African Savanna Elephant

"Something in the Air" by Aaron Blaise (digital)

 
“I’ve always had a soft spot for elephants. To be in their presence is awe inspiring and an honor. I remember the first time my wife, Karen and I saw them in the wild within Samburu Park in Kenya. I couldn’t get the grin off of my face. All I could say was “Wow! WOW!!” I turned to look at my wife and she had tears of joy running down her cheeks. It’s one of my favorite memories.”
— Aaron Blaise

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The African Elephant is also known as the Savannah Elephant or African Bush Elephant.

Habitat 

The savanna elephant's habitat is usually savannas or grasslands. They live in all of sub-Saharan Africa, except for Central Africa’s dense tropical forest.

Map__African Elephant.jpg

Family Life

In the savanna subspecies, each family unit usually consists of around 10 females and their calves. Bulls associate with the herd only during mating. Several family units often join together to form a “clan” consisting of up to several hundred members.

Lifespan

These elephants live for 60-70 years.

Hunting Habits/Diet

Savanna elephants are herbivores, and feed on grasses, fruits, tree leaves, bark, shrubs, and vines. Their selection varies depending on the time of year--during the rainy season they will feed more on grass than during the dry season.

Population

Africa now has 352,271 savanna elephants left in 93% of the species' range.  While the overall elephant picture is bleak, it varies greatly from country to country and from ecosystem to ecosystem.

 Fun Facts:

  • The Savannah Elephant is the largest and heaviest land animal -- weighing up to 10,000 pounds 12 feet tall.

  • Elephants are also considered to be highly intelligent and emotional -- displaying behaviors that include giving and receiving love, caring deeply for the young and grieving for dead relatives.

  • The elephant’s trunk is very flexible and alone contains as many as 100,000 different muscles.

Why Are They Endangered?

Today, although recovering, Savannah Elephant populations are still threatened from increasing levels of illegal poaching and habitat destruction. Deforestation means that the Savannah Elephant  lose both their food and shelter--making them more vulnerable. African elephants are vulnerable because poachers and hunters kill them for their ivory tusks to sell on the black market.   

Status

Vulnerable