Factors affecting variability in the distribution of elephants at Nazinga Game Ranch (Burkina Faso, West Africa)

Seasonal ground total counts were used to estimate elephant ( Loxodonta africaca africana) population parameters in Nazinga Game Ranch, Burkina Faso. Remote sensing and GIS technology were used, as well, to relate the species distribution to environmental and anthropogenic variables, which were Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, elevation, stream density, poaching density, distance to dams, distance to rivers, distance to roads, and distance to poaching events. Overall dry season density (0.24 elephants/km 2) was higher (P = 0.035) than overall wet season density (0.09 elephants/km2). Overall mean group size during the wet season (8.09 +/- 4.62) was not different (P = 0.48) from mean group size during the dry season (6.22 +/- 1.56). Elephants occupied 16.8% of the ranch area during the wet season and 18% of the ranch area during the dry season. Elephants randomly used habitat during the wet season but selected for riparian forest during the dry season. Poaching density explained 81%, vegetation greenness 7%, and stream density 3% of the variation in elephant abundance.