THE ONGOING THREAT to African Elephant Populations
African Elephants are one of the most heavily poached mammals in the world. Historic and ongoing demand for ivory is the leading reason behind their slaughter, with habitat destruction, fragmentation and rapid human development also posing significant threats.
The African Elephant Loxodonta africana occurs in 18 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, numbering an estimated 350,000 individuals across the continent. Although certain populations in Central Africa are deemed relatively secure, poaching between 2009–2016 saw a 30% reduction in population numbers. As illegal African ivory continues to flood into Asian markets, poaching still poses a severe threat to the survival of elephant populations across the continent.
Source: traffic.org
90% of African Elephants killed in last 100 years!
20%
of African Elephants have been lost in the last decade
Approx. 55
African Elephants are poached every day on the continent
5 tonnes
of elephant tusks were seized in airports alone in 2016
415,000
individuals are estimated to remain in the wild today
Elephant Conservation
Based in Botswana, EWB is the region’s leading cross-border research organisation focused on elephant conservation and management.
Elephants Without Borders believe elephants are of considerable economic, ecological, cultural and aesthetic value to many people in the world and are one of Africa’s most valuable wildlife species.
EWB is a non-profit, tax-exempt, registered charitable organisation based in the Republic of Botswana. They are dedicated to conserving wildlife and natural resources; through innovative research, education, and information sharing with all people, we strive to encourage mankind to live in harmony with wildlife and the natural world.
Based in Kazungula, Botswana’s border town where the boundaries of Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe meet along the Zambezi River, EWB operates its’ projects and activities in the southern Africa region of the contiguous wildlife populations range between Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe under the official endorsement and full support of government authorities. Botswana is known for their wildlife conservation successes, and this wildlife hot spot is the ideal location for EWB researchers to study the migratory patterns, behaviour, and ecology of elephants, wildlife and their habitats.
Source: Elephants Without Borders
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