Which habitats can elephants live in across Africa and Asia?

Elephants are found in a variety of environments across Africa and Asia. While all three species—the African bush elephant, the African forest elephant, and the Asian elephant—are currently threatened by habitat loss and poaching, they occupy distinct ecological niches.1234

• African bush elephants: These animals reside in diverse habitats across 23 African countries, ranging from savannas and forests to deserts.3
• African forest elephants: As their name suggests, these elephants are primarily found in the tropical forests of Central and West Africa, stretching from Senegal to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.4
• Asian elephants: These mammals inhabit tropical forests and grasslands throughout parts of South and Southeast Asia, including countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Indonesia.5

Protecting these varied habitats is an ethical imperative to ensure the survival of these endangered species and the health of the ecosystems they support.5234