WARNING: Storm Alert Thursday, November 2nd. Entrance to the Verniquet Amphitheater only through 57 Rue Cuvier.

Context

Forest elephants, a critically endangered species, play a central role in the forest ecosystems of the Congo Basin. Threatened by poaching and habitat destruction, their populations have declined by nearly 60% over a few decades. During the One Forest Summit held on March 1st and 2nd, 2023, in Libreville, Gabon, co-organized by France and Gabon, the importance of preserving forest elephant populations for sustainable tropical forest management was emphasized. The "Forests and Elephants" Symposium will showcase ongoing research on this crucial species for the proper functioning of tropical forests, with a particular focus on the Congo Basin forests. During this symposium, research on the ecology of this species will be presented, along with the development of new techniques to better understand the functioning and monitoring of tropical forests. Additionally, the contributions of social sciences and humanities in understanding the coexistence between megafauna, human activities, and local communities will be explored. Research on other elephant species will also provide insights into the delicate coexistence between human populations and megafauna worldwide.

This symposium is organized by the Center for Ecology and Conservation Sciences (CESCO) of the National Museum of Natural History (MNHN) in collaboration with and Gabonese National Parks Agency (ANPN) and will take place at the Jardin des Plantes in Paris on November 2nd and 3rd. Since 2021, MNHN has been collaborating with the ANPN on the study of forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis).

The symposium is open to researchers, managers, conservationists and students. Participation in the symposium is free upon registration. While in-person attendance is preferred, the symposium will be conducted in a hybrid format to allow for maximum participation.

 ________________________________________________________________________________________________

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS OPEN until October 2nd

Abstract submissions related to the symposium themes are accepted until October 2nd.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

                            Forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis), Gabon ©ANPN

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Organising Committee

Marie Sigaud, CESCO, MNHN

Stéphanie Bourgeois, Cellule scientifique, ANPN

Aurélie Coulon, CESCO, MNHN

Carla Louise Mousset Moumbolou, Cellule scientifique, ANPN

________________________________________________________________________________________________