An aerial survey shows that southern Africa has more elephants than previously estimated.

Southern Africa’s elephant population is estimated at 227 900, according to the results of the first-ever aerial survey, which spanned across five nations that together provide a home to more than half of the world’s savanna species.

The aerial survey done using seven fixed-wing aircraft covered Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe in an area known as the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, the world’s largest conservation area, which covers 520 000 square kilometres and is nearly the size of France.

The fact that these five nations came together to conduct the survey in the world’s largest conservation area underscores the importance of international collaboration in preserving and protecting wildlife. The KAZA region is indeed a critical habitat for many species, not just elephants, and maintaining the health of this ecosystem is vital for the overall biodiversity and environmental health of the area.

Efforts like this aerial survey help gather valuable data on elephant populations, which can inform conservation strategies and policies to ensure the long-term survival of these iconic creatures. It also highlights the need for continued conservation efforts, anti-poaching measures, and habitat protection in the region to safeguard both elephants and other wildlife species that call this area home.

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“This is the first time that the elephant population has been assessed in one single effort,” said Darren Potgieter, the Kaza aerial coordinator in an online briefing. “It was done following one standardised method and synchronised to avoid miscounting, under-counting and was coordinated among member states.”

The survey covered over 300 000 square kilometres and was conducted during the dry season, between August and October last year, according to Potgieter. “Overall, the elephant population is stable,” he said. “In some areas, numbers have shown an increase and in others a decrease.”

Botswana is home to the largest elephant population in the surveyed region, with an estimated 131,909 elephants. This information is crucial for understanding the distribution of elephants in Southern Africa. Zimbabwe was found to have the second-largest elephant population, with an estimated 65,028 elephants.

The survey results highlighted the increasing number of elephants coming into human areas, which can lead to conflicts and damage to both property and the environment. Managing these human-elephant conflicts is a significant challenge for conservationists and local communities.

The survey also identified a higher number of elephant carcasses than previously estimated. Several factors, such as an aging population, disease, habitat loss, fragmentation, and poaching, could contribute to this increase in elephant mortality. Investigating the causes of elephant deaths is crucial for conservation efforts and understanding the challenges these animals face.

The survey’s findings emphasize the need for continued research and investigation into the factors affecting elephant populations in the region. This information can inform conservation strategies and help address the various threats facing elephants.

Efforts to protect and conserve elephants in Southern Africa are essential not only for the well-being of these iconic animals but also for the overall health and balance of the region’s ecosystems. The challenges highlighted in the survey call for collaborative efforts between governments, conservation organizations, and local communities to address these issues and ensure the survival of elephants in the wild.

Source:

Ray Ndlovu at News24

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