A. Species
Scientific name: Loxodonta africana
Common name(s): African bush elephant
Global IUCN Red List Threat Status: Endangered
B. Location of use
Geographic location(s):
- Lesotho
- South Africa
- Northern Cape Province
- Zimbabwe
Country/Region:
C. Scale of assessment
Scale of assessment: Regional/Continental/Multi-country level
Name/Details of location: South Africa, Swaziland, and Lesotho
D. Timescale of use
Start Year: 2016
End Year: 2016
E. Information about the use
How is the wild species sourced?: Wild species sourced from its natural habitat
Type of use: Extractive
Practice of use: Hunting and/or Trapping of live terrestrial and aerial animals
Lethal or non-lethal: Lethal and Non-Lethal
Does this use involve take/extraction of: The whole entire organism and Only parts or products of the organism
Purpose(s) of end use: Collection/display and Recreation
Motivation of use: Basic subsistence, Income generation from trade (individual/household/community), Largescale commercial exploitation for trade and Recreational
Is this use legal or illegal?: Some use is legal and some is illegal
F. Information about the Users
Which stakeholder(s) does the record primarily focus on?: Non-local Internal, National / local government and National / local private sector
G. Information about the sustainability of use
Is there evidence that the use is having an impact on the target species?: Wild species sourced from its natural habitat
Has an assessment (or judgement) of sustainability of the use of the target species from an ecological perspective been recorded?: No, sustainability not determined
Brief summary on why the use has been assessed/judged to be sustainable or unsustainable: While the source discusses the potential impacts of elephant use on populations and habitats, it does not explicitly state whether the use is considered sustainable or unsustainable from an ecological perspective. The source mentions that the illegal ivory trade is a significant threat, but it does not provide a definitive assessment of the overall sustainability of elephant use in the region.
Has an assessment (or judgement) of sustainability of the use of the target species from an economic perspective been recorded?: Yes, considered sustainable
Brief summary on why the use has been assessed/judged to be sustainable or unsustainable: While the source doesn't explicitly state an economic assessment of elephant use, it does mention that photographic tourism is a significant source of income for local communities and the government. This suggests that the use of elephants for tourism can be economically sustainable, particularly when managed responsibly.
Has an assessment (or judgement) of sustainability of the use of the target species from a social perspective been recorded?: No, sustainability not determined
Brief summary on why the use has been assessed/judged to be sustainable or unsustainable: While the source mentions that elephant use can have economic benefits for local communities, it does not provide a definitive assessment of the social sustainability of elephant use. Factors such as the distribution of benefits within communities, potential conflicts between humans and elephants, and the cultural significance of elephants are not explicitly addressed in the source.
Has an assessment (or judgement) of sustainability of the use of the target species from a human health perspective been recorded?: not recorded
Has an assessment (or judgement) of sustainability of the use of the target species from an animal health/welfare perspective been recorded?: not recorded
Recommendations provided in the record to maintain or enhance the sustainability of the use of the target species
Habitat Protection and Connectivity: Create transfrontier conservation areas (TFCAs): These areas can help preserve elephant habitats and facilitate cross-border movements, promoting genetic diversity. Establish migratory corridors: Connecting protected areas with corridors can allow elephants to disperse and access resources, reducing human-wildlife conflict. Population Management: Monitor subpopulations closely: Regular monitoring can help identify threats and assess the effectiveness of conservation measures. Manage elephant densities: In smaller reserves, maintaining low elephant densities can help prevent habitat degradation. Community Engagement: Promote community-based conservation: Involving local communities in conservation efforts can foster a sense of ownership and reduce human-wildlife conflict. Combating Illegal Ivory Trade: Strengthen anti-poaching efforts: Increased law enforcement, improved surveillance, and international cooperation can help combat the illegal ivory trade. Sustainable Tourism: Promote responsible tourism: Well-managed tourism can provide economic benefits while supporting conservation efforts. Research and Monitoring: Continue research: Ongoing research is essential for understanding elephant populations, their needs, and the effectiveness of conservation measures. Addressing Habitat Degradation: Reduce human-elephant conflict: Implementing measures to mitigate conflict, such as electric fences or early warning systems, can help protect both elephants and human communities. Manage habitat quality: Addressing issues like bush encroachment and tall tree loss can help maintain suitable habitats for elephants. Overall, the recommendations emphasize the need for a comprehensive approach to African elephant conservation, involving habitat protection, population management, community engagement, and addressing threats like illegal ivory trade.
Record source
Information about the record source: grey_lit
Date of publication/issue/production:
Source Reference(s):
africana. In Child MF, Roxburgh L, Do Linh San E, Raimondo D, Davies-Mostert HT, editors. The Red List of Mammals of
South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho. South African National Biodiversity Institute and Endangered Wildlife Trust, South
Africa.
Date of record entry: 2024-09-23