The cost of conserving elephants

Abstract

African elephants attract a variety of economic values, and to varying degrees in different range states, live both within and outside protected areas. In either situation, elephants may be in conflict with man. As a result range states have to expend funds to protect elephants. This questionnaire based survey found as a general rule in 1981 it was necessary to spend around US$215 per sq km of protected area to prevent the decline of elephants due severe commercial poaching for ivory. In 1989, taking inflation into account, US$340 would be required to maintain the same standard. Given that ensuring the success of law enforcement efforts is probably the most important management objective for future conservation greater emphasis needs to be placed upon this topic.