BANGKOK – Genetic analysis of the dung of endangered Asian elephants has revealed a larger population in Cambodia’s northern plains than previously believed and insights into their range – information that could help prevent extinction.
The study by conservation group Fauna & Flora and researchers from Cambodia and Scotland estimated there are 51 Asian elephants in the adjacent wildlife sanctuaries of Prey Lang, Preah Roka and Chhaeb – about one-tenth of the wild population in Cambodia. Anecdotal estimates before the study were 20-30 individuals.
The population also is more genetically diverse than others in the Southeast Asian country – crucial for long-term survival – due to descent from two ancient and geographically distinct lineages, according to the study published this month.
The research was funded by the now shuttered U.S. international aid agency, USAID, and conducted in collaboration with Cambodia’s environment ministry.
Though outwardly positive news, the overall picture for an emblematic species that is central to Southeast Asian cultures is grim. The study said a population of more than 1,000 animals may be necessary to prevent inbreeding and ensure survival beyond a century.
“The population estimates produced in this study show that the elephants in this landscape are in an extremely precarious situation, with numbers far lower than needed for continued population survival,” the study said.
Cambodia’s Asian elephant population is estimated at 400-600 animals in the wild. Aside from habitat loss, they must also withstand stress from any global-warming induced changes to their environment.
By sampling elephant dung and conducting genetic analysis, the researchers were also able to pinpoint the numbers of males and females and the animals’ ancestry.
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The analysis showed that some of the animals moved between the Preah Roka and Chhaeb sanctuaries but not between those two areas and Prey Lang, underlining the dangerous fragmentation of the populations and the importance of expanding conservation areas.
“As wildlife across the globe is increasingly confined to shrinking and degraded habitats, the management of small, fragmented populations is becoming ever more critical,” said Pablo Sinovas, Fauna & Flora’s Cambodia director.
“Despite its small size, this population retains high levels of genetic diversity,” he said in a statement. “Combined with the significant habitat we estimate remains available, this offers a rare and valuable opportunity for recovery.”
Alex Ball, a conservation manager at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, said the researchers hope to employ the methods used in the study across Cambodia and in other countries.
They hope to build a clearer picture of Asian elephant numbers, “which will inform how best we can work to help reverse the decline of these spectacular animals,” he said.
Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang.