Changes in the economic use value of elephant in Botswana: The effect of international trade prohibition

Analysis of the value of different potential combinations of elephant use in Botswana at various times since 1989 indicates that, with the 1990 CITES Appendix I listing, when international trade in elephant products was effectively banned, about half of potential, economic, use values were lost. Evidence suggests that the ban has helped slow the species' decline in many range states. But data from Botswana, where poaching levels have been low, indicate that most elephant range will be converted to livestock keeping in the next 15 years unless local communities can realise high elephant use values. The trade ban has jeopardised the future of the elephant in Botswana. The solution to elephant conservation involves investment in land and management, within appropriate property rights, for the existence of natural elephant populations. If the international community is serious about elephant conservation, it should actively assist African governments and local communities with funds and expertise for this. Total economic value should be maximised, including complementary combinations of non-consumptive and selected consumptive use values, as well as non-use values. African elephant values must contribute competitively to African rural development.