The demography of an African elephant (Loxodonta africana) population in Amboseli, Kenya

This paper presents basic demographic parameters of African elephants (Loxo donta africana) living in and around Amboseli National Park, Kenya. The stu dy was conducted from 1972 to the present and results are based on the hist ories of 1778 individually known, elephants. From 1972 to 1978, the Ambosel i elephant population declined and then increased steadily from 1979 to the present. Births occurred throughout the year but over 80% occurred between November and May. Birth rate varied from year to year with a pattern of pe aks and troughs at 4- to 5-year intervals. The birth sex ratio did not diff er significantly from 1:1. Mean age at first birth was 14.1 years, determin ed from a sample of 546 known-age females. Mean birth interval (n = 732) wa s 4.5 years for 255 females. Fecundity and calf survival varied by age of t he females. Mortality fluctuated from year to year. Sex-specific mortality rates were consistently higher for males than females at all ages.