Conservation Status of African and Asian Elephants

Conservation Status of African and Asian Elephants

Introduction:

This article highlights the conservation status of African and Asian elephants, discussing their population trends, legal protection, conservation efforts, and listing under international agreements.

A family of African forest elephants in the Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve wetlands. This species is considered to be critically endangered

1. African Elephants:

   - African bush elephants were listed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2021, while African forest elephants were listed as Critically Endangered in the same year.

   - In 1979, Africa had an estimated population of 1.3-3.0 million elephants. However, by the 1990s, the population declined to 609,000.

   - The decline was significant, with a 74% decrease in East Africa and an 80% decline in savannah populations from Cameroon to Somalia.

   - Rainforest elephant populations were lower than anticipated, with a total loss of 43%.

   - As of 2016, the IUCN estimated a combined population of around 415,000 African elephants.

2. Conservation Efforts and Legal Protection:

   - African elephants receive legal protection in all countries where they are found.

   - Successful conservation efforts have led to high population densities in some areas, while failures resulted in declines of up to 70% within a decade.

   - Large-scale culling of elephants ceased in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

   - The African elephant was listed under Appendix I of CITES in 1989, making trade illegal.

   - Appendix II status was later given to elephants in select countries, allowing restricted trade.

3. Asian Elephants:

   - The IUCN listed the Asian elephant as endangered in 2020 due to a population decline of 50% over the past three generations.

   - Asian elephants once had a vast range from Western to East Asia and south to Sumatra and Java, but they are now extinct in these areas.

   - The current range of Asian elephants is highly fragmented.

   - The estimated population of Asian elephants is around 40,000–50,000, with approximately 60% found in India.

   - While Asian elephants are declining overall, the population in Sri Lanka has shown signs of growth, and numbers in the Western Ghats may have stabilized.

Conclusion:

The conservation status of elephants is a matter of concern. African elephants, both bush and forest species, face significant threats and are listed as Endangered and Critically Endangered, respectively. The decline in their populations has been influenced by various factors, including habitat loss and poaching. Conservation efforts have led to both successes and failures in different regions. Asian elephants are also endangered, with a fragmented range and declining numbers. Conservation efforts, legal protection, and international agreements such as CITES play crucial roles in preserving these majestic creatures. Continued efforts are necessary to ensure the survival and well-being of both African and Asian elephants for future generations.