme United Nations Environment Programme 30552‐00100NairobiKenya
| | | | - Carsten F. Dormann
- Department of Biometry and Environmental System Analysis University of Freiburg 79106FreiburgGermany
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Kisingo A, Wilfred P, Magige FJ, Kayeye H, Nahonyo CL, Milner‐Gulland EJ. Resource managers' and users' perspectives on factors contributing to unauthorised hunting in western Tanzania. Afr J Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/aje.12947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alex Kisingo
- College of African Wildlife Management Moshi Tanzania
| | - Paulo Wilfred
- Department of Life Sciences Open University of Tanzania Dar es Salaam Tanzania
| | | | - Heri Kayeye
- Sokoine University of Agriculture Morogoro Tanzania
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Montgomery RA, Raupp J, Mukhwana M, Greenleaf A, Mudumba T, Muruthi P. The efficacy of interventions to protect crops from raiding elephants. AMBIO 2022; 51:716-727. [PMID: 34173175 PMCID: PMC8800974 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-021-01587-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Both African elephants (Loxodonta spp.) and the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) across their range come into conflict with people because of their crop-raiding behavior, which presents profound impediments to farmer livelihoods. In response, a series of interventions, designed to reduce elephant crop raiding have been applied. Based on an extensive review of elephant crop-raiding studies published over a 31-year period, we identified four primary categories of interventions including: (i) detection efforts; (ii) preemptive measures; (iii) fencing and trenches; and (iv) deterrent techniques. The interventions reported to be most effective involved chili peppers (i.e., fences, spray, and briquettes) and crop guarding coupled with deterrents. The extent to which these interventions can be applied more widely is unclear as only two studies examined efficacy across sites in more than one country. Thus, future inquiry should evaluate the ability of effective interventions, or indeed a combination of interventions, to be applied across the range of elephants to reduce crop raiding at scale.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert A. Montgomery
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Zoology, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, University of Oxford, Tubney House, Abingdon Road, Tubney, Oxon OX13 5QL UK
| | - Jamie Raupp
- Research on the Ecology of Carnivores and Their Prey (RECaP) Laboratory, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA
| | - Methodius Mukhwana
- African Wildlife Foundation, Uganda Office, Plot 9 Bukoto Crescent, Naguru, P.O. Box 37346, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Ashley Greenleaf
- Research on the Ecology of Carnivores and Their Prey (RECaP) Laboratory, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA
| | - Tutilo Mudumba
- Research on the Ecology of Carnivores and Their Prey (RECaP) Laboratory, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA
- Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Philip Muruthi
- African Wildlife Foundation, Headquarters, Ngong Road, Karen, P.O. Box 310, 00502 Nairobi, Kenya
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Wilgen BW, Strydom T, Simms C, Smit IPJ. Research, monitoring, and reflection as a guide to the management of complex ecosystems: The case of fire in the Kruger National Park, South Africa. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.12658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Brian W. Wilgen
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology Stellenbosch University Stellenbosch South Africa
| | - Tercia Strydom
- Scientific Services South African National Parks Skukuza South Africa
| | - Chenay Simms
- Scientific Services South African National Parks Skukuza South Africa
| | - Izak P. J. Smit
- Scientific Services South African National Parks Skukuza South Africa
- Department of Zoology and Entomology University of Pretoria Pretoria South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Sievert O, Evans K, Mgoola W, Harwood A. Early insights into the movements of Malawi’s transboundary elephants. Afr J Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/aje.12984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Kate Evans
- Elephants for Africa Maun, Botswana & London UK
- Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre Gothenburg Sweden
| | - William Mgoola
- Department of National Parks and Wildlife Lilongwe Malawi
| | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Vogel SM, Pasgaard M, Svenning J. Joining forces toward proactive elephant and rhinoceros conservation. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2022; 36:e13726. [PMID: 33634491 PMCID: PMC9290625 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Proactive approaches that anticipate the long-term effects of current and future conservation threats could increase the effectiveness and efficiency of biodiversity conservation. However, such approaches can be obstructed by a lack of knowledge of habitat requirements for wildlife. To aggregate and assess the suitability of current information available on habitat requirements needed for proactive conservation, we conducted a systematic review of the literature on elephant and rhinoceros habitat requirements and synthesized data by combining a vote counting assessment with bibliometric and term maps. We contextualized these numeric and terminological results with a narrative review. We mapped current methods, results, terminology, and collaborations of 693 studies. Quantitative evidence for factors that influence the suitability of an area for elephants and rhinoceros was biased toward African savanna elephants and ecological variables. Less than one third of holistic approaches considered equal amounts of ecological and anthropogenic variables in their assessments. There was a general lack of quantitative evidence for direct proxies of anthropogenic variables that were expected to play an important role based on qualitative evidence and policy documents. However, there was evidence for a segregation in conceptual frameworks among countries and species and between science versus policy literature. There was also evidence of unused potential for collaborations among southern hemisphere researchers. Our results indicated that the success of proactive conservation interventions can be increased if ecological and anthropogenic dimensions are integrated into holistic habitat assessments and holistic carrying capacities and quantitative evidence for anthropogenic variables is improved. To avoid wasting limited resources, it is necessary to form inclusive collaborations within and across networks of researchers studying different species across regional and continental borders and in the science-policy realm.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Marieke Vogel
