Simulated poaching affects connectedness and efficiency in social networks of African savanna elephants

Abstract

Poaching of mature and socially influential African savanna elephants for their prominent tusks alters the structure of their social networks. To learn if targeted poaching affects the functioning of elephant associations, we simulated network formation and disturbance via ‘poaching’ experiments in one wild and 100 virtual populations. To simulate virtual networks, we built an individual-based model guided by empirical association trends. After poaching of 1) the most mature or socially central individuals or 2) individuals selected at random, we evaluated network connectedness and efficiency. The networks never broke down, suggesting structural robustness. Unlike in age-specific deletions, eliminating individuals with the highest topological centrality decreased network connectedness and efficiency. The simulated networks, although structurally stable, became less functionally resilient when subject to poaching-like stress. Our work may offer new insights into elephant behavior vis-à-vis anthropogenic pressure, and inform conservation efforts focused on translocation of social species or trophy hunting practices.