STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK FOR AN AFRICAN ELEPHANT ACTION PLAN

An Overview

Timeline

CITES CoP14, 2007, The Hague, Netherlands

Decisions 14.75, 14.76, 17.78 and 14.79 reference the development of an African Elephant Action Plan and an accompanying African Elephant Fund, directed to the African elephant range States and CITES secretariat

African elephant meeting, June 2008, Mombasa KenyaIUCN/SSC African Elephant Specialist Group (at the request of the CITES Secretariat)

facilitated working groups to prepare a Strategic Framework for the African Elephant Action Plan

July 2008 – January 2009Draft document prepared by AfESG, circulated for comment to range States by CITES

Secretariat, comments were integrated into the document, and final Strategic Framework distributed in January 2009

WHAT THE STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK IS

1. An initiative of the Parties to CITES

2. The result of a collaborative development process

3. Owned by the African elephant range States

4. An overarching framework which: summarises conservation status of the African elephant; summarises current conservation challenges; and outlines nine broad objectives to achieve the goal of managing the

species and important habitats across its range.

WHAT THE STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK IS NOT

1. An Action Plan

2. A set of measurable targets

3. An exhaustive list of activities

4. A prioritised or budgeted list of activities

5. Owned by any NGO or individual government.

CONTENT OVERVIEW

1. Introduction

2. Conservation Status of African ElephantsContinental and Sub-regional OverviewsInternational Conservation Status

3. Current Issues in African Elephant ConservationIllegal Killing, Ivory Trade, Human-Elephant Conflict, Habitat Loss and

Fragmentation, Local Overabundance, Institutional Weakness

4. Objectives, Results and ActivitiesTwo Overarching ObjectivesSeven Primary Objectives

OBJECTIVES

Cross Cutting Objectives1. Increase awareness on elephant conservation and management

across all levels2. Build capacity in elephant conservation and managementPrimary Objectives3. Improve knowledge and management of elephant populations and

their habitats4. Reduce illegal killing of elephants and illegal trade in elephant

products5. Maintain elephant habitats and restore connectivity6. Reduce human-elephant conflict7. Strengthen understanding and cooperation among range States8. Assess the costs and benefits of elephants to people9. Implement and monitor the African elephant action plan

CROSS CUTTING OBJECTIVES

Objective 1

Increase awareness on elephant conservation and management across all levels

Objective 2

Build capacity in elephant conservation and management

OBJECTIVE 1: Increase awareness on elephant conservation and management across all levels

Result 1.1Dissemination of unbiased and reliable information enhanced and awareness raised within and across all audiences (community, public, scientific and political)

OBJECTIVE 2: Build capacity in elephant conservation and management

Result 2.1Capacity, understanding and knowledge in African elephant conservation management activities is developed across the continent

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES

Objective 3Improve knowledge and management of elephant populations and their habitats

Objective 4 Reduce illegal killing of elephants and illegal trade in elephant products

Objective 5 Maintain elephant habitats and restore connectivity

Objective 6 Reduce human-elephant conflict

Objective 7 Strengthen understanding and cooperation among range States

Objective 8 Assess the costs and benefits of elephants to people

Objective 9 Implement and monitor the African elephant action plan

OBJECTIVE 3: Improve knowledge and management of elephant populations and their habitats

Result 3.1 The status of elephant populations (numbers, trends and distribution) across their range is established and monitored

Result 3.2 Extent and rates of change in elephant habitats are monitored

Result 3.3 New survey methods for forest and savanna elephant populations are developed and implemented

Result 3.4Elephant numbers increase to viable levels where possible

Result 3.5Locally overabundant populations of elephants are managed

OBJECTIVE 4: Reduce illegal killing of elephants and illegal trade in elephant products

Result 4.1The nature of illegal killing is better understood

Result 4.2The nature and dynamics of illegal trade is better understood

Result 4.3Appropriate policies and laws (legislation) at all levels (national, regional and international) are adopted or strengthened, ensuring that socio-economic compliance incentives and deterrent penalties are in place

Result 4.4Appropriate laws and the judiciary needs are enforced at all levels (national, regional and international

OBJECTIVE 5: Maintain elephant habitats and restore connectivity

Result 5.1Transboundary populations and habitats are managed in connected landscapes

Result 5.2Policies and supporting legislation to conserve existing habitats and restore landscape-level connectivity are developed and strengthened

Result 5.3Land-use planning approaches compatible with conservation are encouraged

OBJECTIVE 6: Reduce human-elephant conflict

Result 6.1Appropriate knowledge and facilitated interventions are developed

Result 6.2Conflict management strategies and policies are developed, integrated

and implemented at all relevant levels

OBJECTIVE 7: Strengthen understanding and cooperation among range States

Result 7.1Common views at both technical and political levels are built and maintained

OBJECTIVE 8: Assess the costs and benefits of elephants to people

Result 8.1The impacts and potential benefits of elephants to people are assessed and, where

appropriate, mechanisms to reduce negative impacts and to provide greater benefits are appropriately implemented

OBJECTIVE 9: Implement and monitor the African elephant action plan

Result 9.1Activities described in the African elephant action plan are financed and

implemented, and agreed targets are monitored and reported on