Last updated 2008.03.19
< Previous Back to content list Next >
The
African Elephant, or as it is called now, the African
Bush Elephant (Loxodonta Africana) is one of the
three living species of elephants. Formerly, the smaller
African Bush Elephant and the African Forest Elephant
were simply known as the African Elephant but recent
studies have shown that they should be considered
distinct species. However, this distinction is still
debated.
The African Bush or Savanna Elephant is the largest land dwelling mammal, reaching 6 to 7 m in height and weighing up to 10 tonnes.
The elephant is widespread throughout Eastern and Southern Africa but the population size has decreased dramatically due to poaching.