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of BiologyAarhus UniversityAarhus CDenmark
- Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of BiologyAarhus UniversityAarhus CDenmark
| | - Maya Pasgaard
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of BiologyAarhus UniversityAarhus CDenmark
- Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of BiologyAarhus UniversityAarhus CDenmark
- Section for Geography, Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource ManagementUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Jens‐Christian Svenning
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of BiologyAarhus UniversityAarhus CDenmark
- Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of BiologyAarhus UniversityAarhus CDenmark
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Mehrabi Z, Naidoo R. Shifting baselines and biodiversity success stories. Nature 2022; 601:E17-E18. [PMID: 35082414 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03750-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Zia Mehrabi
- Sustainability Innovation Lab at Colorado and the Environmental Studies Program, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA.
| | - Robin Naidoo
- Institute for Resources Environment and Sustainability, University of British Columbia, Columbia, Canada. .,WWF-US, Washington, DC, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Wiśniewska M, Puga-Gonzalez I, Lee P, Moss C, Russell G, Garnier S, Sueur C. Simulated poaching affects global connectivity and efficiency in social networks of African savanna elephants—An exemplar of how human disturbance impacts group-living species. PLoS Comput Biol 2022; 18:e1009792. [PMID: 35041648 PMCID: PMC8797174 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Selective harvest, such as poaching, impacts group-living animals directly through mortality of individuals with desirable traits, and indirectly by altering the structure of their social networks. Understanding the relationship between disturbance-induced, structural network changes and group performance in wild animals remains an outstanding problem. To address this problem, we evaluated the immediate effect of disturbance on group sociality in African savanna elephants—an example, group-living species threatened by poaching. Drawing on static association data from ten free-ranging groups, we constructed one empirically based, population-wide network and 100 virtual networks; performed a series of experiments ‘poaching’ the oldest, socially central or random individuals; and quantified the immediate change in the theoretical indices of network connectivity and efficiency of social diffusion. Although the social networks never broke down, targeted elimination of the socially central conspecifics, regardless of age, decreased network connectivity and efficiency. These findings hint at the need to further study resilience by modeling network reorganization and interaction-mediated socioecological learning, empirical data permitting. The main contribution of our work is in quantifying connectivity together with global efficiency in multiple social networks that feature the sociodemographic diversity likely found in wild elephant populations. The basic design of our simulation makes it adaptable for hypothesis testing about the consequences of anthropogenic disturbance or lethal management on social interactions in a variety of group-living species with limited, real-world data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maggie Wiśniewska
- Department of Biological Sciences, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Ivan Puga-Gonzalez
- Institutt for global utvikling og samfunnsplanlegging, Universitetet i Agder, Kristiansand, Norway
- Center for Modeling Social Systems at NORCE, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Phyllis Lee
- Amboseli Trust for Elephants, Nairobi, Kenya
- Faculty of Natural Science, University of Stirling, Stirling, United Kingdom
| | | | - Gareth Russell
- Department of Biological Sciences, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Simon Garnier
- Department of Biological Sciences, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Cédric Sueur
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC, UMR 7178, Strasbourg, France
- Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
A Review of Human-Elephant Ecological Relations in the Malay Peninsula: Adaptations for Coexistence. DIVERSITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/d14010036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the relationship between humans and elephants is of particular interest for reducing conflict and encouraging coexistence. This paper reviews the ecological relationship between humans and Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in the rainforests of the Malay Peninsula, examining the extent of differentiation of spatio-temporal and trophic niches. We highlight the strategies that people and elephants use to partition an overlapping fundamental niche. When elephants are present, forest-dwelling people often build above-the-ground shelters; and when people are present, elephants avoid open areas during the day. People are able to access several foods that are out of reach of elephants or inedible; for example, people use water to leach poisons from tubers of wild yams, use blowpipes to kill arboreal game, and climb trees to access honey. We discuss how the transition to agriculture affected the human–elephant relationship by increasing the potential for competition. We conclude that the traditional foraging cultures of the Malay Peninsula are compatible with wildlife conservation.
