AN AERIAL SURVEY OF ELEPHANTS AND OTHER LARGE HERBIVORES IN THE KAVANGO ZAMBEZI TRANSFRONTIER CONSERVATION AREA

The 2022 KAZA Elephant Survey estimated a total population of 227,900 elephants across the KAZA TFCA, with the majority located in Botswana (58%) and Zimbabwe (29%). The survey also identified 26,641 elephant carcasses, resulting in an all-carcass ratio of 10.47%, which the authors suggest may be a "warning sign for the health and stability of the elephant population." Beyond elephants, the survey estimated populations for various wildlife species and domestic livestock, noting a ratio of 1.16 wild animals to 1 domestic animal in the survey area. The report details the technical execution of the survey, including the use of systematic transect sampling across 179 strata and the implementation of CITES MIKE Aerial Survey Standards.

• The total estimated population of African savanna elephants in the KAZA TFCA survey area is 227,900 (±16,743), achieving a percentage relative precision (PRP) of 7.34%.
• The survey estimated 26,641 (±1,645) elephant carcasses, leading to an overall all-carcass ratio (CR14) of 10.47%, which is considered a high level of mortality that may signal instability in the population.
• Elephant distribution is highly uneven across the five partner states: Botswana holds 58% of the population, Zimbabwe 29%, Namibia 9%, and Zambia and Angola combined account for the remaining 4%.
• The survey estimated populations for several other wildlife species in the KAZA TFCA survey area: impala (100,028), zebra (88,250), buffalo (78,264), red lechwe (137,959), and giraffe (12,771).
• Domestic livestock in the survey area was estimated at 736,426 animals, consisting of 73% cattle and 24% sheep and goats, creating a ratio of 1.16 wild animals for every 1 domestic animal.
• Recent mortality, measured by the fresh and recent carcass ratio (CR12), was estimated at 0.51% for the KAZA TFCA, with the highest ratios found in Botswana (0.72%), Angola (0.57%), and the Kavango Zambezi zone (0.49%).
• The survey observed a pattern of spatial segregation where elephants are generally absent from regions with high densities of human settlements and livestock.
• The survey covered 60% of the KAZA TFCA (310,865 km²), utilizing 195 flights across 179 strata with an overall sampling intensity of 6.9%.
• Photo interpretation of observed groups led to a 2.2% increase in the final estimated population of elephants in the KAZA TFCA compared to raw observer data.
• The survey adhered to CITES MIKE Aerial Survey Standards Version 3.0, with a mean flight height of 91.8 m AGL and a mean ground speed of 171.5 km.hr-1.

APA

WWF International (n.d.). AN AERIAL SURVEY OF ELEPHANTS AND OTHER LARGE HERBIVORES IN THE KAVANGO ZAMBEZI TRANSFRONTIER CONSERVATION AREA. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/598/5si83x57zx_1._KAZA_Elephant_Survey_Volume_I.pdf

Chicago

WWF International. AN AERIAL SURVEY OF ELEPHANTS AND OTHER LARGE HERBIVORES IN THE KAVANGO ZAMBEZI TRANSFRONTIER CONSERVATION AREA. n.d. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/598/5si83x57zx_1._KAZA_Elephant_Survey_Volume_I.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=AN AERIAL SURVEY OF ELEPHANTS AND OTHER LARGE HERBIVORES IN THE KAVANGO ZAMBEZI TRANSFRONTIER CONSERVATION AREA |url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/598/5si83x57zx_1._KAZA_Elephant_Survey_Volume_I.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfinternationalndaerial, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{AN AERIAL SURVEY OF ELEPHANTS AND OTHER LARGE HERBIVORES IN THE KAVANGO ZAMBEZI TRANSFRONTIER CONSERVATION AREA}}, institution = {WWF International}, url = {https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/598/5si83x57zx_1._KAZA_Elephant_Survey_Volume_I.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }