Elephant population?in Tsavo- Mkomazi ecosystem now stands at 12,572 up from 11,696 recorded in the last census in 2008, Kenya Wildlife Services said.

According to KWS preliminary results from the just-concluded aerial census this new figure represents a modest 2 percent increase compared to 4 percent in the previous census.

"The elephant is Kenya's flag-ship species and so its distribution and condition is a good indicator of the status of our wildlife," KWS Director Julius Kipng'etich said in a statement received here Monday.

He attributed the decline in growth rate to the severe drought Kenya suffered in 2009, which claimed hundreds of young and aged elephants. "The new numbers might also reflect the increased demand for ivory, and the subsequent rise in poaching," added Kipng'etich. Speaking during the census briefing, James Isiche, IFAW E.A. Regional Director said elephant populations in Tsavo and Kenya at large are still under siege. "Threats such as destruction of and encroachment on habitat, conflict and poaching are on the rise. There is need for a renewed commitment by both wildlife and supporting agencies in ensuring that the gains we have had since the 1989 ban on international ivory trade and the concerted efforts with regards to law enforcement are not reversed." "While there is urgency in curbing poaching, emerging challenges such as encroachment by humans on elephant habitat necessitate a land-use policy, its implementation and enforcement if we hope to have elephants in future, said Isiche. As precautionary measures to address drought, the KWS Director said, KWS had committed 125,000 US dollars to scooping of artificial watering pans within the Tsavo national parks ahead of the long rains in April. The research program has also been enhanced through satellite tracking of elephant movements in and out of national parks. Further, more funds have been allocated to behavioral studies of elephants. Additionally, KWS is also implementing a wide-ranging force modernization program to strengthen the wildlife fighting force.

Recently, after a nationwide recruitment exercise, 500 recruits reported to the KWS Manyani Field Training School for a six-month paramilitary training.

The six-day total aerial census for elephants and large mammals was co-funded by the KWS and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Secretariat and other stakeholders.

The results help policy makers and park management make sound decisions on resource allocation for security operations and conflict management.

The exercise conducted by over 100 participants drawn from four countries was aimed at establishing the populations, trends and distribution of elephants as well as map out human activities inside and outside the protected areas.

The results help policy makers and park management make sound decisions on resource allocation for security operations and conflict management.

The census participants were drawn from KWS, IFAW, other Kenyan institutions and NGOs, and representatives from Tanzania, Southern Sudan and Uganda, and volunteers. Nine aircraft with GPS technology were used to cover of the 46,437 square km area.

Other animals counted besides elephants in the Tsavo-Mkomazi ecosystem were buffalo, giraffe, wild dogs, rhino, eland and lion as well as large birds such as ostrich.

Illegal activities recorded during the count included settlements, fresh farms, charcoal burning, logging and cattle bomas.

The census found seven fresh carcasses, 41 recent, 295 old and 191 very old carcasses ones.

The 250,000 dollars census that started on Feb. 6 and ended on Feb. 12 covered Mkomazi in Tanzania, Tsavo West, Tsavo East, Chyullu Hills national parks, South Kitui National Reserve as well as the outlaying areas of Taita ranches and and Mackinnon area in Kwale.

Tsavo ecoystem censuses have been conducted every three years since 2002. Censuses are a requirement of the CITES elephant monitoring program.