Tag: African Savannah

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African elephant populations have stabilized in their Southern African homes

African elephant populations have risen and fallen incredibly fast over the last few centuries. It is estimated that as much as 20 million Savanah elephants roamed Africa in the year 1800, but in 1979 just 600,000 remained, and in 2016 just 415,000 live in Africa. At that point, over 100,000 had been poached in the previous decade.

Unfortunately, it is not merely a case of making more parks. Elephants are incredibly intelligent, but so called fortress reserves, are not good enough. Indeed, less well protected reserves, that are linked together by migration corridors, are far better for the elephant population, than the aforementioned fortress reserves.

These corridors have multiple benefits, from allowing elephants to leave overpopulated areas, to being able to move to places where food and water are available. It also means that the elephants can leave areas of heavy poaching, for instance the Virunga national park, where elephants virtually disappeared in the 1990s, but have started to return from Queen Elizabeth national park in Uganda, across the border.

Where animals cannot move, one often has a boom and bust kind of population dynamic. Now, it should be noted, that this is not always easy, as migration corridors are rarely completely empty of humans, so there is more conflict in these areas, never-the-less, it is clear that these corridors are essential, if these elephant populations are to survive into the long-term. Of course, it also leads to an interesting situation, where virtually all of the huge ecosystems in Africa are along borders, as this allows more than one country to share the cost.

Of perhaps greater worry, this population of 415,000 is both the African savannah and African forest elephant. Yet these two are completely separate species, African forest elephants are nicknamed the gardeners of the forest, and it is questionable whether it can survive as effectively in the long-term without their recovery. The African forest elephant had a population of 26 million in 1800, it is unclear how many are left, but what is clear, is that their population has collapsed in the last few decades.

Elephant

African Savannah elephant, Asiatic elephant and Africa forest elephant

Elephant family tree

African Savannah African forest, and Asian Elephant

There are 3 species of elephant in the world (these come from two closely related genera, Loxodonta (the African elephant genus, and Elephas the Asian elephant genus, both are dealt with on this page). They are a good indicator species, as if an area is capable of supporting elephants, it can probably support most other species as well (those above are in the same order, should you not recognize them). 

The African Savannah elephant (left) and African Forest Elephant elephant (right) are both part of the same genus – Loxodonta. The Asian elephant (only one species, though a 3 subspecies Sri Lankan elephant, Mainland Asian elephant and Sumatran Elephant) is the only  member of the genus Elephas. It is important to remember, that while the mammoth is a well known extinct species like the Elephant, it is estimated that there have been 180 different elephantine species in earths history.

Click on the one you are interested below, to find out more (along with seeing longer videos on each separate species), or scroll down to read all the articles we have written on elephants.

African Savannah Elephant
Asiatic Elephant
African forest elephant

We already have a number of places to view wild savannah elephants. Click on wild places or here, for all our savannah destinations in Africa. All the savannahs have elephants, Except the mountain gorilla reserve, which has forest elephants – often seen on a walk in this reserve.

Should you work in tourism or conservation, and would like to list another destination, either of this species of elephant, or indeed of African forest elephants or Asian elephants, you will find a link at the top of the main page “list your wild place” or alternatively click here.

African forest Elephant

African Forest elephants

There are three species of elephant, the African savanna elephant, African forest elephant and the Asian elephant. 

With the African species, Forest elephants have declined 86% between 1986 and 2015, African Bush elephants declined 60% 1965 and 2015 leaving just over 400,000. African forest elephants are thought to number between 100,000 and 150,000.

Perhaps the most scary fact is that the African forest elephant was only declared as a separate species in 2021 only 2 years ago. These species are not particularly similar – indeed the Asian elephant is more genetically similar to the mammoth, than the African savannah elephant is to the African forest elephant! 

The African forest elephants population has declined precipitably in the last few years. Given the recognition that the forest elephant is a separate species only came 2 years ago, it is hard to get accurate historic figures. Never-the-less, the combined african elephant species population was thought to be around 26 million in 1800, and 1.34 million in 1976. The estimate is currently around 100-200,000 forest elephants. One of the problems, is that the African forest elephant is an essential part of the ecosystem. There are many trees, which rely on forest elephants to carry their seeds through the forest, so that they germinate a good distance from the original plant (more than a few of the same plant in the same area, causes the pest that feeds on the tree to multiply to the point where it can kill the tree. While it is true that other animals like gorillas and chimpanzees can do this, they do it far less. Should the forest elephant be lost, the African rainforest is likely to be far less capable of of handling the various changes, like climate change that is coming.

The last strongholds are in Gabon (a survey last year suggested Gabon has 95,000 forest elephants, rather than the 60,000 that was originally thought) and the Republic of the Congo and Democratic republic of the Cong, with smaller populations remaining in other African countries (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea) and Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia and Ghana in west Africa. There is much space for forest elephants to greatly recover, if the poaching is able to stop.

Below this, you will see a video on this species, and below this is a list of any times that the african forest elephant has been mentioned within this blog.

