Where do African forest elephants live?

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elephant African savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana).

African forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis) are found in tropical forests across Central and West Africa, ranging from Senegal in the west to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the east.1

Due to significant habitat loss and poaching, the species currently inhabits only 25 percent of its historical range. While their population has declined rapidly, stable groups remain in certain areas of Central Africa, most notably in parts of Gabon and the Republic of the Congo, which host the largest remaining populations. These elephants are essential to their ecosystems, as they help thin vegetation and disperse seeds throughout the forest.1