When the need arises, Working Groups or Task Forces are formed to focus on particular elephant conservation and research issues. The AfESG has two working groups and seven task forces. Our co-Chairs, Ben Okita-Ouma and Rob Slotow and our secretariate staff, members Rose Mayienda and Mohammed Yahya are automatically members of the task forces and working groups.
The African Elephant Action Plan Task Force identifies opportunities to support range States in implementing the African Elephant Action Plan (AEAP) 2023 and to build capacity in conservation planning and management of elephants. The AfESG supports the implementation of the action plan. It builds capacity across the range States to contribute to national elephant action plans, as well as advising on the conservation and management of elephant range and habitats.
Jeanetta Selier (convenor), Dave Balfour, Emmanuel Danquah, Audrey Delsink, Enrico Di Minin, Holly Dublin, Sam Ferreira, Patience Gandiwa, Kumara Gemeda, John Hart, Emmanuel Hema, Wei Ji, Salimata Koné, Alice Laguardia, Richard Lamprey, Fiona Maisels, Malik Morjan, Leonard Mubalama, Steeve Ngama, Shadrack Ngene, Patrick Omondi, Pete Ruinard, Lamine Sebogo, Anna Songhurst, Emma Stokes, Aristide Tehou, Alain Traoré, Paulin Tshikaya, Charles Tumweisigye, Kenneth Uiseb, Sam Wasser, James Watuwa, Ian Whyte, George Wittemyer
The task force helps manage the African Elephant Library as a key resource, especially for African-based researchers and for groups who may not have easy access to other digital library services. The long-term objective is for the library to collect and store original data, as well as grey literature and other hard-to-access information on elephant populations.
Festus Ihwagi (convenor), Iain Douglas-Hamilton, Fiona Maisels, Lucy Vigne
The Communications Task Force enhances communication within and outside the AfESG membership on key issues about African elephants.
Lucy Vigne (convenor), Thomas Breuer, Audrey Delsink, Anna Estes, Shifra Goldenberg, Festus Ihwagi, Wei Ji, Loki Osborn, Mmadi Reuben, Lamine Sebogo, Lydia Tiller, George Wittemyer
The Data Review Working Group (DRWG) plays a pivotal role in managing data on elephant populations, their range, and numbers, which are collected, stored, and disseminated by the AfESG. This data holds significant importance as it directly informs elephant conservation management and policy formulation. The DRWG is responsible for overseeing the African Elephant Database (AED) on behalf of the members of the AfESG, offering guidance on data quality, categorization, algorithm utilization, and enhancing elephant survey methodologies. It also oversees the production of the AED reports and publications, particularly the African Elephant Status Reports (AESR). Additionally, the group provides strategic advice and thoroughly reviews analytical outputs and associated products.
Ben Okita-Ouma (ex-officio convenor), Colin Craig, Howard Frederick, Angela Gaylard, Iain Douglas-Hamilton, John Hart, Edward Kohi, Fiona Maisels, Chris Thouless
The Human-Elephant Conflict and Coexistence Working Group builds a collaborative understanding of the issues that underlie conflict that can exist in areas where elephants coexist with humans. This is done through sharing data and harmonizing the use of technology for improved continent-wide data collection and reporting. The group implements collaborative conflict mitigation interventions through a set of Standard Operating Procedures for long-term, consistent mitigation. This includes new ways of communicating mitigation ideas with communities and working with local groups, practitioners and farmers to share information. The group also develops land-use planning and corridor conservation protocols through consultation and involvement with government departments, infrastructure initiatives, interest groups, and individuals. It aims to foster a community of innovative African practitioners to participate in elephant management and conservation issues.
Loki Osborn (convenor), Tempe Adams, Thomas Breuer, Susan Canney, Emmanuel Danquah, Audrey Delsink, Malachie Dolmia, Anna Estes, Marion Garai, Shifrah Goldenberg, Michelle Henley, Richard Hoare, Maximillan Jenes, Malvern Karidozo, Lucy King, Salimata Koné, Alex Lobora, Steeve Ngama, Nobesuthu Ngwenya, Mmadi Reuben, Lamine Sebogo, Noah Sitati, Anna Songhurst, Russell Taylor, Chris Thouless, Lydia Tiller, Kenneth Uiseb, Lucy Vigne, George Wittemyer
The In situ / Ex situ Task Force advises on the translocation of elephants, such as from in situ to ex situ locations. For example, the group advises on the holding and movement of elephants during capture and translocation, or during permanent movement into captivity, whether it is within or outside the species’ range. This task force provides advice to CITES on whether the transfer of animals to ex situ locations is likely to provide conservation benefits for African elephants.
Rob Slotow (ex-officio convenor), Mike Chase, Holly Dublin, Marion Garai, Deb Gibson, Richard Hoare, Wei Ji, Winnie Kiiru, Shadrack Ngene, Nobesuthu Ngwenya, Joyce Poole, Daniel Stiles, Lydia Tiller, Hilde Vanleeuwe, Lucy Vigne, Ian Whyte
The AfESG has a primary role in conducting species-specific assessments designed by IUCN; these include the IUCN Red List and IUCN Green Status of Species. The Red List for African elephants was assessed by species in 2020 on the basis of criterion A2 and categorized as Endangered for the savanna elephant and Critically Endangered for the forest elephant.
Kathleen Gobush (convenor), Dave Balfour, Charles T. Edwards, Fiona Maisels, Russell Taylor, George Wittemyer
Kathleen Gobush (convenor), Salimata Kone, Alice Laguardia, Fiona Maisels, Steeve Ngama, and non-AfESG intern, Bernard Kintor
The Sustainable Use Task Force provides a better understanding regarding the context of sustainable use of elephants – both consumptive and non-consumptive. It aims to bridge divergent views between regions on this issue. This Task Force aims to update position statements on key issues that are consistent with IUCN policy and advises the co-Chairs on the AfESG position.
Duan Biggs (convenor), Dave Balfour, Mike Chase, Enrico Di Minin, Holly Dublin, Sam Ferreira, Charles Foley, Hervé Fritz, Christopher Kaoma, Winnie Kiiru, Richard Lamprey, Keith Lindsay, Nobesuthu Ngwenya, Patrick Omondi, Mmadi Reuben, Jeanetta Selier, Daniel Stiles, Russell Taylor, Kenneth Uiseb, Lucy Vigne, James Watuwa, Ian Whyte
The Taxonomy Task Force has finalized a statement on the two species of African elephant and deals with the consequences of splitting the African elephant into two species. This involves delineating the ranges of the two taxa, pinpointing where hybrids of the two have been detected, and identifying locations where species identification remains uncertain. Some members work to collect biological samples from elephants from sites and genetically analyze them to inform these matters. The Task Force also aims to address the social, legal, and management implications associated with the classification as they arise.”
Rob Slotow (ex-officio convenor), Stéphanie Bourgeois, Kathleen Gobush, John Hart, Keith Lindsay, Fiona Maisels, Nakedi Maputla, Koné Salimata, Chris Thouless, Nelson Ting, Paulin Tshikaya, Andrea Tukalo, Sam Wasser