Hotspot elephant-poaching areas in the Eastern Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania

Elephant poaching hotspots in the Eastern Selous Game Reserve (ESGR), Tanzania, are concentrated along its edges, particularly during the wet season. This pattern is linked to local involvement driven by economic deprivation. Researchers analyzed elephant mortality data from 2008–2013, revealing higher poaching incidences on reserve peripheries due to proximity to human settlements lacking alternative livelihoods. The study underscores the need for targeted conservation strategies, including economic empowerment, strengthened law enforcement, and community-based anti-poaching initiatives, to mitigate illegal ivory trade in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Kyando, M., Ikanda, D., & Røskaft, E. (2017). Hotspot elephant-poaching areas in the Eastern Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania. African Journal of Ecology, 55(3), 365–371. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.12363