The study is based on the number of elephants that should be present in 73 protected areas spanning 21 African nations.

We’ve made it possible to target resources to the protected areas that have the greatest need. Of course, this isn’t just for the sake of elephants; elephants play a major role in shaping the savannahs that in Africa cover as much land as the USA and continental Europe combined.

— ASHLEY ROBSON, Lead author of the study