Patch-occupancy survey of elephant (Loxodonta africana) surrounding Livingstone, Zambia

A patch-occupancy survey around Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, Zambia, revealed that elephants (Loxodonta africana) range up to 8 kilometers outside the protected core habitat, with significant presence in unfenced park zones, along roads leading to Dambwa Forest, and near the Sinde and Maramba Rivers. This finding highlights critical areas for human-elephant conflict mitigation and population monitoring. The study employed a patch-occupancy methodology, tracking indicators such as feeding behavior, dung, and tracks, while also integrating prior data to enhance detection accuracy. High detection probabilities underscore the need for regular sampling to assess changes in elephant habitat use amid ongoing land-use modifications.

Youldon, D. A., Abell, J., Briffitt, J. S., Chama, L., Channings, M. D., Kilundo, A., Larsen, C. K., Sakala, D., & Schulte, B. A. (2017). Patch-occupancy survey of elephant (Loxodonta africana) surrounding Livingstone, Zambia. Koedoe, 59(1). https://doi.org/10.4102/koedoe.v59i1.1372