Collapse
|
36
|
Lee PC, Moss CJ, Njiraini N, Poole JH, Sayialel K, Fishlock VL. Cohort consequences of drought and family disruption for male and female African elephants. Behav Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arab148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Cohort effects, reflecting early adversity or advantage, have persisting consequences for growth, reproductive onset, longevity, and lifetime reproductive success. In species with prolonged life histories, cohort effects may establish variation in age-sex structures, while social structure may buffer individuals against early adversity. Using periods of significant ecological adversity, we examined cohort effects for male and female elephants (Loxodonta africana) over almost 50 years in Amboseli, Kenya. Mortality spiked during severe droughts with highest mortality among calves under 2 years and females over 40 years. Deaths of oldest females resulted in social disruption via matriarch turnover, with potential impacts on resource acquisition for survivors. We predicted that survivors of high mortality and social challenges would have altered life-history trajectories, with later age at first reproduction and reduced age-specific fertility for females and slow transitions to independence and late-onset of potential mating or musth among males. Contrary to expectations, there were no persisting early drought effects on female age at first conception while matriarch loss around puberty accelerated reproductive onset. Experience of an early life drought did not influence age-specific reproductive rates once females commenced reproduction. Males who survived an early drought exhibited complex consequences: male age at family independence was later with larger peer cohort size, but earlier with drought in year of independence (13.9 vs 14.6 years). Early drought had no effect on age at first musth, but male reproductive onset was weakly associated with the number of peers (negative) and age at independence (positive).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Phyllis C Lee
- Amboseli Trust for Elephants, Langata, Nairobi, Kenya
- Behaviour & Evolution Research Group, Psychology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
| | | | | | - Joyce H Poole
- ElephantVoices, Buskhellinga 3, 3236 Sandefjord, Norway
| | | | - Vicki L Fishlock
- Amboseli Trust for Elephants, Langata, Nairobi, Kenya
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, UK
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Nationwide abundance and distribution of African forest elephants across Gabon using non-invasive SNP genotyping. Glob Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
|
38
|
Moore JF, Uzabaho E, Musana A, Uwingeli P, Hines JE, Nichols JD. What is the effect of poaching activity on wildlife species? ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2021; 31:e02397. [PMID: 34212448 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Poaching is a pervasive threat to wildlife, yet quantifying the direct effect of poaching on wildlife is rarely possible because both wildlife and threat data are infrequently collected concurrently. In this study, we used poaching data collected through the Management Information System (MIST) and wildlife camera trap data collected by the Tropical Ecology Assessment and Monitoring (TEAM) network from 2014 to 2017 in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. We implemented co-occurrence multi-season occupancy models that accounted for imperfect detection to investigate the effect of poaching on initial occupancy, colonization, and extinction of five mammal species. Specifically, we focused on two species of conservation concern (mountain gorilla [Gorilla beringei beringei] and golden monkey [Cercopithecus mitis kandti]), and three species targeted by poachers (black-fronted duiker [Cephalophus nigrifrons], bushbuck [Tragelaphus scriptus], and African buffalo [Syncerus caffer]). We found that the probability of local extinction was highest in sites with poaching activity for golden monkey and bushbuck. In addition, the probability of initial occupancy for golden monkey was highest in sites without poaching activity. We only found weak evidence of effects of poaching on parameters governing the occupancy dynamics of the other species. All species showed evidence of poaching presence affecting the probability of detection of the wildlife species. This is the first study to our knowledge to combine direct threat observations from ranger-based monitoring data with camera trap wildlife observations to quantify the effect of poaching on wildlife. Given the widespread collection of ranger-based monitoring and camera trap data, our approach is broadly applicable to numerous protected areas and has the potential to significantly improve conservation management. Specifically, the relationship between poaching activity and wildlife population dynamics can be combined with information on the relationship between ranger patrols and poaching activity to develop models useful for making wise decisions about ranger patrol deployment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer F Moore
- Department of Wildlife Conservation and Ecology, University of Florida, 110 Newins-Ziegler Hall, Gainesville, Florida, 32611, USA
| | - Eustrate Uzabaho
- International Gorilla Conservation Programme, Seventh Day Adventist North Conference Building, Muhoza Sector, Musanze, Northern Province, Rwanda
| | - Abel Musana
- Rwanda Development Board, Volcanoes National Park, Kinigi Sector, Musanze, Northern Province, Rwanda
