Human Elephant Conflict in the Waza-Logone Region of Northern Cameroon: An Assessment of Management Effectiveness

An investigation into the current level of humanelephant conflicts in the Waza Logone region was carried out during the 2005 rainy season to assess the effectiveness of conflict management. This was done by talking mainly to wildlife authorities, the local agricultural service, the local communities and consulting sequential reports from the nearest enumerators. The number of villages affected was declining in the dry season compared to the rainy season crop raiding. However, general pattern indicates a decline in the number of villages impacted by elephants since the 1992 to 1993 surveys, but comparatively more damaging as shown by the estimated costs. Therefore, the improve in ecological management of the Waza National Park and its elephant population has had a positive impact in the number of villages crop raided but has not definitely resolved the conflicts between man and elephant. Other approaches are needed to buttress the effort been undertaken in the region to date

Aerial survey of Elephants (Loxodonta africana africana), other large mammals and human activities in Waza National Park, Cameroon

Total aerial count of elephants, other large mammals and human activities in Waza National Park was conducted between 21st and 23rd February 2007. Total counts of elephants and other wildlife species were done and livestock numbers were estimated. A Cessna 206 Stationair six-seater aircraft fitted with GPS was used in navigation, recording survey paths and waypoints. A total of three different herds of 180 and 66 in the park along with a further 250 migrating elephant population towards Kalamaloue National Park were counted. The herds in the park were aggregated around central part of the park along watering point. The consideration of the number of the migrating herd then put the total Waza ecosystem elephant population at 496 individuals. The total number of carcasses recorded was 7 giving a carcass ratio of 2.85%. About 21,002 heads of livestock and over 50 farmlands and human settlement were estimated in the zone abutting the park. This signifies a high level of human pressures at the periphery and thus a high potential for loss of range for the elephants and illegal killing

Status of blue duiker (Cephalophus monticola) in the Lebialem-Mone- Banyang-Mbo landscape, South-West Cameroon

A survey of blue duikers (Cephalophus monticola) in the Lebialem-Mone-Banyang-Mbo (LMBM) landscape was conducted during the period of May to September 2012 with the aim of establishing a database for the enhancement of sustainable management of Wildlife population. The line transect method (Tsi, 2011) was used for data collection. Results revealed an encounter rate of 12.8 indexes per km, a density of 2.56 per km2 and estimate of 1162 blue duikers in the entire landscape. The findings also showed that there is currently a high level of bush meat harvesting and a tragic forest transformation due to uncontrolled anthropogenic activities in the landscape. In comparison with the findings of Walhert in Korupt national park, the estimated density in the LMBM landscape was considered relatively high for a non protected area. It was concluded that this high population of blue duikers against a background of intense anthropogenic activities is indicative; It is strong evident that LMBM landscape serves as a natural wildlife corridor, linking it many surrounding protected areas. There the gazetment of the proposed Bechati- Mone wildlife corridor situated in the LMBM landscape will go a long way to enhance effective wildlife conservation in the region.Keywords: Conservation status, blue duiker, encounter rate, anthropogenic activities, sustainable management, wildlife corridor

Home Range and Ranging Behaviour of Bornean Elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis) Females

BACKGROUND: Home range is defined as the extent and location of the area covered annually by a wild animal in its natural habitat. Studies of African and Indian elephants in landscapes of largely open habitats have indicated that the sizes of the home range are determined not only by the food supplies and seasonal changes, but also by numerous other factors including availability of water sources, habitat loss and the existence of man-made barriers. The home range size for the Bornean elephant had never been investigated before. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The first satellite tracking program to investigate the movement of wild Bornean elephants in Sabah was initiated in 2005. Five adult female elephants were immobilized and neck collars were fitted with tracking devices. The sizes of their home range and movement patterns were determined using location data gathered from a satellite tracking system and analyzed by using the Minimum Convex Polygon and Harmonic Mean methods. Home range size was estimated to be 250 to 400 km(2) in a non-fragmented forest and 600 km(2) in a fragmented forest. The ranging behavior was influenced by the size of the natural forest habitat and the availability of permanent water sources. The movement pattern was influenced by human disturbance and the need to move from one feeding site to another. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Home range and movement rate were influenced by the degree of habitat fragmentation. Once habitat was cleared or converted, the availability of food plants and water sources were reduced, forcing the elephants to travel to adjacent forest areas. Therefore movement rate in fragmented forest was higher than in the non-fragmented forest. Finally, in fragmented habitat human and elephant conflict occurrences were likely to be higher, due to increased movement bringing elephants into contact more often with humans

