A team of scientists led by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and working closely with experts from the Agence Nationale des Parcs Nationaux du Gabon (ANPN) compared methodologies to count African forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis), which were recently acknowledged by IUCN as a separate, Critically Endangered species from African savannah elephants.
The study is part of a larger initiative in partnership with Vulcan Inc to provide the first nationwide census in Gabon for more than 30 years. The results of the census are expected later this year.
Contrary to savannah elephants (Loxodonta africana) which can be counted directly, usually through aerial survey, accurately censusing elusive forest elephants is more challenging and refinements of methods were needed. [Read more…] about Forest elephants are now critically endangered. Scientists figure out how to count them
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