Below this, at the bottom of the page, we hope to list places where you can go to see this species in the wild – if you work in conservation or tourism around this species, do get in touch. we would love to list you, and it costs nothing to be listed, we merely work on commission.

Southern Giraffe

Southern Giraffe

The Southern Giraffe (also known as the 2 horned giraffe) is the most numerous, with a population of around 44,000 (out of the remaining 68,000 giraffes that live in the wild).

Their range includes South Africa, Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Also, with the majority of their population residing in fortress reserves, such as Kruger, this is likely the safest sub-species.

There are 2 subspecies of this giraffe that are recognized.

  • Firstly the Angolan giraffe which is found in Northern Namibia, South-west Zambia, Botswana and western Zimbabwe. A 2009 genetic study found that the Northern Namib Desert and the Etosha National park population each form a separate sub species (so are not part of this subspecies) with this subspecies also has a white ear patch. Is found in northern Namibia, south-western Zambia, Botswana, and western Zimbabwe. . Around 13,000 animals are estimated to remain in the wild; and about 20 are kept in zoos.
  • The South African giraffe is found in Northern South Africa, southern Botswana, southern Zimbabwe and the south west of Mozambique. It has darker and rounder patches. These patches continue down the legs, getting smaller.
  • There are around 31,500 of this sub-species (almost 50% of the wild population) with just 45 in zoos

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    African Savannah

    African Savannah animals

    The aim here is not to give you the number of every species that exists in each reserve. Rather, the aim is to give you a rough idea of the health and size of each reserve. In places where there are private reserves on the edge of a larger reserve, complete ecosystem numbers will be given. Please note that they will not be precise, as even straight after a thorough count numbers are only estimates – furthermore, some reserves do not publicize their numbers.

    The grid of animals that I have included above are as follows (below):

    African wild dog Black rhino White rhino(Really wide rhino) Elephant Buffalo Giraffe Zebra Cheetah Hippopotamus Lion Hyena Leopard

    This is going to be the standard animals for Savannah ecosystems within Africa, however each different Biome will have different species so there will be a variety of these pages. I will give you brief information on each. In the long-run we hope to have animal pages for each and these will be linked from the Bold animal names. Those not bold not not yet have a link page. At the bottom of each animals page is a list of places which you can book to see the animal in question; each currently have at least a few choices, but I hope to be able to direct to many more as time moves forwards.

    African wild dog (or sometimes known as Cape hunting dog or painted dog). This animal is an incredible sighting if you get lucky. Now, they live at low densities, so are generally found in the largest reserves. If a reserve still has African wild dog, it is clear that the reserve is in pretty good health (usually). Furthermore, as they are very susceptible to various diseases that domestic dogs can carry (such as canine distemper) – this wiped out the population in the Serengeti in 1995. Thankfully, wild dogs have returned to the Serengeti, though currently only 100 or so are in the ecosystem – meaning it is unlikely that you will see them here. Any sighting is a wonderful thing. Member of ecotourism big 7

    Black and White Rhino Two different species, Black rhino had a far larger range, unfortunately they are highly endangered across most of their range. White rhino, once found in central Africa (there are now only 2 of these animals left, held at Ol Pejeta conservancy in Kenya) are now only found in Southern Africa – South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe. The Kruger, once hosted as much as 10,000 or more white rhino, but now only have about 3000. Note: white rhino appears to be a mistranslation from the Africaans Weit, meaning wide, these rhino are not white. Pictures are Black then white rhino. Member of big 5 and ecotourism big 7

    Elephant One of the species that so many people visit Africa for, the Savannah African elephant is doing okay, though the populations is far below historical levels. Places like the Selous (now much of this reserve is Nyerere National park) lost perhaps 80% of there historical elephant population. Encouragingly, if the poaching stops the population often rapidly recovers. The African forest elephant has seen horrific poaching over the last few decades, and without a rapid change this species might be heading for extinction (the African forest elephant is closer related to the Mammoth than the African Savannah elephant. Member of the big 5 and ecotourism big7.

    Buffalo: A member of the big 5, the buffalo is essentially a wild cattle species. They are a member of the big 5 and ecotourism big 7. The big 5 is so named because these were the most dangerous animals to hunt on foot. Buffalo are often the species which you are likely to have encounters with if you go walking on foot.

    Lion Often referred to as the King of the Jungle (despite not being found in jungles), is generally considered the apex predator. Certainly a wonderful thing to see, never-the-less they do not get their own way all the time. The population of Lions in Africa has seen precipice falls in the last century, and this has not stopped. Tourism is one tool we have to give them financial value to those who share their space with them. Member of the big 5 and ecotourism big 7

    Giraffe: While this is a species that is found in the majority of Southern and Eastern African reserves, they are officially classed as endangered, as their population is currently falling so fast. The selous in Tanzania is nicknamed the Griraffe park as there are so many of them.

    Zebra are also found in most reserves in Africa, though the number of them is still of interest.

