An African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) in Odzala-Kokoua National Park, Republic of the Congo.
Nicolas Deloche/Godong/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
A new review of the status of African elephants finds scientific grounds for dividing them into two species, and reports that both have suffered drastic population declines since 1990.
Tim – one of the last big tusker elephants – died last year at the age of 50, in Amboseli National Park, Kenya.
From the author
Elephants use their giant incisors to dig holes, impress rivals and rest weary trunks. But as so many continue to be killed for their ivory, he question is whether they are destined to be tuskless.
Photograph of an elephant brain.
Dr. Paul Manger/ University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Elephants don't have the enzyme that allows humans to metabolize alcohol. This means that anecdotes about elephants getting drunk from rotten fruit may very well be true.
Rosewood, the name for several endangered tree species that make beautiful furniture, being loaded in Madagascar.
Pierre-Yves Babelon/Shutterstock
For decades nations have worked to curb international sales of endangered plants and animals. But in countries like China, with high demand and speculative investors, that strategy fuels bidding wars.
African elephant in Kruger national park, South Africa.
PACO COMO/Shutterstock
In large ecosystems, managing elephant populations so they don't exceed a certain threshold number is arbitrary.
Mammoths went extinct tens of thousands of years ago, but trade in their ivory is threatening their living elephant cousins.
EPA/FREDERICK VON ERICHSEN
A new study shows these elephants boost the carbon stored in their forests by 7%.
Artistic view of the evolution of elephants. From left to right, Moeritherium (30 million years old), Deinotherium (5 million years old) and a modern African elephant.
Alex Bernardini (Simplex Paléo) and Sophie Vrard (Creaphi).
A shift in climate, along with other environmental disruptions and the invasion of competitors and new predators all likely played an important role in reshaping ancient elephants' brains.
Poaching of African elephants has fallen, but the species is still at risk. Law enforcement and ivory bans help, but tackling poverty is key to stopping poaching at the source.
Amid a growing human population, African elephants are confined to an increasingly managed existence. Do we want more for one of the world's most loved species?
Polar bears 'invading' a Russian village have renewed concern over climate change in the Arctic, but human-wildlife conflicts are flaring up everywhere.
Botswana’s elephants are officially an economic asset.
Ian Sewell/Wikimedia Commons
At an international summit in Egypt this month, nations will hopefully make progress towards recognising the economic value of wildlife and other environmental assets.
Understanding stories – those of the murderous as well as of the compassionate – is vital to generating the critical mass necessary to save natural environments and their multiple denizens.
As the Maasai people of Kenya seek to expand their agricultural developments, the lives of one of Africa's greatest creatures are being severely disrupted.
A young bull sees off a cow at a watering hole.
Flickr/Vernon Swanepoel