A proposal for a transnational forest network area for elephants in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana

Abstract

Forest elephants Loxodonta africana cyclotis in Ghana and eastern Côte d'Ivoire live in small isolated populations and number fewer than 1,000 individuals in total. To ensure the long-term survival of these elephants the present forest reserves need to be linked into a network by forest corridors. The potential of such corridors is demonstrated by the active use by elephants in Ghana of forest ‘shelterbelts’, created in the 1930s. Using information from recent surveys of elephants and vegetation status, and from published information, we propose three possible wildlife corridors in the border region between Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, establishment of which would lead to a transnational forest network area in the Bia and Bossematié areas. Establishing a forest network for forest elephants would require political will, transnational cooperation among forest and wildlife managers, and participation of the local people.