African elephants, the planet’s largest land animals, are celebrated for their intelligence, complex social systems, and essential role in their ecosystems. However, they are now facing a severe crisis, as highlighted in a recent comprehensive study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The study, which analysed data from 475 sites across 37 countries spanning from 1964 to 2016, reveals alarming population declines: savanna elephant numbers have fallen by an average of 70%, and forest elephants by a staggering 90%. These losses are especially pronounced in northern and eastern Africa due to intense poaching pressures and habitat loss.
Despite some success in conservation efforts within southern Africa, urgent action is needed to protect remaining populations and ensure the survival of these iconic animals, whose ecological role is critical to biodiversity.
African elephant populations are at risk of extinction
A comprehensive study has documented alarming declines in both African savanna and forest elephant populations. Researchers analysed data from 475 sites across 37 countries, covering a period from 1964 to 2016, making it the most thorough assessment of African elephants to date. The findings are troubling:
- Savanna elephants: Populations have dropped by an average of 70% across surveyed sites.
- Forest elephants: Populations have decreased by around 90%, marking a sharper decline than their savanna counterparts.
In total, the two species combined have seen a 77% population reduction across surveyed locations. “A lot of the lost populations won’t come back, and many low-density populations face continued pressures. We likely will lose more populations going forward,” said George Wittemyer, a professor of wildlife conservation at Colorado State University and chair of the scientific board for Save the Elephants, who co-led the study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
African elephants population is declining due to poaching and habitat loss
African elephants are primarily threatened by poaching and habitat loss. Poaching for ivory remains a persistent issue, fuelled by demand in China and other parts of Asia. Meanwhile, agricultural expansion has significantly reduced their habitat, affecting their ability to forage and survive.
Forest elephants, which already have smaller populations compared to savanna elephants, have been disproportionately impacted by these pressures, especially in northern and eastern Africa. The study underscores distinct regional differences:
- Northern and Eastern Africa: Countries in the northern Sahel region, such as Mali, Chad, and Nigeria, have seen elephant populations devastated due to high poaching levels and inadequate protections.
- Southern Africa: In contrast, conservation efforts in southern Africa have led to population increases at 42% of surveyed sites, especially in Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. This success is credited to active stewardship and conservation management by local governments and environmental organizations.
“We have lost a number of elephant populations across many countries, but the northern Sahel region has been particularly hard hit. High pressure and limited protection have culminated in populations being extirpated,” Wittemyer highlighted.
African elephant: Challenges and conservation efforts
Due to differing survey methods and timeframes, the study did not present a continent-wide population total. However, separate conservation estimates suggest the combined population of African elephants was between 415,000 and 540,000 as of 2016, establishing a vital baseline for ongoing conservation efforts.
“The loss of large mammals is a significant ecological issue for Africa and the planet,” said Dave Balfour, a conservation ecologist at Nelson Mandela University.
Despite the alarming trends, southern Africa’s conservation efforts demonstrate that targeted management can make a difference. “We have seen real success in several places across Africa, but particularly in southern Africa, with strong population growth,” Wittemyer noted.
The ecological importance of African elephants around the world
African elephants play a crucial ecological role, maintaining the balance between forests and grasslands and dispersing seeds that support other species’ survival. “While the trends are not good, it’s important to recognize both successes and challenges in conservation,” emphasized Wittemyer, co-leader of the study.
The slightly smaller Asian elephant, the world’s third existing elephant species, faces similar threats from habitat loss and poaching, underscoring the global need for coordinated conservation initiatives.
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