| | - Prosper Uwingeli
- Rwanda Development Board, Volcanoes National Park, Kinigi Sector, Musanze, Northern Province, Rwanda
| | - James E Hines
- U.S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, Maryland, 20708, USA
| | - James D Nichols
- U.S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, Maryland, 20708, USA
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Benitez L, Queenborough SA. Fruit trees drive small‐scale movement of elephants in Kibale National Park, Uganda. Biotropica 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.13010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Benitez
- Yale School of the Environment Yale University New Haven CT USA
- Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute Front Royal VA USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Abstract
Human presence and activities shape African elephant movements more than water and food availability, restricting the area available for their survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Leimgruber
- Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, 1500 Remount Road, Front Royal, VA 22601, USA.
| | - Melissa A Songer
- Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, 1500 Remount Road, Front Royal, VA 22601, USA
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Stakeholder attitudes toward the incentives used to mitigate human-elephant conflict in southern Africa: A news media content analysis. J Nat Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2021.125982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|
42
|
Montero‐Botey M, Soliño M, Perea R, Martínez‐Jauregui M. Exploring rangers' preferences for community‐based strategies to improve human‐elephant coexistence in African natural corridors. Anim Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- M. Montero‐Botey
- Departamento de Sistemas y Recursos Naturales Universidad Politécnica de Madrid Madrid Spain
| | - M. Soliño
- Department of Economic Analysis & ICEI Complutense University of Madrid Pozuelo de Alarcón Spain
| | - R. Perea
- Departamento de Sistemas y Recursos Naturales Universidad Politécnica de Madrid Madrid Spain
| | - M. Martínez‐Jauregui
- National Institute for Agriculture and Food Research and Technology (INIA) Forest Research Centre (CIFOR) Madrid Spain
- Sustainable Forest Management Research Institute University of Valladolid & INIA Palencia Spain
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
A cross-scale modeling framework for decision support on elephant management in Kruger National Park, South Africa. ECOL INFORM 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoinf.2021.101266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
44
|
Abraham JO, Goldberg ER, Botha J, Staver AC. Heterogeneity in African savanna elephant distributions and their impacts on trees in Kruger National Park, South Africa. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:5624-5634. [PMID: 34026034 PMCID: PMC8131780 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Though elephants are a major cause of savanna tree mortality and threaten vulnerable tree species, managing their impact remains difficult, in part because relatively little is known about how elephant impacts are distributed throughout space.This is exacerbated by uncertainty about what determines the distribution of elephants themselves, as well as whether the distribution of elephants is even informative for understanding the distribution of their impacts.To better understand the factors that underlie elephant impacts, we modeled elephant distributions and their damage to trees with respect to soil properties, water availability, and vegetation in Kruger National Park, South Africa, using structural equation modeling.We found that bull elephants and mixed herds differed markedly in their distributions, with bull elephants concentrating in sparsely treed basaltic sites close to artificial waterholes and mixed herds aggregating around permanent rivers, particularly in areas with little grass.Surprisingly, we also found that the distribution of elephant impacts, while highly heterogeneous, was largely unrelated to the distribution of elephants themselves, with damage concentrated instead in densely treed areas and particularly on basaltic soils.Results underscore the importance of surface water for elephants but suggest that elephant water dependence operates together with other landscape factors, particularly vegetation community composition and historical management interventions, to influence elephant distributions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joel O. Abraham
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyYale UniversityNew HavenCTUSA
- Present address:
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyPrinceton UniversityPrincetonNJUSA
| | - Emily R. Goldberg
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyYale UniversityNew HavenCTUSA
- Present address:
Department of Mechanical EngineeringUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMNUSA
| | - Judith Botha
- Scientific ServicesKruger National ParkSkukuzaSouth Africa
| | - A. Carla Staver
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyYale UniversityNew HavenCTUSA
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Himschoot EA, Wenker ES, Reed EG, Sampson J, Power ML. Macronutrient composition of milk from two captive African elephant (Loxodonta africana) cows. Zoo Biol 2021; 40:192-200. [PMID: 33705586 DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
