Context

Researchers have documented a massive decline in African elephant numbers over half a century, with savanna elephant populations declining by an average of about 70%, and forest elephant populations declining by an average of about 90%.

The primary causes of African elephant deaths include:

• Poaching: Illegal poaching for ivory remains a significant threat, leading to the killing of countless elephants.
• Habitat Loss: Human activities such as deforestation, agriculture, and urbanization are reducing elephant habitats, leading to conflicts with humans and limiting their access to food and water.
• Human-Elephant Conflict: As human populations expand into elephant habitats, conflicts arise, leading to injuries and deaths of both elephants and humans.
• Disease: While less common, outbreaks of diseases can impact elephant populations. A recent example is the mysterious deaths of elephants in Zimbabwe, which were linked to a bacterial infection.

IUCN STATUS

• African Forest Elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis): Critically Endangered
• African Savanna Elephant (Loxodonta africana): Endangered

countries where they are found:

• Southern Africa: South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe
• East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda
• Central Africa: Gabon, Congo, Cameroon
• West Africa: Angola, Mozambique

Asian vs. African Elephants: Comparison

Physical Differences:

Behavioral Differences

• Social Structure: Both species are highly social, living in herds led by a matriarch. However, Asian elephant herds tend to be smaller and more closely knit.
• Habitat: African elephants inhabit a variety of habitats, including savannas, grasslands, and forests. Asian elephants are more restricted to specific habitats, such as forests and wetlands.