Genetic Confirmation of a Hybridization Zone of Forest and Savannah Elephants at the Extreme North of Kibale National Park, Uganda ; Confirmation génétique d'une zone d'hybridation d'éléphants de forêt et de savane à l'extrême nord du parc national de Kibale en Ouganda

International audience ; The IUCN now recognizes African elephants as two distinct species: savannah elephants and forest elephants. Although both species have different habitat preferences, their range overlaps in some ecotones and hybrids have been reported. We aim to provide better knowledge of the main hybrid hotspot, located on the DRC-Uganda border, still understudied, to support efficient conservation plans. Using 15 microsatellites, we investigated this hybridization zone by determining the species/hybrid status of 177 fecal samples collected in Kibale National Park. Surprisingly for a forest area, no pure forest elephants were detected. Of the 91 individuals sampled, a very large proportion (81.3%) were hybrid individuals mainly of second generation or more. Our results emphasize that hybrids and savannah elephants can successfully range in forested area, and show that forest elephants are rare even in their native habitat. Limiting pressures that drive savannah elephants into forest habitats may be critical in protecting forest populations.