A camera trap in Senegal’s Niokolo-Koba National Park has captured the first sighting of an elephant in six years, reviving hopes for the species’ survival in the region. The elephant, a bull named Ousmane—believed to be a hybrid of African forest and savanna elephants—hadn’t been seen since 2019, when only five to ten elephants were thought to remain due to poaching and habitat loss.
The video evidence confirms at least one elephant still survives in the park, prompting conservationists to consider reintroducing a small herd to restore a breeding population. The park, once nearly devoid of wildlife, has seen significant recovery thanks to over a decade of conservation efforts by Panthera and Senegal’s National Parks Directorate. It now shelters rare species like West African lions, western chimpanzees, and endangered African wild dogs.
Ousmane’s appearance is seen as a symbol of hope and a milestone in the ongoing restoration of the park, which was removed from UNESCO’s World Heritage in Danger List in 2024. Conservationists remain optimistic about future sightings and species recovery.
