Quick answer
Conservation status for african elephants is listed here as Endangered. Threats, population trends, and what protection means in practice.
Key takeaway
Conservation status for african elephants is listed here as Endangered. Threats, population trends, and what protection means in practice.
Current status
African Elephant (Loxodonta africana) is recorded in our guides as Endangered. IUCN categories describe extinction risk at the global level and can differ from national listings.
Main threats
Habitat loss, hunting or persecution, climate pressure, and conflict with people are common drivers. Exact ranking of threats varies by region.
Population outlook
Where monitoring exists, trends depend on protected-area effectiveness and local enforcement. Fragmented populations need corridors and genetic exchange.
What helps
Support verified conservation programmes, reduce demand for illegal wildlife products, and protect habitat. Tourism only helps when operators follow ethical wildlife standards.
How to read the label
"Endangered" is not the only serious category — Vulnerable and Critically Endangered also signal urgent risk. Domesticated animals are not IUCN-threatened in the same way.
Diet
Elephants are herbivores that eat grasses, leaves, bark, roots, and fruit. An adult can consume up to 150 kg (330 lb) of vegetation and drink up to 190 liters (50 gallons) of water in a single day, spending up to 16 hours feeding.
The trunk and tusks
An elephant's trunk contains around 40,000 muscles and is used for breathing, smelling, drinking, grasping food, and social touch. Tusks are elongated incisor teeth used for digging, stripping bark, and defense, but they also make elephants a target for the ivory trade.
Conservation
African savanna elephants are Endangered and forest elephants are Critically Endangered, largely because of poaching for ivory and habitat fragmentation. As a keystone species, elephants shape entire ecosystems by clearing trees, spreading seeds, and digging waterholes.
Research notes
Figures for african elephants (Loxodonta africana) come from field studies, museum records, and conservation assessments that do not always agree on exact averages. Prefer ranges over single-point claims, and check whether a source describes wild, captive, or mixed populations.
Practical takeaways
If you encounter african elephants in the wild, prioritise distance and local guidance. If you care for related domestic or captive animals, match diet and housing to species needs rather than generic pet advice. Share accurate status information (Endangered) when discussing conservation.
Sources
FAQs
Are African Elephants Endangered?
Conservation status for african elephants is listed here as Endangered. Threats, population trends, and what protection means in practice.
What is the scientific name of the african elephant?
Loxodonta africana
What do african elephants eat?
Herbivore
Where do african elephants live?
Savanna, forest, desert edge
Are african elephants endangered?
Listed here as Endangered. Check IUCN and national lists for the latest assessment.