This project will focus efforts to protect wild Asian elephants and better understand the status of their wild populations at Rakhine Yoma Elephant Range (RYER), Myanmar. Specific activities will include: 1) Elephant Protection Units (EPUs) will be increased from two to six units and their patrol operations expanded to include parts of the reserve that are thought to support elephant populations but have not received patrol efforts in recent years; 2) two ranger substations will be upgraded and provided boats; 3) continued implementation of the SMART approach to protected area management will be effected through the training of EPUs and administrative staff who will manage the law enforcement monitoring database; 4) mapping of elephant distribution and threats; and 5) analysis of satellite imagery to respond to forest encroachment and points of access for poachers. The recipient will work closely with the RYER Warden to help him interpret information generated through the SMART tool so that management decisions may be based upon information coming in from field enforcement teams. Collectively these activities will allow compliance with CITES provisions, improve elephant and site management, and build relevant conservation capacities in Myanmar. (2016-2017)
Former Project Titles:
- Protection and Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE) at key sites in Burma : Year 1 of 3 (2013-2015)
- Protection and Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE) at Key Sites in Burma – Year 3 (2015-2016)