Côte d’Ivoire counts forest elephants in national Park
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The West Zone directorate of the Ivorian Parks and Reserves Office (OIPR) observed 29 forest elephants within Mont Péko National Park in Côte d’Ivoire during ecological monitoring conducted in the third quarter of 2026.
The park, spanning 34,000 hectares across the Duékoué and Bangolo departments, continues to host the endangered species. OIPR staff used linear transects, reconnaissance walks, and camera traps to track the elephants, recording 426 signs of their presence, 295 on the transects and 131 elsewhere.
The density of elephant signs was highest in the park’s center and south, at 0.097 elephants per square kilometer. Colonel Alex Beda Ange emphasized the need to protect elephant habitats and reduce pressures from land use and habitat transformation. OIPR recommended continued monitoring to assess population trends, increased surveillance in key areas, habitat restoration, and community involvement to prevent human-elephant conflict.
During the meeting, officials also announced the winners of the “Green Prize” for best eco-friendly villages, Sibably, Yrozon, and Gloplou, recognizing their conservation efforts.
