Kenya's Elephants Signify Gains, Highlight Uncertainty

International bans on the ivory trade and efforts to control poaching have helped Kenya's elephant population rebound, wildlife authorities say. In the Tsavo/Mkomazi area --- a conservancy in the larger Tsavo area in southern Kenya -- the elephant population grew from 10,397 in 2005 to 11,696 in 2008, according the Kenya Wildlife Service.

The reported rise confirms that the area's elephant population is recovering from decades of intense poaching and other threats. The elephant population had fallen to a meager 5,000 in the 1980s, from five times that in the 1970s.

The recent conservation win -- while welcome news -- did little to lift the cloud of uncertainty that has hung over Kenya since political and civil unrest broke out late last year. Although talks to resolve the crisis are gaining ground, conservationists worry that prolonged political uncertainty could fuel renewed poaching as protected areas are forced to lay off staff and economic and food insecurity increase.

"The recent rise in the elephant population is emblematic of all the work and hope that's been invested in conserving Kenya's wildlife and building its tourism sector for the benefit of all Kenyans," says Dr. Philip Muruthi, Senior Director of Conservation Science at the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF). "The steady gains in elephant conservation are surely a sign of what can be accomplished."

Kenya's tourism industry, in which elephants are an important attraction, is a prime engine of economic growth. Soon after the crisis began, however, revenues plummeted, with 90 percent of the country's tourism business vanishing virtually overnight. By one estimate, Kenya's tourism industry is losing about Sh5.5 billion a month.

"We remain committed to our mission to conserve Africa's wildlife and wild lands for future generations and are doing all we can to support our conservation partners in Kenya, especially the Kenya Wildlife Service, and across Africa," says Dr. Helen Gichohi, president of the African Wildlife Foundation. "We are proud to be associated with conservation work that has benefited local communities and wildlife alike."

AWF is based in Nairobi and has projects in 11 countries across Africa.

To learn more about AWF's work to conserve elephants, click here.