Conservation science and elephant management in southern Africa

THE PREVAILING INCREASE IN ELEPHANT numbers across areas of southern Africa raises concern for their impact on biological diversity. Several approaches to elephant management focus on limiting numbers to alleviate these consequences. However, landscape fragmentation, fences, water supplementation as well as the shape and size of some conservation areas restrict range use and intensify the effects of elephants. We propose that the consequences of range limitation may best be addressed by restoring seasonal and regional patterns of land use. It can be achieved by linking existing conservation landscapes both nationally and internationally. This, rather than the management of numbers, should reduce local impact and help to stabilize elephant numbers regionally. We address the importance of space to elephant management by advocating a scientific approach that relies on the establishment of megaparks across southern Africa. These should facilitate local movements and regional dispersal both within and even between these parks. This will also allow for spatial dynamics (such as source-sink interactions) that stabilize numbers regionally while reducing local impacts. We believe that our proposal improves the scientific framework for conservation initiatives both nationally and regionally. It is in line with current developments in conservation science that emphasize habitat and ecosystem management. The implementation of this approach, however, needs substantial research and refinement for its validation and calls for a regional focus on conservation management, especially in view of local economic and social realities.