Elephant Strategy for Ghana for 2011-2020

STRASTRATEGYTEGY FORFOR THETHE CONSERVCONSERVAATIONTION OFOF ELEPHANTSELEPHANTS ININ GHANAGHANA

To ensure the conservation of viable elephant populations and their habitats in Ghana

NOVEMBER 2000

Wildlife Division Forestry Commission P. O. Box M239 Accra - Ghana

D L I L F I E W

D I N VISI O

African Elephant Specialist Group WWF Cover page photo: An unusual ‘alliance’ between a stray elephant and cattle to raid crops in the Tumu area in Northern Ghana - By James Briamah TABLE OF CONTENTS Target 8.7 Strategy implemented by 2010. CONTENTS i & ii Indicator 8.7.1: Number of project proposals funded by donors. FOREWORD iii Indicator 8.7.2: Amount of partner funds or in-kind contributions that contribute directly to ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iv actions within strategy. SUMMARY Indicator 8.7.3: Number of project proposals implemented by Wildlife Division and NGO’s v Indicator 8.7.4: Number of activities listed in this strategy that are undertaken each year. PART A: INTRODUCTION TO THE STRATEGY FOR THE Indicator 8.7.5: Number of projects and activities that are completed. CONSERVATION OF ELEPHANTS IN GHANA ………1 Indicator 8.7.6: Annual strategy reports.

A.l. The Need for an Elephant Conservation Strategy … ... … 1 Activity 8.7.1: Co-ordinator ensures that activities and projects are getting under way by mid-2002. A.2. Why Conserve Elephants? … … ... 2 Activity 8.7.2: Co-ordinator helps projects and activities that are having A.3. Background to Elephant Conservation in Ghana … … … 4 difficulty in securing funding. A.3.1. Elephants in West Africa … … … 4 Activity 8.7.3: Co-ordinator ensures that each project or activity has adequate A.3.2. The Management of Small Populations … … … 5 personnel and material resources. A.3.3. One Species of African Elephant or Two? … … … 5 Activity 8.7.4: Co-ordinator monitors the progress of each project or activity and A.3.4. Geography of Ghana … … … 6 troubleshoots where necessary. A.3.5. The Current Status of Elephants in Ghana … … … 9 Activity 8.7.5: Co-ordinator prepares annual progress reports. A.3.5.1. Distribution and Numbers … … … 9 Activity 8.7.6: Co-ordinator makes preparations in 2010 for a workshop to draw A.3.5.2. Savanna Zone … … … 11 up a National Elephant Strategy for Ghana for 2011-2020. A.3.5.3. Savanna (Transitional) Zone … … … 11 A.3.5.4. Forest Zone … … … 11 A.3.6. The Role of the Wildlife Division … … … 12 A.4. Organisation of this Strategy … … … 13 A.4.1. The Logical Framework and the Goal … … … 13 A.4.2. The Objectives … … … 13

A.4.2.1. Wildlife legislation improved, adopted and implemented to provide the basis for effective law enforcement and community involvement in wildlife management … … … 13 A.4.2.2. Law enforcement improved with respect to the detection, apprehension and conviction of offenders, as well as improved reporting of poaching and smuggling incidents at the appropriate National, sub-regional and international levels … … … 14 A.4.2.3. Accurate and up-to-date information on population and habitat variables collected for all elephant populations and used for management and decision-making … … … 15 A.4.2.4. Rate of habitat loss and incidence of human-elephant conflict reduced in each range … … … 16

A.4.2.5. Improved capacity of stakeholders … … … 17

Continued on next page...

Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana 39 Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana i ...Table of Contents continued Activity 8.3.1: Appoint members of committee. Activity 8.3.2: Organise first meeting by December 2001 and arrange regular A.4.2.6. Improved awareness of elephant conservation issues schedule of meetings. at all levels ... … … 7

A.4.2.7. International agreements developed for managing Target 8.4 Wildlife Division and Forest Service Division working in harmony on elephant conser- cross-border elephant populations ... … … 18 vation issues by 2003.

A.4.2.8. Functioning structures and mechanisms established to ensure the ,implementation of this strategy … … … 18 Indicator 8.4.1: Frequency of meetings between Wildlife Division and Forest Services A.5. Conclusion … … … 18 Division on elephant issues. Indicator 8.4.2: Number of joint programmes carried out in the elephant ranges. A.6. Glossary and Acronyms … … … 19

A.6.1. Glossary … … … 19 Activity 8.4.1: Organise regular meetings at district and regional level by 2001 A.6.2. Acronyms … … ... 19 to promote collaboration between the two divisions. A.7. References … … … 20 Target 8.5 The specific contributions (financial or in kind) to the strategy by collaborating programmes identified by early 2001. PART B: THE STRATEGY FOR THE CONSERVATION

OF ELEPHANTS IN GHANA ………25 Indicator 8.5.1: Number of collaborating programmes. Indicator 8.5.2: Amount of partner funds or in-kind contributions that contribute directly to GOAL ………25 ` actions within the strategy.

Objective I: Wildlife legislation improved, adopted and implemented to provide the basis for effective law enforcement and Activity 8.5.1: Approach government agencies and NGOs engaged in community involvement in wildlife management … … … 25 environmental research and conservation (e.g. Forest Services Division, Forest Research Institute of Ghana [FORIG], Objective 2: Law enforcement improved with respect to the detection, Conservation International, Natural Resources Management apprehension and conviction of offenders, as well as improved reporting of poaching and smuggling incidents at the Programme [NRMP], universities) to identify common interests appropriate national, sub-regional and international levels … … … 26 and possibilities for co-operation.

Objective 3: Accurate and up-to-date information on population and habitat variables collected for all elephant populations Target 8.6 Project proposals to implement strategy developed and funding sought from donors by and used for management and decision-making … … … 29 2001.

Objective 4: Rate of habitat loss and incidence of human-elephant Indicator 8.6.1: Number of project proposals written. conflict reduced in each range … … … 31 Indicator 8.6.2: Number of project proposals reviewed by potential funding Objective 5: Improved capacity of stakeholders … … … 33 agencies. Objective 6: Improved awareness of elephant conservation issues at all levels … … … 34 Activity 8.6.1: Write project proposals. Objective 7: International agreements developed for managing Activity 8.6.2: Approach potential partners (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, cross-border elephant populations … … … 35 European Union, CITES, Conservation International, WWF, local Objective 8: Functioning structures and mechanisms established NGOs, etc) to stimulate their interest in supporting the strategy. to ensure the implementation of this strategy … … … 37 Activity 8.6.3: Co-ordinator links field projects with potential donors.

Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana ii Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana 38 Activity 7.4.1: Review by 2002 the existing regional and bilateral law enforcement FOREWORD protocols as a basis for developing a protocol binding Ghana, Togo, Burkina Faso and Cote D'lvoire. ' Activity 7.4.2: Hold a workshop with neighbouring countries by 2003 to identify For many decades traditional authorities in Ghana have shown great commitment to the issues and confirm need for protocol. conservation of wildlife including elephants by the institution and enforcement of Activity 7.4.3: Establish joint drafting committee by 2006 to prepare protocol with customary rules and regulations. The Government of Ghana augmented these initiatives neighboring countries. by enacting various laws, which contributed to the survival of elephants in the country . Activity 7.4.4: Lobby relevant authorities to ensure their support for the protocol by 2008. On the international front, Ghana has always exhibited tremendous zeal for the Activity 7.4.5: Revise draft protocol for signature then formal adoption by 2010. conservation of the African elephant at many international fora. Our commitment to the conservation of the species is acknowledged internationally as Ghana was the first OBJECTIVE 8: FUNCTIONING STRUCTURES AND MECHANISMS ESTABLISHED country to propose Appendix 1 listing of the species within CITES (The Convention on TO ENSURE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS STRATEGY International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), whereby international trade in elephant and elephant products were to have been banned. It took Indicator 8a: Percentage of annual targets met. the rest of the world more than ten years to appreciate the need for the proposal. Indicator 8b: Number of projects and activities that are implemented. Indicator 8c: Number of projects and activities that are completed. Despite the laudable initiative demonstrated by Ghana, sober reflection on the ground has, however, revealed that our knowledge base of the species and hence its management do not match our zeal and commitment to ensure the survival of the species. Besides, our Target 8.1 Elephant conservation strategy adopted by the Ministry of Lands and Forestry by approach to the problem has hitherto been very piecemeal. We have now realized the March 2001. need for a holistic examination of the issues and the need to develop a strategy for the conservation of the species on these lines. Hence the formulation of the National Indicator 8.1.1: Final version of strategy completed by end of October. Elephant Conservation Strategy to address the problem.

Indicator 8.1.2: Strategy document to be signed by the Minister by March 2001. In developing this strategy, we have been careful to consult and involve several stakeholders from as wide a spectrum as possible; namely Parliamentarians, District Activity 8.1.1: First draft of strategy circulated to Aburi workshop participants by end of July 2000. Chief Executives, Chiefs and Farmers' Groups living in “elephant communities”, Activity 8.1.2: Strategy revised between August and October 2000. Government and Non-Governmental organizations. Since elephants are not Activity:8.1.3: Final draft of strategy signed by March 2001. sympathetic to international boundaries, very useful inputs from representatives from the. neighbouring countries have also gone into the development of this strategy .The contributions of several elephant experts have also enriched the strategy. Target 8.2 A co-ordination unit established within the Wildlife Division and a wildlife officer appoint- ed as co-ordinator by December 2000. We find in this strategy the way forward for the conservation and survival of elephants in Ghana. As a ministry, we are committed to implementing this strategy to the best of our abilities. We therefore calling on all our friends, development partners, neighbours and Indicator 8.2.1: Co-ordinator identified by name and working by January 2001. all to assist us implement this strategy plan. The very survival of the species lies with all Activity 8.2.1: Identify co-ordinator and establish office and equipment for unit. of us.

Target 8.3. Elephant Conservation Advisory Committee established by December 2001. Indicator 8.3.1: Minutes of first meeting of committee typed by January 2002. Minister of Lands, Forestry and Mines (DR. KWAKU AFRIYIE)

Accra February 2001

Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana 37 Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Target 7.2 Protocol between Ghana and Burkina Faso adopted by 2006 to safeguard the elephant migratory corridor and define the corridor management issues for the Sissili & Tumu range.

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Africa and Madagascar Programme was very kind Indicator 7.2.1: Map of corridor completed. to sponsor the Aburi Workshop at which Ghana's Elephant Conservation Strategy was Indicator 7.2.2: Protocol signed. developed, whiles the African Elephant Specialist Group of the World Conservation Union Indicator 7.2.3: Corridor management plan implemented on both sides of the border.

