Elephants In The Rainforest

It is the smallest of the three living elephant species reaching a shoulder height of 2 4 m 7 ft 10 in.

Elephants in the rainforest. Impact of climate change on rainforest elephants date. The elephant effect on the rainforests of central africa forest elephants are one of the largest terrestrial animals on the planet but are shrouded in mystery as they inhabit the impenetrable. Elephant elephants are found in rainforests of africa the congo southeast asia and india. Since it forages on leaves seeds fruit and tree bark it has been referred to as.

University of stirling summary. Dr emma bush of the faculty of natural sciences at the university of stirling. Adaptive features adapted by elephants for living in the tropical rainforest they have a strong sense of smell and uses its trunk for smell and to hold food. Logging is another threat to the forest elephant.

They live in herds consisting of related females and their calves. The african elephant loxodont africana is listed as endangered under the convention on international trade of endangered species cites. Forest elephants are a keystone species in the central african rainforests where they reside and perform many ecological services that are vital for the ecosystems proper functioning. Rainforest elephants are typically smaller than elephants found in the savannas of africa.

The forest elephant is mostly found in central and western africa s equatorial forests while the savannah elephant is found throughout the grassy plains and bushlands of the continent. Elephant living in the tropical rainforest are well adapted to this region. Here s an account of an experience i had with an angry mother in the rainforest of gabon in central africa. The herds are matriarchal meaning that they are led by one female while the males bulls tend to roam alone.

The hard and pink ivory of the forest elephant is highly prized by poachers who are difficult to catch in the cover of the rainforest. In collaboration with the government of gabon experts from the university of stirling have headed an international study relating to the effect of climate change on the rainforests of central africa and the risk posed to elephant populations in the region. Experts have looked into the impact of climate change on central africa s. It lives in family groups of up to 20 individuals.

Both sexes have straight downpointing tusks which erupt when they are 1 3 years old. It is native to humid forests in west africa and the congo basin. The african forest elephant loxodonta cyclotis is one of the two living african elephant species.