Source: TH
Context: A comprehensive study covering 52 years has revealed a dramatic decline in African elephant populations, with savannah elephants experiencing a 70% decrease and forest elephants suffering a 90% decline.
About African Elephants:
- Classification:
- Largest land animals, native to Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Two subspecies: African Bush Elephant (Loxodonta africana) and African Forest Elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis).
- Habitat:
- Found in savannas, forests, grasslands, arid regions, rainforests, and woodlands like mopane and miombo.
- Physical features:
- Distinct two-finger-like processes at the trunk’s tip.
- Both males and females have tusks, with the forest elephant’s tusks being smaller and darker.
- Behavior and Reproduction:
- Live in family units led by adult females, with strong social bonds.
- Have the lowest sleep time among animals (~2 hours per day).
- Long gestation period of up to two years; calves are nurtured by mothers and allomothers.
- Conservation status:
- African Bush Elephant: Endangered (IUCN).
- African Forest Elephant: Critically Endangered (IUCN).
- Listed under CITES Appendix I.
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