Angola's Elephant Population: What's The Status?

Angola is home to a small population of elephants, which are mostly found in the remote southeast of the country. The decades-long civil war, which ended in 2002 or 2003, took a heavy toll on Angola's elephants, with their numbers dwindling due to the widespread destruction of wildlife and the presence of landmines. However, efforts are being made to protect and restore the elephant population in Angola, including through initiatives like the Elephant Protection Initiative, which the country joined in 2015. There are also plans to repatriate elephants from neighboring countries to reduce overpopulation and create safe corridors for migration.

Angola's elephant population

In recent years, Angola has been taking steps to protect and restore its elephant population. In 2015, the country joined the Elephant Protection Initiative and has since worked closely with the organisation to tackle the illegal wildlife trade and protect its remaining elephants. As part of this initiative, a modified shipping container was delivered to the Luengue-Luiana National Park to serve as a secure vault for seized ivory and other wildlife products, symbolising the international community's support for Angola's conservation efforts.

According to a 2016 study, there are only about 3,300 elephants in Angola today, a significant decrease from the estimated 250,000 elephants in the Kavango and Zambezi (KOZA) river ecosystem, which includes southeastern Angola. However, there is a glimmer of hope as a recent survey of elephants in the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA) suggests that Angola's elephant population is slowly increasing. KAZA, which connects Angola with neighbouring countries like Botswana, Namibia, and Zambia, has an estimated elephant population of over 220,000, making it Africa's largest.

To further boost their elephant population, Angola has agreed to remove leftover landmines and open up safe corridors for elephant migration. This initiative is supported by neighbouring countries like Botswana, which is facing overpopulation and conflict with its own large elephant population. By removing the landmines and working together with partner states, Angola is playing a crucial role in ensuring the long-term survival of elephants and providing a safe haven for their "refugee" elephants to return home.

While Angola's elephant population still has a long way to go, the combined efforts of international organisations, local communities, and the Angolan government are making significant strides towards their recovery and conservation.

The impact of civil war on Angola's elephants

Angola's 27-year civil war had a devastating impact on the country's wildlife, including its elephants. The conflict, which ended in 2002, displaced over four million people and led to the decimation of wildlife populations. During the 1980s, reports emerged of up to 100,000 elephants being killed in Angola, drawing international alarm.

The Luiana Partial Reserve (PR), a conservation area in southeast Angola, was particularly hard hit. It served as the military operations centre for UNITA (National Union for the Total Independence of Angola), which used elephant ivory to fund their arms purchases and feed their soldiers. While the full extent of the impact on elephant populations is uncertain due to a lack of reliable data, it is clear that the civil war had a significant negative effect.

The war not only led to the direct killing of elephants for ivory and meat but also resulted in the displacement of these majestic creatures. Many elephants migrated to neighbouring countries, such as Namibia and Botswana, in search of safer habitats. The legacy of landmines scattered across the region also posed a significant threat to their survival.

However, there is a glimmer of hope in the aftermath of the conflict. Since the end of the war, efforts have been made to restore and conserve Angola's wildlife, including its elephants. The country has joined initiatives like the Elephant Protection Initiative and has committed to tackling the illegal wildlife trade. Surveys indicate that elephant numbers are increasing, and there are encouraging signs of their return to their ancestral lands.

The Angolan government has invested in clearing minefields, not only to save lives but also as a step towards boosting tourism and conservation. The international community has shown solidarity with Angola, with organisations like the EPI Foundation and the HALO Trust supporting the country's conservation efforts.

While the road to recovery is long, the indomitable spirit of nature and the power of human determination offer hope for the future of elephant conservation in Angola.

Elephant conservation in Angola

Angola has taken significant steps towards elephant conservation by joining the Elephant Protection Initiative (EPI) in 2015. The country has been actively working with the EPI Secretariat to protect its remaining elephants and address the issue of illegal wildlife trade. As part of their efforts, a modified shipping container was delivered to the rangers in the Luengue-Luiana National Park to serve as a secure vault for seized ivory and other wildlife products. This delivery symbolises the international community's support for Angola's conservation endeavours.

The recent survey of elephants in the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, which includes Angola, provides encouraging signs. The overall elephant population in this area is estimated to be over 220,000, and the numbers in Angola are reportedly increasing. This area connects Angola with neighbouring countries like Botswana and Namibia, which have provided relatively safer habitats for elephants.