(IUCN) provided technical guidance. The Wildlife Division is most grateful for their Activity 7.2.1: Survey and map corridor and evaluate threats by 2004. support. Activity 7.2.2: Determine the time .of year when elephants cross the border. Activity 7.2.3: Prepare a draft management plan by 2005 and obtain approval from the two governments. We are also grateful to all participants who attended the workshop especially, the repre- Activity 7.2.4: Implement the management plan sentatives of Wildlife Conservation Organisations from Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire and Target 7.3 Protocol between Ghana, Togo and Burkina Faso initiated by 2002 and adopted by 2007 Togo who, in addition to their inputs at the workshop have agreed in principle to co-oper-ate to safeguard the elephant migratory corridor and define management issues for the Red with us on implementation of cross-border elements of the strategy. Volta River population.

Indicator 7.3.1: Proposal completed for project in Red Volta-Nazinga complex. Very special thanks go to Prof. Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu and Dr. Holly Dublin for their tremen- Indicator 7.3.2: Funds secured and project launched in Red Volta-Nazinga complex Indicator 7.3.3: Project report completed. dous assistance during the project, and to Dr. Richard Barnes who kindly accepted to put the Indicator 7.3.4: Protocol signed. strategy document together. Finally, to all of you whose names we cannot mention Activity 7.3.1: Write a proposal by end of 2000 for a study of numbers, distribution here for want of space, we say thank you. AYEKOO. and movements of elephants in the Red Volta-Nazinga complex of protected areas, and secure funding by late 2001. Activity 7.3.2: Launch project in Red Volta-Nazinga complex by early 2002. Activity 7.3.3: Identify issues (from village to national levels) that need to be assessed for the trans-border elephant populations by 2002. Activity 7.3.4: Start discussions with neighboring countries to agree a joint management protocol by 2007.

Target 7.4 Protocol to control cross-border poaching and other elephant management issues signed with neighboring countries (Togo, Cote d'lvoire, and Burkina Faso) by 2010.

Indicator 7.4.1: Protocol drafted and circulated to all countries. Indicator 7.4.2: Protocol signed with Burkina Faso and Togo. Indicator 7.4.3: Protocol signed with Cote d'Ivoire.

Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana iv Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana 36 Indicator 6.3.1: Number of television and radio programmes featuring elephants in a SUMMARY positive light. Indicator 6.3.2: Number of newspaper and magazine articles that discuss elephants in a positive light. Elephant populations have declined throughout West Africa as a consequence of hunting and habi- tat loss and are now found in small and isolated habitat fragments. Ghana has prepared this strat- Activity 6.3.1: Improve contacts between Wildlife Division and radio and televison egy to ensure a systematic and carefully planned approach to elephant conservation and manage- journalists. ment over the next decade. The goal of this strategy is to ensure the conservation of viable ele- Activity 6.3.2: Wildlife Division officers learn to write magazine and newspaper phant populations and their habitats in Ghana. articles for the national press. Ghana holds eleven elephant populations. Four are found in the northern savannas: the Red Volta valley, Sissili & Tumu, Nandom and Mole National Park. Of these Mole is the largest. There is a Target 6.4 Donors and NGOs aware of elephant conservation strategy by 2001. small population of elephants in Digya National Park in the transitional vegetation zone and an isolated group in the Chichibon Corridor. The southwestern forests harbour five populations: Indicator 6.4.1: Letters from donors and NGOs acknowledging receipt of the strategy. Goaso Complex, Bia Conservation Area, Dadieso, Kakum Conservation Area and Ankasa Indicator 6.4.2: Number of inquiries from donors and NGOs. Conservation Area. Only the Mole, Bia and Kakum populations have been counted. There is a Indicator 6.4.3: Number of offers of help or of grants from donors and NGOs. dearth of information on habitat conditions, elephant numbers, trends and demography. Because some are small populations, there is a risk that they may. not be viable. Activity 6.4.1: Submit funding proposals for elephant strategy to donors. Activity 6.4.2: Disseminate elephant strategy to NGOs immediately. Environmental issues are high on the national agenda and the government is committed to ensur- ing the conservation of wildlife resources that form part of Ghana's rich cultural heritage. In order to achieve this goal, the strategy has set eight objectives: (I) Wildlife legislation must be OBJECTIVE 7: INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS DEVELOPED FOR improved, adopted and implemented to provide the basis for effective law enforcement and com- MANAGING CROSS-BORDER ELEPHANT POPULATIONS. munity involvement in wildlife management; (2) Law enforcement must be improved with respect Indicator 7a: Number of elephants crossing each border each year. to the detection, apprehension and conviction of offenders, and there must be improved reporting Indicator 7b: Number of elephants killed each year within 50km of a border. of poaching and smuggling incidents at the appropriate national, sub-regional and international Indicator 7c: Trend in trans-border elephant populations. levels; (3) Accurate and up-to-date information on population and habitat variables for all elephant Indicator 7d: Number of combined elephant surveys carried out with neighbouring countries. populations is to be collected and used for management and decision-making; (4) The rate of habi- Indicator 7e: Country legislation passed to protect trans-border elephants. tat loss and incidence of human-elephant conflict will be reduced in each elephant range; (5) The Indicator 7f: The number of security personnel trained to patrol along migratory routes. capacity of stakeholders will be improved; (6) Awareness of elephant conservation issues must be Indicator 7g: Reports on meetings of trans-border elephants issues. improved at all levels; (7) International agreements will be developed for managing cross-border elephant populations; (8) Functioning structures and mechanisms will be established to ensure the implementation of this strategy. Target 7.1 Protocol adopted by 2006 to safeguard the elephant migratory corridor between Ghana and Cote d'lvoire and management issues associated with the Bia population.

Indicator 7.1.1: Map of corridor completed. Indicator 7.1.2: Protocol signed. Indicator 7.1.3: Corridor management plan implemented on both sides of the border.

Activity 7.1.1: Survey and map corridor and evaluate threats by 2004. Activity 7.1.2: Determine the time of year when elephants cross the border. Activity 7.1.3: Prepare a draft management plan by 2005 and obtain approval from the two governments. Activity 7.1.4: Implement the management plan.

Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana 35 Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana v PART A Activity 5.3.1: NGOs and CBOs start programmes around each range to teach villagers farming methods that are less likely to attract elephants and also methods to scare elephants away when they do enter farmland. INTRODUCTION TO THE STRATEGY FOR THE CONSERVATION OF ELEPHANTS IN GHANA OBJECTIVE 6: IMPROVED AWARENESS OF ELEPHANT CONSERVATION ISSUES AT ALL LEVELS A.l. THE NEED FOR AN ELEPHANT CONSERVATION STRATEGY Indicator 6a: Number of television and radio features on elephants. Elephants have always played an important role in Ghanaian culture and Ghana has long been at the fore- Indicator 6b: Number of articles about elephants in newspapers and magazines. front of elephant conservation. For example, it was Ghana that first proposed that the African elephant should be listed on a CITES appendix (GWD, 1991). Ghana was one of the West African range states that wrote a sub-regional strategy for elephant conservation in 1999. Target 6.1 Communities in elephant ranges aware and supportive of elephant conservation by 2010. At one time elephants were found throughout the country but, as elsewhere on the continent, elephant habitat contracted during the twentieth century. Today elephants are still found in both the savanna and forest zones of Ghana but the reduction of elephant range and the decline in elephant numbers has Indicator 6.1.1: Number of Community Forest Committees that include elephant issues in become a matter of concern to government and non-government agencies. At the same time, the problem their programmes. of crop-raiding by elephants seems to be increasing, making it difficult to engage rural communities in Indicator 6.1.2: Awareness scores measured by sociological surveys. elephant conservation. A strategy for the conservation of elephants will define the problems, set objectives and create a framework for planning that will ensure that the most urgent issues are tackled first. A national strategy will ensure that there is a consensus on the methods for tackling the management Activity 6.1.1: Develop national IEC (information, education, communication) and conservation of this species that so often generates heated controversy. It will ensure a systematic and strategy by 2001. planned approach for the efficient deployment of scarce resources. Donors will be encouraged to help Activity 6.1.2: Implement IEC strategy by 2002. with conservation efforts when they see that specific proposals form part of a coherent framework. On the Activity 6.1.3: Work with communities to integrate elephant matters into the international level, a national strategy will define the steps necessary for implementing Ghana's con- agenda of Community Forest Committees. tribution to the sub-regional strategy. Activity 6.1.4: Contract sociologist to undertake surveys to measure changes in community awareness so as to evaluate efficacy of IEC activities. The Wildlife Division organised a workshop, financed by WWF, at Aburi in July 2000. Community leaders as well as wildlife managers participated and this document is the outcome of that workshop. The strategy is designed to provide a framework for coordinated action to secure elephant populations and Target 6.2 Law enforcement agencies supportive of elephant conservation by 2004. their habitats during the first decade of the twenty-first century. In 2010 a new strategy will be prepared for the next decade. Indicator 6.2.1: Number of seminars organised for law enforcement agencies. Indicator 6.2.2: Number of Police stations and Customs posts where elephant conservation pamphlets can be found.

Activity 6.2.1: Organise awareness seminars for law enforcement agencies (e.g. Police, judiciary, Customs) by 2002. Activity 6.2.2: Print pamphlets to be distributed to all Police stations and Customs posts by 2002. Activity 6.2.3. Lobby the university law schools to include wildlife and environmental issues in the curriculum for aspiring lawyers.

Target 6.3 General public outside elephant ranges aware of, and supportive of, elephant conserva- tion by 2005.

