Abstract:
Most conservation practitioners rely on experience-based information for management decisions. In
South Africa, government policy thus directs managers to base decisions for elephant management on
the best available scientific information. The reliance of their management decisions on science, however,
is unknown. We interviewed 30 managers from small to large protected areas in South Africa to evaluate
whether science underpinned strategic and applied management decisions regarding elephants. We also
evaluated their perspectives on limitations to, and opportunities for, greater reliance on science. Twentynine
managers valued science as a platform for their decisions. However, most managers based decisions
on experience-based information. Only 28%, 30% and 8% of managers respectively developed objectives,
identified issues and selected management methods on science-based information. Furthermore, only
30% selected a desired number of elephants, and 5% selected a population control method, according
to science-based information. The probability of managers basing decisions on science-based information
differed with management area size, tenure, planning timeframes and manager experience. However,
except for experience, these relationships were weak, and overall an implementation gap between science
and elephant management existed. Limitations for science to inform decisions included lack of relevance
and application of science findings to respective management areas, and scientists’ attitudes and
credibility. Opportunities included more site specific studies, better communication of, and easier access
to scientific material. These opportunities could enable scientists to contribute more effectively to elephant
management decisions and improve the reliance on science among the wider community of conservation
practitioners in Africa.
