Problematique de gestion de l'elephant d'Afrique dans la Reserve de Faune de Conkouati, au Kouilou (Congo)

Abstract

Based on observations made between 1988 and 1995 the author outlines the constraints to the management and conservation of elephant populations in the Conkouati Reserve created in 1980 in the coastal region of southwestern Congo. Exploitation of the forest for timber and other products including bush meat, land needs of subsistance agriculturalists, and the poor economic base of the area plus the lack of authority regarding land use and hunting rights made it very difficult to work in the area or to find out what the elephant population may be at present. Evidence of some remaining populations are present in the form of fresh meat and tusks in the markets. In 1989 24,050 kgs of ivory in the form of sculptures and 16,400 kgs of raw ivory were recorded by the Forestry office in Kouibou. In 1994 the same office recorded 41,240 kgs in sculptures and 64,700 kgs in raw ivory as coming from the Conkouati area.