A section of the participants at the Elephant Conservation Strategy Workshop financed by WWF at Aburi in July 2000

Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana 1 Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana 34 OBJECTIVE 5: IMPROVED CAPACITY OF STAKEHOLDERS A.2. WHY CONSERVE ELEPHANTS? Indicator 5a: Number of workshops organised to train stakeholders in elephant management. The Government of Ghana has placed environmental issues high on the national agenda. The Indicator 5b: Number: of NGOs and CBOs that have implemented elephant conservation National Environmental Action Plan of 1988 defined a set of policy actions to ensure the environ- measures as part of this strategy. mental sustainability of Ghana's development strategy and to ensure the country's ecological viabil- ity. The conservation and development of wildlife and forestry resources are central themes in the action plan and are described in the National Forest and Wildlife Policy (Ministry of Lands & Target 5.1 The officers of the Wildlife and Forest Services Divisions that are working on this Forestry, 1994). The subsequent Wildlife Policy Statement issued by the Ghana Wildlife Department was strategy trained in elephant biology and management by 2003. intended "to place Ghana firmly among those nations with an enlightened and pragmatic approach to the sustainable use of their wildlife resources" (GWD, 1994). The statement was based on the twin convictions that: Indicator 5.1.1: Number of staff trained and deployed in elephant ranges. 1. Within limits people in Ghana have the right to the resources needed for a reasonably adequate standard of living and the right to derive economic, social, cultural and other benefits from wild Activity 5.1.1: Identify staff training needs by 2001. plant and animal species. Activity 5.1.2: Draw up plans for training programmes and implement by 2002. 2. At the same time people have the responsibility to ensure that their uses of wild species are sus- Target 5.2 CBOs, NGOs and other partners in elephant conservation trained and adequately tainable, i.e. without impairing their capacity for renewal and long term viability for the bene- equipped by 2006. fits of posterity too. These convictions are rooted in Ghanaian tradition and culture and the Wildlife Policy Statement sets Indicator 5.2.1: Number of training programmes completed for CBOs and NGOs. out to apply them within the principles set out below (GWD, 1994): Indicator 5.2.2: Number of projects implemented by CBOs and NGOs. The nation's ecological viability is rooted in the wise use of its natural resource base and we Activity 5.2.1: Organise training programmes in elephant biology and management have a duty to conserve Ghana's biological diversity for the benefit of present and future gen- for NGOs by 2004. erations. Activity 5.2.2: NGOs start by 2005 to teach CBOs in methods for training villagers in farming methods to reduce risk of crop-raiding and in methods for Protected areas contribute to the economic well being of the nation, they maintain vital ecolog- protecting their own fields. ical and life sustaining processes, conserve diverse pools of genetic material, represent options for future development and offer opportunities for cultural, scientific, touristic and Activity 5.2.3: Procure and supply equipment for field teams organised by NGOs and educational advancement. CBOs by 2005. Activity 5.2.4: Conduct workshops to teach Customs officials about national and Wildlife is a unique natural resource offering various opportunities for sustainable rural devel- international wildlife laws and the workings of CITES by 2005. opment and economic utilization. Its development and management should be recognized in its own right as an integral and viable component of national land use policy.

Target 5.3 Farmers living in elephant ranges trained in human-elephant conflict management. A close linkage exists between rural welfare and the conservation of biological resources and meaningful protected area management should be integrated into the dynamic process of rural development. Indicator 5.3.1: Number of farmers trained in crop protection techniques. Indicator 5.3.2: Percentage of farmers around each range that have changed their farming The conservation of nationally important biological resources may require the use of economic methods to reduce the risk of attracting elephants. and development incentives and disincentives to encourage respect of regulations and offset real Indicator 5.3.3: Percentage of farmers around each range that are using crop protection and perceived costs imposed by loss of access or restriction on use. techniques. Equitable access to wildlife resources can provide a powerful incentive for their conservation provided that this access is made possible within community structures responsible for the continued productivity of the resource base.

As human pressure on land increases it is important to put an economic value on both the direct and indirect benefits provided by biological resources and the costs to communities and t h e nation of their depletion.

Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana 33 Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana 2 Traditional institutions and methods of resource management have sustained people in the Activity 4.1.1: Establish a monitoring system for human-elephant conflict in all ten past. Such appropriate traditional institutions, knowledge and forms of management should elephant ranges by 2002 'using the AfESG standard conflict data be enhanced and incorporated into national strategies and resource management techniques. protocol Activity 4.1.2: Equip teams to react quickly to problem animal incidents so as to increase efficacy of elephant deterrence by 2002. Sacred groves are of scientific and cultural importance. Activity 4.1.3: Evaluate feasibility of electric fencing against elephants by 2002 in These convictions and principles, which are rooted in Ghanaian culture and traditions, provide the forest, transition and savanna ranges. impetus for conserving elephants and other species. There are further reasons for making a spe- Activity 4.1.4: Develop self defence programme against elephants for farmers cial effort to conserve elephants. Elephants, as the planet's largest terrestrial mammal, excite by 2002. wonder and awe. They play a large role in Ghanaian culture, in chieftancy, language, medicine, ar t Activity 4.1.5: Organise a buy-out option by 2005 for. situations where all mitigating and craft (Ross, 1992). For example, many chiefs use the elephant as a symbol of their measures fail to reduce human-eiephant conflict and owner is willing strength and authority, while some cultural Asafo companies have songs that signify the impor- to sell. tance of elephants. Activity 4.1.6: Establish systems for mitigating human-elephant conflict within all elephant ranges by 2005. Elephants have a complex social system and feel emotions, such as grief, similar to humans (Moss, 1988). Elephants are often considered a keystone species for they play an important role in both savanna and forest ecosystems (Ford, 1971; Carroll, 1988; Dublin et al, 1990; Barnes, Target 4.2 Each range managed in a manner compatible with elephant conservation within 10 years. 1997; Struhsaker, 1997). For example, there is a link between tsetse fly abundance and elephant density (Ford, 1971). Elephants disperse tree seeds in Ghanaian forests (Short, 1981; Lieberman et al., 1987; Martin, 1991; Hawthorne & Parren, 2000) and forests elsewhere in West Africa Indicator 4.2.1: Area (number of square kilometres) of uncontrolled burning in the savanna and (Alexandre, 1978; Merz, 1981). The conservation of elephants will therefore preserve the integri- transitional elephant ranges. ty and diversity of our natural ecosystems. Habitats managed to preserve elephants will also Indicator 4.2.2: Number of districts with elephant range having integrated elephant conser- ensure the conservation of less charismatic plants and animals. vation into land use plans. Indicator 4.2.3: Estimated production of charcoal in savanna and transitional elephant ranges Elephants are one of the species that may help to draw tourists to Ghana and therefore contribute Indicator 4.2.4: Number of CREMAs and CFCs functioning in elephant ranges. towards the development of the national tourist industry. In particular, they could become local- Indicator 4.2.5: Abundance of selected animal and plant species in elephant ranges. ly important by attracting tourists to remote places that lack other features of interest to tourists.

Activity 4.2.1: Lobby district assemblies by 2002 to persuade them to integrate re- commendations for elephant conservation into their district land use plans by 2008. Activity 4.2.2: Give recommendations on elephant conservation to all district assemblies that include elephant ranges by 2004. Activity 4.2.3: Establish Community Resource Management Areas CREMAs) and Community Forestry Committees (CFCs) in all, elephant ranges by 2005. Activity 4.2.4: Lobby the managers of resource management programmes operating in or close to elephant ranges in savanna and transitional vegetation zones to persuade them to reduce charcoal wood cutting by 20% per annum. Activity 4.2.5: Liaise with Forest Services Division to eliminate uncontrolled logging in the transitional and forest ranges by 2004.. Activity 4.2.6: Develop and implement fire management plans in the savanna and transitional ranges by 2005. Activity 4.2.7: Where possible, where new conflict with farmers will not be caused, establish new buffer zones to expand selected ranges. Mole is one of the parks in Africa where one can go close to elephant without provocation

Special efforts must be made to protect elephants because they carry a commodity of great value -ivory. They will always be at risk from an upsurge in the international ivory trade

Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana 3 Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana 32 A.3. BACKGROUND TO ELEPHANT CONSERVATION IN GHANA Target 3.6 Taxonomic status of each population confirmed, genetic relationships of all populations understood, and Ghana's continental significance for the conservation-of elephant genetic diver- A.3.1. Elephants in West Africa sity understood by 2006. The elephants of West Africa have suffered a long history of hunting and habitat loss. Even before 1800 Indicator 3.6.1: Field collections made of DNA from all populations. their numbers had been reduced by the precolonial empires of the savanna and Sahelian zones, the ivory trade across the Sahara, and then the ivory trade towards the Atlantic coast (Wilson & Ayerst, 1976; Alpers, Indicator 3.6.2: Final report on elephant genetics completed. 1992). The increasing demand for ivory from Europe and North America, the colonial invasions, and the Indicator 3.6.3: Genetic management plan completed. evolution of breech-loading rifles devastated elephants during the nineteenth century. Ivory exports from West Africa continued to grow during the last part of the nineteenth century and the first decade of the Activity 3.6.1: Study of each population conducted by 2004. twentieth century but then collapsed just before the outbreak of World War I. The collapse was due to Activity 3.6.2: Genetic comparison made between Ghana's forest elephants and those of over-hunting .(Douglas-Harnilton, 1979; Roth & Douglas-Harnilton, 1991) and it pre-empted the decline Central Africa by 2005. that would have occurred anyway due to the rapid growth of the human population and consequent loss of Activity 3.6.3: Genetic comparison made between Ghana's savanna elephants and those habitat (Barnes, 1999). Human populations quadrupled in West Africa during the last half century (McEvedy & Jones, 1978, Bos et al., 1994). Roads, villages, towns, farms and logging expanded rapidly, of Central, Eastern and Southern Africa by 2006. fragmenting elephant habitats into small patches. Today there are 56 separate elephant populations in the Activity 3.6.4: Workshop convened to discuss long-term genetic management of Ghana's West African sub-region: thirty-five in the forest zone, 20 in the savanna, and one in the Sahel (AfESG, elephants by 2006. 1999). For three-quarters of these populations, the estimate of elephant abundance is a guess because they have not been surveyed properly within the last 20 years. Assuming the guesses to be accurate, the medi- an number of elephants is 50 in the forest zone and 100 in the savanna and Sahel (AfESG, 1999). These low estimates are very worrying, because the smaller a population the greater the risk that it will decline to extinction (Caughley, 1994). OBJECTIVE 4: RATE OF HABITAT LOSS AND INCIDENCE OF HUMAN-ELEPHANT CONFLICT REDUCED IN EACH RANGE

Indicator 4a: Area (number of -square kilometers) of newly extended elephant habitat in each range. Indicator 4b: Area (number of square kilometers) of elephant range converted to farmland or other uses. Indicator 4c: Extent of canopy tree cover in elephant ranges. Indicator 4d: Number of reported cases of uncontrolled logging in the forest and transitional elephant ranges. Indicator 4e: Trends in surveyed elephant populations.

Target 4.1 Frequency of complaints about elephants measured by 2002 and number of complaints reduced by 50% each successive year in specified areas of persistent conflict. Farming to the edge of reserves induces crop damage by Elephants Elephants occupy only about 5% of the land area of West Africa, compared to 17%, 29%, and 52% of Indicator 4.1.1: The number of serious crop raiding complaints. East Africa, Southern Africa, and Central Africa respectively (AED, 2000). West Africa is the sub- Indicator 4.1.2: Number of elephant ranges with operational systems for monitoring conflict. region where elephants are at greatest risk and where the problems of elephant conservation and man- Indicator 4.1.3: Quantity and value of selected crops damaged by elephants monitored each year agement are most urgent.

in each area. The civil conflicts in the sub-region during the last decade have brought huge numbers of military Indicator 4.1.4: Number of farmers using ‘self protection measures’ against elephants. weapons, plus ammunition, into the region. The availability of military weapons always poses a threat Indicator 4.1.5: Number of elephants killed per annum as a result of crop protection. to elephants (Douglas-Hamilton, 1983). An upsurge of ivory hunting will always be a major threat for the elephants of West Africa: Despite a ban on the international trade in ivory, and the small numbers of elephants remaining, ivory is readily available for sale across the sub-region (Martin & Stiles, 2000). Much ivory is thought to flow from Central Africa through Cameroun and into Nigeria whence it is exported to Europe or Asia or smuggled westwards (Dublin et al., 1995; Milliken & Sangaluka, 1996).

In 1999 a workshop was held in Abidjan to draw up a Strategy for the Conservation of West African Elephants (AfESG, 1999). This reflected the concern felt by all the elephant range states

Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana 31 Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana 4 in the sub-region for a coordinated approach to elephant conservation. The strategy's goal is to Indicator 3.3.1: Mean mortality and natality rates estimated for each population. ensure the conservation of elephants and their habitats in West Africa, and its objectives are to eval-uate the status of elephants in the sub-region, to maintain and where possible increase elephant pop-ulations, and to Indicator 3.3.2: Sex ratio estimated for each population. improve habitats for elephants (AfESG, 1999). Indicator 3.3.3: Age structure estimated for each population. Indicator 3.3.4: Population viability analysis reports completed for each range. A.3.2. The Management of Small Populations Small animal populations, such as those now seen in West Africa, face a greater risk of dying out than large Activity 3.3.1: Engage four MSc students by 2002 to carry out population viability populations. Random demographic events (such as chance variations in survival and reproduction of each studies for the four' smallest populations by 2005 (Nandom, Sissili- individual) can cause a small population to swing back and forth between increase and decrease, magnify- Tumu, Chichibon and Dadieso). ing the risk that it will drop to a low point from which it cannot recover. Random environmental events Activity 3.3.2: Engage two MSc students by 2003 to carry out PVAs in Mole and (such as year-to-year variations in habitat conditions or predators or disease), infrequently occurring nat- ural catastrophes (drought or bushfires) and random changes in gene frequencies all become more impor- Digya by 2006. tant as the number of individuals decline (Shaffer, 1987; Caughley, 1994). Indeed, these factors may act Activity 3.3.3: Complete data collection for Red Volta complex PVA by 2007. synergistically. For example a drought might wipe out the last remnants of a population weakened by dis- Activity 3.3.4: Complete PVAs for Ankasa, Bia, Goaso and Kakum by 2008. ease. The fragmented populations of bighorn sheep Ovis canadensis in the southwestern USA illustrate the vulnerability of small populations. All the populations with less than 50 bighorn sheep in the early twen- tieth century became extinct within 50 years, while those with more than 100 animals survived (Berger, 1990). Working with Asian elephants Elephas maximus, Sukumar (1995) has shown through simulation Target 3.4 Habitats of all current elephant ranges evaluated and management plans written for each modelling that a population must consist of between 1 00 and 200 individuals if it is to have a good chance elephant range by 2005 and implemented by 2006. of surviving a century - as long as it has a balanced sex-ratio. There were between 30 and 50 elephants in Knysna Forest in South Africa in 1902, but their numbers dwindled to four in 1990 (Hall-Martin, 1992). On Indicator 3.4.1: Number of ranges surveyed. the other hand, less than a dozen elephants recorded in the Addo and Kruger National Parks in the first half Indicator 3.4.2: Preferred management density set for each range. of the twentieth century had grown to 162 and 7,278 respectively by 1990 (Hall-Martin, 1992). Further encouraging examples come from the Tembe Elephant Park and the Timbavati and Klaserie Indicator 3.4.3: Number of management plans written. Private Nature Reserves; in each case less than 50 elephants increased to 80, about 170 and 400 Indicator 3.4.4: Number of management plans implemented. respectively (Hall- Martin, 1992). Activity 3.4.1: Produce accurate vegetation maps and general maps of all Sukumar (1995) pointed out that in the longer term (more than a century), a population much larger than elephant ranges by 2003. 200 elephants is needed to maintain the population's evolutionary potential. Small numbers of animals run the risk of inbreeding depression which leads to low birth rates and higher mortality (Falconer, 1981; Activity 3.4.2: Collect data on habitat variables (vegetation types, condition and McCullough et al., 1995). They also risk losing genetic variability which means that they will be less able trend) and complete analysis by 2003. to adapt to environmental changes in the future. Elephant populations that have been hunted for ivory often Activity 3.4.3: Convene workshop in 2004 to debate the preferred management have few males (e.g. Barnes & Kapela, 1991), and small populations with distorted sex-ratios are espe- density to be maintained in the long term for each range. cially prone to loss of genetic variability. Activity 3.4.4: Write a management plan for each range by 2005 and implement .However, these genetic problems lie far in the future, and greater risks in the near term to West African ele- them all by 2006, each management plan to include a system for phants are posed by demographic and environmental fluctuations and poaching (Lande, 1988). Small long-tenn monitoring of habitat conditions and the elephant population. numbers living in restricted ranges are very vulnerable to poachers, because there are no remote refuges in which to hide. Target 3.5 National elephant database established by 2005. It is not just elephants that are now found in small habitat fragments; most of West Africa's ungulates and primates face the same problem. The issue of managing small populations is equally urgent for ungulates and primates since they are an important food source, hunting pressure is increasing, and they have shor- Indicator 3.5.1: Trained staff available to manage the database. ter life spans than elephants. Managing small populations of important mammals will be the great chal- Indicator 3.5.2: Number of reports on elephant population and habitat variables. lenge of this decade for wildlife managers in West African universities, research institutes and government agencies. Activity 3.5.1: Purchase and install computers and accessories by 2002. A.3.3. One Species of African Elephant or Two? Activity 3.5.2: Develop necessary software with expert assistance by 2002 and train staff to operate database by end of 2002. The taxonomy of elephants is currently in a state of flux. Zoologists have long recognized four sub-species Activity 3.5.3: Enter data from site surveys (targets 3.2,3.3 and 3.4) into the data- of elephant: Loxodonta africana africana, L.a. knochenhaueri, L.a. oxyotis, and L.a. cyclotis. The first base by 2004. three are savanna elephants and it has been common to consider them as one sub-species, Loxodonta africana africana, the savanna elephant (Laursen & Bekoff, 1978). The last one, Loxodonta africana cyclotis, is the forest elephant usually found in the Guinea-Congolian forest zone of West and Central Africa. But it has also been reported far north of the forest zone, for example in northern Togo (Pfeffer, 1989; Stalmans & Anderson, 1992).

Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana 5 Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana 30 OBJECTIVE 3:ACCURATE AND UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON Recent advances in genetics and anatomical analyses suggest that the savanna and forest elephants may be POPULATION AND HABITAT VARIABLES COLLECTED FOR separate species rather than sub-species (Frade, 1955; Georgiadis, 1996; Barriel et al., 1999; Grubb et al., 2000; Groves & Grubb, 2000). At the time of writing, the question is not settled. If it were to be con- ALL ELEPHANT POPULATIONS AND USED FOR firmed, then it would have important implications for elephant conservation in Ghana, for we would be MANAGEMENT AND DECISION-MAKING. dealing with not one species, but two: Loxodonta africana, the savanna elephant, and Loxodonta cyclotis, the forest elephant (Groves, 2000). Indicator 3a: Completed report on national elephant status. Indicator 3b: Management plans written for all elephant ranges and their habitats. A.3.4. Geography of Ghana Indicator 3c: Management plans implemented for all elephant ranges and their habitats. Ghana lies upon the Atlantic coast of West Africa and is roughly rectangular in shape, covering 238,500 Indicator 3d: Government action taken to minimize impacts of other activities (agriculture, sq km (Fig. 1). About half the country lies upon the Precambian shield, consisting of metamorphic and dam construction, timber extraction) on elephant ranges and migratory routes. igneous rocks, while the rest lies on the Palaeozoic sediments of the Volta basin. We can think of Ghana in terms of four geomorphological regions (Fig. 2): the southeastern plains around Accra and Ho, the Precambrian shield and forests of the southwest, the savanna high plains on the shield in the northwest and Target 3.1 In-country capacity established to survey elephant population and habitat variables north, and the sandstone basin of the Volta. by 2003. A rainfall gradient extends from the southwest, where the mean annual rainfall is about 2,200mm per annum, to the drier north which receives about 1,000 mm per annum. Ghana’s characteristic pattern of Indicator 3.1.1: Number of trained elephant survey experts in Ghana. vegetation (Fig. 3) is explained by the country's equatorial position, the underlying geology and the rain- fall gradient. In the wet southwest, the natural vegetation is forest on the poor soils on the Precambrian shield. Indicator 3.1.2: Number of teams, each with a complete set of survey equipment, working in the field. Fig. 1: Map of Ghana, showing the regions and the regional capitals. Activity 3.1.1: Prepare training courses for Wildlife and Forest Service Division staff in research and monitoring techniques and obtain materials by 2002. Activity 3.1.2: Initiate training courses in selected ranges by 2003. Activity 3.1.3: Establish research partnerships with universities and other institutions by 2003.

Target 3.2 All elephant ranges surveyed (estimates of numbers and distributions for each range) by 2004.

Indicator 3.2.1: Survey reports completed for each elephant range. Indicator 3.2.2: Size of each elephant population known. Indicator 3.2.3: Survey data for all elephant ranges recorded in the database.

Activity 3.2.1: Conduct reconnaissance or pilot studies in 2002 in all eleven ranges (one week each) to select the appropriate census method suitable for each range. Activity 3.2.2: Conduct reconnaissance surveys in forest reserves in Tarkwa, Asankrangwa and Juabeso-Bia Forest Districts by 2002 to confirm presence or absence of elephants. Activity 3.2.3: Develop a survey plan for each range by end of 2002. Activity 3.2.4: Conduct surveys in all eleven ranges and complete report for each one by 2004.

Target 3.3 Population viability analyses (PVA) conducted for the four smallest populations by 2005 and for all others by 2008.

Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana 29 Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana 6 This forest is part of the Upper Guinea block that extends westwards across Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia, Activity 2.5.1: Wildlife Division designates or assigns staff to undertake all MIKE Sierra Leone and Guinea. The forest covers about 81,000 sq km, or 34% of the country. It varies activities by 2001. from wet evergreen in the extreme southwest to dry semi-deciduous further inland (Hall & Swaine, 1981). Activity 2.5.2: Conduct elephant population surveys every two years beginning 2001. North of the forest, in the less humid zone, lies the tall grass savanna (Fig. 2), Some people Activity 2.5.3: Collect data on illegally killed elephants and other MIKE variables speak of a broad transition zone between the dry semi-deciduous forest and the savanna. There is a starting in 2001. narrow dry belt along the coast and in the southeast that carries short grass savanna. Activity 2.5.4: Initiate similar monitoring schemes using MIKE protocols in five other elephant ranges by 2004 and in all ranges by 2006. Ghana's human population has grown from 6.7 million in 1960 to an expected 19 million in mid- Activity 2.5.5: Analyse MIKE data at the national level, starting in 2004. 2000 (Twum-Barima, 1981; EIU, 2000). Thirty-six per cent live in towns and cities (EIU, 2000), leaving about 12 million in the countryside, an average rural density of 50 people per sq km. The density of people is highest in the southwestern forests, sparser in the centre of the country in the Target 2.6 Fully trained and equipped anti-poaching teams in place at all elephant ranges by 2004. savanna, and high. in the extreme northeastern savanna. The expected growth of the population to about 24 million in 2010 (EIU, 2000) will put greater pressure on wildlife resources. Indicator 2.6.1: Number of trained staff at each elephant range and equipment available to Fig. 2: The main geographical regions of Ghana (from Grimes, 1987). them. Indicator 2.6.2: Number of elephants killed illegally across the country reduced by 50% between 2000 and 2005 and by 50% again between 2005 and 2010. Indicator 2.6.3: Upward trend in elephant numbers. Indicator 2.6.4: Number of poachers arrested.

Activity 2.6.1: Acquire the basic field equipment for elephant anti-poaching teams by 2004. Activity 2.6.2: Acquire up-to-date knowledge and skills of anti-poaching methods by 2004. Activity 2.6.3: Ensure anti-poaching teams are operating effectively in the field by 2005.

Target 2.7 Minimise illegal trade and possession of ivory and curios by 2006.

Indicator 2.7.1: Trend in number of outlets selling ivory curios in Ghana. Indicator 2.7.2: Number and type of prosecutions for illegal trading of ivory curios.

Activity 2.7.1: Collect accurate and up-to-date information on the domestic ivory trade by 2002. Activity 2.7.2: Identify and monitor outlets for ivory curios in Ghana. Activity 2.7.3: Conduct ivory registration exercise by 2002. Activity 2.7.4: Publicise ivory laws (especially illegal possession) every quarter from 2002-2003. Activity 2.7.5: Put stricter penalties on illegal ivory possessors and traders. Activity 2.7.6: Conduct law enforcement raids between 2004 and 2006. Activity 2.7.7: Establish intelligence system linked to database (see Target 2.2) for monitoring ivory smuggling within Ghana and across borders. 1 = south-easthen plains; 2 = Precambrian rocks and the forest region; 3 = Palaeozoic sediments of the Volta basin; 4= the savanna high plains on the Precambrian shield of the northwest and north.

Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana 7 Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana 28 Activity 2.2.4: Report all successful convictions for wildlife offences to the Wildlife Fig. 3: Vegetation of Ghana according to Hall & Swaine’s (1981) classification, with protected areas (from Division's elephant co-ordination unit, starting in 2001. Grainer, 1994). Activity 2.2.1: Purchase and install computers and accessories by 2002, Activity 2.2.2: Develop necessary software with expert assistance by 2002 and train staff to operate database by end of 2002.

Target 2.3 Pilot informant network scheme established in two ranges (one forest and on savanna) by 2004.

Activity 2.3.1: Work out modalities and protocols by 2003. Activity 2.3.2: Set up incentive schemes for informants by 2003. Activity 2.3.3: Recruit people sympathetic to elephant conservation in local communities to give information on elephant poaching by 2003. Activity 2.3.4: Evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot schemes and make decisions concerning future operation or expansion by 2006.

Target 2.4 Programmes to monitor illegal activity established in each range by 2002.

Indicator 2.4.1: Workshop on monitoring illegal activity completed- .. Indicator 2.4.2: Number of ranges with a monitoring scheme in place. Indicator 2.4.3: Number of ranges with estimates of index of illegal activity for each season and each part of the range. Indicator 2.4.4: Number of ranges where officer in charge uses index of illegal activity to plan patrols.

Activity 2.4.1: Organise workshop to train officers from each range in methods for monitoring illegal activity and analysing the results. Activity 2.4.2: Establish monitoring scheme in each range and organise data reporting and analysis.

Target 2.5 MIKE implemented at the specified site in Ghana by 2002 and data collection and reporting requirements met on an annual basis thereafter. Vegetation types: WE = wet evergreen forest; ME = moist evergreen forest; UE = upland evergreen Indicator 2.5.1: MIKE staff designated and in place. Indicator 2.5.2: Specified equipment purchased and installed, forest; MS = moist semi-deciduous forest; DS = dry semi-deciduous forest; SM = southern marginal forest; SO = south-east outlier forest; TGS = tall grass savanna; Indicator 2.5.3: Reports to MIKE central data collection centre produced annually. SGS = short grass' savanna; MA = mangrove forest. Indicator 2.5.4: Number of completed MIKE reports. National Parks: 1= Bia Conservation Area; 2 = Bui; 3 = Digya; 4 = Kakum Conservation Area; 5 = Mole; 6 = Ankasa Conservation Area; 7 = Kyabobo. Resource Reserves: 8= Gbele; 9 = Kalakpa; 10 = Shai Hills. Strict Nature Reserve: 11 = Kogyae.

Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana 27 Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana 8 A.3.5. The Current Status of Elephants in Ghana OBJECTIVE 2: LAW ENFORCEMENT IMPROVED WITH RESPECT TO THE A.3.5.1. Distribution and Numbers DETECTION, APPREHENSION AND CONVICTION OF OFFENDERS AND REPORTING IMPROVED OF POACHING AND Elephants were found over much of the country in the early years of the twentieth century. The need for land as SMUGGLING INCIDENTS AT THE APPROPRIATE NATIONAL, the human population expanded caused a widespread loss of elephant habitats. The contraction of elephant SUB- REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEVELS. range in the northern savannas has been described by Sam et al. (1996), and in the southern forests by Barnes et al. (1995). Indicator 1a: Number of prosecutions under revised law. Various estimates of elephant numbers in Ghana were made in the 1980s, varying from 970 to 3,500, but all Indicator 1b: Trend of prosecutions and convictions per unit effort of law enforcement. were based upon guesses and extrapolations (GWD, 1991). Taking into account some work in the forest zone Indicator lc: Trend in numbers of illegally killed elephants found per patrol-day. in the late 1980s, GWD (1991) estimated that Ghana probably held between 700 and 2,900 elephants. Today elephants are found in eleven separate ranges (Table 1) but only the Mole National Park and Bia Conservation Indicator 1d: Trend in numbers of elephants. Area populations have been surveyed properly within the last decade. Rough estimates were made for Kakum Indicator le: Frequency of reports at the national, regional and international levels (ETIS, and Red Volta in the early 1990s, and new surveys are in progress in Kakum. The figures in Table 1 suggest MIKE etc). that Ghana holds at least a thousand elephants, and when all the ranges have been surveyed the total will prob- ably be closer to two thousand. .. Target 2.1 Effective mechanisms for co-operation with Police, judiciary, and district assemblies There are no data on population trends, except for Bia (see below), and no estimates have ever been made of age structure, sex ratio, natality or mortality. and traditional authorities in place by 2005. A range is the geographical area occupied by elephants (see Glossary), while the population is the total number of elephants that occupies that range. It is often difficult to estimate accurately the size of a particular range Indicator 2.1.1: Number of ranges where Wildlife Division staff report good co-operation because elephants may change their movements from one year to the next. They frequently move out of pro- with Police and judiciary. tected areas like forest reserves or national parks. For example, the area of the Kakum Conservation Area is Indicator 2.1.2: Number of wildlife offenders prosecuted and convicted. 366 sq km, but if elephants move out for 1 km in each direction, then the size of the range is increased by more than 20%. Activity : 2.1.1: Develop and disseminate in-house information packages that The eleven ranges shown in Fig. 4 and Table 1 include all the major vegetation types from the southwestern Wildlife Division staff can use for briefing each stakeholder (Police, forests to the drier northeastern corner. They cover a combined area of about 23,000 sq km, or 10% of the country. Customs, traditional authorities, district assemblies; etc) on elephant conservation by 2002. Table 1. List of elephant ranges in Ghana, from north to south. Activity 2.1.2: Organise national, regional and district workshops for all stakeholders by 2003. VEGETATION AREA OF ELEPHANT NAME OF RANGE RANGE Activity 2.1.3: Establish MOUs with traditional authorities whose lands include TYPE (SQ KM) NUMBERS elephants by 2003. 1 Red Volta Savanna 1,400 125 Activity 2.1.4: Integrate elephant conservation issues in district assembly development plans by 2004. 2 Siisili & Tumu Savanna 2,800 ? Activity 2.1.5: Establish modalities for combined anti-poaching activities with 3 Nandom Savanna 300 ? Wildlife Division, Police, local committees, Forest Services Division 4 Mole National Park Savanna 8,900 589 and Customs and implement by 2004. 5 Digya National Park Savanna (T) 3,700 200 6 Chichibon Corridor Savanna (T) 400 12 Target 2.2 Database on law enforcement information established by 2002. 7 Goaso Complex Forest 3,000 ? 8 Bia Conservation Area Forest 500 130 Indicator 2.2.1: Trained staff available to manage the database. 9 Dadieso Forest 200 ? Indicator 2.2.2: Data provided to ETIS on annual basis. 10 Kakum Conservation Area Forest 400 125 Indicator 2.2.3: Database producing quarterly reports for Wildlife Division on law enforcement 11 Ankasa Conservation Area Forest 1,400 60 variables. Total 23,000 >1,000 Activity 2.2.6: Submit elephant report forms annually to national CITES manage- The Red Volta and Kakum populations were each estimated at between 100 and 150 elephants by Sam( 1994) ment authority, starting in 2001. and Dudley et al. (1992) respectively; Mole's were estimated by aerial survey; the figures for Digya, Chichibon Activity 2.2.5: Report all ivory seizures annually to CITES for inclusion in ETIS, and Ankasa are guesses; there are no data at all for the other ranges. Estimates of the size of each range are starting in 2001. approximate and have been rounded to the nearest 100 sq km. "Savanna (T)" = transitional savanna zone.

Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana 9 Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana 26 PART B Fig. 4: The distribution of elephants in Ghana. THE STRATEGY FOR THE CONSERVATION OF ELEPHANTS IN GHANA

GOAL: TO ENSURE THE CONSERVATION OF VIABLE ELEPHANT POPULATIONS AND THEIR HABITATS IN GHANA

OBJECTIVE 1: WILDLIFE LEGISLATION IMPROVED, ADOPTED AND IMPLEMENTED TO PROVIDE THE BASIS FOR EFFECTIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT.

Indicator la: Wildlife legislation enacted to include community participation in natural resource management. Indicator 1b: Number and distribution of communities actively involved in resource management. Indicator lc: Number of elephant ranges with community structures for natural resource management.

Target 1.1 Revised wildlife legislation adopted and implemented by 2005 for effective law enforce- ment and to enable community and individual participation in natural resource manage- ment.

Indicator 1.1.1: Legislation revised with respect to loopholes, omissions and updated penalties. Indicator 1.1.2: Legislation revised with respect to community participation in natural resource management . Indicator 1.1.3: Revised legislation passed by Parliament.

Activity 1.1.1: Review existing legislation to identify loopholes and omissions and to update penalty by 2002. Activity 1.1.2: Review existing legislation with respect to community participation in natural resource management, for example, by including Community Resource Management Areas and Community Forestry Committees, by 2003. Activity 1.1.3: Draft new legislation or amendments by 2003. Activity 1.1.4: Undertake publicity campaign to build support for new draft of legislation by 2003. Activity 1.1.5: Present draft legislation to Parliament by 2004. Activity 1.1.6: Translate the adopted text into local languages and disseminate it by 2005.

NB: The elephant ranges are outlined in Black.

Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana 25 Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana 10 A.3.5.2. Savanna Zone Short, J. ( 1981) Diet and feeding behaviour of the forest elephant. M ammalia 45: 177 -186. Elephants move between Burkina Faso and Ghana along the Sissili and Red Volta valleys, and less frequent- ly along the White and Black Volta Rivers. The most important cross-border movements are along the Red Short, I. (1983) Density and seasonal movements of forest elephant (Loxodonta africana cyclo- Volta valley (Fig. 4). The same elephants used to move eastwards towards the Fosse-aux-Lions NP in Togo tis, Matschie) in Bia National Park, Ghana. African Journal of Ecology 21: 175-184.. (Sam et al. 1996). Sam (1994) estimated that the number of elephants in the Red Volta valley was between 100 and 150. This population probably moves as far as Kabore Tambi NP and Nazinga Game Ranch in Burkina Faso. It also uses the Sissili River valley as a corridor into Ghana. In 1999 a meeting between the Sikes, S.K. (1975) Report on Preliminary Elephant Population Survey in Bia National Park. Ghanaian and Burkinabe wildlife authorities resulted in a joint proposal to study the ecology and movements Unpublished report. of these elephants.

Stalmans, M. & Anderson, J. (1992) The forest elephants of Togo", African Wildlife 46: 71-75. Elephants sometimes move into the extreme northwest near Nandom. In 1999 there were two cases of ele- phants that had strayed far from their normal ranges into the area southwest of Tumu. Shaffer (1987) Minimum viable populations: coping with uncertainty. In Viable Populations for Mole covers 4,840 sq km and is Ghana's largest national park. It is the site where tourists are most likely to Conservation (ed. By M.E. soule). Pp. 69-86. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. see elephants. An aerial sample survey in 1993 estimated 589 + 218 elephants in the park (Grainger, 1994). This is a low density (0.12 elephants per sq km) for an area with rainfall of about 1,000 mm per annum. The Struhsaker, T. T. (1997) Ecology of an African Rain Forest: Logging in Kibale and the Conflict population may be larger than estimated because elephants outside the park's borders were not counted. Between Conservation and Exploitation. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.

A.3.5.3. Savanna (Transitional) Zone Sukumar, R. (1995). Minimum viable populations for Asian elephant conservation. In: A Week With Elephants: Proceedings of the International Seminar on the Conservation of Asian With an area of 3,479 sq km, Digya is Ghana's second largest national park. An aerial survey in 1993 record- Elephant, June 1993 (ed. by J.C. Daniel & H.S. Datye), Pp. 280-288. Bombay Natural History ed no elephants in the transects, suggesting a very low density. However, 89 were seen outside the transects Society/ Oxford University Press, Bombay. (Grainger, 1994). To the southwest of Digya there is a small number of elephants, perhaps a dozen, in the Chichibon corridor. They are known to have been there 40 years ago when they lived in an area of untouched Twum-Barima, K. (1981) Forests of Ghana--a diminishing asset. In Where Have All The forest near Kogyae Strict Nature Reserve. As their forests were felled they found refuge in the caves at Flowers Gone? Deforestation in the Third World. Ed. By V.H. Sutlive, N. Altshuler & M.D. Bomire on the Afram Plains near Drobonso, and they have become troublesome crop-raiders. Zamura. Studies in Third World Societies, Pubn. No.15, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia. A.3.5.4. Forest Zone Williams, A.G. & Heffernan, P.J. (2000) University of Newcastle Bia Elephant Census, Ghana. The Goaso complex and the Bia Conservation Area (consisting of Bia National Park and Bia Resource Report II: Crop-raiding Survey. Unpublished report. Reserve) probably formed one large elephant range in the fairly recent past (Martin, 1982). They were split into two separate ranges by expanding agriculture, possibly before 1970 (Martin, 1982). Wilson, D. & Ayerst, P. (1976) White Gold: The Story of African Ivory. Heinemann, London.

The Goaso complex consists of a number of forest reserves and shelterbelts. The only survey work here was Wilson, V.J. (1993) A Zoological Survey of Mole National Park, Northwestern Ghana. Part I. conducted by Dickinson (1990) who estimated elephant densities at between 0.11 and 0.26 per sq km in the Large Mammals. Forest Resource Management Programme, Game & Wildl1fe Department, Bia Tano FR and 0.06 to 0.13 in Subin FR. Crop raiding by elephants has long been a problem here, and the Accra. Wildlife Division's Elephant Control Unit is based at Goaso.

Sikes (1975) estimated that there were 75 + 15 elephants in what is now the Bia Conservation Area, an area of 305 sq km, giving a density of 0.25 per sq km.. Martin (1982) estimated that there were 200 -250 ele- phants in 1,500 sq km of the Bia forests (0.13- 0.17 per sq km), with 89- 113 in the current Bia Conservation Area (0.29 -0.37 per sq km). Short (1983) estimated 0.33 per sq km in Bia NP. More recently, Heffernan & Graham (2000) estimated 138 in the Bia Conservation Area, while Sam (2000) estimated 127 elephants. These are densities of 0.45 and 0.42 per sq km respectively. These estimates suggest an increasing elephant

Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana 11 Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana 24 McCullough, D.R., Fischer, J.K. & Ballou, J.D. (1995) From bottleneck to metapopulation: recov- density within the Bia Conservation Area over .the last quarter-century. At the same time the Bia ele- phant ery of the tule elk in California. In: Metapopulations and Wildlife Conservation (ed. by D.R. range has contracted dramatically as forests have been cleared for cocoa plantations. This is illus-trated by McCullough). Island Press, Washington DC. a comparing the elephant range in Fig. 11 of Martin (1982) with that in Fig. 4. Even forest reserves, such as Sukusuku and Bia Tawya have been turned to cocoa. Therefore the increasing density may reflect the McEvedy-; C. & Jones (1978) Atlas of World Population History. Penguin Books, London. same number of elephants in a smaller area. Elephants can still move westwards from Bia into forests in Cote d'Ivoire. Merz, G. (1981) Recherches sur la biologie de nutrition et les habitats preferes de l’elephant de foret Loxodonta africana cyclotis Matschie, 1900. Mammalia 45: 299-312. Little is known about the Dadieso elephants. Their range covers parts of Boin River, Dadieso and Disue River Forest Reserves plus some land outside. Milliken, T. & Sangalakula, L. (1996) The illegal ivory trade since the CITES ban: using law enforcement data to assess trends. Unpublished report, TRAFFIC, Lilongwe, Malawi. The Kakum Conservation Area, which includes Kakum National Park and Assin Attandanso Resource Reserve, covers 366 sq km. Elephants do not move into the neighbouring Pra Suhien and Bimpong Ministry of Lands & Forestry (1994) Forest and Wildlife Policy. Ministry of Lands & Forestry, Forest Reserves and they are completely isolated in this island ecosystem. Dudley et al. (1992) rough- Accra, Republic of Ghana. ly estimated there to be between 100 and 150 elephants, a density of 0.27 to 0.41 per sq km. A dung count survey of Kakum was conducted in February-March 2000 (dry season), and will be repeated in Morris, W., Doak, D., Groom, M., Kareiva, P., Fieberg, J., Gerber, L., Murphy, P. & Thomson, D. October 2000 (the wet season). The combined results will be compared with the estimate from a new (1999) A Practical Handbook for Population Viability Analysis. The Nature Conservancy. technique based on DNA sampling that has never been tried before on forest elephants. Experiments are under way at Kakum to monitor elephant movements by detecting their infrasonic vocalisations. Moss, C. (1988) Elephant Memories: Thirteen Years in the Life of an Elephant Family. University The Ankasa Conservation Area, encompassing the Nini-Suhien National Park and the Ankasa Resource of Chicago Press, Chicago. Reserve, covers 509 sq km. It lies in the wet evergreen forest zone and floristically it is the most impor- tant area in the country (Hawthorne & Juam Musah, 1993). This range includes the Draw River Forest Pfeffer, P. (1989) Vie et Mort d'un Geant: l'Elephant d'Afrique. L'Odyssee/Flammarion, Paris. Reserve and land outside the protected areas. No survey has been made of elephant numbers, but the officer in charge of Ankasa believes there to be about 60. Ross, D.H. (1992) More than meets the eye: elephant memories among the Akan. In Elephant: The Animal and its Ivory in African Culture (Ed. By D.H. Ross). Pp. 137-159. Fowler Museum of A.3.6. The Role of the Wildlife Division Cultural History, University of California, Los Angeles. The Wildlife Division (WD) is the principal government agency responsible for elephant management. Roth, H.H. & Douglas-Hamilton, I. (1991) Distribution and status of elephants in West Africa. For many years it was known as the Game & Wildlife Department (GWD) until it changed its name in Mammalia 55: 489-527. 1994 to the Wildlife Department. In 1999 it became the Wildlife Division within the Forestry Commission. It is "charged with establishing and managing wildlife protected areas and conserving Sam, M. K. (1994) A Preliminary Survey of Elephants in Northeastern Ghana. Unpublished report, indigenous wildlife inside and outside such protected areas, controlling its utilization and regulating Ghana Wildlife Department, Accra. hunting" (GWD, 1994). The Wildlife Division is responsible for the management of national parks, resource reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, and one strict nature reserve. About two thirds of the total ele- Sam, M.K. (2000) People and Elephants: the Distribution of Elephants in Relation to Crop Damages phant range shown in Table 1 lie outside protected areas managed by the Wildlife Division. Outside Around Bia Conservation Area During the 1999 Raining Season. Unpublished report, Wildlife such protected areas the Wildlife Division's function is to encourage the conservation and sustainable Division, Accra. use of wildlife (GWD, 1994). Forest reserves, where many elephants are found, are managed by the Forest Services Division which is also part of the Forestry Commission. Sam, M.K., Haizel, C. & Barnes, R.F. W. ( 1997) Crop-raiding by Elephants During the 1996 Harvest Season in the Red Volta Valley (Upper East Region, Ghana). Unpublished report, Wildlife Department, Accra.

Sam, M.K., Okoumassou, K. & Barnes, R.F.W. (1996) A Preliminary Survey of the Elephants of Northeastern Ghana and Northern Togo. Unpublished report, Wildlife Department, Accra and Direction des Parcs Nationaux, des Reserves de Faune et de Chasses, Lome.

Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana 23 Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana 12 A. 4. ORGANISATION OF THIS STRATEGY GWD (1991) Elephant Conservation Plan for Ghana. Unpublished report, ,Ghana Wildlife Department, Accra. A.4.1. The Logical Framework and the Goal GWD ( 1994) Wildlife Policy Statement. Unpublished report, Ghana Wildlife Department, This strategy was developed as a logical framework. The overall goal or vision is: To ensure the conser- Accra. vation of viable elephant populations and their habitats in Ghana.

To achieve this goal, eight separate objectives must be attained, dealing with wildlife legislation, law Hall, J.B. & Swaine, M.D. (1981) Distribution and Ecology of Vascular Plants in a Tropical enforcement, information for decision-making, habitat loss and human-elephant conflict, stakeholder Rain Forest: Forest Vegetation in Ghana. Junk, The Hague. capacity, conservation awareness, cross-border co-ordination, and implementation of the strategy. Hall- Martin, A.J. ( 1992) Distribution and status of the African elephant Loxodonta africana in The problems facing elephant management under each objective were identified and reformulated as South Africa, 1652-1992. Koedoe 35: 65-88. desired results or targets. To reach each target a number of specified activities must be undertaken. Thus the strategy consists of a hierarchy: activities in the field produce the desired results or targets that enable us to reach each of the eight objectives. Successfully attaining all eight objectives will enable us to achieve Hawthorne, W.D. & Juam Musah, A. (1993) Forest protection in Ghana. Unpublished report, the overall goal. ODA and Forest Inventory and Management Project Planning Branch, Forestry Dept, Kumasi.

For each objective and target, two or three indicators or milestones are specified so that one can measure Hawthorne, W.D. & Parren, M.P.E. (2000) How important are forest elephants to the survival progress. of woody plant species in Upper Guinean forests? Journal of Tropical Ecology 16: 133-150.

A.4.2. The Objectives Heffernan, P.J. & Graham, N.A.J. (2000) University of Newcastle Bia Elephant Census, Ghana. Report I: Elephant Census. Unpublished report, University of Newcastle. A.4.2.1. Wildlife legislation improved, adopted and implemented to provide the basis for effective law enforcement and community involvement in wildlife management- Hoare, R. (1995) Options for control of elephants in conflict with people. Pachyderm 19: 54- ..63. Elephant conservation must rest upon .a firm legal foundation and effective law enforcement. While the laws may be adequate in general, there are some gaps and many penalties are out of date. For example, Jachmann, H. (1998) Monitoring Illegal Wildlife Use and Law Enforcement in African fines have been eroded by inflation and now have little deterrent effect. The legislation relevant to elephant Savanna Rangelands. Wildlife Resource Monitoring Unit, Environmental Council of Zambia, management and conservation must be revised and updated. There is also the need to ensure that the mod- Lusaka. ern ideas of community management of natural resources are harmonised with the legislation covering wildlife and forestry policies. Thus the legislation needs to be revised to encourage the establishment of " Lande, R. (1988) Genetics and demography in biological conservation. Science 241: 1455- 1460. Community Resource Management Areas (CREMAs) and Community Forest Committees (CFCs).

Laursen, L. & Bekoff, M. (1978) Loxodonta africana. Mammalian Species 92: 1-8.

Lieberman, D., Lieberman, M. & Martin, C. (1987) Notes on seeds in elephant dung from Bia National Park, Ghana. Biotropica 19: 365-369.

Martin, C. (1982) Management Plan for the Bia Wildlife Conservation Area. General Part (I). Final Report IUCN/WWF Project 1251. Unpublished report, Wildlife & National Parks Division, Ghana Forestry Committee.

Martin, C. (1991) The Rainforests of West Africa: Ecology -Threat- Conservation. Birkhauser Verlag, Basel.

Martin, E. & Stiles, D. (2000) The Ivory Markets of Africa. Save the Elephants, Nairobi. Involving Local Communities in the conservation of Elephants

Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana 13 Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana 22 Dickinson, B. (1998) A summary of the elephant crop-raiding situation around Kakum NP in A.4.2.2. Law enforcement improved with respect to the detection, apprehension and conviction of offend- 1997. Unpublished report, Conservation International. ers, as well as improved reporting of poaching and smuggling incidents at the appropriate national, sub- regional and international levels. Douglas-Hamilton, I. (1979) African Elephant Ivory Trade Study. Final Report. Unpublished Report, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. There will always be an incentive to kill elephants because of their ivory. Ghanaian hunters sometimes cross into neighbouring countries to kill elephants (Sam et al. 1996). Few elephants were known to have Douglas-Hamilton, I. (1983) Elephants hit by African arms race. Pachyderm 2: 11-13. been poached during the early 1990s, but since 1997 the number of illegally killed elephants has become a matter of concern to the Wildlife Division. The widespread poaching of small game in protected areas Dublin, H.T., Milliken, T. & Barnes, R.F.W. (1995) Four Years After the CITES Ban: Illegal shows that such areas are not yet adequately protected. There is the risk that these hunters, knowing their Killing of Elephants, Ivory. Trade and Stockpiles. IUCN/SSC/TRAFFIC and Chicago Zoological way around the protected areas, could turn to killing elephants should there be an upsurge in the ivory trade Society, Chicago. in West Africa. Therefore, once the legal foundation has been laid (see section A.4.2.1), the security of the protected area system must be strengthened. This will involve the communities around the protected areas Dublin, H.T., Sinclair, A.R.E., & McGlade, J. (1990) Elephants and fire as causes of multiple as well as government agencies. stable states in the Serengeti-Mara woodlands. Journal of Animal Ecology 59: 1147-1164. It has long been known that a conservation intelligence system is a cost-effective means of combatting poachers (Jachmann, 1998). A network of informers needs to be established in the villages around each Dudley, J.P., Mensah-Ntiamoah, A.Y. & Kpelle, D.G. (1992) Forest elephants in a rainforest fragment: preliminary findings from a wildlife conservation project in southern Ghana. African protected area. A national intelligence system needs to be established to detect those smuggling ivory Journal of Ecology 30: 116-126. across the country and across national borders.

Systems for monitoring illegal activity within protected areas are needed so that patrolling efficiency can EIU (2000) Ghana: Country Profile 2000. The Economist Intelligence Unit, London. be evaluated and field staff can be optimally deployed. The anti-poaching teams must be trained, equipped and motivated to increase the probability that poachers will be detected and arrested. Falconer, D.S. (1981) Introduction to Quantitative Genetics (2nd edition). Longman. The intelligence gathering and field protection measures must be supported by a judicial process that leads Ford, J. (1971) The Role of Trypanosomiases in African Ecology: a Study of the Testse-fly to the effective prosecution and conviction of offenders. Sometimes poachers are arrested but later Problem. Clarendon Press, Oxford. released or given light sentences. This is demoralising for the Wildlife Division field staff who work under uncomfortable conditions and may run grave risks in arresting armed poachers. Thus the judiciary's under- Frade, F. (1955) Sous-famille des Loxodontinae Osborn, 1918. Traite de Zoologie 17: 774-780. standing of elephant matters must be enhanced.

Georgiadis, N (1996) Africa's elephants: one species or two? African Wildlife Update 5(6): 5.

Grainger, J. (1994) A Protected Area System Plan to Conserve Biodiversity in Ghana. Unpublished report, GWD/IUCN, Accra.

Grimes, L.G. (1987) The Birds of Ghana: an Annotated Check-list. British Ornithologists' Union, London.

Groves, C.P. (2000) What are the elephants of West Africa? Elephant 2(4): 7-8.

Groves, C.P. & Grubb, P. (2000) Do Loxodonta cyclotis and L. africana interbreed? Elephant 2(4): 4-7.

Grubb, P., Groves, C.P., Dudley, J.P. & Shoshani, J. (2000) Living African elephants belong to two species: Loxodonta africana (Blumenbach, 1797) and Loxodonta cyclotis (Matschie, 1900). Elephant 2(4): 1-4. Picking up the pieces of a poached Elephant in Mole

Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana 21 Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana 14 Although the international trade in ivory has been banned since 1990, there is still much ivory circulating A.7. REFERENCES in West Africa (Dublin et al., 1995; Martin & Stiles, 2000). Ivory is still openly on sale in Accra at the craft market and in large hotels. Most is thought to have been smuggled into the country. Stronger measures AED (2000) African Elephant Database 1998. IUCN Publications, Gland, Switzerland. are necessary to eliminate movement of ivory across borders and the illegal possession and sale of ivory. Reporting on ivory confiscations and seizures to CITES and the Elephant Trade Information System AfESG (1999) Strategy for the Conservation of West African Elephants. Unpublished, African E l e p h a n t (ETIS) needs to be streamlined. Ghana will also participate in the continental scheme to Monitor the Specialist Group, Ouagadougou. illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE) that will also require swift reporting of poaching incidents. One range has been selected as the MIKE site for Ghana. However, the Wildlife Division intends to initiate Alexandre, D.Y. (1978) Le role desseminateur des elephants en foret de Tai, Cote d'Ivoire. La MIKE monitoring protocols in other ranges too. Terre et la Vie 32: 47 -72. A.4.2.3. Accurate and up-to-date information on population and habitat variables collected for all ele- phant populations and used for management and decision-making. Alpers, E.A. (1992) The ivory trade in Africa: an historical overview. In Elephant: The Animal and its Ivory in African Culture (Ed. By D.H. Ross). Pp. 349-363. Fowler Museum of Cultural H i s t o r y , Up to date information on Ghana's elephants is lacking, yet effective wildlife management requires infor- University of California, Los Angeles. mation on habitat conditions, numbers, trends, distribution and demography to support the decision-mak- ers. There are currently no data with which to calculate a preferred elephant density for each range. We Barnes, R.F. W. ( 1997) The conflict between elephants and humans in the Central African have no basis for deciding the optimum number of elephants that Ghana should maintain within its borders given the socioeconomic and landscape changes that will occur during this decade and beyond. forests. Mammal Review 26: 67-80.

Each range needs to be mapped and its size measured accurately. The condition of the habitat in each range Barnes, R.F.W. (1999) Is there a future for elephants in West Africa? Mammal Review 29: 175- must be evaluated and habitat management plans prepared. 199.

Barnes, R.F.W., Azika, S. & Asamoah-Boateng, B. (1995) Timber, cocoa, and crop-raiding ele- phants: a preliminary study from southern Ghana. Pachyderm 19: 33-38.

Barnes, R.F.W. & Kapela, E.B. (1991) Changes in the Ruaha elephant population caused by poaching. African Journal of Ecology 29: 289-294.

Barriel, V., Thuet, E. & Tassy, P. (1999) Molecular phylogeny of Elephantidae. Extreme diver- gence of the extant forest elephant. C.R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Sciences de la Vie 322:.447-454

Berger, J. ( 1990) Persistence of different-sized populations: an empirical assessment of rapid extinctions in bighorn sheep. Conservation Biology 4: 91-98.

Data gathering is a key to Elephant Conservation Bos, E., Vu, M.T:, Massiah, E. & Bulatao, R.A. (1994) World Population Projections, 1994-1996 Edition. John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore. Because of the greater risk of extinction of small populations, there is an urgent need to evaluate the status of all the elephant populations in Ghana. The first step must be to estimate the size of each one, so that they can be categorised into those with fewer than 100 elephants (i.e. those most at risk) and those with more than 100. Carroll, R.W. (1988) Elephants of the Dzanga-Sangha dense forest of south-western Central The capacity of the Wildlife Division and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to count elephants needs to African republic. Pachyderm 10: 12-15. be built up quickly so that they can estimate numbers in the Red Volta, Sissili & Tumu, Nandom, Digya, . Chichibon, Goaso, Dadieso and Ankasa ranges. The survey of Mole should be updated because it is such an Caughley, G. (1994) Directions in conservation biology. Journal of Animal Ecology 63: 215- important po-pulation. The second step must be to conduct a series of annual or biannual surveys so that trends 244. can be evaluated. The next step will be to undertake demographic studies to estimate sex ratio, age structure, .natality and mortality rates and the effects of annual variations in rainfall and forage conditions. Collection of Dickinson, B. (1990) An estimation of population density of forest elephant (Loxodonta such data will permit population viability analysis (PVA), a type of risk analysis that uses biological data to africana cyclotis Matschie) in Bia Tano and Subin Forest Reserves, Brong Ahafo Region, project the trend in animal numbers into the future. It allows one to estimate the probability that the population will survive a particular time period, usually the next hundred years (Morris et al., 1999). Ghana. Unpublished report, Game & Wildlife Department.

Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana 15 Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana 20 A.6. GLOSSARY AND ACRONYMS The genetics of each elephant population need to be understood. Ghana' s position in relation to the continental picture of elephant genetic diversity must be clarified. A.6.1. Glossary Once the basic research questions have been answered, a monitoring system must be established in each range to measure trends in habitat conditions and elephant numbers. An elephant database should be A population is made up of the elephants that occupy a range. established. There must be a mechanism to ensure that research and monitoring data collected in the elephant ranges is made available to those who make the decisions.

A range is the geographical area occupied by elephants either permanently or during a particular sea- A.4.2.4. Rate of habitat loss and incidence of human-elephant conflict reduced in each range son. With the current state of knowledge of elephant distribution, a range in the savanna and transi- tional areas is assumed to be the protected area plus the area extending for 10km beyond the bound- Since there is little effective land use management, expanding agriculture continues to encroach upon elephant habitat. Illegal burning and woodcutting degrades elephant ranges, and disturbance by herds- ary. Nandom is an exception because it is not associated with a protected area. Forest ranges are men, bushmeat hunters or loggers may force elephants to move away, so denying them part of their assumed to be the protected area plus the area extending for 5km from the boundary, except for range. Kakum where elephants do not move so far.

Stakeholders are people with an interest in elephants and their management, e.g. national NGOs, international NGOs, Wildlife Division, Forest Services Division, judiciary, Police, Customs, farmers, traditional leaders, local communities, media, etc.

A.6.2. Acronyms

AfESG African Elephant Specialist Group CBO Community-Based Organisation CEPS Customs and Excise Prevention Service Crop damage investigation in a rice field CI Conservation International The loss and degradation of habitats reduces the space available for elephants. Their quest for forage leads CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and them into conflict with people on the edges of their ranges. While the nation as a whole may benefit by Flora conserving elephants, the cost is borne by those living in elephant ranges. Local people become hostile CREMA Community Resource Management Area towards Wildlife Division staff who are blamed for the crop damage caused by "their" elephants. Crop- raiding is a major problem in both the savanna and the forest zone (Barnes et al., 1995; Sam et al., 1996, ETIS Elephant Trade Information System 1997; Dickinson, 1998; Sam, 2000; Williams & Heffernan, 2000). It is reported everywhere elephants are EU European Union found. The impact on farmers can be devastating. Often crops are destroyed shortly before they are ready FR Forest Reserve for harvesting. Even if a farmer's crops survive unscathed to harvest-time, the fear that elephants could come at any time is a cruel burden for the farmer and his family to carry all through the growing season FSD Forest Services Division (Sam et al., 1997). GWD Game & Wildlife Department; changed to Ghana Wildlife Department in 1995 and then to Wildlife Division in 1999. IEC Information, Education and Communication MIKE Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants NGO Non-governmental Organization NP National Park NRMP Natural Resources Management Programme USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service WD Wildlife Division (formerly Ghana Wildlife Department, and before that the Game & Wildlife Department) WWF World Wide Fund for Nature Bush Fire continues to reduce Elephant habitat

Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana 19 Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana 16 Improved management of elephant ranges would reduce the incentive for elephants to move into farmland. of the issues by developing an information-education-communication strategy and incorporating ele- Uncontrolled logging in forest ranges and woodcutting and burning in savanna ranges need to be curtailed phant matters into the new Community Forest Committees. At a higher level, district and regional so as to reduce habitat disturbance and degradation. Types of farming that are less likely to draw elephants administrations must be briefed, and law enforcement agencies (such as Police and Customs) brought out of their ranges and into farmland need to be tested in forest and savanna. Then recommendations for into the picture. Radio, television and newspaper journalists should be kept informed of wildlife mat- elephant management should be integrated into district land use plans. Fencing has not yet been tried in Ghana for deterring crop raiding elephants, despite its use elsewhere on the continent (Hoare, 1,995). ters and encouraged to write about wildlife issues in general and elephants in particular. Therefore the cost-effectiveness of different types and arrangements of fences needs to be evaluated in Environmental NGOs must be kept abreast of developments with this strategy and encouraged to col- both the savanna and forest zones. Elephants are becoming habituated to the Wildlife Division's normal laborate in its implementation. Potential donors should also be contacted. All need to be made aware method of frightening them away and so more effective short-term measures need to be developed and used that this elephant conservation strategy is now official national policy. by well-trained animal control teams around each range. Standardised systems for measuring rates of crop damage by elephants must be established, using the African Elephant Specialist Group's (AfESG) conflict A.4.2. 7. International agreements developed for managing cross-border elephant populations. data protocol, so that the efficacy of management can be evaluated. Elephants respect no frontier and cross between Ghana and each of the neighbouring countries, Togo, Burkina Faso and Cote d'Ivoire. Sometimes they move from one country to another where their activity Community Resource Management Areas (CREMAs) and Community Forest Committees (CFCs) will be becomes a burden upon the local farmers and local government. There is a risk that these migration routes established in the districts that include elephant ranges. In certain situations, it may be possible for local will be cut by encroaching farmers, as has occurred with the corridor from Ghana eastwards to the Fosse- communities to establish systems for showing elephants to tourists, or for tourists to be taken on adventure aux-Lions National Park (Sam et al., 1996). Each of the corridors crossing an international border must be treks through elephant habitat. There is the potential here for Ghana to develop innovative approaches to surveyed and a protocol agreed between the countries to manage it. Agreements with the neighbouring elephant conservation in the West African context. countries must also be reached to co-operate against poachers who cross into one country to hunt and then slip back when pursued by law enforcement officers. A.4.2.5. Improved capacity of stakeholders.

The term "stakeholders" embraces individuals, communities or organisations that have an interest in, or a role to play in, the management and conservation of elephants. They may be involved at different levels, for instance farmers, traditional leaders, local communities, the Wildlife and Forest Services Divisions, and national and international NGOs may be directly involved in elephant issues. In contrast, the judiciary, Police and Customs are one step removed.

The staff of the Wildlife Division, and those of the Forest Services Division working in elephant ranges, need further training in elephant biology and management. They also need more field equipment. The Wildlife and Forest Services Divisions will never have enough staff to be able to tackle all the issues of elephant management and therefore NGOs will always have an important role to play. The staff of NGOs need to be given the same sort of training in elephant biology and management that the WD and FSD staff receive.

NGOs need to develop methods for teaching farmers and community based organisations (CBOs) how to , Cross-border co-operation: representatives from Burkina Faso and Ghana reduce crop losses from elephant activity. Farmers and CBOs living around elephant ranges need to be per- at a meeting on the Red Volta River suaded to be less passive and do more themselves to protect crops. They need to be taught farming meth- ods that will reduce the risk of crop raiding, that is, to make their farms less attractive to elephants by grow- A.4.2.8. Functioning structures and mechanisms established to ensure the implementation of this ing different crops and by changing the spatial arrangement of fields and crops. They also need to be taught strategy. methods of deterring elephants that approach their farms. However, it is not enough just to train people and then let them get on with it; follow-up and support must be provided afterwards by NGOs. Community The emphasis of this strategy must be on action. A co-ordinator is needed within the Wildlife Division based organisations and NGOs also need to be trained in the methods of collecting monitoring data so that to launch it and to ensure that the different governmental and non-governmental agencies they can evaluate the success of management programmes. work together without duplication. The co-ordinator must facilitate the process of fund-raising. The implementation of the strategy and the activities of the co-ordinator will be overseen by an Elephant Workshops need to be organised to train Customs officers in national and international wildlife laws and Conservation Advisory Committee that will also ensure links with the highest levels of government. the workings of CITES.

A.4.2.6. Improved awareness of elephant conservation issues at all levels. A.5. CONCLUSION Ghana is the first West African country to draw up a national strategy for the conservation of ele- There is a lack of understanding of elephant conservation issues amongst communities, politicians, phants. The emphasis now must be on action to implement the strategy. civil servants, and district and regional administrations. The goal of this strategy will not be attained if the Government does not consider it as a priority and if the political will is lacking. It is difficult Although this strategy is designed to run for a ten-year period, it is not set in stone. It should for communities living around protected areas and plagued by marauding elephants to understand the be viewed as a living document that sets out a framework for elephant management and conservation positive side of elephant conservation. A big effort needs to be made to make local communities aware for the next decade but which can be adapted to changing circumstances.

Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana 17 Strategy for the Conservation of Elephants in Ghana 18