Endangered Species in Africa

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Elephants

Elephants In 1979, 1.2 million elephants roamed the African continent Currently about 300,000 elephants are in Africa Loss of 75% of elephant herds mainly due to poaching, loss of habitat and human conflict

What is Poaching? Illegal hunting and killing of wildlife

Excerpt from “Farewell to Africa” Brain-shot, the first two elephants had dropped in their tracks. They lay side by side in the trampled thorn scrub like huge, deflated hot-air balloons. The third elephant, a young bull, had taken a bullet through the left shoulder. He’d managed to run about a hundred yards farther than his sisters, spewing bright lung blood from his turnk all the way. Then he collapsed on his right side and died. They hadn’t been big elephants, far from it. Teenagers or young adults at best. Not very much ivory. The young bull had carried perhaps eight or ten pounds to the tuck, the females no more than five. Forty pounds of ivory all together. At US4120 a pound on the world market, as it was then, that would come to US $4 800, of which the poachers, for the price of three bullets- would realize 25 percent, or $1800 CDN. Not a bad investment if you don’t mind walking a long way through hot, arid, thorn scrub to place your shots.

Effects of Poaching It is estimated that during the 1980’s poachers reduced the elephant population from 1.2 million to 400,000 Kenya alone had as many as 170,000 elephants (1970). By 1990’s there were about 50,000 Heavily armed poachers in Zambia killed every single elephant in the country (about 8000 rhinos)

What can be done? United Nations Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species banned the international trade of ivory, the most valuable parts of these animals Since the introduction of these measures the number of elephants killed has dropped from 4000 in 1989 to only 46 in 1992 This has resulted in another problem. . .

The Elephant nuisance In countries like Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa and Namibia the elephant population is becoming a nuisance The population of elephants is rising too quickly Programs instituted to selectively kill specified numbers of animals to help maintain a healthy ecosystem This process is called Culling

Rhinoceroses

Rhinoceroses The white and black rhinos of Africa once ranged over much of the savannah. Today they survive only in protected reserves 8000 Black Rhinos in Africa 24 White Rhinos in Africa Unique animals which can only be viewed by safaris and on game reserves

Rhinos. . . As of November 2011, the Black Rhino is officially extinct Two other subspecies are close to being declared extinct as well

What happened? Loss of habitat poaching

The King of the Jungle is Dying Africa has lost 180 000 lions in the past 30 years Reasons: Habitat loss Hunting Killing using poisons

Other Endangered Species Cheetah Hairy Eared Dwarf Lemur Leopard Mountain Zebra Red Eared Nose Spotted Monkey Slender Horned Gazelle Striped Hyena Western Lowland Gorilla

The Effects Many of these animals will soon become extinct gene pool is so shallow- there are not enough animals to breed All that will be left will be in zoos

Why are the animals becoming endangered? Loss of habitat poaching

How can they be saved? Protect areas where they live as reserves Protects some of their habitat Protects some of the animals for future generations