Changes in the Ruaha elephant population caused by poaching

Abstract

Found‐ivory records complement the information provided by aerial surveys to illustrate changes in the Ruaha elephant population between 1973 and 1988. Intense poaching in the late 1970s and early 1980s reduced the numbers of elephants by about 60% and also distorted the age structure of the survivors. There are now few cows > 34 years and few bulls > 16 years. Footprint measurements in 1989 showed a lack of calves aged 2 to 9 years but many new‐born infants. Copyright © 1991, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved