How Dung Paper Is Helping Elephant Conservation In Kenya

[mark-hunter]

Always read with caution. Fake news can be anywhere.
As per:
An investigation into ivory trade in the UK
2004

By international fund for animal welfare.
(this should be reliable source)

We have:

Kenya: From a high of 275,000 in the late 1970s, its elephant population fell to just 20,000 in 1989. The population has still to recover from this massacre, now numbering only between22,000 and 29,000.

Link

Wayback Machine

So this is 7% of former healthy population.

As per above article we have:

• Since 2014, Kenya's elephant population has almost doubled, this with poaching incidences declining.

Who knows were are we really now? If the 20k, was the worst low, can we say it is 40.000 population now? (14%?)

However, I went a step further and went to check what online AI will say.
I will qoute mr all-knowing AI:

According to the most recent estimates, Kenya is home to approximately 34,000 elephants. These majestic creatures are found in various national parks and reserves across the country, including Amboseli National Park, Tsavo National Park, and Maasai Mara National Reserve.

In conclusion, after ban on hunting in 73 and 77, Kenya now "manages" 12.3% of its former elephant population.
More over, they lost entire population of white rhino. The last white rhino of kenya died few years ago. Wilderness is devastated and most probably majority of elephants is kept in national parks.

In national parks elephants and other animals are protected by armed rangers, and saving population by collecting dung, brings my doubts.

I am following on my previous post.
Elephant birth rate in normal condition is 5%.
Population growth is differnece between mortality and birth rate.
So, as per calculation this is birth rate since census in 1989.

1990 20000 21000
1991 21000 22050
1992 22050 23152.5
1993 23152.5 24310.125
1994 24310.125 25525.63125
1995 25525.63125 26801.91281
1996 26801.91281 28142.00845
1997 28142.00845 29549.10888
1998 29549.10888 31026.56432
1999 31026.56432 32577.89254
2000 32577.89254 34206.78716
2001 34206.78716 35917.12652
2002 35917.12652 37712.98285
2003 37712.98285 39598.63199
2004 39598.63199 41578.56359
2005 41578.56359 43657.49177
2006 43657.49177 45840.36636
2007 45840.36636 48132.38467
2008 48132.38467 50539.00391
2009 50539.00391 53065.9541
2010 53065.9541 55719.25181
2011 55719.25181 58505.2144
2012 58505.2144 61430.47512
2013 61430.47512 64501.99887
2014 64501.99887 67727.09882
2015 67727.09882 71113.45376
2016 71113.45376 74669.12645
2017 74669.12645 78402.58277
2018 78402.58277 82322.71191
2019 82322.71191 86438.8475
2020 86438.8475 90760.78988
2021 90760.78988 95298.82937
2022 95298.82937 100063.7708
2023 100063.7708 105066.9594

As per last estimate - present population census is 34.000.
I have no other way of estimating that small elephant population growth in last 33 years is 14.000,
Population growth is about average 500 animals per year.
This is probably focused in protected national parks, such as TSavo. Causing the problem of over population.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/229567299_The_elephant_problem_at_Tsavo

So, what is really happening is that elephants are overcrowding protected national parks, while wilderness areas ar devastated by poaching. When they move out of park, they cause damage, then they "dissapear". Poaching again?

Elephant Population Outgrowing Kenya's Parks | African Budget Safaris

Good news - elephant numbers in Kenya are increasing strongly! The not so good news is that conflict between humans and the elephants roaming into villages and onto ranches is also increasing.

www.africanbudgetsafaris.com

 

[Daisy]

It seems African population has stayed low for generations due to war, famine, and disease. This seems to be improving and population growth exploding. Africa is predicted to be epicenter of population growth over next generation.

Human expansion is by far the worst thing for animals. Look at quail populations in the US as example. Hell, deer and turkey were almost wiped out until repopulated by guess who. Hunters.

 

[mark-hunter]

It seems African population has stayed low for generations due to war, famine, and disease. This seems to be improving and population growth exploding. Africa is predicted to be epicenter of population growth over next generation.