We assayed 31 milk samples collected from two African elephant cows housed at the Indianapolis Zoo across lactation (birth to calf age 973 days) for macronutrient composition (water, fat, protein, sugar, gross energy [GE], ash, calcium, and phosphorus). All assays were performed at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park Nutrition Laboratory, Washington, DC (SNZP) using standard methods developed at SNZP. Milk constituents are expressed on a weight-per-weight basis (%) and as a proportion each constituent contributes to milk energy. Calf weights were recorded, and growth rate calculated. The macronutrient composition of the African elephant milk samples was compared to previously published results for Asian elephants using analysis of covariance. African elephant milk is similar to Asian elephant milk, being moderately high in fat and energy and low in sugar. The mean values across lactation (excluding colostrum; n = 28) are 5.6 ± 0.3% crude protein, 3.1 ± 0.3% sugar, 13.0 ± 1.0% fat, and GE of 1.63 ± 0.10 kcal/g. Milk composition did not differ between cows. Milk composition significantly changed over lactation; fat and protein increased, and sugar decreased with calf age, comparable to previously reported data for African and Asian elephant milk. The proportion of milk energy from fat increased and that from sugar decreased over lactation, but the energy from protein was relatively constant. Protein contributed a higher proportion of energy to African elephant milk compared to Asian elephant milk (20.6% vs. 17.0%, p = .001). Despite this, calf growth rate was similar between the species, with the calves in this study gaining about 0.8 kg/day for the first 6 months.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Himschoot
- Nutrition Laboratory, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Elizabeth S Wenker
- Nutrition Laboratory, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Eda G Reed
- Nutrition Laboratory, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | | | - Michael L Power
- Nutrition Laboratory, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Bauer H, Chardonnet B, Scholte P, Kamgang SA, Tiomoko DA, Tehou AC, Sinsin B, Gebresenbet F, Asefa A, Bobo KS, Garba H, Abagana AL, Diouck D, Mohammed AA, Sillero-Zubiri C. Consider divergent regional perspectives to enhance wildlife conservation across Africa. Nat Ecol Evol 2021; 5:149-152. [PMID: 33139922 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-020-01343-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hans Bauer
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK. .,Evolutionary Ecology Group, Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | | | - Paul Scholte
- Biodiversity Conservation, German International Cooperation (GIZ), Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | | | - Djafarou Ali Tiomoko
- Biodiversity Conservation, German International Cooperation (GIZ), Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Aristide Comlan Tehou
- Laboratory for Applied Ecology, Natural Resource Conservation, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Brice Sinsin
- Laboratory for Applied Ecology, Natural Resource Conservation, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin
| | | | - Addisu Asefa
- Protected Areas Estate Project, Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
| | | | - Hamissou Garba
- Protected Areas Division, Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, Niamey, Niger
| | - Ali Laouel Abagana
- Project Sustainable Management of Biodiversity, Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, Niamey, Niger
| | - Djibril Diouck
- National Parks Directorate, Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, Dakar, Senegal
| | | | - Claudio Sillero-Zubiri
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,The Born Free Foundation, Horsham, UK
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Poacher-population dynamics when legal trade of naturally deceased organisms funds anti-poaching enforcement. J Theor Biol 2021; 517:110618. [PMID: 33639137 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2021.110618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Can a regulated, legal market for wildlife products protect species threatened by poaching? It is one of the most controversial ideas in biodiversity conservation. Perhaps the most convincing reason for legalizing wildlife trade is that trade revenue could fund the protection and conservation of poached species. In this paper, we examine the possible poacher-population dynamic consequences of legal trade funding conservation. The model consists of a manager scavenging carcasses for wildlife product, who then sells the product, and directs a portion of the revenue towards funding anti-poaching law enforcement. Through a global analysis of the model, we derive the critical proportion of product the manager must scavenge, and the critical proportion of trade revenue the manager must allocate towards increased enforcement, in order for legal trade to lead to abundant long-term wildlife populations. We illustrate how the model could inform management with parameter values derived from the African elephant literature, under a hypothetical scenario where a manager scavenges elephant carcasses to sell ivory. We find that there is a large region of parameter space where populations go extinct under legal trade unless a significant portion of trade revenue is directed towards protecting populations from poaching. The model is general and therefore can be used as a starting point for exploring the consequences of funding many conservation programs using wildlife trade revenue.
