Africa has experienced a record high of decline in Elephants with a loss of at least 111,000 elephants in the last 25 years.
According to IUCN’s African Elephant Status Report, research carried out in 37 states across Africa the surge in poaching in the continent and habitat loss are serious long term threats to the species.
“These new numbers reveal the truly alarming plight of the majestic elephant – one of the world’s most intelligent animals and the largest terrestrial mammal alive today,” says IUCN Director General Inger Andersen. “It is shocking but not surprising that poaching has taken such a dramatic toll on this iconic species. This report provides further scientific evidence of the need to scale up efforts to combat poaching. Nevertheless, these efforts must not detract from addressing other major and increasingly devastating threats such as habitat loss.”
Southern African has 70 percent of Africa’s Elephants population while East Africa holds 20 percent, Central Africa six per cent and West Africa holds the smallest percentage of three.
East Africa has experienced a general reduction of 60 percent which is mainly in Tanzania as Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya record stable numbers. Central and West Africa have also been substantially affected by poaching for Ivory substantially as well. Southern Africa has not had the same impact with poaching, with the region recording increasing numbers, however growing threat of poaching is slowly slipping into the region.
According to the Report that was launched today at the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES in Johannesburg, South Africa, in total there are thought to be around 415,000 elephants in Africa, although there could be up to 135,000 more in areas which have not been properly surveyed.
