- African elephants, the largest land mammals known for their intelligence and social behaviour, are facing a severe population decline due to poaching and habitat loss, threatening their survival.
- The Savannah elephant population fell by about 70% on average at surveyed sites.
- The forest elephant population dropped by about 90% on average.
- Significant losses, particularly in regions like Mali, Chad, and Nigeria, due to high poaching pressure and limited protection.
- In Southern Africa populations increased at 42% of surveyed sites, particularly in Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, due to effective conservation management.
| Aspect | African Forest Elephant | African Savanna Elephant |
| Habitat | Dense rainforests of West and Central Africa | Wooded savannas and grasslands of sub-Saharan Africa |
| Physical Characteristics | Smaller size, straighter tusks pointing downward, rounded ears | Larger size, outward-curving tusks |
| IUCN Red List Status | Critically Endangered (Loxodonta cyclotis) | Endangered (Loxodonta africana) |
| Threats | Poaching, habitat loss | Poaching, habitat loss |
Dig Deeper: Compare conservation efforts of African and Asian Elephants.
