Strategic Conservation Planning Workshop for Asian Elephants
A Strategic Conservation Planning Workshop for Asian Elephants was held in
Phnom Penh, Cambodia October 20-24, 2008.
There were two back-to-back Asian Elephant conservation workshops. The
first workshop focused on a range-wide status review, attempting to map
all Asian Elephant populations and compile data about those populations
(e.g. population size and trend, threats to the population). The second
workshop aimed to take these “where to save the species” data and use them
to draft an outline conservation strategy for Asian Elephants throughout
their range (i.e. “how to save the species”). The two workshops were
organized by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and WWF AREAS, with
funding from WCS, the AsESG, the US Fish & Wildlife Service, and WWF
AREAS.
Participants also identified land which may act as linkages between known
populations, and areas where the species might be restored in future.
Preliminary maps were developed before the workshops, and then refined at
the workshops.
The draft strategy identified a vision, goals, and objectives together
with appropriate actions aimed at mitigating and eliminating threats to
elephants. The draft outline strategy is intended to be completed over the
November 2008 to January 2009 period through a process of wider
consultation, review, and revision than is possible is a workshop setting.
A copy of the strategy plan was emailed earlier to members. AsESG's
membership is encouraged to participate in the review and revision
process.
Follow-up national workshops are recognized and encouraged as a vital part
of the process.