The Carrot or the Stick? Evaluation of Education and Enforcement as Management Tools for Human-Wildlife Conflicts

Evidence-based decision-making is critical for implementing conservation actions, especially for human-wildlife conflicts, which have been increasing worldwide. Conservation practitioners recognize that long-term solutions should include altering human behaviors, and public education and enforcement of wildlife-related laws are two management actions frequently implemented, but with little empirical evidence evaluating their success. We used a system where human-black bear conflicts were common, to experimentally test the efficacy of education and enforcement in altering human behavior to better secure attractants (garbage) from bears. We conducted 3 experiments in Aspen CO, USA to evaluate: 1) on-site education in communal dwellings and construction sites, 2) Bear Aware educational campaign in residential neighborhoods, and 3) elevated law enforcement at two levels in the core business area of Aspen. We measured human behaviors as the response including: violation of local wildlife ordinances, garbage availability to bears, and change in use of bear-resistance refuse containers. As implemented, we found little support for education, or enforcement in the form of daily patrolling in changing human behavior, but found more support for proactive enforcement, i.e., dispensing warning notices. More broadly we demonstrated the value of gathering evidence before and after implementing conservation actions, and the dangers of measuring responses in the absence of ecological knowledge. We recommend development of more effective educational methods, application of proactive enforcement, and continued evaluation of tools by directly measuring change in human behavior. We provide empirical evidence adding to the conservation managers' toolbox, informing policy makers, and promoting solutions to human-wildlife conflicts

Abondance et distribution des grands singes et des activités humaines dans le Parc National de Campo Ma'an, Sud Cameroun

Abundance and Distribution of Great Apes and Human Activities in the Campo Ma'an National Park, South Cameroon. The Campo Ma'an National Park (CMNP) located in South Cameroon, has a rich biodiversity and is part of the priority areas of the Central Africa Network of Protected Areas. In order to improve the knowledge on great apes in this park, an inventory was conducted between October and November 2011 using the linear transect technique. In total, 103 transects, 2.5 km each, were established and surveyed. The results of the study confirm the presence of the two species of great apes in the CMNP, chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) and gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla). The inventory suggested that chimpanzees had a nest density of 0.158 nest∙km-2, allowing an estimated density of 0.555 indiv.km-2, for a total population estimated at 1466 animals weaned throughout the Park. Chimpanzees were mainly located in the northern part of the Park, near the hilly area of Niété. Gorillas had an estimated average encounter rate of 1.080 sign per km. They also appeared to be more concentrated around the area of Niété. Poaching was the preferred type of human activity in the Park and was located in the northern part of the Park. It is strongly recommended to implement the results of this study by performing regular surveys, about every 3 months, in order to monitor the demography of the great apes populations in the Park

Will Elephants Soon Disappear from West African Savannahs?

Precipitous declines in Africa’s native fauna and flora are recognized, but few comprehensive records of these changes have been compiled. Here, we present population trends for African elephants in the 6,213,000 km2 Sudano-Sahelian range of West and Central Africa assessed through the analysis of aerial and ground surveys conducted over the past 4 decades. These surveys are focused on the best protected areas in the region, and therefore represent the best case scenario for the northern savanna elephants. A minimum of 7,745 elephants currently inhabit the entire region, representing a minimum decline of 50% from estimates four decades ago for these protected areas. Most of the historic range is now devoid of elephants and, therefore, was not surveyed. Of the 23 surveyed elephant populations, half are estimated to number less than 200 individuals. Historically, most populations numbering less than 200 individuals in the region were extirpated within a few decades. Declines differed by region, with Central African populations experiencing much higher declines (276%) than those in West Africa (233%). As a result, elephants in West Africa now account for 86% of the total surveyed. Range wide, two refuge zones retain elephants, one in West and the other in Central Africa. These zones are separated by a large distance (,900 km) of high density human land use, suggesting connectivity between the regions is permanently cut. Within each zone, however, sporadic contacts between populations remain. Retaining such connectivity should be a high priority for conservation of elephants in this region. Specific corridors designed to reduce the isolation of the surveyed populations are proposed. The strong commitment of governments, effective law enforcement to control the illegal ivory trade and the involvement of local communities and private partners are all critical to securing the future of elephants inhabiting Africa’s northern savannas