What you need to know about the growing crisis facing elephants Scott Roberton Ph. D Wildlife Conservation Society

Elephas maximus Loxodonta africana Possibly three subspecies: E. m. indicus on the Asian mainland, E. m. maximus on Sri Lanka, E. m. sumatranus on Sumatra. Loxodonta africana Possibly two species: Savanna Elephant (Loxodonta africana) Forest Elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis).

Elephas maximus 13 Asian countries 30,000-50,000 Globally Endangered 50% over last 60-75 yrs

E.g. In Vietnam elephant populations have crashed in the last 25 years from 2000 to less than 50

Loxodonta africana 37 African countries 400,000-600,000 Vulnerable 30% over last 60-75 yrs

Expanding human populations and shrinking elephant habitat = Increased human-elephant conflict

2009-2010: China makes 2 ivory seizures/day Organized crime gangs are driving a massive resurgence in large-scale illegal ivory trade from Africa to Asian markets

Gabon 2011 (Fay)

Northeastern Vietnam (Haiphong-Quang Ninh) a major route for illegal ivory trade flows from Africa Total: 18,429kg Ivory reported seized Thai Binh Over 800kg 100-800kg Less 100kg Ivory seizures reported in the Vietnamese media 2009-2011

Global Ivory trade flows

Why a New Crisis? Economic growth in Asia Extractive industry in Africa New access routes Arms proliferation Organized crime

Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna To allow: Stockpile auctions Non-commercial export of hunting trophy, live animals, hides, leather goods, ivory and carvings CITES App I Asian Elephants and most African Elephants: CITES App I No international commercial trade CITES is a key tool for management of international and domestic ivory trade and elephant conservation with a number of programs and initiatives under the Secretariat Asian elephants are all included in CITES Appendix I banning all international commercial trade in species and their products (such as ivory) among parties to the convention. African elephants are included in Appendix I, apart from the populations of Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. These populations have been down-listed to Appendix II (see above). This Appendix II listing was to allow ‘one-off’ CITES-approved sales, the export of hunting trophies for non-commercial purposes, export of live animals, export of hides, and export of leather goods and ivory carvings for non-commercial purposes.  CITES App II

Stockpile management Store, Destroy or Sell? Ivory stockpile management Auctions

Turning to Liz’s next criterion, of all the animals species in Africa, elephants have by far the greatest ecological impact. They pull down trees, opening up bushland and creating savannas, and they create waterholes for other animals.

Omphalocarpum elatum – dispersed only by elephants In Africa’s rainforests, they are indispensible for regenerating many tree species, whose large, tough seeds can only be eaten and dispersed by elephants. If we lose elephants from forests and savannas, we lose countless other species, the very function of these ecosystems, and the services they provide to people. Blake 2007

What’s needed