This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/28/africas-elephant-poaching-is-in-decline-analysis-suggests

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Africa's elephant poaching is in decline, analysis suggests Africa's elephant poaching is in decline, analysis suggests
(32 minutes later)
Elephant poaching rates in Africa are declining, analysis suggests. Elephant poaching rates in Africa are declining, according to a study published in the journal Nature Communications.
The annual poaching mortality rate fell from a high of more than 10% in 2011 to less than 4% in 2017, according to a study published in journal Nature Communications. The annual poaching mortality rate fell from a high of more than 10% in 2011 to less than 4% in 2017, but the researchers warned that current levels were still unsustainable and could spell trouble for the future of the animals on the continent.
However, the researchers warned that current levels are still unsustainable and could spell trouble for the future of the animals on the continent.
Humans causing shrinking of nature as larger animals die offHumans causing shrinking of nature as larger animals die off
An estimated 350,000 elephants are left in Africa, but approximately 10,000 to 15,000 are killed by poachers every year. An estimated 350,000 elephants remain in Africa, but 10,000 to 15,000 are killed by poachers every year.
The team, from the University of York, University of Freiburg and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, analysed data from 53 protected sites across 29 countries between 2002 and 2017.The team, from the University of York, University of Freiburg and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, analysed data from 53 protected sites across 29 countries between 2002 and 2017.
They observed a decline in the annual poaching mortality rate – the percentage of elephants killed through poaching each year – and found it was linked with reduced demand for ivory across China. They observed a decline in the annual poaching mortality rate – the percentage of elephants killed through poaching each year – and found it was linked with reduced demand for ivory across China that may be linked to a drop in the Chinese economy. The number began to fall before the introduction of a ban on ivory trade in the country in 2017, they said.
The rate may be linked to a drop in the Chinese economy, and began to fall prior to the introduction of a ban on ivory trade in the country in 2017, they said. Differences in poaching between sites was found to be linked with levels of corruption and poverty.
Differences in poaching between sites was also found to be linked with levels of corruption and poverty. “We are seeing a downturn in poaching, which is obviously positive news, but it is still above what we think is sustainable so the elephant populations are declining,” said Dr Colin Beale, co-author of the study from the University of York.
“We are seeing a downturn in poaching, which is obviously positive news, but it is still above what we think is sustainable so the elephant populations are declining,” Dr Colin Beale, co-author of the study from the University of York, said.
“The poaching rates seem to respond primarily to ivory prices in south-east Asia and we can’t hope to succeed without tackling demand in that region.”“The poaching rates seem to respond primarily to ivory prices in south-east Asia and we can’t hope to succeed without tackling demand in that region.”
The researchers called for continued investment in law enforcement to reduce poaching, alongside action to cut ivory demand and tackle corruption and poverty.The researchers called for continued investment in law enforcement to reduce poaching, alongside action to cut ivory demand and tackle corruption and poverty.
Severin Hauenstein, from the University of Freiburg, said: “This is a positive trend, but we should not see this as an end to the poaching crisis. Severin Hauenstein, from the University of Freiburg, said: “This is a positive trend, but we should not see this as an end to the poaching crisis. After some changes in the political environment, the total number of illegally killed elephants in Africa seems to be falling but, to assess possible protection measures, we need to understand the local and global processes driving illegal elephant hunting.”
“After some changes in the political environment, the total number of illegally killed elephants in Africa seems to be falling but, to assess possible protection measures, we need to understand the local and global processes driving illegal elephant hunting.”
WildlifeWildlife
AfricaAfrica
Animal welfareAnimal welfare
AnimalsAnimals
ConservationConservation
newsnews
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterShare on Twitter
Share via EmailShare via Email
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn
Share on PinterestShare on Pinterest
Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp
Share on MessengerShare on Messenger
Reuse this contentReuse this content