Conservationists are calling for an urgent end to poaching.
By Joseph Guzman | THE HILL | March 25, 2021
Story at a glance
Story at a glance
The International Union for Conservation of Nature now lists the African forest elephant as critically endangered and the African savanna elephant as endangered.
Both species have experienced sharp declines in their numbers due to an increase in poaching for ivory, as well as habitat
Populations of the two species combined are estimated to be around 415,000.
Elephant populations across Africa are becoming increasingly threatened with extinction due to poaching and destruction of their habitat, according to a new assessment from conservation group the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species now lists the African forest elephant as critically endangered — the highest category before extinction in the wild — and the African savanna elephant as endangered due to the animals declining numbers. Both species were previously considered vulnerable, just one level down from the endangered designation.
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The group said it’s the first time the African elephants were assessed as two separate species, following the emergence of new genetic evidence gathered over the past decade. Forest elephants are found in Central Africa’s tropical forests while savanna elephants roam the open grasslands and deserts in Sub-Saharan Africa.
According to the IUCN, both species have experienced sharp declines in their numbers due to an increase in poaching for ivory, as well as habitat loss. Populations of forest elephants dropped by more than 86 percent over more than three decades while savanna elephants have seen a 60 percent decline in their numbers over the last 50 years. Populations of the two species combined are estimated to be around 415,000.
“We must urgently put an end to poaching and ensure that sufficient suitable habitat for both forest and savanna elephants is conserved,” Bruno Oberle, IUCN director general, said in a statement.
“Several African countries have led the way in recent years, proving that we can reverse elephant declines, and we must work together to ensure their example can be followed,” Oberle said.
The conservation’s group Red List includes 134,425 species with 37,480 considered to be threatened with extinction.
Elephant populations across Africa are becoming increasingly threatened with extinction due to poaching and destruction of their habitat, according to a new assessment from conservation group the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species now lists the African forest elephant as critically endangered — the highest category before extinction in the wild — and the African savanna elephant as endangered due to the animals declining numbers. Both species were previously considered vulnerable, just one level down from the endangered designation.
America is changing faster than ever! Add Changing America to your Facebook or Twitter feed to stay on top of the news.
The group said it’s the first time the African elephants were assessed as two separate species, following the emergence of new genetic evidence gathered over the past decade. Forest elephants are found in Central Africa’s tropical forests while savanna elephants roam the open grasslands and deserts in Sub-Saharan Africa.
According to the IUCN, both species have experienced sharp declines in their numbers due to an increase in poaching for ivory, as well as habitat loss. Populations of forest elephants dropped by more than 86 percent over more than three decades while savanna elephants have seen a 60 percent decline in their numbers over the last 50 years. Populations of the two species combined are estimated to be around 415,000.
“We must urgently put an end to poaching and ensure that sufficient suitable habitat for both forest and savanna elephants is conserved,” Bruno Oberle, IUCN director general, said in a statement.
“Several African countries have led the way in recent years, proving that we can reverse elephant declines, and we must work together to ensure their example can be followed,” Oberle said.
The conservation’s group Red List includes 134,425 species with 37,480 considered to be threatened with extinction.
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