Elephant Conservation

ENDANGERED STATUS

Asian – Endangered, African - Vulnerable

NUMBER REMAINING IN THE WILD

Asian -40,000 – 50,000, African – 470,000

ENDEMIC REGION

Africa and Asia

How Endangered Are Elephants

At the turn of the last century, the African elephant numbered 3-5 million and since then their numbers have seriously declined. It is thought that throughout the 1980's up to 100,000 of these magnificent animals were being killed each year, and this goes some way to explaining just how their numbers have dropped so rapidly.

The total number of Asian elephants is also falling rapidly and it is showing no signs of coming back from the brink. As there are only 40,000-50,000 Asian elephants remaining in the wild, it will take an immense and concentrated effort to reverse this trend and ensure the animals have a future.

Threats Elephants Are Facing

Elephants are facing threats from a number of different sources. The main threats are:

• Habitat Loss – as more of the elephant habitat is taken by humans for various uses, the elephant population is forced into a smaller and smaller area with less food and water.

• The Ivory Trade – the demand for ivory from elephant’s tusks is the biggest driver of elephant poaching, and demand for ivory on the illegal black market is relentless. 

• Human-Elephant Conflict – as humans encroach on the elephants land, the two parties often come into conflict. The elephants very rarely come out on top.

Fast Facts