Global Wildlife

African Elephant Conservation and Poaching Crisis

African elephants face an ongoing poaching crisis for ivory alongside habitat loss from expanding human populations, with both savanna and forest elephant species under serious threat.

Key Facts

African savanna elephant population declined from 1.3 million in 1979 to around 350,000 today
African forest elephant is classified as critically endangered with under 100,000 individuals
Ivory poaching peaked around 2011-12 but continues to threaten populations
Elephants are ecosystem engineers, maintaining savanna and forest structure
Family groups are led by matriarchs whose knowledge is vital for group survival

Welfare Considerations

Elephant poaching causes severe individual suffering and social disruption. Loss of matriarchs destroys the intergenerational knowledge that guides family groups. Orphaned elephants show trauma and behavioural abnormalities. Conservation requires addressing demand for ivory at the source.

What You Can Do

Never buy ivory products and advocate for continued ivory trade bans
Support organisations like Save the Elephants and the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
Advocate for increased anti-poaching enforcement and demand reduction campaigns