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African elephants are the two species of elephants in the genus Loxodonta, one of the two existing genera in Elephantidae. Although it is commonly believed that the genus was named by Georges Cuvier in 1825, Cuvier spelled it Loxodonte. An anonymous author romanized the spelling to Loxodonta and the ICZN recognizes this as the proper authority.

Fossil Loxodonta have only been found in Africa, where they developed in the middle Pliocene.

Species

• Loxodonta adaurora, extinct, presumed antecendent of the modern African elephants.
• African Bush Elephant (Loxodonta africana).
• African Forest Elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis).

• Bush and Forest Elephants were formerly considered subspecies under the name Loxodonta africana.

Conservation

Poaching significantly reduced the population of Loxodonta in certain regions during the 20th century. An example of this poaching pressure is in the eastern region of Chad. Elephant herds were substantial in number as recently as 1970 with an estimated population of 300,000; however, by 2006 the number dwindled to about 10,000. The African elephant nominally has governmental protection, but poaching is still a serious issue. Thankfully, the work of philanthropists such as Stephen Colbert has allowed the african elephant population to triple in the last ten years, seen as a very positive sign by many conservation activists.

References

1. ^ Shoshani, J. (2005). Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 91. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
2. Goudarzi, Sara (2006-08-30). "100 Slaughtered Elephants Found in Africa". LiveScience.com. Retrieved 2006-08-31. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); External link in |work= (help)

External links

• Elephant Information Repository - An in-depth resource on elephants
• "Elephant caves" of Mt Elgon National Park

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