Laboratoire des Milieux Naturels et Conservation de la Biodiversité, UFR Biosciences, Université Félix Houphouet-Boigny, 22 BP 582 Abidjan 22, Côte d’Ivoire
As part of the management plan of the Bossématié Classified Forest (BCF), a study on the density and distribution of elephants was conducted from April 03, 2017 to May 02, 2017. The line transect method has helped to improve the knowledge of elephants in this classified forest. A total of 40 layons of varying lengths were identified for data collection. Counting individuals through monitoring of elephant droppings yields densities of 16.718 elephants/km2 at the end of the dry season and 28.744 elephants/km2 at the beginning of the dry season. These figures suggest that there were 16 elephants in the BCF during the study period, while at least 28 individuals were present at the beginning of the dry season. Evidence of elephant presence was observed over most of the BCF. Elephant presence was most pronounced in the low-lying areas that connect the different zones. The area exploited by elephants during the study period (late dry season) is smaller than that exploited at the beginning of the dry season. The main factors negatively influencing elephant distribution in the BCF are anthropogenic activities. These activities are essentially plantations, land clearing, trails, human presence and lack of water. The results of this study should be used to improve the demographic trends of elephant populations in the CBF through regular quarterly monitoring.