New elephant crisis in Asia-Early warning signs from Myanmar

PLoS One. 2018 Mar 13;13(3):e0194113. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194113. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

In the southern Bago Yoma mountain range in Myanmar, Asian elephants are being killed at a disturbing rate. This emerging crisis was identified initially through a telemetry study when 7 of 19 of collared elephants were poached within a year of being fitted with a satellite-GPS collar. Subsequent follow up of ground teams confirmed the human caused death or disappearance of at least 19 elephants, including the seven collared individuals, within a 35 km2 area in less than two years. The carcasses of 40 additional elephants were found in areas located across south-central Myanmar once systematic surveys began by our team and collaborators. In addition to the extreme rate of loss, this study documents the targeting of elephants for their skin instead of the more common ivory, an increasing trend in Myanmar. Intensive research programs focused on other conservation problems identified this issue and are now encouraging local authorities to prioritize anti-poaching efforts and improve conservation policies within the country. Myanmar represents one of the last remaining countries in Asia with substantial wildlands suitable for elephants. Increasing rates of human-elephant conflict and poaching events in this country pose a dire threat to the global population.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Conservation of Natural Resources* / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Conservation of Natural Resources* / methods
  • Conservation of Natural Resources* / statistics & numerical data
  • Elephants* / physiology
  • Endangered Species* / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Myanmar

Grants and funding

This work was funded by: Friends of the National Zoo (https://nationalzoo.si.edu/membership/join), and the United States Fish and Wildlife Asian Elephant Conservation Fund (ASE1539, ASE1648, https://www.fws.gov/international/wildlife-without-borders/asian-elephant-conservation-fund.html). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.