Rutendo Nyeve
ON 22 August 2022, two flights took to the skies in Zimbabwe, marking the start of the flying component of the 2022 KAZA Elephant Survey.
Flying was completed on 28 October 2022, resulting in a total of 700 hours of flying spread over 68 days spent collecting data.
The primary objective of the survey was to obtain a relatively precise and accurate estimate of the total number of elephants within the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA), utilising techniques that were both cost-effective and feasible within a reasonable timeframe.
Specifically, the goal was to obtain a percentage of relative precision (PRP) less than or equal to 10 percent of the final population estimate.
The survey’s secondary objectives included estimating the populations of elephant carcasses and other large herbivore species (both wild and domestic), as well as recording the spatial distribution of elephants, elephant carcasses, and other large herbivores within the KAZA TFCA.
Additionally, the survey aimed to achieve these objectives using standardised methods, as set out by the CITES MIKE programme, which were technically sound and repeatable.
The CITES MIKE Aerial Survey Standards Version 3.0 is a 50-page document that outlines the guidelines governing all aspects of conducting aerial surveys for African savanna elephants, spanning from planning to execution and reporting.
Exactly a year after the survey was conducted, the KAZA secretariat on Thursday unveiled the long awaited KAZA Elephant Survey Results and launch at an event held in Livingstone, Zambia.
The results revealed that the estimated elephant population for the KAZA region stands at 227 900 (plus/minus16 743). They revealed that populations show Angola with 5 983, Botswana 131 909, Namibia 21 090, Zambia 3 840 and Zimbabwe 65 028. From the results, only Zambia has presented a declining trend. These results suggest that elephant populations were stable across the five KAZA TFCA countries of Southern Africa.
For Zimbabwe and its other five partner states of Angola, Botswana, Namibia and Zambia which are all among the largest terrestrial conservation areas in the world, occupying approximately 520,000 square kilometres, the results have presented them with scientific proven facts that will help not only to coordinate wildlife conservation efforts but will aide in arguing various discourses with global bodies like CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora).
Speaking at the unveiling of the results, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) Director General Mr Fulton Mangwanya said the results will help facilitate the development of an integrated land use planning process to secure long-term ecosystem integrity and connectivity of KAZA’s elephant population.
“The survey results which we have are going to be used for strategic planning frame works of the conservation and management of elephants in the KAZA TFCA. We are now in a position to talk issues based on science proven facts. The policies that we are going to come up with especially when we are talking of the overpopulation or abundance of elephants and the effects on human beings like human-wildlife conflict, we will actually be basing on the statistics that are scientifically proven,” said Mr Mangwanya.
He said the region has a serious problem when it goes to CITES as it is always on the receiving end.
“The problem with the overpopulation of some of these elephants is that they destroy the habitat not for themselves only but even for other species. When we have these facts laid down, no one should argue when we talk of sustainable use, we should actually derive benefits from these animals we are ably looking after. I know when we raise these issues we are in trouble. Right now we have stock piles of ivory, we cannot even dispose of or benefit from,” said Mr Mangwanya.
He said what is known can be protected and planned for and Zimbabwe is very happy that it has a toll to discuss these issues.
One of Zimpark’s wildlife partners particularly in the KAZA region of the country, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) said the results were critical in enhancing and collaborating partners’ work in the region as they help inform interventions in areas such as land use and planning, human-wildlife conflict management, community engagement and disrupting poaching and trafficking networks operating in the region.
Programme Director for Landscape Conservation at IFAW, Mr Philip Kuvawoga said,“In celebrating this important milestone, we applaud the KAZA Secretariat, partner states and their partners for the collective effort to maintain stable elephant populations despite the threats from climate change, habitat loss, and poaching. This rigorous survey provides an important baseline for assessing the effectiveness of our combined efforts to secure a viable future for the region’s elephants and the human populations that live alongside them. While this news is positive, we must continue to address growing challenges related to habitat connectivity and human-elephant coexistence and ensure that conservation actions support those who bear the costs as well as the opportunities of living with the wildlife of this globally important area,” said Mr Kuvawoga.
This first ever KAZA wide survey was conducted during the dry season months of August, September and October, when most trees and shrubs in the landscape were leafless, and before the first rains, to maximise visibility of wildlife from the air, and reduce the risk of elephants dispersing over long distances to take advantage of fresh graze and browse.
The design of the KAZA Elephant Survey was based on a flight plan that minimises the time taken to fly over areas of transboundary movement to avoid the risk of double counting, or missing entire elephant herds, which could influence the estimated numbers.
According to the coordinators, due to the extensive scope of the survey and the necessary crews for its implementation, centralised coordination was crucial for its success. This promoted seamless teamwork among survey teams, reduced inconsistencies, and enforced standardised procedures.
Serving as the primary channel for communication and direction, central coordination ensured the survey’s objectives were executed smoothly and accurately. It also guaranteed precise timing across international borders.
Following the completion of the survey in October, the team of data analysts worked within the operations room to scrub the data and perform preliminary analysis, as well as complete the photo interpretation process.
This initial data analysis took two months to complete. From January onwards, the coordination team worked on finalising the data analysis and compiling the survey report, which was completed in April 2023.
From May to July, the report underwent review by the Partner States and by a team of independent experts nominated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature Species Survival Commission African Elephant Specialist Ground. — @nyeve14