Elephants hit by African arms race: recent factors affecting elephant populations

Abstract

The paper presents different field reports that illustrate the elephant population status and gives an overview of the factors affecting elephants in the continent. In the 1960's the main problem of elephants in East Africa was one of overcrowding within the National Parks. The 1970's registered increased arms importation due to the prevailing wars and then later got into the hands of poachers. In some countries, such as in Uganda and Sudan, some elements of the military were the main poachers.