    Cheetah Like African Wild dog are a key indicator of the health of the ecosystem. Living at low densities in most reserves (except in places like the Serengeti plains). These are rare sightings, and most reserves do not have many cheetah. Indeed of all the big species, the cheetah is one of the few predators who do better outside reserves.

    Hippopotamus: This is another species that does reasonably well outside protected reserves, but their population has fallen fast over the last few years.

    Lion Lions are a very clear indication of the health of each ecosystem. If there is a significant population of Lion, then it is a large reserve and therefore there is plenty of space for other species. Check our links at the bottom of the lion page for some of the best place to see them.

    Hyena There are thought to be more than 100,000 spotted hyena in Africa, making them the most numerous predator on the continent. They are exciting animals to see, and their call is often one of the species that you hear from your campsite – the weird rising whoop which is the contact call they use between them. Watch the video below to see what I mean. The advantage of the population size is that you are likely to find them in most wilderness areas. Brown hyenas are also widely found, never the less, as they do not do well in close proximity to spotted hyenas which means they are more often found on the edge of reserves and outside them.

    Leopard The last member of the big 5 and Ecotourism big 7, the Leopard is a fascinating species. A solitary animal (except mothers with their young) they are the only big cat, or indeed member of the big 5 that is reguarly found outside protected reserves, though this is decreasing over time. A fantastic sighting, they can be very hard to find, and sightings in big reserves are usually very crowded. Generally found near river courses, as these are the places where large trees are found, allowing the Leopard to rest out of danger.

    African Savannah Elephant

    African Savannah Elephant

    There are three species of elephant, the African savanna elephant, African forest elephant and the Asian elephant. 

    With the African species, Forest elephants have declined 86% between 1986 and 2015, African Bush elephants declined 60% 1965 and 2015 leaving just over 400,000. 

    One of the other issues with poaching is that elephants are very intelligent, and can communicate over long distances. As a result if for instance an elephant is killed in the north of the Kruger, elephants hundreds of miles south will become far more aggressive towards humans and cars. This in turn reduces the number of tourists that are willing to visit the reserve.

    Perhaps one encouraging fact, is that the African savannah elephant has enough space for a far larger population if only poaching can come to an end. It is also a simple fact, that any reserve with elephants (like lions) can attract visitors- provided it is well run.

    Limpopo Transfrontier park including Kruger sabi sands and other conservation areas
    Greater Serengeti

    Species watch

    Species watch

    All species are important, often reintroductions have failed because a small unnoticed animal was missed. Over time, we will amass pages for as many species as possible. However, just as important is  seeing how species are closely related. As such as well as looking at species from a specific ecosystem or family, we will also include family trees of many of the families on earth. It should be noted, that this is to help you find wildlife you wish to see, so will never link to every species. In either way, these links to these will be placed at the top.

    Mammal family tree
    Wild cat family
    Wild dog family
    Primate family
    African Savannah
    Bear family tree
    Antelope family tree
    Bovini or cattle family tree
    Equidae: Genus for horses (horses, donkeys and zebra)
    Cervidae family (deer) here red deer
    Camelid family (camels and Llamas)
    Aardvark
    Hyaenidae
    Elephant family
    Hippo family
    Rhino family
    Pinnipeds: Seals, Sealions, Fur Seals and walruses
    Crocodiles, Alligators, Caimans, Gharials, False Gharials
    Lizards
    Snakes
    Amphibians
    Birds general
    Emporer-penguins Genus Aptenodytes Not threatened 256,000 breeding pairs
    Flightless birds
    Predatory birds
    sea, water birds and waders
    Mid to small birds
    Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises Species
    Shark Species
    Tiger - all subspecies
    Jaguar
    Lion - all subspecies
    Leopard - all subspecies
    Clouded Leopard & Sunda Clouded Leopard
    Snow Leopard
    Cheetah - all subspecies
    Lynx family (this is the Eurasian Lynx)
    Wildcat
    Cougar
    Sumatran Orangutan
    Chimpanzee
    Boonobo
    Gorilla
    African hunting dog
    wolf
    arctic fox
    polar bear
    Panda
    Bear species (the rest of the family)
    Red panda
    Hyrax family tree (yellow spotted hyrax)
    Sus or pig family
    bee eater familly
    Vulture family tree
    Hedgehog - European hedgehog and family
    Hamster family (Turkish hamster )
    Elephant shrew (western rock elephant shrew)
    Beaver species
    Common vole (possibly vole family in future)
    Siberian ibex
    Naked mole rat family
    Mexican ground squirrel and the ground squirrel family
    Large treeshrew photo credit Daderot CC0 1.0
    Rat family (brown rat)
    Pangolin family
    Eagle family
    Owl family
    Original paper - OrthoMaM: A database of orthologous genomic markers for placental mammal phylogenetics. Ranwez V., Delsuc F., Ranwez S., Belkhir K., Tilak M. & Douzery E. J. P. BMC Evolutionary Biology, 2007, 7 : 241.
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