220 SCIENCE IN AFRICA 



with the poHcy of elephant conservation. Estimated figures for 

 elephant population in various African territories and of their rates 

 of increase are quoted by C. W. Hobley (1934) in an article on 

 elephant control. Thus in Uganda the total population number of 

 elephants was estimated by Captain Pitman to be 18,000. The 

 annual increase is considered to be about 2,160 on the assumption 

 that (i) 60 per cent of the elephants are females, (2) the average 

 life of cows is fifty years, and (3) cows commence breeding at 

 twenty years and continue at one in each three years until death. 

 The mortality of elephants in Uganda, including those shot in 

 control operations, and by sportsmen, and those found dead, was 

 2,300 in 1936, 2,100 in 1935, and for the ten years to the end of 

 1934 averaged 1,400 per year (Uganda 1934, D.R., i935? D.R., 

 1936, D.R.). Thus the mortality, though large, seems to be roughly 

 equal to the estimated increase. In the Uganda department's 

 annual reports illuminating notes on the natural history, distribu- 

 tion, and migration of the larger animals figure prominently. A 

 body of knowledge is being built up, which will serve good purpose 

 in future years. The game warden was recently made responsible 

 also for fisheries. 



In Tanganyika, the department, under Mr. S. P. Teare, has a 

 European stafif of five permanent members. The control of ele- 

 phants and other raiding game has occupied a considerable part 

 of the department's resources since 1924 as native agriculture has 

 increased. There are numerous game reserves and sanctuaries, a 

 few of which it has been impossible to ward actively. The Seren- 

 geti complete reserve, together with the adjoining area, which is a 

 pastoral reserve, carries the most wonderful assemblage of mam- 

 mals of any area on the globe to-day. 



Nyasaland had for a few years a small but efficient department: 

 this was dissolved in 1931 as a measure of economy. The game 

 ordinances are now administered by the District Officers. In 

 Northern Rhodesia there was until recently no commercial interest 

 in game such as to warrant the creation of a department. In 

 1 93 1 -2, Captain Pitman, warden in Uganda, was seconded to 

 make a preliminary census of game animals and a general faunistic 

 survey; his large report (1934) puts a mass of useful data on record, 

 and as a result of the survey, Mr. T. Vaughan Jones of the admin- 



