The main threats to the continued survival of the African elephantare:
- Illegal killing and the ivory trade
- The loss and fragmentation of the land elephants inhabit
- Humans and elephants in conflict
- Legal population control (culling, sterilisation, birth control)
In 2007, it was estimated that there were 470,000 elephants living in Africa.
Since 2004 they have been featured on the IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species with 70-85% of the population existing outside of protected areas, alongside humans. Many local and regional populations are at risk of extinction due to the recent escalation in illegal ivory poaching and because they are competing for resources with humans.
The conservation of the species is important because of their unique role in African ecosystems and their ecological and economical value to humans.
African elephants pose a huge challenge for conservationists. In some places they only survive in small populations surrounded by farm land and human villages. The fragmentation and isolation of elephants is only likely to increase as human populations and their demand on limited resources increases. This will bring tough decisions about the viability of conserving them. However, in some areas elephant populations are increasing; this leads to difficult decisions regarding population density and the increased likelihood of human-elephant conflict.
History
The African elephant is currently found in 37 sub-Saharan countries. The populations in many areas were severely reduced in the late 20th century, largely due to the legal and illegal ivory trade. Since the 1970s, the concentration of elephants has shifted from eastern to southern Africa.
Some populations have started to show signs of recovery; however many populations (especially those in west and central Africa) remain at great risk of local extinction. The demand for ivory has increased in the last few years and is currently at a rate that could see the annihilation of the African elephant in many countries by 2020.
Links to research and publications