Yes. until 100 years ago, urbanization, medicines, antibiotics and vaccinations, food industry helped to minimize till-then mortality rate. So, human population growth is exponential. But this already happened in Europe and Asia, after ww2 ,probably for same reason.
But there is no serious conflict between wild life and humans in western countries, so this is well managed and regulated there.
In Africa, this is a challenge

 

[Daisy]

Yes. until 100 years ago, urbanization, medicines, antibiotics and vaccinations, food industry helped to minimize till-then mortality rate. So, human population growth is exponential. But this already happened in Europe and Asia, after ww2 ,probably for same reason.
But there is no serious conflict between wild life and humans in western countries, so this is well managed and regulated there.
In Africa, this is a challenge

Kind of true. Africa is 100 years behind Europe and America in some regards. If you read the history of Europe and America, we DECIMATED the natural habitat and animal populations. See the American Buffalo. When you are hungry and poor, you don't care about animal rights. You care about eating and surviving. As Africa becomes more educated and advanced, a lot of those issue, including protecting native habitat, should improve.

In the meantime, allowing traveling hunters to supply money to the communities and provide resources for native habitat protection is the best way IMO.

 

[mark-hunter]

American buffalo, once roamed the continent with some estimates around 50 million.
Came down to less then 1000 heads, by beginning of the century.
Now numbers at 500.000. With mostly no conflict with humans, lets say, the species saved in last moment.

 

[Sue Tidwell]

Always read with caution. Fake news can be anywhere.
As per:
An investigation into ivory trade in the UK
2004

By international fund for animal welfare.
(this should be reliable source)

We have:

Kenya: From a high of 275,000 in the late 1970s, its elephant population fell to just 20,000 in 1989. The population has still to recover from this massacre, now numbering only between22,000 and 29,000.

Link

Wayback Machine

So this is 7% of former healthy population.

As per above article we have:

• Since 2014, Kenya's elephant population has almost doubled, this with poaching incidences declining.

Who knows were are we really now? If the 20k, was the worst low, can we say it is 40.000 population now? (14%?)

However, I went a step further and went to check what online AI will say.
I will qoute mr all-knowing AI:

According to the most recent estimates, Kenya is home to approximately 34,000 elephants. These majestic creatures are found in various national parks and reserves across the country, including Amboseli National Park, Tsavo National Park, and Maasai Mara National Reserve.

In conclusion, after ban on hunting in 73 and 77, Kenya now "manages" 12.3% of its former elephant population.
More over, they lost entire population of white rhino. The last white rhino of kenya died few years ago. Wilderness is devastated and most probably majority of elephants is kept in national parks.

In national parks elephants and other animals are protected by armed rangers, and saving population by collecting dung, brings my doubts.

Thanks for all this information and actual numbers on the decrease of elephants etc. in Kenya.

 

[Sue Tidwell]

It has been estimated that about 5.1 million excess deaths per year are associated with non-optimal temperatures. Of those, 4.6 million are associated with colder than optimum temperatures, and 0.5 million are associated with hotter than optimum temperatures.

Human Deaths from Hot and Cold Temperatures and Implications for…

Given the large number of deaths affected by temperature, there is significant public and scientific interest in the impact of global warming on human mortality.

thebreakthrough.org

Wow, that's crazy how many deaths are contributed to temperature change. I never imagined it would be that high.

 

[mark-hunter]

Thanks for all this information and actual numbers on the decrease of elephants etc. in Kenya.

Thanks you Sue,

I just knew where to look for, based on books I read and have in my library:

Killing for profit, by Julian Radimeyer
Ivory (Power and poaching in Africa), by Keith Somerwille
Elephant!, by Craig Boddington
White hunters, by Brian Herne
etc...

having an idea, I just looked for reliable sources to present the facts.

 

[Sue Tidwell]

Thanks you Sue,

I just knew where to look for, based on books I read and have in my library:

Killing for profit, by Julian Radimeyer
Ivory (Power and poaching in Africa), by Keith Somerwille
Elephant!, by Craig Boddington
White hunters, by Brian Herne
etc...

having an idea, I just looked for reliable sources to present the facts.

Thanks so much for these book suggestions. I have done tons of research but somehow I have missed all four of these! They are now on my list. It is so good to have the FACTS. I was in an extended argument on social media that lasted days back and forth. It drained me. Some people will never get it. I know facts are important but to me...it is also about common sense. When you put the reality of Africa in front of people, it is hard for me to believe that they can SEE why hunting is so important. I even got a death wish for my entire family the other day in an email that came from my website. AND I am not even a hunter! Luckily, I think they were from overseas so I don't have anything to fear. What a crazy world we live in. Again, thanks for the book suggestions.

