Insights into the illegal ivory trade and status of elephants in Togo, West Africa

In Togo, the illegal trade of African elephant (Loxodonta africana) ivory is widespread despite efforts made by the government to curtail these activities. By using data gathered from CITES institutions and natural resource management authorities in the country, we investigated the extent of ivory t...

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Autores principales: Segniagbeto, G.H., Agbodji, K.T., Leuteritz, T.E.J., Dendi, D., Fa, J.E., Luiselli, L.
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: Wiley 2022
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/112864
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author Segniagbeto, G.H.
Agbodji, K.T.
Leuteritz, T.E.J.
Dendi, D.
Fa, J.E.
Luiselli, L.
author_browse Agbodji, K.T.
Dendi, D.
Fa, J.E.
Leuteritz, T.E.J.
Luiselli, L.
Segniagbeto, G.H.
author_facet Segniagbeto, G.H.
Agbodji, K.T.
Leuteritz, T.E.J.
Dendi, D.
Fa, J.E.
Luiselli, L.
author_sort Segniagbeto, G.H.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description In Togo, the illegal trade of African elephant (Loxodonta africana) ivory is widespread despite efforts made by the government to curtail these activities. By using data gathered from CITES institutions and natural resource management authorities in the country, we investigated the extent of ivory trafficking in Togo. We also conducted surveys in villages around protected areas, which still contain elephant populations to assess the species’ current status in the country. Our surveys indirectly corroborated that there are probably no more than 150 elephants collectively within the country's protected areas, most of them in the Fazao‐Malfakassa National Park. We also estimated that a minimum of 41.65 tons of ivory (elephant tusks and carved objects) was intercepted in Togo between 2008 and 2018. Despite the fact that presently illegal elephant hunting is unlikely in Togo, we show that this country is the entry point for ivory from Central Africa (Cameroon and Gabon). We maintain that Togo's position as an intermediary country in the illegal ivory trade is a tangible threat to elephants throughout their range countries and is also likely to affect the dwindling population of these animals in the country if adequate enforcement is not implemented.
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spelling CGSpace1128642024-08-27T10:37:29Z Insights into the illegal ivory trade and status of elephants in Togo, West Africa Segniagbeto, G.H. Agbodji, K.T. Leuteritz, T.E.J. Dendi, D. Fa, J.E. Luiselli, L. wildlife trade protected areas hunting In Togo, the illegal trade of African elephant (Loxodonta africana) ivory is widespread despite efforts made by the government to curtail these activities. By using data gathered from CITES institutions and natural resource management authorities in the country, we investigated the extent of ivory trafficking in Togo. We also conducted surveys in villages around protected areas, which still contain elephant populations to assess the species’ current status in the country. Our surveys indirectly corroborated that there are probably no more than 150 elephants collectively within the country's protected areas, most of them in the Fazao‐Malfakassa National Park. We also estimated that a minimum of 41.65 tons of ivory (elephant tusks and carved objects) was intercepted in Togo between 2008 and 2018. Despite the fact that presently illegal elephant hunting is unlikely in Togo, we show that this country is the entry point for ivory from Central Africa (Cameroon and Gabon). We maintain that Togo's position as an intermediary country in the illegal ivory trade is a tangible threat to elephants throughout their range countries and is also likely to affect the dwindling population of these animals in the country if adequate enforcement is not implemented. 2022-06 2021-03-08T09:01:35Z 2021-03-08T09:01:35Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/112864 en Limited Access Wiley Segniagbeto, G.H., Agbodji, K.T., Leuteritz, T.E.J., Dendi, D., Fa, J.E., Luiselli, L. 2020. Insights into the illegal ivory trade and status of elephants in Togo, West Africa. African Journal of Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.12748
spellingShingle wildlife
trade
protected areas
hunting
Segniagbeto, G.H.
Agbodji, K.T.
Leuteritz, T.E.J.
Dendi, D.
Fa, J.E.
Luiselli, L.
Insights into the illegal ivory trade and status of elephants in Togo, West Africa
title Insights into the illegal ivory trade and status of elephants in Togo, West Africa
title_full Insights into the illegal ivory trade and status of elephants in Togo, West Africa
title_fullStr Insights into the illegal ivory trade and status of elephants in Togo, West Africa
title_full_unstemmed Insights into the illegal ivory trade and status of elephants in Togo, West Africa
title_short Insights into the illegal ivory trade and status of elephants in Togo, West Africa
title_sort insights into the illegal ivory trade and status of elephants in togo west africa
topic wildlife
trade
protected areas
hunting
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/112864
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