African Forest Elephant

Critically Endangered

Estimated remaining: ~100,000

Habitat

Dense tropical rainforests of Central and West Africa, particularly in the Congo Basin, where they play crucial roles as seed dispersers and forest engineers.

Threats

• Poaching for ivory (their ivory is harder and more valuable)
• Habitat loss from logging and agriculture
• Civil unrest in range countries
• Bushmeat hunting
• Infrastructure development in remote forests

Conservation efforts

Anti-poaching patrols in protected areas like Dzanga Sangha and Nouabalé-Ndoki. CITES trade bans on ivory. Community-based conservation in forest areas. Satellite tracking to understand movements and protect critical habitats. DNA forensics to track illegal ivory trade.