The number of animals that have lived on our planet for more than three million years has rapidly decreased to critical levels. African elephants have practically no enemies in their habitat; the reason for their extinction is human poaching.
There are two species of African elephants – the African forest elephant and the African savannah elephant. The African forest elephant was recognized as being on the verge of complete extinction, and savannah elephants are on the endangered list.
It is worth noting that both species of African elephants were in the Red Book even before they were listed separately by species, which did not interfere with poaching activities, especially since their habitats are located in the poorest countries in Africa.
In 2019, the UN made attempts to help these countries financially to save the elephants, but these measures were clearly not enough, since the cost of ivory and tusk on the Asian market exceeds any assistance provided.
By comparison, in 1970 there were 400,000 elephants; by 2006, their numbers had dropped to 10,000. Since that time, some areas have seen a 4% increase in numbers, but in 2012, poaching began to surge again.