A recent study has found that African forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis) are more numerous than previously thought, thanks to a novel counting method using DNA extracted from their dung. The study by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) estimates the population at around 135,690, nearly 20% higher than 2016 figures.
• Innovative Genetic “Fingerprinting” Technique
The species is difficult to monitor as it inhabits dense, remote rainforests across 22 African countries, making aerial surveys ineffective. Scientists overcame this challenge by analyzing genetic fingerprints from dung samples, allowing them to identify individual elephants and avoid double counting.
• Significance for Rainforest Ecosystems
African forest elephants play a vital role in rainforest regeneration. Accurate population assessments are crucial for conservation planning and protecting these keystone species.
• Species Distinction and Conservation Status
Recognized as a separate species from the more common savannah elephant only in 2021, African forest elephants are smaller, with rounder ears and straighter tusks. Both species are endangered, with the forest elephant classified as “critically endangered” – the highest alert level on the IUCN Red List before extinction.
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