Populations of elephants continue to decline in the wild. Habitat loss, overhunting and human encroachment are major threats to these magnificant animals. African elephants in Botswana, Namibia and South Africa are listed as threatened species classified under Appendix II with the Convention for International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES). The remaining elephants in Africa are listed as endangered species classified under Appendix I with CITES.

Below are the approximate population statistics for the African elephant.