However, elephant poaching remains a critical issue in Angola, with the country experiencing some of the highest poaching rates in Africa. The Great Elephant Census (GEC) revealed that Angola is losing 10% of its elephants each year due to poaching. This has led to the displacement and stress of elephant populations, causing them to become nocturnal and form mega-herds for safety.

Despite the challenges, there is a determined collective effort by organisations like the EPI Foundation and the HALO Trust, along with dedicated local park rangers, to support elephant conservation in Angola. Their collaborative efforts provide hope for the gradual return of elephants to the country and the preservation of their natural heritage.

The illegal wildlife trade in Angola

Angola is one of the most biodiverse countries in Africa, with a vast array of native and non-native plant and animal species. However, the country's long civil war, which ended in 2003, had a devastating impact on its wildlife, causing the near extinction of many species. The war also left behind a dangerous legacy of landmines, which continue to pose a threat to the survival of Angola's remaining elephants.

Despite the challenges, a few thousand elephants managed to survive, primarily in the remote southeast region of the country. Since the end of the war, Angola has been working to restore its wildlife reserves and populations. In 2015, the country joined the Elephant Protection Initiative (EPI) and has since collaborated closely with the organisation to protect its elephants and combat the illegal wildlife trade.

The study observed the trade in wild animals and bushmeat along the roads between five major Angolan cities. It found that a variety of fresh, smoked, and dried bushmeat, as well as live animals, were being sold along these routes, primarily to urban dwellers travelling between cities. The species sold included antelopes, monkeys, snakes, and a globally protected species of pangolin (Manis tricuspis). The consumption of wildlife is associated with an increased risk of acquiring zoonotic diseases, yet the animals are still obtained directly from hunters and slaughtered without sanitary measures.

The Angolan government has implemented several measures to address the illegal wildlife trade, including creating a list of species prohibited for hunting and trade, banning the hunting of certain species outside the hunting season, and introducing compensation fees. However, local authorities have been criticised for failing to take the necessary steps to discourage these practices effectively. There is a recognised need for better-educated police officials and alternative sources of meat supply in rural areas to reduce the demand for bushmeat and curb the overharvesting of wildlife.

Angola's efforts to restore elephant populations

Angola has been actively seeking to restore its elephant populations, which were severely affected by the long civil war that ended in 2003. Here is an overview of the country's efforts:

Joining the Elephant Protection Initiative (EPI)

In 2015, Angola joined the Elephant Protection Initiative, demonstrating its commitment to restoring its wildlife reserves and populations. The country has been working closely with the EPI Secretariat to protect its remaining elephants and tackle the issue of the illegal wildlife trade.

National Elephant Action Plan

As part of its collaboration with the EPI, Angola launched a National Elephant Action Plan for the period 2018-2028. This plan includes strategies to protect and restore elephant populations, such as the development of a National Ivory Action Plan and the closure of domestic ivory markets.

Global Host of World Environment Day 2016

Angola was chosen to host World Environment Day in 2016, with a focus on the fight against the illegal wildlife trade. This provided an opportunity to raise awareness and showcase the country's commitment to conserving its biodiversity and rebuilding its elephant population.

Collaboration with Organizations

Angola has been working with various organizations, such as the EPI Foundation and the HALO Trust, to protect its elephant populations. One notable collaboration involved delivering a modified shipping container to the rangers in the remote Luengue-Luiana National Park. This container serves as a secure vault for seized ivory and other wildlife products, symbolizing the international community's support for Angola's conservation efforts.

Revision of Penal Code

Angola has also taken legal steps to protect its elephant populations by revising its Penal Code to include tougher punishments for poachers. This is in line with global efforts to combat wildlife trafficking and send a clear message against illegal practices.

Participation in Surveys and Conservation Initiatives

Angola is actively participating in surveys, such as the Great Elephant Census, to better understand the size and distribution of its elephant population. The country is also involved in conservation initiatives, such as the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, which aims to protect wild habitats across multiple countries in Africa.

Through these efforts, Angola is making significant strides towards restoring its elephant populations and preserving its natural heritage. While it may take time for elephants to return in large numbers, the country's dedication to conservation and the resilience of these majestic animals provide hope for the future.

Frequently asked questions