Two adult elephants killed in close proximity in northern Kenya. Clustered kills are a sign of professional poaching. (Photo Credit: Chris Leadisimo)
Researchers estimate that 7% of all elephants deaths in Africa between 2010 and 2012 can be attributed to illegal killings.
The authors first surveyed elephant carcasses in Kenya’s Samburu National Reserve to distinguish between illegal and natural causes of mortality, then built a model to estimate poaching on the continent. The authors conclude that illegal killings have driven the African elephant population down by 2% each year since 2010.
Original research paper published in PNAS on August 18, 2014.
Names and affiliations of selected authors