 

[mark-hunter]

You will find a bit of information in every book I mentioned, and some information will give you picture of actual events or conditions on the ground, whether today, or in the past.
When rreading white hunters, and when getting to the time of hunting ban in Kenya, you will realise what dark age has come.
Ivory, book will give you good information on hisotrical impact of poachin or hunting of elephants, and trade routes.
Craig Boddington will give factual correct information on population, and numbers today.
Killing for profit, more on rhino poaching, but will add to the perspective.

If searching for the facts, one more:
One more book, I can recommend, Modern game rancher, authors Pamela and Peter Oberen. This will shed some light on the modern game ranching which brought us to south African and Namibian conservation success story.

In this book, there are also the numbers of animal population increase since game ranch management was started in South Africa.
in short, overall animal populations before game ranching started in south Africa was around 500.000 animals in the country, and in decline.
30-40 years later total number of animals is close to 20.000.000 (million), including the rhino black and white saved from extinction. I donth think there is similar example anywhere in Africa (except Namibia), nor in the world, all financed by international hunters and hunting community.

 

[Sue Tidwell]

You will find a bit of information in every book I mentioned, and some information will give you picture of actual events or conditions on the ground, whether today, or in the past.
When rreading white hunters, and when getting to the time of hunting ban in Kenya, you will realise what dark age has come.
Ivory, book will give you good information on hisotrical impact of poachin or hunting of elephants, and trade routes.
Craig Boddington will give factual correct information on population, and numbers today.
Killing for profit, more on rhino poaching, but will add to the perspective.

If searching for the facts, one more:
One more book, I can recommend, Modern game rancher, authors Pamela and Peter Oberen. This will shed some light on the modern game ranching which brought us to south African and Namibian conservation success story.

In this book, there are also the numbers of animal population increase since game ranch management was started in South Africa.
in short, overall animal populations before game ranching started in south Africa was around 500.000 animals in the country, and in decline.
30-40 years later total number of animals is close to 20.000.000 (million), including the rhino black and white saved from extinction. I donth think there is similar example anywhere in Africa (except Namibia), nor in the world, all financed by international hunters and hunting community.

Thank you Mark. I have already ordered the first four books you mentioned before seeing this post. I'll put it on the list as well. I did know about the game ranch situation and how it saved wildlife in Africa. In fact I used basically those exact numbers in my book. Still, I am always looking for more facts and books to further help me understand and to combat the antis who attack me. As you may know, I am a non-hunter who was once skeptical of hunting in Africa but after spending time in Tanzania, I am a passionate supporter of well-managed hunting.

 

[mark-hunter]

Thanks Sue,
I wish you good luck in your research!

 

[Sue Tidwell]

Thanks Sue,
I wish you good luck in your research!

Thanks Mark!

 

[Anbessa Gedai]

Thanks so much for these book suggestions. I have done tons of research but somehow I have missed all four of these! They are now on my list. It is so good to have the FACTS. I was in an extended argument on social media that lasted days back and forth. It drained me. Some people will never get it. I know facts are important but to me...it is also about common sense. When you put the reality of Africa in front of people, it is hard for me to believe that they can SEE why hunting is so important. I even got a death wish for my entire family the other day in an email that came from my website. AND I am not even a hunter! Luckily, I think they were from overseas so I don't have anything to fear. What a crazy world we live in. Again, thanks for the book suggestions.

In addition to the sources already mentioned, two books in are absolutely essential reading.
"What I Tell You Three Times is True"
and
"Ivory Crisis"
written by Ian Parker, an "on the ground" expert on the Kenyan (and other countries) elephant population (mis) management and I submit THE expert regarding the ivory trade, both legal and otherwise. Both of these are fascinating reads, and available at reasonable cost via the on-line book vendors.

 

[Sue Tidwell]

In addition to the sources already mentioned, two books in are absolutely essential reading.
"What I Tell You Three Times is True"
and
"Ivory Crisis"
written by Ian Parker, an "on the ground" expert on the Kenyan (and other countries) elephant population (mis) management and I submit THE expert regarding the ivory trade, both legal and otherwise. Both of these are fascinating reads, and available at reasonable cost via the on-line book vendors.

Thank you for these additional resources. I will definitely add them to the list!

 

[schwerpunkt88]

The silver lining in the climate change debate is through having the folks pushing the narrative and agenda in charge has forced real debate and learning on the subject. It is much more common today than it was 4 years ago to see consistent push back. The faux science and fraud has been exposed for what it is.