Combining local knowledge and occupancy analysis for a rapid assessment of forest elephants in Cameroon’s timber production forests

Information on the distribution and abundance of forest elephants must be available in order to appropriately allocate limited resources and set conservation goals. However, monitoring at large scales in forest habitats is complicated, expensive and time consuming. This study explores the potential of applying interview-based occupancy analysis as a tool for the rapid assessment of the distribution and relative abundance of forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis) in the eastern region of Cameroon.

Models have allowed the covariates that affect occupancy and detectability to be explored and for spatial and temporal patterns in population change and occupancy to be identified. Quantitative and qualitative socio-demographic data provide additional depth and understanding, placing the occupancy analysis in context and providing valuable information to guide conservation action.

Forest elephant detectability has decreased over 6 years, consistent with declining perceived abundance in occupied sites. Forest elephants are occupying areas both outside of protected areas and outside of the current IUCN ‘known’ elephant range. Critical conservation attention is required to further assess forest elephant populations and threats in these poorly understood areas. We find that that interview-based occupancy analysis is a reliable and suitable method for a rapid assessment of forest elephant occupancy across a large scale, as a complement to, or first stage in, a monitoring process.