Collapse
|
48
|
Dejene SW, Mpakairi KS, Kanagaraj R, Wato YA, Mengistu S. Modelling continental range shift of the African elephant (Loxodonta africana) under a changing climate and land cover: implications for future conservation of the species. AFRICAN ZOOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2020.1846617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sintayehu W Dejene
- College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
| | - Kudzai S Mpakairi
- Geo-information and Earth Observation Centre, Department of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Zimbabwe, Mount Pleasant, Harare
| | - Rajapandian Kanagaraj
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Department of Ecological Modelling, Leipzig, Germany
- French Institute of Pondicherry (IFP), Department of Ecology, Puducherry, India
| | | | - Sewnet Mengistu
- School of Biological Sciences, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Pearson VR, Bosse JB, Koyuncu OO, Scherer J, Toruno C, Robinson R, Abegglen LM, Schiffman JD, Enquist LW, Rall GF. Identification of African Elephant Polyomavirus in wild elephants and the creation of a vector expressing its viral tumor antigens to transform elephant primary cells. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0244334. [PMID: 33544724 PMCID: PMC7864673 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Wild elephant populations are declining rapidly due to rampant killing for ivory and body parts, range fragmentation, and human-elephant conflict. Wild and captive elephants are further impacted by viruses, including highly pathogenic elephant endotheliotropic herpesviruses. Moreover, while the rich genetic diversity of the ancient elephant lineage is disappearing, elephants, with their low incidence of cancer, have emerged as a surprising resource in human cancer research for understanding the intrinsic cellular response to DNA damage. However, studies on cellular resistance to transformation and herpesvirus reproduction have been severely limited, in part due to the lack of established elephant cell lines to enable in vitro experiments. This report describes creation of a recombinant plasmid, pAelPyV-1-Tag, derived from a wild isolate of African Elephant Polyomavirus (AelPyV-1), that can be used to create immortalized lines of elephant cells. This isolate was extracted from a trunk nodule biopsy isolated from a wild African elephant, Loxodonta africana, in Botswana. The AelPyV-1 genome contains open-reading frames encoding the canonical large (LTag) and small (STag) tumor antigens. We cloned the entire early region spanning the LTag and overlapping STag genes from this isolate into a high-copy vector to construct a recombinant plasmid, pAelPyV-1-Tag, which effectively transformed primary elephant endothelial cells. We expect that the potential of this reagent to transform elephant primary cells will, at a minimum, facilitate study of elephant-specific herpesviruses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Virginia R. Pearson
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, Program in Blood Cell Development and Function, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Jens B. Bosse
- RESIST Cluster of Excellence, Institute of Virology at Hannover Medical School, Center for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
- Heinrich Pette Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Orkide O. Koyuncu
- Princeton University, Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Julian Scherer
- Princeton University, Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Cristhian Toruno
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Rosann Robinson
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Lisa M. Abegglen
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Joshua D. Schiffman
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Lynn W. Enquist
- Princeton University, Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Glenn F. Rall
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, Program in Blood Cell Development and Function, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Drake MD, Salerno J, Langendorf RE, Cassidy L, Gaughan AE, Stevens FR, Pricope NG, Hartter J. Costs of elephant crop depredation exceed the benefits of trophy hunting in a community‐based conservation area of Namibia. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Michael D. Drake
- Environmental Studies Program University of Colorado Boulder Boulder Colorado USA
| | - Jonathan Salerno
- Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources Graduate Degree Program in Ecology Colorado State University Collins Colorado USA
| | - Ryan E. Langendorf
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences University of Colorado Boulder Boulder Colorado USA
| | - Lin Cassidy
- Okavango Research Institute University of Botswana Gaborone Botswana
| | - Andrea E. Gaughan
- Department of Geography and Geosciences University of Louisville Louisville Kentucky USA
| | - Forrest R. Stevens
- Department of Geography and Geosciences University of Louisville Louisville Kentucky USA
| | - Narcisa G. Pricope
- Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington North Carolina USA
| | - Joel Hartter
- Environmental Studies Program University of Colorado Boulder Boulder Colorado USA
| |
Collapse
|