Nat Geo reports 2 elephant (sub) species endangered one critically due to poaching.

See link

https://www.google.com/amp/s/a...gered-one-critically

People could care less about that...just as long as a paying white-hunter doesn't shoot one.

I find it concerning the article cites the IUCN.

IF the western nations really care they can massively fund anti-poaching in Africa, allow them being sport hunted and allow the import of ivory all over the world.

That is the only way to go...all else is just well meant but futile nonsense..

The actual announcement specifically refers to regional disparities in elephant populations noting that such disparities need to be taken into account in setting policies:

Savanna elephant numbers have also been stable or growing for decades especially in the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, which harbours the largest subpopulation of this species on the continent.

“While the results of the assessment place the continental population of savanna elephants in the Endangered category, it is important to keep in mind that at a site level, some subpopulations are thriving. For this reason, considerable caution and local knowledge are required when translating these results into policy,” said Dr Dave Balfour, assessor of the African elephants and member of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) African Elephant Specialist Group.

Western countries are instrumental in the extinction of these and others.

So much stupid emotion.

Totally senseless.

Does anyone ever consider the facts if we did not eat chickens, they would have gone extinct years ago??

quote:

if we did not eat chickens, they would have gone extinct years ago??

Very good point!

The wheels are already in motion. It will not be long before elephant will be relegated to a few parks similar to bison in Yellowstone. The general population of the west will not tolerate sport hunting and ivory sales and importation — ignorantly. The human population growth in Africa is exponential — elephants with out worth are vermin...along with lion. Habitat is fading before our eyes.

They will be systematically eradicated, the ivory sold and shipped via Chinese black market buyers and smugglers. The only thing that can change that fate is what Andre stated above...but it is never going to happen. The glimmer of hope fades a bit more with passing of each year.

It boils down to the simple fact that it is not that it can’t be stopped but that it won’t be stopped...due to liberal ideology and politics.

I think we can establish the root cause as childhood vaccinations. Africa will follow the example of Europe and America. There is just no room for megafauna that do not pay their way. As Africa develops along the western model, they will become cites, suburbs and farms. No other way out, and they want the lifestyle we have. I don't blame them, I spent time on Granny's farm going to the out house.

quote:

Originally posted by LHeym500:
I find it concerning the article cites the IUCN.

IUCN released the information.

IUCN on African Elephant

I wonder, how many safari companies/outfitters/PH operators been interviewed by these so called scientists about game numbers, particularly elephants?
And when it comes to poaching, can’t blame locals, it comes down to making living and food on table...

https://allafrica.com/stories/202104010078.html



Botswana to Proceed With Elephant Hunts Despite Red List

31 MARCH 2021
Voice of America (Washington, DC)
By Mqondisi Dube



Gaborone — Authorities in Botswana say the elephant hunting season will go ahead as planned, despite a world conservation body listing African elephants as endangered. Botswana's government argues its elephant population - the world's largest - is growing too fast and leading to human-wildlife conflict.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) this month listed Africa's Savannah elephants as endangered and its forest elephants as critically endangered.

But Botswana's Director of Wildlife and National Paks, Kabelo Senyatso said the authorized elephant hunts will begin on April 6 as planned.

Senyatso said his government uses IUCN's red list as one of the tools to implement conservation programs.

However, he said IUCN's latest report notes Botswana's elephant population is growing, not declining. The country has an estimated 130,000 elephants within its borders.



Senyatso said Botswana lifted a hunting ban in 2019, mainly to generate sustainable income for communities, and not as a way to control the elephant population.

The co-chairperson of the IUCN's Elephant Specialist Group, Ben Okita-Ouma, said the red list is meant to guide authorities as to the status of various species.

He said the organization's report acknowledges there are some countries where elephant populations are thriving.

"The entire African population has declined significantly. When it comes to specifics there are places that are probably doing ok than others. There are places that require much more intervention. Places like KAZA, we are seeing that population of savanna elephants are doing ok," he said.

KAZA is shorthand for Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, home to the world's largest elephant populations.



Conservationist Neil Fitt said the move to declare the two elephant species as under extreme threat is long overdue.

The IUCN blames poaching and habitat fragmentation for the decline in populations.

However, Fitt argues Botswana has a stable elephant population which means the country can continue with its elephant management programs.

"The ones in Botswana and KAZA are still extremely stable if not increasing over the geographically area. I am not too sure how that will affect the hunting in Botswana and Namibia. Usually IUCN allows the countries to manage their own populations as long as they have scientific facts and if the population is increasing or stable," he said.

The IUCN's African Elephant Specialist Group found that in the past 50 years, savanna elephants have declined by more than 60 percent, while forest elephants are down by an alarming 86 percent in just three decades.