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Surveys

Counts are crucial to establish elephant population trends in any region. Alongside generating data on poaching intensity through carcass data, they give an overall picture of what is happening to the population over time.

Elephants are surprisingly difficult to count accurately, and Save the Elephants is a specialist in producing accurate surveys. This data is the foundation for conservation actions. In 1989, Iain Douglas-Hamilton’s continental census brought to the world’s attention the gravity of the crisis, leading to the 1989 International ban on ivory by CITES, which has now been in place for 24 years.

In recent years, as illegal killing has skyrocketed with new demand from the Far East, this data has been called upon again to shed light on the situation. A new Pan African Census has been commissioned by Vulcan, Paul Allen’s foundation, and is being conducted by Mike Chase of Elephants Without Borders, and STE serves as an advisor to the project.

Survey data is collected by the African Elephant Specialist Group (AfESG) hosted by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. STE has five members of staff on the Specialist Group and supports program costs in order to help ensure that this important work continues to a high standard. The last African Elephant Status report was published in 2007, and the next is due out in 2016.

© Jane Wynyard

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How You Can Help

Over the last years our world-leading conservation efforts have been possible thanks to the dedication and generosity of loyal supporters. To join them you can donate in a number of ways:

Elephant Crisis Fund

Elephants are fast disappearing from the wild. Without urgent, international action they could be gone within a generation. The Elephant Crisis Fund provides rapid, catalytic support for the most effective projects designed to stop the killing, thwart traffickers and end the demand for ivory. 100% of all donations reach the field.

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Save the Elephants is funded almost entirely by private donations. It is only through the generous support of donors that we are able to continue our important elephant conservation work. We rely entirely on funds, grants and donations from around the world, so thank you for helping us to secure a future for these fascinating creatures.

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