The African forest elephant, a distinct cousin of the more widely recognized African bush elephant, plays a crucial role in the biodiversity of the African continent’s dense forests. Smaller in stature, this species exhibits several unique physical characteristics that distinguish it from its savanna-dwelling relatives. Notably, the African forest elephant has more oval-shaped ears, which, alongside its smaller body size, are adaptations to the dense forest environments in which it lives. The tusks of the forest elephant, characterized by their straighter shape and downward point, are not merely physical adornments but are critical tools for foraging in the forest underbrush.
The skin of the African forest elephant is a deep grey, textured with coarse black hair, providing camouflage within the shadowy underbrush of the forest. However, it is their tusks that have become both a blessing and a curse. The ivory of forest elephants is particularly dense, making it highly sought after by poachers for carving and other decorative purposes. This has led to the African forest elephant becoming a prime target for illegal hunting, exacerbating the threats to their survival.
Compounding the peril faced by poaching is the elephant’s notably low reproduction rate, which is the slowest among elephant species. This slow rate of reproduction makes recovery from population declines a daunting challenge. With gestation periods extending up to 22 months and the interval between births being several years, the population growth of forest elephants is painstakingly slow, leaving them vulnerable to the impacts of poaching and habitat destruction.
In addition to the direct threat of poaching, the African forest elephant is also confronted with the loss of its natural habitat. Expanding agricultural practices, logging, and the development of infrastructure are fragmenting and reducing the forest landscapes that are home to these elephants.
Distribution
Angola
Benin
Official estimate
Burkina Faso
Cameroon
Official estimate
Central Af. Rep.
Official estimate
Congo-Brazzaville
Official estimate
Côte D’ivoire
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DR Congo (Kinshasa)
Official estimate
Equatorial Guinea
Official estimate
Gabon
Official estimate
Gambia
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Ghana
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Guinea-Bissau
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Guinea
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Liberia
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Niger
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Nigeria
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Senegal
Sierra Leone
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South Sudan
Togo
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Recent updates
March 2023: In Gabon, a new AI-powered camera is being tested to help conserve elephant populations by sending real-time data to forest rangers and local villagers, while also detecting other animals, humans, and potential conflicts or illegal activities.
Feb 2023: According to a study, African forest elephants act as gardeners of the African rainforest, helping to store carbon and maintain biodiversity. They also facilitate the growth of plants and trees, contributing to taking carbon out of the atmosphere.
Jan 2023: A new study published in the journal Ecology and Evolution found that African forest elephants are more resilient to habitat fragmentation than previously thought, suggesting that conservation efforts focused on protecting forest corridors may be effective in maintaining healthy elephant populations.
Sep 2022: The government of the Republic of Congo announced that it had established a new national park, Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, which will provide important habitat for forest elephants as well as other wildlife.
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
