African Forest Elephant

African forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis), native to the dense rainforests of Central and West Africa, are critically endangered due to poaching for ivory, habitat loss, and human–wildlife conflict. There are only 150,000 left. Conservation efforts have increasingly focused on protecting their forest habitats, strengthening law enforcement, and supporting local communities. Below are three major projects working to save the African forest elephant.

1. Elephant Protection Initiative (EPI)

Regions: Central and West Africa (including Gabon, Republic of Congo, and Cameroon)
Launched: 2014
Partners: African governments, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and international NGOs
Overview: A continent-wide coalition aimed at ending the ivory trade and securing a future for all African elephants, including forest populations.
Key Goals:

• Support national ivory action plans and close domestic ivory markets.
  
• Improve anti-poaching enforcement through ranger training and technology (e.g., SMART monitoring systems).
  
• Develop National Elephant Action Plans (NEAPs) tailored to forest elephant conservation.
  Impact: Strengthened anti-poaching capacity and policy coordination across multiple African nations, leading to reduced illegal ivory trafficking in key forest regions.
  

2. Dzanga-Sangha Protected Areas Project

Location: Central African Republic (part of the Sangha Trinational Landscape)
Partners: WWF, Central African Republic Government, and local communities
Overview: A UNESCO World Heritage Site that protects one of the largest remaining populations of African forest elephants.
Core Activities:

• Intensive anti-poaching patrols and law enforcement coordination across borders.
  
• Long-term monitoring of elephant populations using camera traps and acoustic sensors.
  
• Community engagement through eco-tourism and alternative livelihood programs.
  Impact: Stabilized elephant populations in the Dzanga Bai area and improved coexistence between local communities and wildlife.
  

3. Gabon Elephant Conservation Initiative=

Location: Gabon
Led by: Gabonese National Parks Agency (ANPN) in partnership with WCS and WWF
Overview: Gabon holds over half of the world’s remaining forest elephants, making it a central focus for conservation action.
Key Actions:

• Deploy specialized anti-poaching units within national parks (e.g., Minkébé and Lopé).
  
• Use satellite tracking and genetic studies to map elephant movements and identify key corridors.
  
• Strengthen legal frameworks and penalties for ivory trafficking.
  Impact: Significant reduction in poaching rates in protected areas and improved understanding of forest elephant ecology and migration.
  

The Broader Mission
The Elephant Protection Initiative, Dzanga-Sangha Project, and Gabon Elephant Conservation Initiative represent the cornerstone of African forest elephant conservation. These programs integrate law enforcement, scientific research, and community involvement to combat poaching, preserve critical forest habitats, and ensure the long-term survival of this keystone species across Central and West Africa.