African elephant

The African elephant is the largest living terrestrial mammal and is found predominantly in eastern, southern and western Africa in a variety of habitats. It has recently been recognised as two distinct species: the savannah elephant (Loxodonta africana) and forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis), which are now categorised, respectively, as Endangered and Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Traditionally the major cause of the African elephant’s decline has been poaching for ivory. While this still remains a threat, other issues caused by rapid human population growth have emerged. These include habitat loss, fragmentation and the development of agricultural land, which have all led to an increase in conflict between humans and elephants.

• The largest recorded individual reached four metres at the shoulder and weighed ten tonnes
• Both the male and female African elephant have tusks, which are actually extended upper incisor teeth
• African elephants live in matriarchal social families consisting of closely related females and their calves
• Elephants use their trunks for vocalisation, feeding, drinking, greeting and other social behaviours
• Low-frequency calls allow elephants to communicate over large distances and two-thirds of calls are emitted at a frequency below the range of human hearing

Until recently, forest elephants were classified as a rarer subspecies of African elephant, but some experts have argued for some time that they warrant being treated as a distinct species. They have now been spearated on the IUCN Red List as forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) and savannah elephant (Loxodonta africana).

African elephants are transboundary species, with individuals known to travel across several countries. Fauna & Flora International (FFI) therefore takes a transboundary conservation approach. FFI protects forest elephants in the forest landscape of Ziama-Wonegizi-Wologizi-Foya between Guinea and Liberia. This landscape offers one of the last viable and intact habitats to support forest elephants in West Africa. FFI is strengthening forest and species protection and maintaining connectivity between these forest areas, only some of which are officially protected.

In the Ziama classified forest (forêt classée) – a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve containing the last remaining population of forest elephants in Guinea – we are supporting the development and implementation of a management plan, which is essential for good governance, effective law enforcement and biomonitoring.

In Liberia, we are working with the government to implement the National Elephant Action Plan along with supporting the wildlife authority and communities on governance and management of protected and proposed protected areas.

FFI is also tackling the illegal wildlife trade crisis afflicting Mozambique’s vast and crucially important Niassa National Reserve by strengthening anti-poaching measures in Chuilexi Conservancy, which forms a key section of the wider reserve. As poaching has intensified in the area over the last five years, this conservancy is a vital refuge for Niassa’s elephants and contains up to a quarter of its remaining population. Alongside important community work, FFI is continuing to strengthen law enforcement in Chuilexi to help protect its elephants and other species from poachers.