After a century of habitat loss and unrelenting extermination, two African elephant species are declared endangered by extinction. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) declared the African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) critically endangered, and the more numerous African savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana) endangered. Population of the two species combined is considered to be 415,000, down from 26 millions that once roamed the entire continent before European colonization began (1800).
Population of forest elephants has dropped 86% over three decades, while savanna elephants have suffered a 60% decline in fifty years. Poaching for their ivory is a continuing mortal threat despite efforts to control or eradicate the world-wide illegal trade. IUCN director-general, Bruno Oberle, said in a press statement that, “Several African countries have led the
way in recent years, proving that we can reverse elephant declines, and we must work together to ensure their example can be followed.” Botswanna is one such country that has managed its great elephant herds successfully. The country is currently home to more elephants than any other African country, and southern Africa remains a stronghold for 293,000, or 70%, of the estimated remaining African elephants. [photo credit: WWF]
In a related new story, a Colorado Springs, CO man, Iniki Vike Kapu, was banned for life from hunting earlier this month. The ban effectively prevents Kapu from hunting legally in 48 states of the Union. He was convicted of poaching big horn sheep, turkeys and deer since 2018. A Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesperson said, “Mr. Kapu’s crimes against wildlife are the essence of what defines a poacher by taking wildlife without regard for the laws protecting them...[He} is viewed as a serious threat to Colorado’s wildlife and his violations are among the worst. The severity and level of indifference for wildlife in this case are rarely seen and cannot be tolerated.” Kapu was forced to surrender the weapons he used for poaching.