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A family of
African forest elephants.
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DNA analysis has recently shown that
African savanna and forest elephants are genetically distinct enough
to be considered two separate species (Roca
et al. 2001). Scientists refer to the forest-dwelling species
as Loxodonta cyclotis. Found in Central and West Africa, forest elephants
may number from as few as 24,000 to as many as 209,000. The dramatic
difference between these estimates of their numbers underscores the
need for better understanding of this species in the face of alarming
evidence about current trends in habitat loss and poaching. Forest
elephants are smaller than savanna elephants in size, with more rounded
ears, and straighter, thinner tusks. Their family groups tend to be
smaller, but their social structure and life history are similar to
savanna elephants.
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Forest
elephant range states.
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Why ivory
trade poses a special threat to forest elephants:
Although a ban on ivory trade took effect in 1989, poaching
persists and all elephants remain endangered. Forest elephants are
especially at risk because their habitat lies within countries with
a history of civil unrest and poverty, both of which increase the
incentive for poaching. Also, logging roads are penetrating the
equatorial African forests at a rapid rate, making remote areas
more accessible, and bringing in people who kill elephants for their
meat as well as ivory.
Although ivory trade has been illegal for more than a decade*, in
some Congo basin forests it is estimated that 10% of the elephant
population is poached annually. With the recent decision to resume
limited trade in ivory from selected countries in 2004, we fear
that the level of illegal killing will increase and tusks will be
smuggled to the countries where sales are legal. The ivory of forest
elephants is denser than that of savanna elephants, and more desirable
to carvers. It fetches a higher price on the ivory market than tusks
from savannah elephants.
Forest elephants are difficult to census due to their dense habitat.
Therefore, very few populations are being monitored and extensive
poaching could occur before it was detected. Through research and
public education, the Elephant Listening Project hopes to further
the protection of this species. With this aim in mind, we will continue
to listen closely.
References
Roca, A.L., N. Georgiadis, J. Pecon-Slattery, and S.J.
O'Brien. 2001. Genetic evidence for two species of elephant in Africa.
Science 293(5534): 1473-1477.
*However,
in 1999, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa were allowed a one-time
sale of stockpiled ivory to Japan.
Further Resources: Download
PDF of the above Forest Elephant Fact Sheet (227 KB) |
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Learn more about the
social lives of forest elephants:
View video from the Central African rainforest. (Courtesy
of the New York Times)
Video>>
Learn more about the greeting ceremonies of elephants:
More>>
Listen to a forest clearing at night, full of forest
elephants
Audio>>
(Click on Listen to sounds of the bai. courtesy of Radio Expeditions.)
Learn how you can help the Elephant Listening Project
Help support
ELP>>
Explore what it is like to live and work in the Central
African rainforest:
Read our letters home.
Katy
Payne>>
Mya
Thompson>>
Melissa
Groo>>
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