Population Survey

This submission documents the aerial survey of the Gambella National Park and surrounding areas conducted in April 2015. A total of 19 366 km² was surveyed in 5 strata (2 sample counts, 3 total counts) using a Cessna 208. The report states that three other sightings were made while flying the sample count (SC) over the central area (B1). One individual was seen near the B3, which was most likely part of the larger groups observed in the total count. One large group of 50 and one group of 6 elephants, south of Pachala village, between Alweru and Akobo River were observed. The authors suggest that this finding could indicate the possibility that more elephants may be found in this region, and that they are possibly also crossing into South Sudan as the collared elephants have been doing.