Poaching, climate change and loss of habitat are the biggest drivers of elephant endangerment. But we can still save the world's last remaining wild elephants.
Elephants are treasured wonders of the natural world — intelligent, skilled and empathetic. But today, all three elephant species (Asian, African forest and African Savannah) are listed as ENDANGERED. The biggest cause of their decline — humans.
Poaching is one of the greatest threats to African elephants. Poachers hunt elephants for their ivory, which is then made into medicines or trinkets. Over the past century, illegal ivory trade reduced the African elephant population by 90%. Despite anti-poaching measures, elephants are still hunted illegally today.
Even more threatening — climate change. Elephants need 150 kg of food and 100-200 liters of water every day, so even the slightest loss of critical resources has significant impacts on their health and the health of mature elephant’s offspring, as mothers produce less milk. Kenya, amid its worst drought in 40 years, saw 200 elephants die in 2022, a number that is expected to grow if climate change is not reversed.
Additionally, direct human activity threatens elephants. The intrusion of human settlements and agriculture practices have resulted in elephants struggling to follow their old migration patterns, forcing them closer into with humans. Over the past three generations, human interactions contributed to a 50% reduction in Asian elephant populations.
Tomorrow is WORLD ELEPHANT DAY — but there is not time wait. Help save the world’s remaining elephants, by donating today to the organizations fighting for the future of the magnificent creatures.
