Distribution, status, and conservation needs of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in Lampung Province, Sumatra, Indonesia

In the mid 1980s, Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) populations were believed to persist in 44 populations on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Twelve of these populations occurred in Lampung Province, but our surveys revealed that only three were extant in 2002. Causal factors underlying this decline include human population growth, changes in land use, and human-elephant conflict. Nevertheless, our surveys in the Province’s two national parks, Bukit Barisan Selatan and Way Kambas, produced population estimates of 498 (95% CI = [373, 666]) and 180 (95% CI = [144, 225]) elephants, respectively. The estimate for Bukit Barisan Selatan is much larger than previous estimates; the estimate for Way Kambas falls between previous estimates. The third population was much smaller and may not be viable. These are the first estimates for Southeast Asian elephant populations based on rigorous sampling-based methods that satisfied the assumptions of the models used, and they suggest that elephant numbers in these parks are of international importance. While our results suggest that Sumatra’s remaining elephant populations may be larger than expected, they also suggest that the future for these animals is bleak. Human-elephant conflict was reported around all three areas in Lampung and their elephant populations are currently threatened by habitat loss and poaching. Local solutions are possible, but will require much greater commitment by all stakeholders.     

Simulating the economic viability of Nile tilapia and Australian redclaw crayfish polyculture in Yucatan, Mexico

Tilapia culture in rural communities in the state of Yucatan, Mexico, has been increasing in recent decades. Polyculture of tilapia with other more commercially valuable species provides an opportunity to substantially improve the economic yields of rural producers. The economic viability of implementing Nile tilapia with Australian redclaw crayfish in polyculture was analyzed using profitability indicators such as internal rate of return (IRR) and net present value (NPV). A bioeconomic model was developed to simulate three production densities, accounting for investment recuperation in time horizons of 5, 10 and 15 years. Simulations showed a notable improvement in profitability when farms adopt the polyculture strategy, particularly over the 5-year horizon. Nile tilapia with Australian redclaw crayfish polyculture shortens investment return time and buffers risk related to changes in tilapia sale price. Of the three studied polyculture combinations the optimum outcome was achieved with medium redclaw crayfish density.