The loss of a population of elephants in the Middle Shire Valley, southern Malawi

Abstract

Reviews two surveys of elephant in the Middle Shire Valley, carried out in 1983-1987 and in 1994, corresponding to the periods before and after the population destruction. The 1983-87 survey estimated the Valley supported about 10% of Malawi's elephants, a population of 200-300 ranged over 1000 sq kms much of which was in the Majete Wildlife Reserve. With the influx of Mozambican refugees poaching escalated. Government action was inadequate and by 1992 reports suggested the elephant population had been eliminated. In 1994 ground and aerial surveys confirmed no elephant remained in the region. Although direct observation was difficult information was amassed through dung counts, spoor, damage to vegetation including that to agricultural crops, and interviews with local people thus the group size, normal range area and even age and sex of the majority of members were often well known. The 1994 survey interviewed wildlife field staff and people of 16 villages and a low level aerial survey picked out carcass locations. Commercial poaching began in late 1986 and continued unabated until 1991. This aspect plus a refugee camp eventually hosting >60,000 located in the immediate area suggests little chance for any remmant animals.