Science and elephant management decisions in South Africa

dc.contributor.authorYoung, K.D.
dc.contributor.authorVan Aarde, Rudi J.
dc.contributor.emailrjvaarde@zoology.up.ac.zaen
dc.date.accessioned2011-01-24T06:42:13Z
dc.date.available2011-01-24T06:42:13Z
dc.date.issued2010-11
dc.description.abstractMost 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.en
dc.identifier.citationYoung, K.D., Van Aarde, R.J. Science and elephant management decisions in South Africa. Biol. Conserv. (2010), doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2010.11.023en
dc.identifier.issn0006-3207
dc.identifier.other10.1016/j.biocon.2010.11.023
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/15750
dc.language.isoenen
dc.publisherElsevieren
dc.rightsElsevieren
dc.subjectConservationen
dc.subjectManagement decisionsen
dc.subjectEnd-usersen
dc.subjectEvidence-based conservationen
dc.subjectScience uptakeen
dc.subject.lcshElephants -- Managementen
dc.subject.lcshAfrican elephant populationsen
dc.titleScience and elephant management decisions in South Africaen
dc.typePostprint Articleen

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