African forest elephants are critically endangered following decades of poaching - conservation welfare encompasses anti-poaching, habitat protection, and human-elephant coexistence.
Forest elephant conservation welfare is inseparable from anti-poaching and habitat protection. The welfare of poached elephants - dying from gunshot wounds or snares, often leaving dependent calves to starve - is severe and large-scale. Surviving orphaned calves face trauma and social disruption. Conservation interventions that prevent poaching directly prevent acute suffering. Human-elephant conflict deterrence that is non-lethal (chili fences, beehive barriers) prevents both elephant suffering and retaliatory killing. Ranger welfare - ensuring conservation staff are safe, well-supported, and fairly compensated - is also a welfare priority.