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):
- Sub-Saharan Africa
Country/Region:
C. Scale of assessment
Scale of assessment: World
Name/Details of location: World
D. Timescale of use
Start Year: 2023
End Year: 2023
E. Information about the use
How is the wild species sourced?: Wild species sourced from its natural habitat and Wild species sourced from significantly modified habitat
Type of use: Non-Extractive
Practice of use:
Lethal or non-lethal:
Does this use involve take/extraction of:
Purpose(s) of end use: Learning and education, Recreation and Conservation Management
Motivation of use: Basic subsistence, Income generation from trade (individual/household/community), Recreational, Traditional/Cultural/Spiritual and Population/Area Management
Is this use legal or illegal?: not recorded
F. Information about the Users
Which stakeholder(s) does the record primarily focus on?: Local people and National / local government
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 and Wild species sourced from significantly modified habitat
Has an assessment (or judgement) of sustainability of the use of the target species from an ecological perspective been recorded?: Yes, considered unsustainable
Brief summary on why the use has been assessed/judged to be sustainable or unsustainable: Habitat loss and fragmentation: This is a significant threat to elephants and can lead to population declines. Human-elephant conflict: Conflicts over resources can result in injuries and deaths for both elephants and humans. Illegal ivory trade: This continues to be a major threat to elephant populations, despite efforts to combat it.
Has an assessment (or judgement) of sustainability of the use of the target species from an economic perspective been recorded?: No, sustainability not determined
Brief summary on why the use has been assessed/judged to be sustainable or unsustainable: Tourism: Elephants are a popular tourist attraction, and their conservation can contribute to the economic development of local communities. Ivory trade: Historically, the ivory trade has been a source of income for some communities, but it is now illegal due to its negative impact on elephant populations. Human-elephant conflict: The costs of mitigating human-elephant conflict can be significant, impacting local economies.
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: Local communities: Elephants can have both positive and negative impacts on local communities. On the one hand, they can attract tourists and generate income. On the other hand, they can cause damage to crops and property, leading to conflict with local people. Cultural significance: Elephants hold cultural significance in many African societies, and their conservation can be important for preserving cultural heritage.
Has an assessment (or judgement) of sustainability of the use of the target species from a human health perspective been recorded?: Yes, considered unsustainable
Brief summary on why the use has been assessed/judged to be sustainable or unsustainable: Human-elephant conflict: Conflicts over resources can result in injuries and deaths for both humans and elephants. This can have a significant impact on human health and well-being. Disease transmission: While there is no specific mention of disease transmission in the document, the close proximity between humans and elephants could potentially increase the risk of disease transmission.
Has an assessment (or judgement) of sustainability of the use of the target species from an animal health/welfare perspective been recorded?: Yes, considered unsustainable
Brief summary on why the use has been assessed/judged to be sustainable or unsustainable: Habitat loss and fragmentation: This can negatively impact elephant health by limiting access to food, water, and suitable habitat. Human-elephant conflict: Conflicts over resources can result in injuries and deaths for elephants, affecting their health and well-being. Illegal ivory trade: Poaching and the illegal ivory trade can cause significant suffering and mortality for elephants.
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) to allow for elephant movements and better connectivity in the landscape. Establish migratory corridors to connect protected areas and reduce human-wildlife conflict. Population Management: Monitor subpopulations closely to identify threats and assess the effectiveness of conservation measures. Manage elephant densities in smaller reserves to prevent habitat degradation. Community Engagement: Promote community-based conservation to foster a sense of ownership and reduce human-wildlife conflict. Combating Illegal Ivory Trade: Strengthen anti-poaching efforts through increased law enforcement, improved surveillance, and international cooperation. Sustainable Tourism: Promote responsible tourism to provide economic benefits while supporting conservation efforts. Research and Monitoring: Continue research to understand elephant populations, their needs, and the effectiveness of conservation measures. Addressing Habitat Degradation: Reduce human-elephant conflict through mitigation measures like electric fences or early warning systems. Manage habitat quality to prevent bush encroachment and tall tree loss.
Record source
Information about the record source: grey_lit
Date of publication/issue/production:
Source Reference(s):
Date of record entry: 2024-09-01