NATIONS STRIVE TO SAVE ASIAN ELEPHANTS

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Last Updated: Friday, 27 January 2006, 23:05 GMT

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4654450.stm

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Nations back elephant action plan

 

Elephants' habitat is under threat from increasing human activity

All nations with wild populations of Asian elephants have met as a

group for the first time to discuss the species' future survival.

The aim of the meeting in Kuala Lumpur was to reach a consensus on the

best way to tackle threats facing the continent's largest mammal.

 

Delegates agreed that transboundary cooperation was necessary to

protect the creatures' dwindling habitat.

 

The wild population of Asian elephants is estimated at 30,000 to 50,000.

 

The three-day gathering was convened by the Malaysian government, and

facilitated by IUCN, the World Conservation Union, in an attempt to

agree on the best way to protect the remaining elephant populations.

 

Knowledge gaps

 

" Many states face similar problems, " said Dr Holly Dublin, chair of

the IUCN's Species Survival Commission.

 

" Therefore, the meeting focused on lessons learned and the sharing of

expertise to help improve the Asian elephants' fortunes. "

 

It has taken a long time for these countries to come together like this

 

Andrew McMullin, IUCN

 

Although the meeting could be described as historic, it was only the

first step on a long road, the IUCN's Andrew McMullin told the BBC

News website.

 

" It is too early at this stage to see any outcomes. It has taken a

long time for these 13 countries to come together like this, " he said.

 

" Gaps in knowledge is one of the main things that has been identified,

such as the distribution and occurrences of the elephants. "

 

There are only rough estimates of elephant numbers in different

countries, ranging from fewer than 100 in Vietnam to more than 20,000

in India. Conservationists admit many of these figures are little more

than guesses.

 

It is hoped that a bettter understanding of their location and

movement will help reduce the growing conflict between humans and the

animals.

 

Balancing act

 

South and south-east Asia have the highest human population density in

the world, and numbers are increasing by between one and three percent

each year.

 

ASIAN ELEPHANT

 

Population: 30,000 - 50,000

Life span: up to 70 years

Status: endangered

Found in 13 countries, from Bangladesh to Vietnam

Habitat: scrub forest; areas combining grass with low trees

 

Forests and other elephant habitats are being destroyed to make way

for new settlements and agricultural land. Only an estimated five

percent of their original habitat is left for the creatures to roam.

 

As a result, an increasing number of elephants are entering newly

developed areas and incurring the wrath of angry locals.

 

The IUCN says the major cause of death for Asian elephants is now

being poisoned or shot by farmers.

 

This is why the 13-nation meeting was a welcome step forward in the

effort to improve the balance between the needs of elephants and a

growing human population, said Andrew McMullin.

 

" We are very pleased that the nations have come together on this, and

we hope that it is going to be the start of a long and fruitful

cooperation between the countries. "