African Elephants Face Severe Decline Over Past Half-Century

Monday, 11 November 2024  A groundbreaking study released today reveals the alarming state of African elephant populations over the last 50 years. Both forest and savanna elephant species have experienced widespread declines due to overexploitation and habitat loss, mirroring the global trend affecting large-bodied animals.

The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, analysed hundreds of population surveys from 475 sites across 37 African countries between 1964 and  2016. To overcome the complexity of survey data and varying wildlife managementapproaches over the long timescale, the team focused on estimating trends per population unit rather than overall species numbers.

Key findings include:

- Average decline of 90% for African forest elephant populations

- Average decline of 70% for savanna elephant populations

- Combined average decline of 77% across both species continent-wide

Population trends varied significantly. Some populations have disappeared entirely, with others showing rapid growth. Southern Africa for instance saw a 42% average increase in savanna elephant populations, with only 10% of surveyed populations in eastern Africa increasing. No elephant populations in the northern savannas grew, and many became extinct.

George Wittemyer, senior author and elephant expert with Save the Elephants, emphasised the importance of identifying regions where elephant populations increased. "This study helps  us pinpoint successful conservation actions in different contexts. We must develop and implement a portfolio of effective solutions to address the diverse challenges elephants face across Africa."

According to Boo Maisels, a conservation scientist at Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and  a contributing author of the study, “While the overall picture is discouraging for both forest and savanna elephants, we see that some populations remain stable or are even growing. Examples for forest elephants include those of the Nouabale-Ndoki National Park in the Republic of Congo and the Mbam et Djerem National Park in Cameroon; and for savanna  elephants, the Katavi-Rukwa and Ruaha-Rungwa ecosystems in Tanzania, and the KAZA  landscape in Southern Africa. Our results tell us that if well protected and managed, elephant populations can still increase despite increasing pressures surrounding them and their  habitats. Indeed, elephants need our help now more than ever.”

The research provides crucial insights into elephant conservation status, highlighting areas of  concern and potential success stories. As threats to these iconic species continue to mount, this comprehensive analysis offers valuable direction for future conservation efforts.

Forest elephant in Nouabale-Ndoki National Park in the Republic of Congo © Jane Wynyard/Save the Elephants

For further information, additional footage or to arrange interviews, please contact:

- Save the Elephants – Kent Ngibuini – [email protected]

- Wildlife Conservation Society – Nat Moss – [email protected]

About Save the Elephants

Save the Elephants works to secure a future for elephants. Specialising in elephant  research, it provides scientific insights into elephant behaviour, intelligence, and long-distance  movements and applies them to the challenges of elephant survival and harmonious coexistence with  humanity. High-tech tracking helps plan landscapes while low-tech beehive fences, among other tools,  provide people /communities living with elephants with protection as well as income. Education and  outreach programmes share these insights with local communities as the true custodians of this rich  heritage. Save the Elephants (www.savetheelephants.org) runs the Elephant Crisis Fund  (www.elephantcrisisfund.org) in partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Network, providing flexible  and responsive support to NGOs combatting the ivory trade, promoting human-elephant coexistence,  and protecting elephant landscapes.

About Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)

WCS combines the power of its zoos and an aquarium in New York City and a Global Conservation  Program in more than 50 countries to achieve its mission to save wildlife and wild places. WCS runs the  world’s largest conservation field program, protecting more than 50 percent of Earth’s known  biodiversity; in partnership with governments, Indigenous People, Local Communities, and the private  sector. It’s four zoos and aquarium (the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo,  and the New York Aquarium welcome more than 3.5 million visitors each year, inspiring generations to  care for nature. Visit: newsroom.wcs.org. Follow: @WCSNewsroom. For more information: +1 (347)  840-1242. Listen to the WCS Wild Audio podcast HERE.