Forest Elephants: Africa's Hidden, Vulnerable Giants

Forest elephants are vanishing in Africa. They need our help to recover.


What Makes Forest Elephants Unique?

At first glance, you might not be able to tell a forest elephant apart from a savanna elephant. Both are massive, intelligent, graceful animals with large ears, gray skin, and long tusks. But upon closer inspection, forest elephants have some key characteristics that distinguish them from their savanna cousins.

Forest elephants (left) have some distinctive features that distinguish them from savanna elephants (right).

Forest elephants have tusks that are straighter, thinner, and tend to point straight down when compared to savanna elephants. Their ears are smaller and more rounded, their shoulders stoop lower than their hindquarters, and their bodies are overall more compact. This smaller frame allows forest elephants to stay lower to the ground, which makes maneuvering through Africa’s tangled forests much easier.


Where do Forest Elephants Live?

Countries With Forest Elephants

Forest elephants dwell in the dense forests of Central Africa and some fragmented habitat in West Africa. Although remaining populations are scattered across the region, they are mostly concentrated in the main central African forest block of Gabon, the Republic of Congo, and Cameroon. The largest remaining population of forest elephants lives in Gabon, whose landmass is covered 88% by forests. But while they favor dense forest, there are some forest elephants living in savannas and some savanna elephants living in forests. 

It can be difficult to find forest elephants among the trees. Most observations are made in wet forest clearings where the elephants congregate and dig for minerals, sometimes in groups as large as 60-70 individuals. Since their diet includes lots of fruit, they are also responsible for the wide distribution of seeds throughout the ecosystem via their dung. They create gaps as they move through forests, knocking down trees and trampling vegetation.

As the architects of the rainforest, forest elephants provide a vital service to all other animals who share their home.

Forest Elephant in Congo, Odzala. ©Scott Ramsay


The Primary Threats to Forest Elephants

Forest elephants have endured rapid population decline, losing more than 86% of their numbers in just over three decades. They live in countries with little to no tourism, deep poverty, and increasing human pressures. They are now classified as Critically Endangered, with threats even seeping into protected areas and parks that were once thought to be safe.


Fighting for the Forest Elephant's Future

Despite the dangers surrounding forest elephants, we have the ability to save them.

The  Elephant Crisis Fund  (ECF) has been protecting forest elephants since its inception by supporting the work of conservationists and law enforcement around the world who combat their biggest threats, such as habitat loss and fragmentation, human-elephant conflict, and the ivory trade.


Forest elephants are singular giants that shape Africa’s rainforests, yet even these great animals are in serious need of help.

To save these elephants, we must all unite in support of the groups that work tirelessly to address the major threats to their survival. Together, we can ensure that forest elephants have a future where they can again roam safely through the trees on their road to recovery.

You can help create a safer world for forest elephants by spreading the word on social media and donating to the Elephant Crisis Fund this August 12 for #WorldElephantDay. Learn more at  elephantcrisisfund.org/worldelephantday 

Thank you for supporting the  Elephant Crisis Fund , the  Wildlife Conservation Network , and  Save the Elephants . Our 100% model guarantees that every dollar you donate goes directly to elephant conservation.

Forest elephants (left) have some distinctive features that distinguish them from savanna elephants (right).

Countries With Forest Elephants

Forest Elephant in Congo, Odzala. ©Scott Ramsay