Stories

Rare sighting of Senegalese elephant brings fresh but cautious hope February 4, 2020

A wild elephant has been sighted for the first time in many years in Senegal’s Niokolo-Koba National Park. The lone bull was spotted by a field team including a researcher from ECF partner, Panthera, in Niokolo on January 19. The sighting is believed to be the first confirmed direct sighting of an elephant in the park in many years.

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Six Elephants Fitted with GPS/Satellite Collars in August/September to Further Reinforce Ongoing Protection Efforts in Yankari Game Reserve October 2, 2019

WCS announced today that it has fitted six elephants with GPS/satellite collars over the past two months in Nigeria’s Yankari Game Reserve. The collars are providing real-time tracking of elephant herds, allowing ranger teams to shadow the elephants at all times and alert the reserve manager whenever elephants are in danger or stray outside of the reserve.

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Can the Ivory Coast Still Live Up To its Name? August 28, 2019

West Africa’s elephants are in more trouble than any others on the continent. Most populations are tiny, living in small patches of forest surrounded by farmland, under threat from poaching and human elephant conflict and struggling to survive. Ivory Coast’s elephants have suffered more than most, but there are signs of hope that some at least may be able to survive.

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Helping tackle illegal ivory markets July 29, 2019

When the Chinese government banned the sale of ivory at the end of 2017, it was a significant step but unfortunately not the end of the demand nor the illegal killing of elephants for ivory. The illegal ivory trade is like a hydra, with new heads of the beast springing up on China’s border, particularly in Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam.

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U.S arrests leaders of major drug and ivory smuggling network in Africa June 14, 2019

US enforcement agencies have arrested two kingpins at the heart of a major drug and ivory smuggling network in Africa. The arrests were made following an in-depth investigation by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration and law enforcement agencies and conservation partners.

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Sudan a new elephant range state? March 20, 2019

Given the perilous state of elephants in Africa, it is not often that a new country can boast of hosting elephants – and potentially being recognised as a ‘range state’, able to engage in continental level debates on the future of elephants. A recent sighting in Sudan may be an exception.

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