Which key metric does the MIKE program use to assess poaching levels?
(a) Total number of elephants poached each year
(b) Proportion of Illegally Killed Elephants
(c) Decline in elephant population over time
(d) Number of poachers arrested in protected areas

Question

Which key metric does the MIKE program use to assess poaching levels?
(a) Total number of elephants poached each year
(b) Proportion of Illegally Killed Elephants
(c) Decline in elephant population over time
(d) Number of poachers arrested in protected areas

ONLiNE UPSC · Accepted Answer

The MIKE program does not just count the number of elephants poached but uses PIKE (Proportion of Illegally Killed Elephants) as a standard metric. PIKE = (Number of illegally killed elephants) / (Total elephant carcasses found).
A PIKE value above 0.5 suggests that poaching is the dominant cause of elephant deaths, indicating a serious conservation threat. This data helps inform CITES decisions on ivory trade policies and anti-poaching measures globally.
Hence, option (b) is correct.

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M Question 1	⏱ 0
Which key metric does the MIKE program use to assess poaching levels? (a) Total number of elephants poached each year (b) Proportion of Illegally Killed Elephants (c) Decline in elephant population over time (d) Number of poachers arrested in protected areas