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© Tammy Fifer, Louisville Zoo
Elephant Conservation
Elephants in Africa and Asia face critical threats, including intense poaching, disease, predation, and dramatic loss of habitat. In the past 25 years, the in situ population of African elephants has fallen from 1.6 million to less than 500,000 - a decline of more than 100 elephants each day. The in situ population of Asian elephants has diminished to an estimated 30,000, scattered throughout several countries.
Africa and Asia suffer many unresolved human-elephant conflicts. As land area diminishes there will be few places on earth where humans do not manage elephants in some way. Some national parks in Africa are completely fenced to prevent conflict between wildlife and people and many now utilize wildlife management strategies that have been incorporated in zoos.
Under increasing population pressures, elephants need the substantial support and expertise of AZA researchers, biologists, and population managers. AZA-accredited zoos provide the majority of support for the International Elephant Foundation and more than 85 elephant conservation and research projects, including field-based training, habitat restoration, reduction of human-elephant conflict, ecotourism, and community-based initiatives.
AZA is strongly commited to high standards of Animal Care and Management for their ex situ population of elephants and play an essential role in the conservation of in situ African and Asian elephant populations. Currently, 284 elephants, approximately half Asian and half African, live in 79 AZA-accredited zoos. They are cared for daily by professional zookeepers and veterinarians, who dedicate their lives to these magnificent animals.
AZA also provides conservation and education resources, subsidizes financial support, advocates on behalf of elephants with a unified and consistent voice, and maintains partnerships with like-minded government and non-government agencies to raise awareness of elephant issues and promote elephant conservation. Answers to Frequently asked Questions and information about Elephants in the News are provided.
Accreditation Standards for Elephants
AZA-accredited zoos that care for elephants must meet or exceed AZA’s rigorous accreditation standards for elephants are more demanding than those of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service or state regulatory agencies. Management plans that ensure superior care for each elephant must be created and maintained to ensure that their social, behavioral, psychological, and physical needs are met. Read more about AZA Accreditation Standards for Elephants.
Government Affairs
AZA provides strong government support for elephants by promoting elephant welfare, conservation, research, and education at the international, federal, and state levels. AZA strives to support the creation of policy and laws that help protect elephants, advocates that Congress increase conservation funding, and seeks innovative legislative mechanisms for addressing elephant management and protection issues. Read more about Government Affairs.
Elephant Conservation Initiatives
The AZA community supports and participates in numerous elephant conservation initiatives, including AZA Animal Programs, like-minded elephant conservation organizations, and elephant conservation endowment fund projects, that take strategic and effective action to protect and conserve elephant populations as well as raise awareness and engage the public in conservation action. Read more about Elephant Conservation Initiaitves.