Most biologists are familiar with terms such as ‘hybrid vigour’ and ‘cross fertilization’, and we generally understand the significance of among-population gene flow and inbreeding avoidance. Even the layman has a vague understanding of these concepts, and speaks of ‘bringing in new blood’ to a domestic population that may be in decline. Outbreeding, provided it is not too extreme, is often beneficial to a population and can rejuvenate a ‘tired’ gene pool and reverse the ills of inbreeding depression; it can introduce new characteristics and increase vigour. These genetic concepts can, I think, also be useful when applied to entire fields of study. We in the conservation community could benefit from the experience, perspectives and world views of others, and perhaps avoid reinventing the wheel as we venture into new territories. I believe some cross-fertilization with other fields could enhance our conservation efforts.

Human beings have been making (and almost certainly trading in) ivory artefacts for some 10,000 years. Yet it is only 8 years since the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) placed a complete ban on international trade in elephant products by listing the African elephant Loxodonta africana on Appendix I at Lausanne in 1989. Nevertheless, at the 10th Conference of the Parties to CITES in Harare this coming June, the listing will be challenged again by three of the Southern African countries who originally opposed it. This article describes what has happened on the ground since 1989, the political developments, examines the downlisting proposals, and looks at possible ways forward in the short- and medium-term. The views expressed are personal to the author.

In 1994 and 1995 the authors studied Mongolian gazelle Procapra gutturosa populations in Inner Mongolia, China, conducting interviews and making field observations in eight counties along the national boundary between Mongolia and China. Mongolian gazelle distribution was estimated to cover approximately 73, 152 sq km, which was only 25.2 per cent of that in 1950–70. The adult malefemale sex ratio was 1: 4, and the average herd size 923.3 individuals in November/December 1994 and 23.1 in March/April 1995. The gazelles regularly migrate from Mongolia into China from October onwards and return to Mongolia in late February. Hunting is a major threat to the survival of the species.

This article presents data on the ecology, exploitation and management of the Mongolian gazelle over the last few decades. The species has suffered a massive decline in its range area, coinciding with the construction of the Ulaanbaatar—Beijing railway in the 1950s. It is heavily hunted, both legally and illegally. Threats to the species are outlined and recommendations made about the conservation measures required to secure its future.

The Pemba flying fox Pteropus voeltzkowi is a fruit bat endemic to the island of Pemba, off Tanzania. A total of 41 reported roosting areas were visited in June and July 1995, and 19 occupied roosts were located, most of them in the west of the island, and on small islets off the west and south of Pemba. Roosts were situated in primary forest, secondary forest (overgrown clove plantations), traditional graveyards and mangrove areas. A range of sizes and species of trees were used as roosts. The minimum population of P. voeltzkowi was estimated to be between 4600 and 5500 individuals. In total 94 per cent of the population was located at 10 roost sites. Larger colonies were associated with roosts located in forests, which together supported 75 per cent of the total bat population. Colonies were of mixed sex, but no young or obviously pregnant females were observed. Major threats to this species appeared to be hunting and deforestation (both logging and clearing for agriculture) and P. voeltzkowi is considered to be endangered.

The Sumatran rhino Dicerorhinus sumatrensis is regarded as critically endangered with a world population of approximately 400. In 1991 it was recorded in Way Kambas National Park, Sumatra, Indonesia, 30 years after the park's last rhino was believed to have been shot. A Sumatran Rhino Population and Habitat Viability Analysis (PHVA) workshop in 1993 recommended an immediate survey be carried out to assess the rhino population in the park. The Way Kambas Project recorded observations of rhino sign between 1993 and 1995. Sign was most frequently observed along trails in mature secondary forest. Data from the areas surveyed suggest the presence of at least four rhinos.

The historical distribution of the Sumatran rhinoceros Dicerorhinus sumatrensis stretched from the foothills of the eastern Himalaya in Bhutan and north-eastern India, through Myanmar and Indo-China to Borneo and Sumatra. However, because of poaching and habitat loss the species is now struggling for survival in a few pockets of Myanmar, Thailand, the Malay peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo (Khan, 1989).