NAIROBI, Nov 12 (Swara)—African elephant populations have suffered dramatic declines over the past five decades, with forest elephants down by 90 per cent and savannah elephants down by 70 per cent, according to a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The comprehensive analysis of population surveys across 475 sites in 37 African countries reflects the continent-wide impact of habitat loss and poaching on these species.
Researchers from Save the Elephants and the Wildlife Conservation Society examined data from 1964 to 2016 to assess population trends, accounting for regional conservation efforts and differences in wildlife management. Although the average decline across both species reached 77 per cent, population changes varied by region.
Savannah elephants in southern Africa saw a 42 per cent increase, while only 10 per cent of populations in eastern Africa showed growth. Northern savannah regions showed no population gains, and many elephants are extinct.
“This study helps us pinpoint successful conservation actions in different contexts,” said George Wittemyer of Save the Elephants. “We must develop and implement a portfolio of effective solutions to address the diverse challenges elephants face across Africa.”
Some regions showed promising stability, including forest elephants in Congo’s Nouabale-Ndoki National Park and Cameroon’s Mbam et Djerem National Park. Tanzania’s Katavi-Rukwa and Ruaha-Rungwa ecosystems and the KAZA landscape in Southern Africa also reported stable or growing savannah elephant numbers.
The findings underscore the urgency for targeted conservation as pressure on elephant habitats escalates.
