Population status and anthropogenic disturbances of forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis Matschie, 1900) in Nki National park and its environs, east region, Cameroon

Abstract

African elephants play important roles in both the natural and human worlds: ecologically as a keystone species, economically as drivers of tourism and culturally as icons of the African continent. Increasingly, elephant populations are threatened by poaching for ivory, human-elephant conflict, habitat loss and fragmentation, and isolation of populations. This study was carried out to estimate the population of forest elephants and determine the human threats to their population. Data was collected along eleven 2 Km line transects and reconnaissance walk as well as administration of semi-structured questionnaires. Results obtained indicated a mean dung pile of 6.0 boli/Km2. Elephant density, thus, was 0.14 elephant/km², translated to 428 (217-897) individual elephants. The main threats on elephant population with their percentage acceptance were identified to be non-respect of law enforcement (94.4%), hunting for bushmeat (92.5%), hunting for ivory (91.6%), lack of a management plan (73.8%), logging (68.2%) and road construction (43.0%). It was therefore concluded that there is a reduction in elephant population in the park from 565 in 2015 to 428 in 2021. Thus, it is recommended that increased law enforcement, surveillance and the setting up of constant and long-term monitoring programs be carried out in the park.