This study speaks to the highly threatened nature of the African forest elephant. The authors quantified a serious downturn in their population by undertaking a broad review of survey data from nine years of observational field research in five countries. This pointed to what the authors refer to as a widespread and catastrophic decline in the African forest elephant population (down 62%), much of which they say can be tied to poaching and the trade in ivory. The authors also reference a number of contributing issues and call for effective multi-level action.

[Abstract excerpted from original source.]

“African forest elephants– taxonomically and functionally unique–are being poached at accelerating rates, but we lack range-wide information on the repercussions. Analysis of the largest survey dataset ever assembled for forest elephants (80 foot-surveys; covering 13,000 km; 91,600 person-days of fieldwork) revealed that population size declined by ca. 62% between 2002–2011, and the taxon lost 30% of its geographical range. The population is now less than 10% of its potential size, occupying less than 25% of its potential range. High human population density, hunting intensity, absence of law enforcement, poor governance, and proximity to expanding infrastructure are the strongest predictors of decline. To save the remaining African forest elephants, illegal poaching for ivory and encroachment into core elephant habitat must be stopped. In addition, the international demand for ivory, which fuels illegal trade, must be dramatically reduced.”